The Best Compound Bow Releases

If you are getting serious about finding the best compound bow releases out there, first you must know that this topic is highly subjective. Many different opinions coexist and you may sometimes end up confused rather than enlightened after reading a post or a review. A lot relies on comfort in your hand and favored anchor point which is mostly about personal preferences. When receiving advice on the release you should be using, people often refer to what works best for them which may not necessarily work out the same for you. Though, the main purpose of a good release aid will always remain the same...A clean and consistent release of the bowstring. 

For this reason, I have included several types of release aids in this article so it can please a lot of different archers with different shooting styles. Whether you are looking for the best target archery releases or the best bow releases for hunting, this post will get you covered. But remember that nothing can't beat trying them out.

You will find index finger and thumb trigger releases as well as hinge releases, also known as back tension releases which are in fact a shooting style/technique that can be executed with almost any type of release, triggered or not.

First, let's briefly describe each type before going further in depth.

 

 

The Index Finger Release

Often falling into the category of wrist strapped releases because all of them are attached to wrist straps which help you pull the weight when drawing your bow. Its name "index finger release" tells you all, at full draw, the bowstring can be released when the mechanical aid is triggered by your index finger.

This type is mostly used by bowhunters, the reasons essentially being that the release is strapped to them so it cannot be lost and that the release of the bowstring can be performed quietly with total control over the timing the shot will be executed.

Note:

This type of release may motivate the archer to punch the trigger instead of using the whole arm causing some slight inaccuracies. It offers less contact area on the side of the face, increasing the chances for inconsistencies with the anchor point. Those are the primary reasons why the index finger release would rarely be seen in target archery.

 

 

The Thumb Trigger Release

Very popular type of release for bowhunters and target archers alike. The thumb trigger release is handheld and is obviously triggered with the thumb to let go of the bowstring. It is rarely seen with a wrist strap, though some models offer this feature, distributing the weight to be drawn between the arm, the hand and the wrist. The back tension release technique can be efficiently performed with most thumb trigger releases, an important factor why this type is popular among target archers.

Note:

Some bowhunters would not use the thumb trigger release because of the louder clicking sound made by this type of release but a lot of hunters who experimented it would say that this sound would not make any difference on a game's reaction because no release can make greater sound than the bow itself. The reason why it may seem loud is simply that the release is close to the shooter's ear. Still, I will take the quietness into account when mentioning the pros and cons of specific models.

 

 

The Hinge Release (aka back tension release)

A manually triggered release may enhance the problems caused by the psychological condition called "target panic", anxiety associated with the anticipation of the shot, which greatly influences accuracy and consistency by prematurely triggering the release.

The main way to prevent or solve, in part, the "target panic" issue is when you can't anticipate when the release happens so it surprises you. Your main task is, therefore, aiming at the target without thinking of triggering the release. 

The hinge release is just that! It cannot be manually triggered with the index or the thumb, the release is a trigger by itself.

This type of release is just about drawing back tension; at the anchor point, by contracting the back muscles and squeezing the shoulder blades together, while aiming at the target, the open hook of the release would rotate, allowing the bowstring to go off unexpectedly.

This is a favorite when it comes to target archery. The hinge release is a handheld release but some may include a wrist strap as well.

Note:

The hinge release can be hazardous so keep in mind that you should aim the target spot on, at all time. Some hinge release may offer an additional safety feature to lock the bowstring in when drawing which can be set off once at anchor point and ready to pull back the bowstring further in order to create that same surprise release you want without the safety issue. This can also be a nice feature for bowhunters who want a hinge release.

 

Now that we have been through the three types of release this article is about, we are ready to go through them individually. To make this easier to find your way and to divide them for what they were essentially designed for, the releases are being put into 7 categories which are as follow;

 

1.  Best Index Finger Release for Hunting
2.  Best Thumb Release for Hunting
3.  Best Hinge Release for Hunting
4.  Best Thumb Release for Target Archery
5.  Best Hinge Release for Target Archery
6.  Best Index Finger Release for Target Archery
7.  Best Back Tension Releases for Beginners

 

Since I don't like to limit myself to only one release model for a category with a wide variety of choices, I have also included the following one as a cheaper option but could have included a handful of others... 

Tru-Fire Hurricane Extreme Release Buckle Web

Description: 

The Tru-Fire Hurricane Extreme Release is a smooth index finger trigger release, pretty similar to the regular Hurricane but slightly cheaper, which made me pick the Extreme model over the other one. Why pay more!?

