Compound Bow | Draw Weight | Draw Length | Brace Height | IBO Speed | Let-off | AtA Length / Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAS Rage See Today's Price on Cabelas | 25 to 70 lbs. | 12" - 31" | Unkown" How To Choose Arrows | 270 FPS | Unknown | 35" / 4.4 lbs. |
| Pros: - Designed specifically for novice archers on a budget - 70 lb. draw weight makes it suitable for hunting | Cons: - A an obscure manufacturer not well known among avid archers - With a mass weight of 4.4 lbs, it is significantly heavier than most modern compound bows |
| Compare prices across top hunting gear sellers | |
The SAS Rage at a Glance
I am afraid that I cannot honestly say that I am the least bit impressed with this bow or the Southland Archery Supply web site since the bow appears to be designed as an entry level bow for novice archers but, in my opinion, there are better bows available in a similar price range. Also, the SAS web site is severely lacking in information about the bow or the company! However, it does appear to be a reasonably well made bow with a wide range of draw lengths to choose from and enough draw weight make it suitable for hunting.
SAS Rage Package Contents & Assembly
The Southland Archery Supply Rage is a bare bones bow that includes only the riser, limbs, string and cables and nothing else. Thus, any accessories must be purchased separately and added by the archer.
The SAS Rage Eccentric System (cams)
The Southland Archery Supply Rage does feature a moderate, dual, eccentric, cam system made from machined aluminum with an additional module that enables archers to move a stop pin from one hole to another in order to adjust the draw length.
Shooting Speed
The Southland Archery Supply Rage has a stated speed of 270 FPS. However, their web site does not mention whether this is an IBO or ATA arrow speed. Thus, since IBO speeds are used by manufacturers who want to mislead archers concerning the true speed of their bows, I am assuming that it is an IBO speed rating which uses the following criteria:
- 350 grain arrows
- 70 lbs. draw weight
- Any draw length the manufacturer chooses
But, it should be noted that the lower the draw weight or the shorter the draw length and/or the heavier the arrow, the slower your bow will shoot. Learn more about what speeds to actually expect.
Kinetic Energy (KE) of the SAS Rage Compound Bow
Considering that the Southland Archery Supply Rage does have a draw weight of 70 lbs., it does produce enough kinetic energy to make it suitable for hunting. Therefore, below you can see how much kinetic energy to expect from this bow:
- 70 lbs. / 30″ draw / 350 grain arrows: 56.7 ft-lbs KE
- 70 lbs. / 30″ draw / 425 grain arrows: 68.8 ft-lbs KE
Important: The kinetic energies listed above are measured immediately in front of the riser. Thus, in order to determine the Rage’s kinetic energy output at different distances, subtract approximately 1.8 ft-lbs. from the values above for every 10 yards of distance from your target.
The Bow’s Draw Cycle
Because the dual cams on this bow feature a moderate design, the Southland Archery Supply Rage has a very smooth draw cycle that is well suited for novice archers. Also, the cams feature a moveable stop pin that creates a fixed wall that will enable beginning archers to develop a consistent anchor point.
Noise Levels and Vibration
The Southland Archery Supply Rage is definitely not one of the quietest bows on the market but, with the addition of string dampeners and a vibration absorbing stabilizer, it will quieten down enough to make it useable for hunting.
Using the SAS Rage for Hunting
Although the Southland Archery Supply Rage is not a bow that I personally would choose for hunting due to the low arrow speed which results in a highly arched arrow trajectory and a severe lack of kinetic energy, it does produce enough energy for hunting small to medium sized game species with lighter arrows and large game species with heavier arrows.
| Kinetic Energy: | You Can Hunt: |
|---|---|
| < 25 ft-lbs | Small Game (groundhog, rabbit, wild turkey) |
| 25-41 ft-lbs | Medium Game (Antelope, Whitetail deer) |
| 42-65 ft-lbs | Large Game (black bear, wild boar, elk) |
| > 65 ft-lbs | Largest Game (Grizzly bear, Cape buffalo, Musk Ox, African elephant) |
Consult our “Kinetic Energy” section above in order to determine how much kinetic energy to expect for the Southland Archery Supply Rage.
Limbs, Riser, & Grip
Considering the relatively low price tag, I suspect that this bow has limbs made from pure fiberglass instead of one of the more advanced laminations used on more expensive compound bows. However, fiberglass limbs are durable and thus, they are a good choice for youth and entry level bows. Also, it features a reflexed riser that appears to be made from machined aluminum with a relatively parallel limb design combined with a molded plastic grip.
Value for the Money
Since I have very little experience with this bow and the Southland Archery Supply web site is severely lacking in information, it is difficult to say whether or not this bow is a good value for the money. However, it does include all of the features that I would expect from a modern compound bow such as a machined aluminum riser, parallel limb design, and eccentric cams.
SAS Rage Compound Bow Review – Summary
Thanks for reading our Southland Archery Supply Rage compound bow review. Although I am not personally impressed with this bow, neither can I honestly say that it is a bow to be avoided at all costs since it does appear to be reasonably well designed and reasonably well made. However, if I were going to purchase an entry level bow in this price range, I would personally be inclined to choose a bow from one of the more well known bow manufacturers. But, as I mentioned above, it does have a machined aluminum riser, a parallel limb design, and dual, eccentric, cams. However, with an (IBO?) arrow speed of only 270 FPS, it is severely lacking in both arrow speed and kinetic energy and thus it is only suitable for hunting small to medium sized game species. See Cabela's current price and customer reviews on the SAS Rage if you’re interested.
