Bowtech’s Core SR, advertised to hit IBO arrow speeds of 344 fps, features new Center Mass Technology, designed for whole system alignment and balance, and uses DeadLock and TimeLock technologies that make the bow extremely easy to tune.
August 15, 2024
By Jon E. Silks
Bowtech Archery continues to claim a place among the top bow manufacturers in the world through a relentless pursuit of quality and continuous improvement. Driven by design, innovation and precision engineering backed by results-based performance markers, this bowmaker has been making waves in the industry for 25 years.
The culmination of these years of experience and past designs is expressed in the company’s new Core SR model. Featuring Bowtech’s new CenterMass Technology that uses through-riser sight mounting, the Core is designed for whole system alignment and balance. DeadLock Cams work with the carbon/glass split limbs to generate arrow speeds reaching an advertised 344 fps, while the new GripLock feature offers a customized interface for your hand. Bowtech offers ease of tuning through its DeadLock and TimeLock features.
Complete Alignment The new Core SR and SS models are Bowtech’s first bows featuring CenterMass Technology. Designed to optimize alignment to the rig’s centerline and therefore enhance balance and increase accuracy, this technology uses a through-riser channel to perfectly align the company’s CenterMass Dual-Trac and Pro Hunter bowsights. Further enhancing alignment are Bowtech’s CenterMass 4-Arrow Quiver and a 6-, 8- and 12-inch stabilizer series, including mounting accessories, and strategic mounting locations.
Other riser-based features include the company’s GripLock system that allows the shooter to adjust the angle of the grip heel to produce a customized wrist position between low, neutral and high. A set of Orbit Dampeners with soft rubber cores and weighted outer rings work with a rubber-tipped string stop and cable-guard dampener to reduce shock, vibration and noise. The FLX-Guard cable-containment system uses a mini, limb-like arm and rollers that flex toward the centerline of the bow during the draw cycle to reduce torque but spring away at the shot for vane clearance.
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Easy Tuning, Solid Lock Bowtech’s DeadLock Cam System features the DeadLock Adjustment Block, a specialized fixture situated on the end of each cam’s axle assembly. When the lock screw is loosened on the DeadLock and the adjustment screw is turned, the cam moves left or right along its axle. This cam movement is used in the tuning process to align the arrow to the string action produced by your shooting form, seeking the straightest arrow flight and quickest recovery possible for the best use of energy and culminating in optimized performance. It’s the perfectly tuned rig!
Once your desired tune is achieved, the block is locked down for hassle-free shooting. Bowtech’s new TimeLock feature offers a solution to string stretch that rotates cams out of time (synchronization). Using TimeLock, the cam can be re-positioned so the cables lie between the cam’s tuning dots and can then be locked down. To delineate the amount of adjustment being made, there are engraved hashmarks, with each mark equating to one twist of the cable. Bowtech’s rotating FlipDisc module moves the cam through its 25-30-inch draw-length range in half-inch increments and offers two modes: Comfort and Performance. The Comfort setting produces a smoother draw and a letoff of 85 percent, while the Performance side of the disc is slightly more aggressive and generates faster arrow speeds with a letoff of 80 percent.
Locked and Loaded Bowtech designed its Dual Lock Pocket System to lock every component of the bow structure together as one. Limbs are locked into the pockets and the pockets are locked into the riser. The pocket structure features an elongated tab that reaches down into a receiver in the riser where it is locked in place with a side riser screw. This design, along with its extended surface contact and precision tolerance of the tab, ensures a positive lock and exact alignment. Once the system is fully locked down, it produces a rigid platform for shot-to-shot consistency at any draw weight. Limb pockets extend to include a pivot at the center point of the limbs to employ Bowtech’s Center Pivot Technology (CPT). CPT has demonstrated the ability to reduce shock, vibration and noise, and moving the pivot point of the limbs closer to the throat of the grip creates a more stable configuration, improving consistency while reducing torque. The Core’s split limbs have a wide stance for torsional stability and are matched into sets based on deflection values.
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Impressions At the range, the Core SR GripLock adjustable grip proved solid and secure once locked down, and the sliding adjustment made customizing it to my exact preference possible. I liked the flat back for a secure, repeatable grip. The draw cycle was steady start to finish, with no abrupt changes until it rolled into a solid back wall. A medium jump in the handle, a short vibration and little noise were noted at the shot. A quality stabilizer reduced the jump significantly. After the shot, the bow’s top half moves slightly toward the shooter, pauses and then slowly falls forward.
The Specs Manufacturer: Bowtech Archery, 888-689-1289; bowtecharchery.com Model: Core SRRiser: CenterMass, Center Pivot, machined aluminumGrip: GripLock, adjustableLimbs: Wide-stance split limbsDraw Weights: 50, 60 & 70 pounds peakDraw Lengths: 25-30 inches, in half-inch increments; rotating moduleCam System: DeadLock Cam SystemLetoff: 80% Performance, 85% Comfort; 86.02% (as tested)String: 452X, 63.08 inchesCables (x2): 452X, 38.22 inchesBrace Height: 6 inchesAxle-to-Axle Length: 33 inchesWeight: 4.5 pounds (advertised), 4.71 pounds (as tested)Finish: Realtree Edge, plus nine other solid and camo optionsAdvertised IBO Speed: 344 fpsMSRP: $1,399Comments: Aligned & customizable. Embodies Bowtech quality and performance.EDITOR’S NOTE: All of our Bow Tests are conducted using the same standardized procedures and professionally calibrated testing equipment. Bows are tested with a draw length of 29 inches and a draw weight of 65 pounds, unless otherwise noted. Speed & Energy Arrow Speed: 301 fps (375-grain arrow), 284 fps (425-grain arrow)Kinetic Energy: 75.46 ft./lbs. (375-grain arrow), 76.13 ft./lbs. (425-grain arrow)Dynamic Efficiency: 83% (375-grain arrow), 83.75% (425-grain arrow)Average Noise Level: 89.14 dBA (375-grain arrow), 87.74 dBA (425-grain arrow)