This release offers infinite length adjustments and features a camo nylon Evolution buckle that fits nicely to the wrist (10 holes) with a half inch web connection system. The Tru-Fire Hurricane possess an adjustable trigger and can rotate 360 degrees which can fit righty or lefty along with many shooting styles. If you like more rigid straps, this one might not be for you. The trigger can be very sensitive, make sure to adjust it properly to avoid miss fires. If you like to free up your hand to achieve other tasks, note that this model can fold back but won't lock in position.

Pros:

• Versatile
• Smooth
• Won't break the bank

Cons:

• Miss fires may occur because of the high sensitivity of the trigger, be sure to adjust well
• Does not lock in fold back position

 

 

 And here is another great one at a considerably lower price...

TRU Ball Max Pro 4 Release

Description:

TRU Ball got it right with this release, simply love it and the price point is hard to beat, especially for a good thumb release. This release was designed more specifically for bowhunters but would suit any kind of archers. The Max Pro 4 is deadly silent and has a head that swivels 360 degrees allowing you to reach your favored position at anchor point with more ease. Plus, if you like wrist straps, then you can get it with a V-Lock wrist buckle strap. The jaws open and close quickly and easily for an increased loading speed. The sensitivity can be adjusted to your preference for optimal comfort.

Pros:

• Wrist strap available
• Very silent
• Head swivels 360
• Adjustable sensitivity
• Awesome value for the money

Cons:

• Misfires may occur. Make sure to adjust sensitivity well and oiling the calipers may be required to solve the issue.

 

 

 

The following one is also a good cheaper option to consider...

TRU Ball Boss X Release

Description:

The TRU Ball Boss X release features a tapered handle delivering a comfortable hold. It has a free floating caliper head that eliminates torque and facilitates the position of your hand to your anchor point. Tigger travel and trigger tension can be adjusted to your liking with a 0.050 hex key wrench and a 5/64 hex key wrench respectively. The position of the trigger itself can also be adjusted to your preference for an optimal comfort.

Pros:

• Caliper head rotates 360 degrees
• Adjustable trigger tension and travel
• Adjustable trigger positioning
• Comfortable design

Cons:

• Considerable pressure needed to cock it
• Noisy release

 

*Mention to the Stan Black Pearl Heavy Metal that could have been included as well.

 

Or if you are not on a budget at all and want to go for a more customizable release aid, you can have a look at this one... 

 

TRU Ball Fulkrum Flex Release

Description:

The TRU Ball Fulkrum Flex release is made out of brass with an enclosed index finger and is probably one of the most customizable hinge releases you can get. It can be used as a 3-finger or a 4-finger release with the proper extension pieces included to assemble it as you like. The finger grips (extensions) can also be adjusted with an angle in each direction, up to 15-degree angle to be precise, so you can have your grip flat or curved to your preference. The Fulkrum Flex has a nice micro adjustable feature in the spring loaded sear that can be quickly and easily adjusted on the spot with the handy little hex tool stored (screwed) in the release itself.

Pros:

• Highly customizable
• Brass construction with an enclosed index finger
• Finger extensions (3rd and 4th finger included)
• Adjustable spring loaded sear with screwed in hex tool 

Cons: 

•  Expensive (but worth every penny)

 

 

 

 

Scott Longhorn Hex Release

Description:

The Scott Longhorn Hex release is a bit controversial when it comes to categorizing it as a hinge release since it is not totally working the same way as one but is definitely a good release to initiate you with back tension.

The Longhorn Hex is a 2-finger hinge style release with an adjustable wrist strap and the bowstring must be pulled back using the wrist, the same way you would pull back an index-finger release, you can't pull it back as a handheld release. There is nowhere to put your thumb and the way to make the shot happen is to place your two fingers on the release and pull. The release itself is somehow a trigger, but a trigger that you are less likely to punch. Overall, it makes this trigger quite safe to draw and learn back tension since it won't misfire as a regular hinge release could.

Pros:

• Good release to learn back tension
• Great control with the timing of your shots
• Pulled back with the wrist

Cons:

•  Not the same than a regular hinge style release

 

In conclusion, trying a release aid before making a significant purchase is always a good idea, some can be too small for you, others too large or feels bulky, you may not like the anchor of certain models and so on. If you are to perform a hundred shots in a day, you would want a good fit and have a comfortable hold on every shot. If you are going for a wrist strap, try opting for a buckle instead of velcro, this would allow you to have the same fit when putting it on every single time, therefore, delivering more consistency when performing the release.

Do not limit yourself to the bow release aids aforementioned, although they are great tested models, they might not suit you all. This article is largely open to discussion since someone would need to try them all out to really define the best out there but you certainly can't go wrong with any of them if it suits your hand and your style. But no matter what you hear and what you read, only you can know what is best for yourself.

Do not hesitate to leave a comment below or share with me what is your favorite release and why?