SAS Pioneer 68" Longbow Traditional Wood Long Bow Archery Target Hunting (Left Hand 55 pounds)

BOTTOM LINE: THIS BOW SHOOTS WONDERFULLY. If you want a traditional D shaped long bow. This ain’t it. If you want a good shooting longbow for a good price, this is it.OK OK OK OK . This is my review of the SAS Pioneer Long Bow 45 LBS. First, I went to Cabela and shot a 45 LB Frontier long bow and a 55 lb Bear Montana. (two ends of the cost spectrum for production bows) So those are my only long bows as a benchmark to judge the 45 lb SAS pioneer I bought on line at amazon.com.While shooting the two at Cabalas (bear and fronteersman), I noticed the bear was more of a long bow traditional shape with a narrower but thicker riser, (and it had more hand shock compared to the frontier albeit 45 vs 55 pound bear). I shoot a 50LB Bear recurve and found the 55 LB Montana easier to draw. The frontier was wider and thinner like as if it was a recurve bow that had only a slight decurve-recurve. The Pioneer I bought was almost a replica of the Frontier as far as limb thickness and shape. It is less wide and slightly thicker than the recurve limbs of my grizzly. But imagine a bear grizzle w/o the recurve and more taper in width to the end. That is the frontier and the SAS Pioneer, a slightly de-flex/reflex bow.Having shot the pioneer and frontiersman both in 45#, 6 is one half a dozen it the other. Get which is the best deal.So if you want a traditional / historical correct longbow, pass this by. It doesn’t have the “D” shaped limbs.However if you want a good shooting “Longbow” this is it, so is the frontier. I have been shooting a 50 LB bear Grizzly for 35 years and a 35 lb samick sage for a couple years.(back surgery). This 45 # pioneer shoots consistent and good. 10 to 22 yards trajectory like a line drive (450 grain total weight arrows w/feathers). Small twang but I haven’t added any silencers 7.5 inch brace height.Only downside is the PLEATHER wrap of the grip. I removed it. It was slack and I did much better w/o it on the grip. The bow slid around it when I released. It was not glued to the riser as the bow rotated counterclockwise when I shot. Sent my arrows to the left. (Right hand shooter).The nocks are well made, smooth, and require no sanding like reviews of the OMP Ozark hunter comment on that bows reviews. BOTTOM LINE: THIS BOW SHOOTS WONDERFULLY. If you want a traditional D shaped long bow. This ain’t it. If you want a good shooting longbow for a good price this is it. I think the Cabela’s frontier is equivalent having shot both in 45 #. Get the best price.Now I have had my Bear grizzly recurve for 35 years (50#). I got it at a yard sale for $20 in 1983. (best bow in the free world). So I really wanted a Bear product. But when I shot the frontiersman and the Montana. I was more accurate with the frontiersman. The bear Montana is more of a traditional longbow riser shape. But it is 2x the price. Will the SAS last me 35 years like my Bear Grizzly? I’m 53, it doesn’t have to.

I rated this 5 stars because it is great quality for the price. Was a little leary buying a bow on Amazon, but I am very happy with the purchase. Bought a 45# bow (probably draws closer to 50# at my draw length). Previously I had been shooting my dad's 35# Browning fiberglass/laminate recurve, for decades, but I wanted to upgrade to something I might be able to hunt with. I was surprised how accurately I was able to shoot the bow right out of the box, using arrows that were spined for the recurve. Compared to my recurve, this bow has a little more hand shock, but it is more accurate, a tad bit more quiet, and has less finger pinch, like I was hoping for.****Update: It's been a few months since buying the bow and writing the original review and I am still loving it! Definitely satisfied with the purchase! Changed the original endless loop string to a Flemish fast-flight, put beaver balls on it, and tuned it nicely with wooden arrows from 3 rivers. Man it is quiet and shoots great!! The leather grip does move ever so slightly when you first pick it up, but I have not had any issues with it affecting my shot. I plan to hunt with the bow this deer season...which brings me to one minor criticism. I wish it didn't have the big white "pioneer" emblazoned on the back of the top limb. I fear it could flash game, especially when taking a shot. I knew this about the bow before purchasing though, but decided I could live with that for the price. It's also quite long, which is not ideal for hunting, but again I knew that before buying.

I bought this bow in 45 pound and 30 pounds. I have 5 traditional bows . 3 are recurves 2 bear kodiack and Hoyt satori. Ilf. If your looking for a long bow that's affordable this is it. I changed string and added beaver balls. Wonderful shooting . Glad I bought 2. Learn to shoot ASL bow and your golden.

I bought this bow in 40 pounds draw weight. I got fitted with 31” carbon arrows, 600 spine, and 125g field points. They fly very true out of this bow.I draw 29.5”, so it’s probably pulling 43-45lbs at that draw length. I am getting about 160fps arrow speed.I have shot a few hundred arrows out of this bow so far, and still have a lot to learn, but it’s a great shooting little bow. The archery pro i use was quite impressed with it when he shot it getting arrows tuned for it.I put some beaver pelt silencers on the string and it shoots very quiet with very little shock.I am a longtime compound bow shooter who wanted a light draw weight bow to learn traditional archery on. If I could go back I would probably buy it in 35 lbs.I am planning to deer hunt with this year if I can get some broadheads tuned to fly correctly by the time season starts.I was planning to buy a Bear or Martin in 50 or 55 pounds to hunt with after I gained some proficiency on this bow, but assuming it’s long term durability proves to hold up I would have no problem buying another Pioneer in a heavier draw weight to hunt with.

No handshock at all, shoots where i look. Seems well made. Quiet with a flemish twist, i personally like the way an endless loop shoots so went back to stock string.No complaints for the price.

I've shot a variety of department store recurve and longbow. This bow is a phenomenal value at its price point. Way better than the off the shelf Bear at cabelas for 500 bucks. I can't put it down. I did upgrade the string so I'm not sure how the included string is but the bow is great. 6 stars if they had it.

Really disappointing. Waited to buy this specific bow and it comes in as a right handed bow when I ordered a left handed bow. Would have loved to exchange it and get the right size. Seems like a reasonably nice bow and I’d been waiting for quite some while.