I am thinking of getting a Predator bow. Can't decide between 60'' or 62" bow. How big is the riser, how heavy is half phenolic riser compared to the all wood? The shelf is too close to the hand, will the feathers strike my hand while shooting it? Thanks!

Why don't you talk to the folks that make them?

If your draw length is no longer than 28" the 60" would be comfortable. I draw 29" and prefer the 62". The Phenolic riser is heavy, but all their risers are. I like the way they shoot and they are smooth but the shelf being right on top of the hand and the high grip are what I don't like about them.

fdp, i usually do my research by asking owner's opinions first.

As far as the bow, it's awesome. I have a 60 in bow with a normal draw length. Predator web site talks about how their bows fit longer draws due to the design. I have the hardwood riser and it's a nice comfortable weight, never weighed it. Phenolic is heavy material so I would call and ask.quality and performance is top notch.

Steve, I owned one about 7 yrs ago I guess not long after they started back up in production.

It shot well and yes the arrow is close to the hand but that is a positive to me. As I recall I also liked the grip. The fit and finish is very good.

I sold mine for a dumb reason I guess. The wood limb veneer I picked was a darker wood and the glass was cloudy/milky so it did not look great. This was common for many bowyers back then and it was the company that made the glass from what I have heard.

I never contacted them about it because I had seen this same thing on other bows. After a while it bugged me, so I sold or traded the bow off.

I have since seen them at shows like Kalamazoo and have not seen that issue. In fact I am VERY impressed with the look of their bows. There is a lot of good history with Predator and the guy who started it. I would have no trouble recommending Predator. The design is very Bear Kodiak similar to me and it is a bow with great lines.

Also, I have never heard a complaint on how they shoot. I am into the super recurves (Border) now, but Predator is a bow I see good things in.

Bill

Understood Steve. But the questions you asked are related to the construction of the bow, except for the hitting the hand question. So, all you are going to get are opinions.

Riser length, physical weight comparison, bow length vs. draw length, those are bowyer questions.

I have two 60" bows and think their the best of my recurves. they really zip the arrows out and are very easy to tune.

As long as you getting a new model you should have any issues with feathers hitting your hand. My first Predator was Damon Howatt, something like that, and the feathers always hit my hand and I had to go top an elevated rest.

Absolutely love mine. I draw 30 and was lucky to find one at 62 inch. No stack for me. Bow is fairly heavy. I shoot with a selway bolt on quiver which also adds weight but I find it comfortable. I have had feathers strike my hand and I've started wearing a glove on my bow hand to fix that. I don't find the grip high. It suits me perfectly. It's definitely my favourite bow.

I had a 57lb classic which got too heavy for me, so i sold it to a young Friend..see above... I have a 46lb 60in coming from Rmsgear. Steve there is a 62in..46lb classic listed at Rmsgear.. Now. As I have a short draw length I prefer the 60". I love the grip and the arrow as close to the hand as possible. Sandy

If fletch scratching your bow hand is a problem you may try orienting the position of your fletching slightly. I have had feathers scratch my bowhand and that is caused by a rough surface on the front of the quill..beware of that. As Jamie said..try a baseball or golf shooting glove on that hand. Sandy

I have 2 and love them. I do have a phenolic and it is heavy but very stable. I also have the metal riser and really like the grip on it. You can't go wrong with a predator.

I have owned 4 of them - never had the feather hit my hand.

The phenolic is heavier, I weighed them once just can't remember - think the phenolic is 3.5lbs. I think 1/2 lb heavier but call Mike and ask him

all of mine were 60" - the only one I have left is the phenolic - hint, hint - it's stonger for sure

Here is a couple to get you going - loved that bubinga model they used to make - think a guy in Missouri is happy with it - lucky guy!

Thing of beauty right there - now they do a wider accent strip down the middle which looks pretty good. I saw the other day they had two with osage accents in inventory, take a look at those

The numbers on them tell you the date the bow was made, above shows 1-23-2012 assume the last number is the bow number that day. This helps if you buy something used. The limbs widths have changed slightly over the years since 1996 (believe that was the big change) they all fit since 96 but some are wider than others - Mike knows, I am kind of guessing on years

I just weighed my 1 pc solid wood riser at 1# 5oz on a postal scale. It is 18" tip to tip .

Oh - I draw 29" on a 60"

love those Predators!

I don't have an issue with the feathers hitting my hand. The 60" Predator I have is the fastest recurve per # I ever Had! And smooth shooting at my 28" draw. And no hand shock. It took me a little time to get use to the wider grip because I was use to my Super Kodiaks thin grip. I got mine used with 2 sets of limbs. 53#,51#. I go back and forth with the limbs. I'm thinking about getting a riser for the other set of limbs. I think mine is 10 or 11 years old. I sent mine to "Hunter's Niche" to get refinished and they did a real nice job. It looks like a new bow now. I like mine a lot.

I hate those Predators! I can hang with my buddy at the 3D range, until... he breaks out his predator. Then I'm toast!!! :>)

Very quick, smooth drawing, absence of handshock, they are the best !

I like a low cut shelf myself, but you could mount a plastic flipper rest just where you want it.

MY Hunter-DX is 1#-9oz in charcoal future wood, same length as Jim's above, so there is a definite variance of weight between the risers.

And they think black widow bows are ugly this would be the last girl I would take to the prom. Steve your black widow is calling you and they have a catalog as well with answer to all you questions true story lol.

He didn't like my bow either :)

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