I've been a short bow guy my whole life — 30, 31, maybe 32 inches max. But after hunting and shooting TAC events with my Mach 33 this past year, something shifted. This episode breaks down exactly why I've changed my mind on longer ATA bows, what finally pushed me over the edge, and whether the trade-offs are actually as big a deal as I always thought they were.
We get into string angle, draw cycle, speed vs. forgiveness, arrow tuning sweet spots, what bow I'm building out for TAC this year (hint: it's a Mach 35), and which long ATA bows are worth looking at right now — including the new PSE Sicario 35. I also break down who the longer bow makes the most sense for and when sticking with a shorter ATA still has its place.
If you've been on the fence about trying a longer bow, this one's for you.
Head over to extremeoutfitters.com for all your archery gear — use code ARCHERYPROJECT to save 10% off your order. Listen to the full episode now.
Key Topics Covered
- Why Zakk changed his mind on long ATA bows after years of shooting 32" and under
- The Mach 33 hunting season breakdown — 6-7 animals, all great shot placement
- Ground hunting with a 33" bow and why the maneuverability concerns are mostly in your head
- String angle: the single biggest reason to go longer - Speed vs. forgiveness — why chasing IBO numbers is a trap for most hunters
- The 280-295 fps sweet spot for tuning and broadhead flight - Why 80 lbs on a long ATA bow draws completely different than a short bow
- The Mach 35 TAC build: HHA Nitrix XV3, Epsilon rest, plans for Shrewd TRAK bars
- Shooting the Mach 35 at TAC Tennessee with zero bars — and still shooting lights out
- Bow-by-bow breakdown: PSE Mach 33/35, Hoyt RX10 Ultra, Mathews ARC 34, AX 333, Darton Tri-Tech 33/35 - New PSE Sicario 35 — longer brace height, more draw length options, same speed platform
- Who should shoot long ATA and how draw length factors into the decision
- Budget option: PSE Alaskan Pro at ~$700 as an entry-level long ATA bow
- TAC Pennsylvania preview — Extreme Outfitters booth, custom arrow building on-site
Gear & Products Mentioned -
PSE Mach 33 - PSE Mach 35 (FDS cam, 80 lbs) - PSE Sicario 33 - PSE Sicario 35 (new) - PSE Alaskan Pro - Hoyt RX10 Ultra - Mathews ARC 34 - Mathews AX 333 - Darton Tri-Tech 33 - Darton Tri-Tech 35 - HHA Nitrix XV3 (vertical 3-pin, .019) - HHA Tetra - Hamskea Epsilon rest - Easton 5.0 arrows (~435 grains) - Easton FMJ Maxes (465 grains, hunting setup) - Shrewd TRAK bars (front and rear) - PSE 2-piece quiver
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