--- title: "How We Test: The Methodology Behind the Rankings of Our 2017 Bow Shootout" description: "We evaluated 26 compounds and crossbows and launched hundreds o farrows for this year's Bow Test. It spanned two states and three testing facilities, and incorporated both high-tech laboratory equipment from Stress Engineering and old-fashioned muscle power. Here's how the latest bows stacked up." date: "2017-07-19" modified: "2017-07-19" authors: - name: "Tony Hansen" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/tony-hansen/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/how-we-test-methodology-behind-rankings-our-2017-bow-shootout/" categories: - "Bow Hunting Gear" - "Gear" - "Hunting Gear" --- # How We Test: The Methodology Behind the Rankings of Our 2017 Bow Shootout ![testing a crossbow in an anechoic chamber]() *Lab tech Ray Newman rigs a crossbow to the modified Hooter Shooter inside Stress Engineering's semi-anechoic testing chamber. Natalie Krebs* We dedicated long days and late nights to our most exhaustive bow test yet. Here’s a breakdown of how we arrived at our scores. Also, for any hunters wondering why a particular model is missing from our test, keep in mind that our annual test (like our other gear tests) is an invitational. Manufacturers were invited to submit one compound and/or one crossbow of their choice as long as it was new for 2017. ![new compound bows on their boxes]() *The crop of compounds at the 2017 test, ready for shooting. Ackerman + Gruber* ### OBJECTIVE TESTING This year, we partnered with [Stress Engineering Services](), a versatile firm that tests everything from treestands to rifle recoil at its Ohio-based Outdoor Division. Stress and our team evaluated each submission for arrow speed, noise, and vibration. Data was collected as both compounds and crossbows were fired off a remotely triggered Hooter Shooter in a semi-anechoic (echo-free) chamber. ![anechoic chamber for testing archery equipment]() *The semi-anechoic chamber at [Stress Engineering]()'s Ohio-based Outdoor Division. Natalie Krebs* **Speed** was calculated by analyzing high-speed video footage. Each model was recorded firing an arrow against a backing board covered in lines spaced at 1-inch intervals. Frame-by-frame analysis was used to calculate velocity at launch. Each compound was set at the IBO standard 30-inch draw length and 70-pound draw weight. ![testing compound and crossbows indoors]() *The indoor range where we recorded arrow launches with a high-frame-rate camera to calculate velocity. Natalie Krebs* For the arrows, however, we deviated from our past use of the industry-standard IBO arrow (300 grains) to hunting-weight arrows (Victory Archery VAP Elite shafts at 423 grains) to evaluate more realistic field velocities. We measured crossbow speeds with various arrows (each crossbow required a specific nock type and shaft length), although they all weighed between 420 and 430 grains. **Noise** levels were recorded with microphones in the semi-anechoic chamber. Raw acoustic data was filtered to account for how the human ear perceives sound. ![velocity data how we test]() *The raw velocity data from the accelerometers after one fired shot. Natalie Krebs* **Vibration** was measured with micro accelerometers glued to the risers, grips, and stocks, and the data was filtered using a hand-arm perception filter (which accounts for how humans feel vibration when shooting a bow). We ensured all data was analyzed under brand-blind conditions to eliminate potential bias. Similarly, our field testers completed their subjective evaluations of each bow before reviewing the objective results. ![arrows in a 3D deer archery target]() *The 2017 Bow Test Ackerman + Gruber* ### SUBJECTIVE TESTING ▪ For the in-field evaluation, we gathered in southern Indiana, where we used [Rinehart targets]() to design a 3D course that required shots from varying distances and vantage points, including from ladder and climbing stands, a ground blind, and seated and standing positions. Here's an overview of the categories: ![an archer shoots a 3D bear target]() *The author works his way through the 3D course. Ackerman + Gruber* **Draw cycle/back wall** evaluates a compound's overall feel throughout the draw curve. Each model's back wall and valley were analyzed after letoff. **Cocking** addresses both ease and safety of cocking a crossbow, as well as any de-cocking functionality. **Trigger/safety** evaluates a crossbow's trigger break and the safety's design and function. **Versatility** reflects a crossbow's applicability for various hunting and shooting scenarios. **Handling** is an assessment of each model's balance, hold comfort, and overall ergonomics. **Shootability** is a measure of how well each model points, holds on target, fires, and groups. **Huntability** applies shootability to the field. This is where the treestand and ground blind performance of each bow is assessed. Crossbows were evaluated for useful field features like ease of cocking while seated, cocking noise, safety features, and ease of use with shooting sticks. ![Hunting, Hunting Gear and Accessories, Bowhunting, Tony Hansen, crossbows, Gear, mission mxb]() *Testing the Mission MXB from a ground blind. Ackerman + Gruber* **Adjustability** represents ease of tuning and range of adjustment (draw length and weight) for compounds. **Build quality** judges a bow's components, its overall fit and finish, and aesthetics. **Value** scores reflect the amount of bow you get for the price. The highest value score in each field typically dictates the Great Buy, although this year we determined that no crossbow represented a remarkable enough value to earn a Great Buy award. We therefore withheld the honor in the crossbow category. ![outdoor life test team panel bowhunting]() *The test team, clockwise from top left: Andrew McKean; P.J. Reilly; Alex Robinson; Tony Hansen. Ackerman + Gruber* **1. Andrew McKean** is OL's editor-in-chief and hunting editor. Despite his love of vertical bowhunting, his lefthandedness prevented him from participating in the compound test. Instead, he took the lead on crossbows. **2. P.J. Reilly** is a technical writer and occasional bow tech for [Lancaster Archery Supply]() in Pennsylvania. He has been shooting, competing with, and working on bows since 1990. **3. Tony Hansen** is OL's assistant editor, the bow test team captain, and a Michigan bowhunter. He served as bow tech for this test, mounting more sights, tuning more bows, and shooting more arrows than he cares to remember. **4. [Alex Robinson]()** is OL's online editor, a regular OL gear tester, and a Minnesota-based bowhunting addict. ![bow accelerometer to measure vibration]() *Patrick Harrell of Stress applies an accelerometer to one of the test models. Natalie Krebs* *Special thanks to [Stress Engineering]() for objective testing: Matthew Berrey, Rich Chomick, Jacob Cress, Patrick Harrell, Clint Haynes, Dan Morrow, Jeff Osburne, and Ray Newman.* RELATED: 5 Things I Learned at the 2017 Outdoor Life Bow Test ## Author Tony Hansen is a contributing writer to Outdoor Life. A Michigan native, he lives in the southern Michigan community where he grew up chasing deer, turkeys, and football-sized smallmouths with the most meaningful catch of his life, his wife, Nichole. ### Author social links [Instagram]()