Disclaimer - These results will be within a +- 1 FPS for accuracy. I tested these results indoors with the chrono lights on and eliminated any ambient light in the area of the chrono. During the bow noise tests that I did, I had to test on different days and had a control bow. I was able to reproduce the same results day after day using this method.
I am just a bow hunter with a shooting machine and a chrono. I am no expert and I only do this to compare bow, limb and arrow setups for hunting. Speed is not my primary concern, but is part of my decision process based on KE and momentum results.
Limbs
Border hex 6-S - 36#70" Longs, shot on a 25" Spigarelli DMS, set to 38# @ 30", making a 70" bow
Uukha SX50 - 36#70" Longs, shot on a 25" Spigarelli DMS, set to 36.5# @ 30", making a 70" bow
Nika N3 - 28#/70" Longs, shot on a 19" Tribute, set to 38# @ 30", making a 64" bow
Nika C2 - 28#/68" mediums, shot on a 19" Tribute, set to 37# @ 30", making a 62" bow
Limb mass weights -
Bow Speed Tests
Nika N3 limbs were stressed due to increasing the poundage to equal the Borders. This I believed created more preload increasing the speed to match the Borders. That changed the feel of the limbs with the increased preload.
SX50 limbs were 1.5 # lighter than the Borders and Nika N3 limbs.
Nika C2 limbs experienced increased preload like the Nika N3 limbs.
Border Hex 6-S limbs were the lightest mass weight and had more preload felt drawing the bow.
Scroll the table to the right to view the performance index. I use this performance index to compare bows relatively to each other based on draw weight in pounds compared to the foot pounds of energy generated by the arrow when shot.
Subjective
All the limbs drew very smooth with very little after shot vibration. The feel of the Nika limbs changed when stressed.
If I were to be blind folded and you handed me the bows to blind bale shoot I could pick out the Border limb with more preload and the C2 limbs which had slightly more vibration after the shot. If the two Nika limbs were not stressed I could have picked them out due to the exceptional feel of the draw with limb bolts out on my Tribute riser.
When I did not overly stress the two Nika sets of limbs and shot them at 36# there was less preload and the smoothest drawing limbs I had ever felt. I intend to shoot the Nika N3 limbs on my 19" Tribute at 36#. I also intend to get a set of Nika N3 longs for my 19" Tribute at a reasonable 40# with my limb setting out where they were. I will probably get a set of 32#/70" at a later date.
I went to Uukha to be able to get similar limbs to my Border Hex 6 limbs, since the Border limbs have to be bought used and are hard to come by. The Uukha limbs are great limbs, but do have a softer back end than the Border limbs and feel as though there is less preload than the Border limbs.
The Nika limbs are extremely smooth drawing when set with the limb bolts out and have a unique stop at my draw length. I love them. The C2 are smooth drawing but due to the increased mass weight of the limbs they can not compare in performance to the 3 other limbs.
All the limbs lined up perfectly on my risers. All the limbs were very smooth drawing with little after shot vibration. All the limbs were tight fitting on my Tribute. The Nika N3 were tighter than the SX50 and Border, but they were brand new and after changing them several times they fit well and were snug like the SX50 and Border limbs. The C2 limbs were very tight and I had to work them against the limb bolt to wear away some of the limb finish to get them to seat.
All the limbs were loose on my Spigarelli DMS. The Das Tribute is the only ILF bow I really like since I like a snug fit for my ILF limbs. I am a Das shooter because for hunting I want a positive limb connection. The Das Tribute gives me that for ILF too.
I don't think you can beat the Nika N3 limbs at any price. If you want the Uukha EX1 EVO2 feel leave the limb bolts out. If you want Border and SX50 speed screw the limb bolts down. You will still have a smooth draw but experience more preload feel like the Borders.
I edited the next section to change it. I was wrong in regard to the Nika C2. When comparing them to extremely good top performing limbs. In addition I wasn't considering how light these limbs were in draw weight. For hunters these limbs would a good set of limbs without breaking the bank.
The Nika C2 were smooth drawing but for me to use them for hunting I would need to increase draw weight quite a bit to get the KE and momentum I want. Their performance was not good for me to choose them as hunters.
The Nika limbs were smooth drawing. They performed well, but the performance can't be compared to limbs that are exceptional performers and cost much more. The Nika C2 limbs were 1# lighter at 37# than the Border and Nika N3 limbs, yet were still in whitetail hunting range in regard to kinetic energy and momentum. They are a good choice for budget minded bow hunters that can't afford the $280 for Nika N3 limbs. I paid $115 shipped for new limbs.
I will test these limbs for noise next. I will post the results when I am done.
I am just a bow hunter with a shooting machine and a chrono. I am no expert and I only do this to compare bow, limb and arrow setups for hunting. Speed is not my primary concern, but is part of my decision process based on KE and momentum results.
Limbs
Border hex 6-S - 36#70" Longs, shot on a 25" Spigarelli DMS, set to 38# @ 30", making a 70" bow
Uukha SX50 - 36#70" Longs, shot on a 25" Spigarelli DMS, set to 36.5# @ 30", making a 70" bow
Nika N3 - 28#/70" Longs, shot on a 19" Tribute, set to 38# @ 30", making a 64" bow
Nika C2 - 28#/68" mediums, shot on a 19" Tribute, set to 37# @ 30", making a 62" bow
Limb mass weights -
| Limb | Top gram | Bottom gram | Draw weight | Grams per pound draw weight |
| Nika C2 | 268 | 269 | 37 | 14.51 |
| Nika N3 | 244 | 245 | 38 | 12.87 |
| Uukha SX50 | 203 | 204 | 36.5 | 11.15 |
| Border Hex 6 | 166 | 170 | 38 | 8.84 |
Bow Speed Tests
Nika N3 limbs were stressed due to increasing the poundage to equal the Borders. This I believed created more preload increasing the speed to match the Borders. That changed the feel of the limbs with the increased preload.
