Details of the SAS Rage
The riser on the SAS Rage compound bow is sturdy aluminum with compressed ABS split limbs. The limbs are held in place with back pivoting limb pockets for a solid connection. Axle to axle it is advertised as 35” and it weighs a mighty 4.4lbs. Definitely solid! It looks much more expensive than it actually is and has a stealthy appeal to it. Overall the appearance and durability of the riser are a great selling point for such an affordable compound.
Click Here To Check The Price On Amazon
Rage Cam System
The twin cam system provides adjustable draw weight and draw length. The weight can be configured between 55lbs and 70lbs in 5lb increments simply by loosening or tightening the relevant bolt. Similarly, the draw length adjusts between 26” and 30”. No bow press required.
Speed of the Rage Compound Bow
The FPS tops out at 270, IBO standard. That doesn’t classify the SAS Rage as a fast bow technically, but that doesn’t mean it is slow by any means. It’s still fast and perfect for hunting or target practice. At the price point, can’t argue with the speed it manages.
The adjustability and price tag may be enticing for complete beginners. This combination probably looks very appealing, especially for those who want to dabble in archery to see if it will stick before investing the big bucks into the sport.
However, if you have no experience with compound bows, no experience drawing 50lbs of weight, and no experience maintaining bows then I recommend beginners give this one a second thought. It’s great for experienced and strong archers looking for an entry compound or something new to try out and tinker with. But the raw power and rugged draw cycle are a bit rough for a total newcomer. The let-off is 70%, which isn’t bad at all. It could be better, though.
The higher the let-off the less tiring it is to hold max draw. Beginners may find themselves in need of taking their time at max draw to line up the shot and practice. If you do possess the skill or strength, this is an awesome value and the shear force behind such a reasonable price will be quite the surprise.
Setting Up The Bow
Bear in mind, though, that the SAS Rage compound bow is sorely in need of proper tuning. Again, another reason beginners may want to think before they leap. Before taking it to the range make sure to either look it over yourself or go to a professional to get it adjusted.
Some have opted to replace the cable guard with an angled one and make other tweaks to fix some of the timing issues with the cams. I also recommend changing out the plastic arrow rest for something a bit more respectable and useful.
Regardless, with a little love and adjusting this bow will fall right into line and become a go-to choice, even for archers who already have their preferred brand. Some users have found the SAS Rage goes from being their backup bow to their primary bow after a few uses. Diehard archers who have spent 35 years in the sport are embracing this affordable delight. With proper tuning it is hyper accurate and produces tight groups. The grip is outstandingly comfortable for such an entry bow.
Final Thoughts on the SAS Rage
Yes, it is true that you get what you pay for. In this case you get a sturdy and gorgeous bow with a lot of power and money saved. By taking a few affordable steps the performance of the bow and the joy of shooting it can be exponentially increased. Be prepared to take on a lot of the draw weight and a daunting draw cycle. If you can handle that, then this is an ideal bow to get any archer on a budget onto the range and shooting.
Pros:
Affordable entry into compound bows
Durable aluminum riser
Comfortable grip
Accurate with tuning
Stealthy aesthetics
70% let-off
Cons:
Bad cable guard, should be replaced with an angled one
Requires tweaking to correct timing issues
String sometimes comes undone
Poor arrow rest
Weighs over 4lbs
Vibration
Harsh draw cycle
