Best Recurve Bow Hunting Stabilizer

Having acquired a recurve bow, every archer will inevitably, at one time or another, have to decide whether or not they want to get a stabilizer. Especially if you want to take your bow hunting, youll need a recurve bow hunting stabilizer.

Not everyone believes in stabilizers. They will claim that you get tired of carrying all that extra weight around all the time. That extra effort is required to attach and detach the stabilizer every time if you’re using a bow case. They will question whether you really do benefit from spending that extra money.

The fact is, there’s a lot of science behind the functioning of a stabilizer. And the fact that millions of people all over the world use stabilizers in a wide variety of different applications. There cannot be any dispute that they do really work.

Best Recurve Bow Hunting Stabilizer

We will now look at what we consider to be the three best stabilizers available today.

SAS Archery Aluminium Bow Hunting Stabilizer

SAS Archery Aluminium Bow Stabilizer

Lightweight but strong, the SAS Archery Aluminium Bow Stabilizer is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. This is the alloy that is used in the manufacture of high wear and tear applications, high corrosion environments, and where component failure has potentially catastrophic consequences. Uses include:

  • Aircraft components
  • Marine fittings
  • Mountings for camera lenses
  • Brake and hydraulic piston
  • Bicycle frames
  • And many more

The alloy is highly corrosion resistant and holds coatings well. This makes it eminently suitable for the demands of hunting.

The stabilizer is available in 5”, 8”, and 11” lengths and in either black or camouflage color options. It features advanced vibration dampening technology.

The weight is fixed for each length option. At 5.3 oz, the 5” stabilizer is perfect for hunting. It’s short and light so it won’t be much of a burden when moving around on a bow hunt. The vibration damping and noise reduction are also very good. This will help to improve your accuracy and reduce the chance that your target will be spooked by the noise.

The 11”, 10 oz option is great for the archery range. It provides excellent balance and stability for longer shots.

Pros

  • Durable aluminum construction
  • Lightweight
  • Superior vibration dampening
  • Excellent choice for beginners
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Weight is fixed

AMEYXGS Balance Bar Hunting Stabilizer

AMEYXGS Balance Bar Stabilizer

Made from carbon fiber, the AMEYXGX Balance Bar Stabilizer is a good-looking and durable balance bar stabilizer set. It comes in a variety of size combinations to suit any archer’s unique needs and preferences.

The main bar has 26”, 28”, and 30” options, and the sidebars are 10” or 12”. Extension poles of 3”, 4”, and 5” make up the full set.

The main bars and sidebars have built-in vibration dampers which will help to extend the life of your bow and also reduce the strain on your wrist and arm. Noise is also suppressed. If you’re hunting with this stabilizer, there is less chance that the animal will be startled by the noise when you release the arrow.

The set is very easy to assemble and dismantle or to swap out components. It is suitable for both compound and recurve bows and equally fit for all archers from beginner to professional.

Pros

  • Strong carbon fiber construction
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent vibration dampening and noise reduction
  • Excellent choice for beginners
  • Adaptability

Cons

  • Bar and locking shafts not included

LimbSaver S-Coil Bow Hunting Stabilizer

LimbSaver S-Coil Bow Stabilizer, 4-1/2 Inches

The LimbSaver S-Coil Bow Stabilizer has a very simple yet unique design. It features a continuous spiral of LimbSaver’s patented NAVCOM material.

The spiral design increases the surface area of the material and improves the absorption of vibration. It also creates nodes that isolate and eliminate vibration independently. It effectively cancels out vibration across a wide range of frequencies. 

It does a superb job at reducing noise. This makes it one of the best stabilizers on the market. With sales of over a million units, it’s fair to say that this is an accurate assessment.

At 4.5 inches and weighing 4.5 oz, this is a very versatile stabilizer. It’s eminently suitable for hunting and also great for younger archers. It’s available in a range of colors including camo and some bright neon ones.

Pros

  • Super absorbent NAVCOM material
  • Short and Light
  • Good for beginners
  • Inexpensive
  • Suitable for use in all conditions

Cons

  • Perhaps a little too light

 How to Choose a Recurve Stabilizer for Hunting

Although most stabilizers are generally rod-shaped, there are different weights, compounds, and applications. In short, there are a lot of stabilizers on the market. Choosing one is not an easy task. You need to consider several factors.

Length

This depends on what you will use your recurve bow for. For hunting, you probably want a shorter, lighter stabilizer that will not hinder your movements in the field. In hunting, the target is usually quite close and shots are taken relatively quickly as compared to target archery. At longer ranges, a longer stabilizer will probably be more appropriate.

Weight

The inertia provided by the stabilizer is proportional to its weight. Heavier, therefore, means more stability. The additional material also increases the absorption of vibration and noise. On the flip-side, the extra weight can tire you out faster. Once your muscles start aching, your accuracy will deteriorate. This is very much a personal choice.

Your own style

If you’re thinking of just copying someone else’s successful setup, you’re most likely to be disappointed. Every person has a unique style and what works for one will most probably not work nearly as well for you. The best way to figure this out is to try a number of different stabilizers. Play with length and weight combinations. Take quite a few shots with each. This is a choice to be made only through trial and error.

Materials

You may be looking for maximum reduction of vibration and noise. In this case, you should look at stabilizers that emphasize the dampening materials or technology. Alternatively, you may be looking purely to counterbalance and stabilize the bow. Here, you would be looking for weight and length and the choice of materials would not make a significant difference.

What is a Stabilizer?

A stabilizer is an accessory that is fixed to a bow to improve stability and reduce vibration when shooting. Most commonly, it is a rod with weights. The rod length varies greatly as does the total weight.

The theory is that the added weight produces inertia and steadies the bow when the archer draws for a shot. The forward protrusion of the stabilizer also shifts the center of gravity forward and counteracts the bow’s natural inclination to kick up or in the direction of the dominant hand. 

Drawing a bow generates energy in the limbs. This is the energy that will drive the arrow forward. However, when the bow is released, a portion of that energy is absorbed by the bow. This causes vibration throughout the bow. Vibration affects your accuracy, the longevity of your bow and, over time, may cause you to develop pain in your muscles or joints.  

The added weight provides more material to absorb some of this energy and reduce the vibration. Most stabilizers contain dampening materials to increase the absorption of energy.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, a hunter or competition archer, a recurve hunting stabilizer is a valuable addition to your recurve bow. Hopefully, this review will have helped you get a little closer to choosing a stabilizer that works for you.

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