Bear Montana vs Southwest Archery Scorpion
Quick take: The Southwest Archery Scorpion costs $250 less.
| Spec | Bear Montana | Southwest Archery Scorpion |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $530 | $280 |
| Rating | 4.4★ (17) | — |
| Type | Longbow | Longbow |
| ATA/IBO Speed | — | — |
| Length | 64" | 68" |
| Brace Height | 8" | — |
| Draw Weights | 30-60 lb in 5 lb steps @ 28" | 25-60 lb in 5 lb steps @ 28" |
| Draw Length | — | — |
| Let-Off | — | — |
| Mass Weight | — | — |
| Construction | One-piece | One-piece |
| Setup | String it with a longbow-style stringer and set brace height in the recommended 7.5-8.5 inch window — running it too low is the top cause of hand-shock complaints. The leather shelf rug and side plate come installed; shoot feathers off the shelf. Because the window isn't cut to center, tune with slightly weaker-spined arrows than a recurve would need, and favor heavy (10+ gpp) arrows, which also quiet the bow. Choose 45-50 lb for deer and elk; the DF97 string is fast-flight so no upgrade is needed. | Use a bow stringer (buy the kit version if you don't own one) and start with the pre-installed shelf pad. Tune brace height in the low-7-inch range, adding string twists until the bow quiets; upgrading the stock 16-strand Dacron string to a Flemish or Fast Flight string is the single best improvement since the tips are reinforced for it. Tune with slightly weak spines because the window isn't center-cut. Order 45-50 lb for deer hunting; 25-35 lb weights are for practice and small game. |
| Warranty | 1-year limited to original owner (Bear Archery; online registration within 30 days required) | 1-year manufacturer warranty (Southwest Archery) |
Pros & cons
Bear Montana
- ✓Proven entry longbow with nearly 30 years in the Bear catalog
- ✓Slight reflex gives better cast than straight-limb Hill-style bows
- ✓64" length avoids stack and finger pinch to ~29" draws
- ✓4.4/5 Amazon rating and strong forum word of mouth
- ✓Fast-flight rated with Dynaflight 97 Flemish string included
- ✓Very light in hand for spot-and-stalk or all-day still-hunting
- ✓Leather grip, shelf rug, and side plate included — hunt-ready out of the box
- ✗Noticeable hand shock if brace height is low or arrows are light
- ✗Sight window not cut past center — spine tuning is fussier than a recurve
- ✗Slower than hybrid longbows like the Bodnik Quick Stick
- ✗No 25 lb option for pure beginners; LH stock is inconsistent
- ✗Street price has crept from ~$400 to ~$530 in recent years
Southwest Archery Scorpion
- ✓Reinforced limb tips rated for Fast Flight strings — rare under $300
- ✓Handsome multi-wood riser (dymondwood, tigerwood, white oak, padauk)
- ✓68" length is smooth and stack-free for long draws
- ✓1-year warranty from a USA-based company
- ✓Very positive ArcheryTalk/Trad Talk owner feedback with few complaints
- ✓True left-hand versions in all weights
- ✓Full 25-60 lb range covers beginners through elk-capable hunters
- ✗No verifiable numeric review aggregate at research time
- ✗Stock Dacron string leaves speed and quietness on the table
- ✗Mild hand shock with light arrows until string/brace are tuned
- ✗Shelf not cut past center, so spine tuning is fussier than a recurve
- ✗Stringer tool costs extra unless you buy the kit