Southwest Archery Spyder XL 64" 25 lbs

I couldn't help myself when I purchased the Southwest Tigershark, I also ordered this here Spyder XL since they both cost the same at $154. So what's the difference between the two. This one, when I opened the box and I saw the riser in bubble wrap I thought to myself, wow, this one might actually look good, then I removed the bubble wrap and saw the riser and said out loud "whoa, this is going to be a beautiful bow". I like this riser, it immediately catches my eye and it doesn't have the layered wood that distracts my eyes like the Tigershark.

I was excited to put this bow together and get to shooting. Though I had to wait a few days due to bad weather. I checked the draw weight and measured 25lbs at 28 inches at 32 lbs at full draw.

After handling this bow, before shooting it, I then noticed two things about this bow. First: This bow is very top heavy, I added a 12 inch stabilizer which weighs in at 5.40 ounces, this balanced it out a lot, though I found I prefer shooting it without a stabilizer.

The second thing I noticed: The riser is hefty, the front if the handle seems to need some more sanding as the wood squares off against the fingers making this rather uncomfortable if gripping to hard. Even just holding it gets to be work as the handle simply isn't comfortable.

That aside, the bow shoots really well. It isn't very loud, it's fun to shoot for quite a while until it gets uncomfortable. For such a heavy bow, the handle needs more shaping as to not cut into the hand. So I might be tempted to do just that.

I ran some different arrows through a chronograph as I was looking for some that I perform the best for me and this bow. They all carbon arrows.

400 spine - 172 fps
500 spine - 149 fps
600 spine - 177 fps
700 spine - 164 fps

Honestly I shot a several more different arrows but settled on the top 4 for the chronograph. I picked up new 600 spine carbon arrows for this bow and they've performed the best for me, next being the 400 spine arrows. I'm surprised at how well the shoot nice and straight with good penetration into the target.

I added a brass nock to the string and I was pleasantly surprised with how perfect I put it on the first time. The first three arrows with the new nock hit dead on. I find it satisfying and a small accomplishment when I make adjustments that work so well. Whether it be bows or other hobbies, it's a small confidence boost. Hitting my target right where I'm aiming is a confidence boost. Knowing I'm improving every time I put the effort in to practice and be better than yesterday. Sure some days I do terribly, but as long as I had fun shooting. If I'm off target, I'll forgo the goal setting for that day I just sling arrows at a soda can and enjoy the clank every time an arrow hit it.

With this bow, my first 5 shots hit the can, then the next set and the first 4 shots hit the can. I thought there's no way I can be that accurate again, had to be luck. Yup, the next set I hit 4 shots into the can. I wasn't warmed up yet. I should add, I did that with and without the stabilizer. So I'm not sure if it's dumb luck or what, but I did prefer to have the stabilizer on the bow while shooting. It just felt better. I'm going to look for a better looking stabilizer though, the one I have doesn't look good on a wooden riser.

I do like this bow and will be shooting it for a long time or until something better takes its place. It's a surprisingly easy bow to shoot. I put this bow aside for a few weeks, when I picked it back up I figured my groupings would be quite wide until I adjust, that did not happen with this bow. Rather, with my first set of 12 shots, 9 hit the can. I was dumbfounded I could shoot that well after not touching this bow for a while. It makes it fun to just shoot and shoot, but again, this biggest drawback for me is the handle.

Over the last month, I am surprised that I keep coming back to this bow, even with my disagreement on its riser. Check it out, with this bow, I shot my first Robinhood! It was so unexpected and rewarding after having a difficult day. I have to hand it to Southwest Archery building a beautiful and consistent bow, this one grew on me and is a favorite of mine. How could it not be with how well it performs?