Author Archives: Elite Compound Bows & Tagpoint

Specs Test Results Hoyt takes its Alpha aluminum-riser bow lineup to a new level for 2026 with the AX-3, which comes in four model options: AX-3 29, AX-3 33, AX-3 33 LD (Long Draw) and AX-3 SD (Short Draw). I tested the AX-3 33. One area where Hoyt fell behind the bow-building 8-ball in 2025 was its lack of an integrated tuning system. The AX-3 line solves that issue with the company’s new XTS Tuning System. A limb—not cam—system, the XTS is simple, straightforward, and corrects right, left, high, and low tears up to 1 inch. For my money, it the best on-bow tuning system on the market right now. Another big improvement over last year’s RX-9 is the draw cycle. The AX-3 33 draws like butter. The weight builds evenly and cleanly, and the transition to let-off settings of 75, 80, or 85 percent is silky. At full draw, the bow holds and aims extremely well. The HBX Gen 4 cams don’t want to pull you into the shot, and the back wall feel provides a slight valley (without any sponginess) that you can pull into. The bow delivers solid speed and excellent shot-to-shot consistency. The bow’s 33-inch length between the axle pins hits a not-too-long but not-too-short, sweet spot, and the 6-3/8-inch brace helps blend speed with forgiveness. The AX-3 33 is dead in the hand at the shot and builds shooting confidence rapidly. In the end, the Alpha AX-33 took Best Overall honors in this year test because it has the perfect blend of speed and shootablity. It gets you target quickly, helps keep your pin from dancing, and lets you pull through your shot. And it’s even quieter (62.2 dB) than last year’s RX-9 (63.1 dB). When the arrow goes, and the bow returns to static, there is no post-shot vibration. There is zero doubt in my mind that the AX-3 33 is Hoyt’s best-ever aluminum-riser compound, and it’s our top pick for 2026. Related: Check out our expert’s full review of the Hoyt Alpha AX-3 here.

After verifying all bow specs, I put 200 arrows through each bow at ranges between 20 and 50 yards to allow for string settling and stretch. Over these 200 shots, I took notes about each bow’s grip, draw cycle, transition to let-off, back wall, full-draw balance, aiming, post-shot feel, and fit and finish. After that, I paper-tuned each bow—including bare-shaft tuning at 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards—until a dozen test arrows created a perfect bullet hole through the paper. Next, I shot three-arrow groups at 20 and 50 yards with field points. I also shot three-arrow groups from 80 yards, which was the max test distance. I measured and averaged all the group sizes for each bow. I also shot two 5-Spot Indoor 300 rounds from 20 yards, and two outdoor 3-D rounds with 12 targets between 20 and 50 yards and 50 and 80 yards. After testing eac bow-and-arrow combo with field tips, I tested each with 100-grain fixed-blade Exodus and Trocar broadheads to 60 yards. I shot three fixed-blade arrow groups from 20 to 60 yards and three field-point-tipped arrows head-to-head against those groups. Results were measured and recorded. I repeated the process with SEVR’s Ti 1.5 4-Blade Hybrid, Speed’s Crosscut, and G5’s T2 mechanical heads. I tested each mechanical broadhead to 60 yards against field points. I used Competition Electronics ProChrono LTD and Garmin’s Xero C1 Pro chronographs to record three-shot speed averages. (Remember, the speed figures below are not to IBO specs; they reflect my 29-inch draw length and 70-pound draw weight, with a 467-grain arrow.) I measured noise with Reed’s Model R8050 Sound Level Meter, averaging the decibel (dB) readings of three shots. With all the results tabulated, I sat down and scored each bow on a 100-point scale in the following categories: Using all of that data, I picked the overall winner of F&S’s 2026 compound bow test, as well as winners in the categories that mean the most to bowhunters. Here are the results.

When I received the test bows, the first thing I did was confirm the manufacturer’s specs. Then I adjusted each one, as needed, to meet my shooting specs of a 29-inch draw length and a draw weight as close to 70 pounds as possible. Then, I set up all the bows with the following accessories: