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Why I Switched to Long ATA Bows (And I'm Never Going Back)

The Archery Project

8,400 views

I've been a short bow guy my whole career. 30, maybe 31 inches max — especially hunting whitetail here on the East Coast where the woods are tight and shots are close. Then I shot the PSE Mach 33 for a full season — hunting, Total Archery Challenge, everything — and it completely changed how I think about ATA length.

In this episode I break down:
Why I finally changed my mind on long ATA bows
The Mach 33 hunting season recap: 6-7 animals, great shot placement every time
Ground hunting with a 33" bow — and why the maneuverability concerns are overblown
String angle: why it's the biggest advantage of going longer
Speed vs. forgiveness — stop chasing IBO numbers
The 280-295 fps tuning sweet spot and why it matters for broadhead flight
80 lbs on a long ATA bow vs. a short bow: not even the same draw cycle
My Mach 35 TAC build (HHA Nitrix XV3, Hamskea Epsilon, going to run Shrewd TRAK bars for PA)
Shooting the Mach 35 at TAC Tennessee with no bars and zero setup — and still shooting it extremely well
Bow-by-bow breakdown: Mach 33, Mach 35, PSE Sicario 35, Hoyt RX10 Ultra, Mathews ARC 34, Mathews AX 333, Darton Tri-Tech 33/35
Budget option: PSE Alaskan Pro (~$700) for anyone getting into long ATA on a budget
Who should shoot a long ATA bow and how draw length plays into it

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⏱ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Intro: I changed my mind
1:43 — Why shooting one bow consistently matters
2:44 — Mach 33 hunting season recap
4:53 — Mobility trade-offs: are they real?
6:28 — Forgiveness in high-pressure hunting scenarios
7:56 — String angle & the 280-295 fps sweet spot
13:34 — The Mach 35 build
17:40 — TAC Tennessee with no bars
21:51 — What's actually selling at the shop
27:23 — Who should shoot a long ATA bow
33:18 — PSE Sicario 35 first look

20 Comments

@Bowsonthebrain 4 months ago

Once I saw the difference in my shooting with a longer ATA bow I’m always buying the longer version, because I need all the help I can get!

@driftlesshunter9200 4 months ago (edited)

I used a 1996 41" ATA Mathews Signature for 17 seasons. It was made for finger shooters, but I switched to a release shortly after buying it. Length was never an issue in any hunting situation I did in Wisconsin. It was 3.5 pounds! I switched to 35" ATA Prime Impact (340 fps, 6.25" brace height, & 4.5 pounds) in 2013. Spec-wise bows have changed very little the past 15 years. It cost me $40 to have lifetime free cables/string installed last summer. It shot a bullet hole through paper on the first shot afterwards. I wouldn't trade my 13 year old parallel cam bow for anything on the market today. I learned to be content a long time ago, & I harvest deer just like everyone else. I would feel stupid buying a new bow. I don't sell bows for a living, however. LOL!

@darktimberarchery8858 4 months ago

I started bowhunting in 1985 when a normal ATA was 42" to 48". 36" was a very short ATA with an aggressive string angle. Now 33 is "long ". I think a 33" ATA brings it back to "normal" range.

@jedgolder6286 3 months ago (edited)

I’ve had my 36” ATA Hoyt highline for several years, absolutely love it! I’m 6’4” with a 33” draw so the long ATA is a must. I get 275fps out of my Easton 6.5 450gr arrows @65lbs. I’m in Washington state but typically hunt Montana, use it for target comps and NW mountain challenge as well

@michaelvstheworld3680 4 months ago

I ditched the short compound bows too and went to a 60" recurve.

@timbellot5336 4 days ago

I still have my 2004 Darton Mav Ext 38" ata, still shoot it and sometimes take it out to the deerstand with me. I have won tournaments with it, I have taken many deer and other animals with it. This is the only bow I have shot throuh a 55 gallon drum with a 534 grain arrow, to me that was impressive back in 2005.

@ADrunkenSaylor 4 months ago

Pumped to see you guys again at PA tac. Longer ata bows are the way, I'm never going under 33 again

@HeartlandFieldNotes 4 weeks ago

I totally agree with you about letting the general public and especially a new bowhunter, that advertised speed your average guy will never see, and the marketing to the lightest, fastest bows out there marketed to hunters may well be the one that crushes dreams in the field. If a bow helps a newer hunter build confidence while training, then the performance will be even better when it matters most, those final few seconds.

@BowsmithArcheryLabs 4 months ago

I wait for new 35 Sicario review vs Mach 35

@MasterofNone365 4 months ago

I agree with liking longer ATA bows. With the cam tech these days, 80# bows pull nicely and are still pretty fast. My Arc 34, 29" DL, is launching a 490gr arrow at 295fps with the 80# Z-mods. It's actually pulling 82# but, man, is it a nice bow to shoot. Out of the box, it was about 84.5# and it still felt easier to pull than my 80# Hoyt Alpha X33. The Arc 34 holds extremely well, too.

@Bowhunter089 4 months ago (edited)

I shot a shorter ATA bow for 2 years and this year switched and got the Arc 34 and I love it . I’ll never shoot a shorter bow ever again. Longer ATA bow is just more comfortable shoot and have a 27” DL 70lbs and I’m still getting 285fps 430 grain arrows

@Frankietomatoes6189 4 months ago

Absolutely love my Elite Ethos. 33". Very forgiving and pretty deadly for me

@PGrizzy91 4 months ago

Once I got my 35st2 Darton I couldn’t pick up anything less than a 34ata bow. It just feels so much nicer.

@JoshsWidgets 2 weeks ago

I've been out of archery for 17 years. Even when I was into it, shooting fingers was a niche. I grew up in a finger shooting family. I'm getting back into it and struggling to find a bow over 40" ATA even 15 years old.

@z4ckth0rn 4 months ago

I tried a shorter ata bow for a season, for me the string angle is just noticeably better on a 33” + ata bow. Wearing glasses might also be a factor, I find it just faster/more intuitive to get my sight picture with a longer ata.

@trdnrd 3 months ago

Everything you said in this is spot on!!! 33,34,35 ATA is the shit! That’ll do everything a short ATA does, but better annndd you can shoot that same bow for spots and ASA. Either with your hunting sight or slap on bow finger/axcel target sight and scope and target stabs. 1 bow to rule them all!

@jimbobmurdheath 4 months ago

I call your guys all the time for help they are awesome

@markstampe9406 4 months ago

Excited about the potential of Darton coming to the shop. I was just telling JR a week or so ago that the Tri Tech 33 and 35 are peaking my interest on what I might get next!