Was thinking about trading a rifle I don't use much to get into bow hunting. Any suggestions for a noobie to bows? I borrowed a friend of mines to try out. It is a very nice setup that he has spent well over a grand on which is a little more than I want to spend on a first bow. He had recommended looking at Diamond. Just wanted to get some other opinions, personal experience.

Some that come to mind well under 1k, that shoot pretty well and are ok on smoothness to be enjoyable

Diamond Carbon Cure or core. Cabela's Credence.

Bear Trax or Tremor

PSE Bow Madness

Mission. Or a used bow.

Are bows like guns in the way that as long as they are not abused and cared for it's ok to buy a used one? I was figuring used was probably the way to go since usually you can get a little more for your money. I'm not wanting a cutting edge Matthews like my buddies. He trades his bows in every year or so for whatever is the latest greatest thing. He's got money to. burn. I don't.

More or less. The main thing with a used bow is to make sure the string/cable is in good shape and that the cams also need to be in good shape. If you have doubts your local bow shop could probably help you make an informed decision about a used bow.

^^exactly

Mission Craze for first bow is pretty good, adjustable in all sorts of ways and 300 bucks new.

Bowtech assassin. You're welcome

First thing you need to do is go to a archery pro shop and have them properly measure your draw length.
One you have that your ready to start shopping for the bow that best fits you.
If you decide on a used bow take it to a pro shop and have them inspect it before you buy.

One more thing... When you start shooting, shot with a release and not fingers
And don't be afraid to ask question!!!

I bought my first "real" hunting bow within the past month. I went at the search like the nerd I am and starting looking at numbers, speeds, reviews and such and decided on a Bowtech Carbon Icon or a Carbon Knight. Then a buddy gave me some of the best advice I ever got. He told me to go shoot every bow I could get my hands on and the bows would tell me which one to buy.

I went to multiple archery shops, I asked them to just keep handing me bows, I did not want to know what make/model or how much they were. I shot Mathews, Bowtechs, PSEs, Hoyts, etc... Suddenly, I picked up one and it was like Arthur pulling that legendary sword from the stone. I knew the moment I drew it back and shot it that it was the bow I was going to buy.

For me, that magical bow as a Mission Ballistic. I must say it was a bonus that it was like half the price of most of the others I shot. I could not be happier!!!
For you, it may be something else. Yours is out there, don't be in a hurry and let it find you.

The second piece of good advice I got was this... There are three things that are a must. You must like the way a bow shoots, looks and how it's priced. If you sacrifice on any of those three, you will always regret your purchase.

I owned one of these for a while. It was a great bow. I regret selling it.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbth...e_b#Post5699920

^^this. I got one and really like it. I tried all of them around my price range and this one just sang to me. It's super adjustable and is great for everyone, men, women, and kids. And it won't break the bank.

Will be difficult to find a smoother shooting bow than that one

X2 Love mine

I just bought a Diamond Infinity it is a 2014 model and Walmart.com has them on sale for 288 - All you have to get is a peep sight added and a stabilizer - They are adjustable from 5 lbs to 70 lbs pull and up to a 31" draw length - This is a great bow for ALL ages and ALL hunters. I set mine to 29" draw and 62 lbs pull.. its about a 70% let off and it is SMOOOOOTH to shoot and quiet. I was able to shoot it all day and not have a sore shoulder. Check it out

I started with a used bow off of craigslist OLD bear whittaile II and I wish I would have just went with new technology to start.

What type of rifle you have?

I BELIEVE ITS A PERSONAL CHOICE WHAT DO YOU LIKE .WHAT FEELS BEST TO YOU . I HAVE A BOW TECH GENERAL AND LOVE IT HAD A DIAMOND NITROUS LOVED IT .BETTER THAN MATTHEWS BOWS HOWEVER DID LIKE SWITCHBACK .SHOT SOME NICE PSE BOWS HOYTS ARE GOOD SO REALLY YOUR CHOICE AND BUDGET WILL TELL YOU

WELL SAID . I AGREE WITH EACH WORD.I BOUGHT SEVERAL BOWS IN LAST 5 YEARS. BUT LOVE MY RYTERA...
YET TO FIND A BETTER HANDLING BOW.