Bear Kodiak Magnum vs Bear Grizzly
Quick take: The Bear Grizzly costs $50 less.
| Spec | Bear Kodiak Magnum | Bear Grizzly |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 | $500 |
| Rating | — | 4.8★ (26) |
| Type | One-Piece Recurve | One-Piece Recurve |
| ATA/IBO Speed | — | — |
| Length | 52" | 58" |
| Brace Height | — | 8" |
| Draw Weights | 35-60 lb in 5 lb steps @ 28" | 25-60 lb in 5 lb steps @ 28" (LH limited to 35-55 lb) |
| Draw Length | — | — |
| Let-Off | — | — |
| Mass Weight | — | — |
| Construction | One-piece | One-piece |
| Setup | Use a bow stringer — the short, deeply recurved limbs are especially easy to twist with step-through stringing. Shoot it off the included bear hair rest and leather plate, and tune brace height in the high-7-inch range, adding twists until the shot quiets. Most owners shoot three-under to reduce finger pinch from the steep string angle. Keep draws at or under ~28 inches and pick 45-50 lb for deer; the 52-inch length punishes long-draw shooters with stack. | Always string it with a bow stringer — never the step-through method. It comes ready to shoot off the included bear hair rest and leather side plate, and start tuning at the recommended 7.5-8.5 inch brace height, twisting the string up until it quiets down. Keep the stock Dacron-class string; the tips aren't rated fast-flight. For whitetail hunting, 40-45 lb at your draw is plenty; the 50 lb version covers elk-class game. |
| Warranty | 1-year limited to original owner (Bear Archery; online registration within 30 days required) | 1-year limited to original owner (Bear Archery; online registration within 30 days required) |
Pros & cons
Bear Kodiak Magnum
- ✓Shortest one-piece in Bear's line — unmatched maneuverability in cover
- ✓Heritage design dating to 1961, beloved by treestand hunters for decades
- ✓Cut-on-center radiused shelf with bear hair rest shoots clean off the shelf
- ✓Fast-flight-rated tips with Dynaflight 97 Flemish string included
- ✓Snappy, quick-recovering limbs feel lively for their length
- ✓Distinctive arctic-grey glass and shedua looks
- ✓Full 35-60 lb hunting weight range
- ✗Finger pinch and stacking beyond ~28" draw — long-draw shooters should pass
- ✗Light mass weight makes it harder to hold steady than longer bows
- ✗Spotty availability in Aug 2026 (sold out at Bear, waitlisted at 3Rivers)
- ✗Right-hand only in current production at major retailers
- ✗Less forgiving of release errors than 58-60" bows
- ✗No visible numeric review average despite 13 reviews at 3Rivers
Bear Grizzly
- ✓75-year production heritage with a proven 1964 design
- ✓Cut-on-center, radiused shelf makes arrow tuning forgiving
- ✓58" length is handy in a stand or blind yet still smooth
- ✓4.8/5 average from Walmart buyers; 67 reviews logged at 3Rivers
- ✓Wide 25-60 lb weight range covers youth practice to elk hunting
- ✓Riser is tapped for a bolt-on quiver
- ✓Quiet and nearly shock-free when brace height is tuned
- ✓Broad parts/string availability and strong resale value
- ✗Not fast-flight rated — you're locked into stretchy Dacron strings
- ✗Grip is blocky compared to custom bows; some shooters reshape it
- ✗Marked draw weights often run 1-3 lb heavy
- ✗Stacks past ~29" draw lengths
- ✗Left-hand weight selection is limited (35-55 lb)
- ✗Frequently backordered 2-3 weeks at major retailers