How Tough Is A $1900 Hoyt Hunting Bow?

Dude, where the hell's Brian? I don't know, man. He's always late. I'm always late! Guys, I'm coming! Thank God it's a Hoyt! Hey guys, welcome back to the channel. Zach, JR, and Brian here, and carbon bows are known as being some of the toughest, most durable bows on the market. The Hoyt carbon bows in particular. So today we've got the new 2024 Hoyt RX-8 carbon bow. JR, what are the specs on this bow? Yep, so we're looking at a 30-inch axle, axle, a six and one-eighth brace height. We're looking at a draw weight of about four pounds and draw length ranges are from 25 to 30 inches. So we're going to see just how durable this Hoyt RX-8 really is. So we've got four tests that we're putting it through. So this is like the ultimate torture test for a bow. So we're going to start and we're going to build with each test. The first test is going to be, we're going to drag it through the mud, then we're going to take and we're going to do a drop test, then we're going to dry fire the bow, and then last but not least, we're going to run it over with our Ram 3500. So it's going to be interesting. We're going to see just how well this bow holds up and see if carbon really does hold up to the name, if it's as durable as everyone says it is. The bow is set up and zeroed at 20 yards. So after each test, we're going to retest and make sure the bow is still in working order, right? We're going to make sure it's still functioning, that it still shoots and that it still shoots it, you know, is on at 20 yards. All right, guys, before we get started with any of these tests, we want to make sure that the bow is in spec because after each test, we are going to reconfirm a couple of the specs of the bow, right? So we're going to measure the ATA and the brace height. So we're going to go ahead and get initial measurements. JR with our handy tape measure. We're looking at 30 and a half on the brake, or axle-to-axle, brace height sitting about six inches. So it's already off a little bit. So those are the numbers we're starting with, 30 and a half and right at six inches. So after each test, we're going to reconfirm and see if any of those numbers shift, and then we're going to do a function test and shoot the bow. So let's get started with our first test. All right, guys, so if you're a bow hunter, at some point, you're going to be wet and potentially muddy. And if you're like me, you had your bow tethered to you, you're getting ready to climb up a tree, you kick up a ground hornet nest, and then you find yourself running through the woods with the bow in tow. So that's going to be what we're testing. So based off that, our first test is going to be the mud test. We're going to drop it in the mud, drag it through the mud, and see if the bow still shoots. As you can see, JR did a fantastic job putting it through the mud. We drug it through it, buried it, sunk it. It's still covered in mud and weeds. Good job, JR. Thank you. So we're going to test it and make sure it still works. Look at that. Perfect. Still holds zero. So phase one complete. Let's go ahead and move on to phase two. All right, on to test number two. So we've all heard the horror stories, somebody's up in a tree, they've just got settled in, they turn, they shift around, they bump their bow, and they watch their bow fall 15, 20 feet to its death. So what we're doing is we're going to test this bow from, we're going to do a drop test. So Brian's going to climb up roughly hunting height, somewhere around 15 feet, and drop this bow flat. So we know if we drop it on the cams, any bow, the cams are going to be toast. So we are testing the durability of the riser itself. So we're going to drop this thing flat. We've removed our sight because the last thing I want to do is ruin a sight. We're going to drop this thing flat and see how it holds up. We're going to recheck the specs, brace height, and ATA, and see if there's any issues with it, and then reshoot it. So without further ado, Brian, let's go. Well, JR, that was rough. And that's only the second test. So we dropped it three times, three different angles, three different ways to simulate knocking out of a tree stand, it falling and hitting different ways. It landed on the limb pockets. It landed flat. So, I mean, it really couldn't, couldn't test it any other way. Really good. And it was the third one, I think was the worst. Had a little bit of a ding to it. So now we're going to recheck the specs on it and then function test it. So JR, let's start with the ATA. So we were sitting still about 30 and a half for the axle to axle. Perfect. Brace height, still at a six inches. So perfect. Bow's in perfect working order. We're going to mount the site real quick and we're going to reconfirm our zero and see if it's stayed in tune and if we're still getting a 20 yard zero. All right, JR. So you can obviously hear the mud in the cams. How does the draw cycle feel? You can feel it. I mean, it still draws fine, but you can feel there's some obstructions in there. So you can feel it. It's probably in those cam bearings. Once you're pulling it back, you can feel it. It's kind of like resisting a little bit, but other than that though, the draw cycle still feels fine. Still holding a zero. Still, everything's in spec. Everything's successful so far. So it's past phase or test number two. Let's move on to test number three, the dry fire. It's more common than you think. We get guys that come in all the, in the shop all the time that have dry fired their bows on accident, right? You're going through the motion, you're outside shooting with your buddies, carrying on a conversation, forget to knock an arrow, let that bad boy rip. Boom. You blow the bow up, bow is toast. Well, what happens when you dry fire a bow? JR is about to find out. As you can see guys, JR took proper safety precautions. We would not encourage you to do this at home. We got a Kevlar, we got plates on, so fairly safe. Looking at the bow right on, you know, this, we're just now looking over the bow. It derailed the bow, which we kind of expected, and it blew the hole shots out. But looking at everything else, the bow still looks fine. Initial inspection, everything looks good. Looks like it's still shootable. So what we're going to do now is we're going to take it, we're going to put in a press real quick, put the string back on, recheck the specs, overall ATA and brace height, and then shoot the bow and see if it's still holding zero. How was that, JR? Not that bad. Dude, I was terrified for you. I was scared for you too, a little bit too. It was loud, but I mean it wasn't as... Yeah, it wasn't that bad. No, so let's put it in the press and get it back in working order and see how it performs. All right guys, so we just got it out of the press, JR put the string back on it, and we've gone through everything, limbs, mods, cams. So far, everything looks perfectly fine, intact. String is still held up. The speed knocks didn't blow out, which was surprising. Just the hole shots. Peep is still in there. JR did a good job tying the peep in. I mean, as far as we can tell, it looks still in working order. So we're going to check now, again, ATA and brace height. Still sitting about 30 and a half. Perfect. On the money. Six inches. So on the money. So JR, after dry firing your bow, what would you encourage somebody to do? So you definitely want to take it into a bow shop to have everything looked over, because you could have micro cracks in, especially in this carbon riser, you could have micro cracks in the riser or even on your limbs. So you really want to get it cleaned up nice and good, because we got the super dirty. So you'd really want to get it cleaned up and have it looked over really well by a trained professional. What about strings? Would you automatically say, hey, it's time to replace those strings? It wouldn't hurt, especially with that on the bottom cam. It actually went in between the axle and the shim. So it kind of pinched it a little bit. So I mean, there could be damage on the inside of that string there. So it definitely would not hurt to get new strings put on. So, but looking at it though, it looks like with the Hoyt, I mean, it really does hold up to their dry fire test. I mean, everything's in working order. I mean, including just looking at it, the string just doesn't look bad. We definitely encourage you to replace it, but overall initial inspections going through it, it looks good. So now we're going to go shoot it again and see how it shoots. Yep. Still shooting perfect 20 yards. I mean, the only thing we did is had to put the string back on. So it's. One thing I did notice is the string stop now has moved because it's not touching anymore. But other than that, yeah. Still in working order. So super impressive. So you dry fire Hoyt bow for the most part, it looks like your limbs, cams and everything are going to be just fine and very salvageable. So you don't got to go out and everything. But again, we would definitely highly recommend you take it to the shop and have it inspected. So that completes test number three. Now we're moving on to the biggest and the final test. This is test number four. So let's run it over. Let's do it. So imagine this, you're outside shooting your bow, enjoying your time, sending a couple arrows down range. You set your bow down in your driveway. You walk back to get a few arrows. You look back and whore your wife's back and over your bow. So for our final test, we're going to see what happens whenever you run the Hoyt RX-8 over with our Ram 3500. Well, that was sketchy. Did you hear how I could hear it in the truck? How loud it was super loud. I mean, that's like 7,000 pounds. I just ran over this bow. I'm looking. I mean, I don't see. I mean, the bow is really, really marred up, obviously from the gravel. But I'm honestly surprised that that side of the shelf did not break off. It didn't crack. I'm surprised that honestly, that the the roller guard isn't bent from what I can tell. And the string stuff. I mean, it got buried in there. Yeah, didn't snap. I mean, it's a little bit loose. All right, let's get the tape measure out. Let's check specs on this thing. Oh, nope. We did. Yeah, we chipped it. I mean, it might be paint superficial, but no, that's not superficial. So let's take a look at this. We need to get a good look at it. All right, let's take a look at this thing a little further. All right, guys. So under further inspection, we noticed there are actually some cracks in the carbon itself. So we got a crack close to the actual limb pocket. And then J.R., we've got another one right by the cable guard. So honestly, incredibly impressed that the bow didn't just come apart. So, you know, I mean, what are your thoughts? I'm very impressed, too. So, I mean, I've heard it from years ago that Hoyt does a torture test like this on all their models that they put out. They do 1500 dry fires and they run them through the ringer. So it just shows Hoyt's got a tough bow. So we're going to go ahead now. We're going to recheck specs on it, see if it is out of spec. So remember, we should be right at 30 and a half. Yeah, it's right there. ATA is still 30 and a half. And brace height is still sitting right at six inches. Six inches. So it did hold up. So what do you think, J.R.? Shoot final shot. We're going to put another arrow through it. We definitely wouldn't recommend it. I mean, if the bow's been through that, I mean, if you run your bow over with a 7,000 pound truck, any other bow I can guarantee wouldn't even hold up to this. We would probably recommend take it to a shop, have it looked at and get a new bow. But I mean, we'll see. Let's see if it still shoots. We can still get it to hit paper at 20 yards. That's still dead center. It's a 20 yard zero. Still good. It's been dropped, run through the mud, dry fired, ran over. And you look at the target, it's still dead center, still hold a 20 yard zero. That is incredible. So great job, Hoyt. Great job, Hoyt. So there you go. There you guys have it. As you can see, Hoyt makes a hell of a bow. Their carbon bows are known to be the toughest bows on the market, and I think that stands true. So incredible product. Drop some comments. Let us know what you guys thought about our torture test and how you thought the RX-8 from Hoyt was fair. I'm super interested. So appreciate JR and Brian putting this thing through the wringer. They did a fantastic job. And again, I just can't say enough how impressive that really is. That's all guys. Good job, Hoyt. So as always, appreciate you guys watching. You need anything from the Archer world, head over to our website, ExtremeOutfitters.com. Get anything you need. Sign up for our newsletter. Get locked into all of our exclusive deals that we can't even advertise. So as always, appreciate you guys. See you in the next video.