BowTech The General

by
posted on August 19, 2009
2009819-bowtechgeneral_f.jpg

It's tough not to notice The General's unique, pivoting limb system with its forked riser that looks like nothing you've ever seen. Its huge, oval cams are as energetic as electrons-you can see this on a draw/force curve analysis and feel it when you draw. The General is much like driving a race car with an extremely tight suspension; because of its aggressive cams it's tough to pull back and a little bit jerky, then the break-over is dramatic, and you are left holding next to nothing against a concrete-feeling back wall (the point at which the cam stops rotating and you can pull the string back no farther). Upon release, the bow makes an almost silent, deathly thook, and the arrow blisters away.

To my ears The General was the quietest bow of the lot, thanks in part to an innovative string suppression system on the cable guard-a guard that houses ball-bearing rollers instead of the typical plastic slide. Though it only measures a miniscule 31 inches axle-to-axle, The General has one of the tallest brace heights I've ever shot-8.25 inches-making it a pleasure to shoot. It retains the distinct, stiff feel for which BowTech is known. It shot a 349-grain arrow an average of 252.07 fps from a 59.2-pound draw weight and 26-inch draw. (With everything else being equal, the shorter the draw length, the slower the speed.) I shot through Bowtech's notable Hostage rest. Considering The General's congenial brace height and scary-quiet report, its numbers are impressive, to say the least. What's more, it is the first and only bow that allows the option of a drop-in Crimson Trace Lasergrip. The high-tech setup offers many advantages. This partnership with a gun company is hardly surprising, considering Savage Firearms recently acquired BowTech. I'll take a Savage rifle and a BowTech General, thank you, and hunt every season possible.

Type: dual-cam compound bow
Riser: machined aluminum
Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70 lbs.
Draw Length: 26"-30"
Brace Height: 8.25"
Let-Off: 65, 85%
Advertised Speed IBO: 307-315 fps
Overall Weight: 4.5 lbs.
Axle-to-Axle Length: 313⁄16"
MSRP: $799

Latest

Draper Shooting S20 Hunter
Draper Shooting S20 Hunter

#SundayGunday: Sako S20 Hunter

Get a closer look at the Sako S20 Hunter, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.

Local Legends: Why Butch and Harold Still Prowl the Big Woods

The experience of two Vermont hunters shows it’s never too late to find a new hunting partner.

Non-Toxic Shot Roundup

Contributor Mike Roux discusses the ins and outs of non-toxic shot with his audience.

First Look: Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE Handheld GPS Units

Whether you want a high-tech hunting device that’s loaded with sophisticated features or simply need an easy-to-use GPS to avoid getting lost in the woods, Garmin’s new handhelds have you covered.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Henry Repeating Arms has announced a donation of $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as part of its $1 million silver anniversary pledge and the company’s commitment to safeguarding America’s outdoors and hunting traditions.

Hardware: CVA Cascade XT

The new XT (X-Treme) is CVA’s precision-oriented rifle in the company’s popular Cascade rifle series, and boasts several features that make it an ideal multipurpose hunting rifle. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.