SX50 limbs were 1.5 # lighter than the Borders and Nika N3 limbs.
Nika C2 limbs experienced increased preload like the Nika N3 limbs.
Border Hex 6-S limbs were the lightest mass weight and had more preload felt drawing the bow.
Scroll the table to the right to view the performance index. I use this performance index to compare bows relatively to each other based on draw weight in pounds compared to the foot pounds of energy generated by the arrow when shot.
| Bow | Draw Weight Pounds | Arrow Weight Grains M=Mass | Arrow Grains Per Pound GPP | Speed FPS V=Velocity | Kinetic Energy - KE = (m*v2)/450,800. | Monentum - Slugs = (m*v)/225400 | Perf Index % = (KE/Draw Weight)*100.00 |
| Border | 38.00 | 641.00 | 16.87 | 153 | 33.29 | 0.44 | 87.59 |
| N3 | 38.00 | 641.00 | 16.87 | 154 | 33.72 | 0.44 | 88.74 |
| SX50 | 36.50 | 641.00 | 17.56 | 152 | 32.85 | 0.43 | 90.01 |
| c2 | 37.00 | 641.00 | 17.32 | 144 | 29.48 | 0.41 | 79.69 |
| Border | 38.00 | 481.00 | 12.66 | 172 | 31.57 | 0.37 | 83.07 |
| N3 | 38.00 | 481.00 | 12.66 | 172 | 31.57 | 0.37 | 83.07 |
| SX50 | 36.50 | 481.00 | 13.18 | 172 | 31.57 | 0.37 | 86.48 |
| c2 | 37.00 | 481.00 | 13.00 | 162 | 28.00 | 0.35 | 75.68 |
| Border | 38.00 | 395.00 | 10.39 | 186 | 30.31 | 0.33 | 79.77 |
| N3 | 38.00 | 395.00 | 10.39 | 186 | 30.31 | 0.33 | 79.77 |
| SX50 | 36.50 | 395.00 | 10.82 | 186 | 30.31 | 0.33 | 83.05 |
| c2 | 37.00 | 395.00 | 10.68 | 176 | 27.14 | 0.31 | 73.36 |
Subjective
All the limbs drew very smooth with very little after shot vibration. The feel of the Nika limbs changed when stressed.
If I were to be blind folded and you handed me the bows to blind bale shoot I could pick out the Border limb with more preload and the C2 limbs which had slightly more vibration after the shot. If the two Nika limbs were not stressed I could have picked them out due to the exceptional feel of the draw with limb bolts out on my Tribute riser.
When I did not overly stress the two Nika sets of limbs and shot them at 36# there was less preload and the smoothest drawing limbs I had ever felt. I intend to shoot the Nika N3 limbs on my 19" Tribute at 36#. I also intend to get a set of Nika N3 longs for my 19" Tribute at a reasonable 40# with my limb setting out where they were. I will probably get a set of 32#/70" at a later date.
I went to Uukha to be able to get similar limbs to my Border Hex 6 limbs, since the Border limbs have to be bought used and are hard to come by. The Uukha limbs are great limbs, but do have a softer back end than the Border limbs and feel as though there is less preload than the Border limbs.
The Nika limbs are extremely smooth drawing when set with the limb bolts out and have a unique stop at my draw length. I love them. The C2 are smooth drawing but due to the increased mass weight of the limbs they can not compare in performance to the 3 other limbs.
All the limbs lined up perfectly on my risers. All the limbs were very smooth drawing with little after shot vibration. All the limbs were tight fitting on my Tribute. The Nika N3 were tighter than the SX50 and Border, but they were brand new and after changing them several times they fit well and were snug like the SX50 and Border limbs. The C2 limbs were very tight and I had to work them against the limb bolt to wear away some of the limb finish to get them to seat.
All the limbs were loose on my Spigarelli DMS. The Das Tribute is the only ILF bow I really like since I like a snug fit for my ILF limbs. I am a Das shooter because for hunting I want a positive limb connection. The Das Tribute gives me that for ILF too.
I don't think you can beat the Nika N3 limbs at any price. If you want the Uukha EX1 EVO2 feel leave the limb bolts out. If you want Border and SX50 speed screw the limb bolts down. You will still have a smooth draw but experience more preload feel like the Borders.
I edited the next section to change it. I was wrong in regard to the Nika C2. When comparing them to extremely good top performing limbs. In addition I wasn't considering how light these limbs were in draw weight. For hunters these limbs would a good set of limbs without breaking the bank.
The Nika limbs were smooth drawing. They performed well, but the performance can't be compared to limbs that are exceptional performers and cost much more. The Nika C2 limbs were 1# lighter at 37# than the Border and Nika N3 limbs, yet were still in whitetail hunting range in regard to kinetic energy and momentum. They are a good choice for budget minded bow hunters that can't afford the $280 for Nika N3 limbs. I paid $115 shipped for new limbs.
I will test these limbs for noise next. I will post the results when I am done.
I ordered a set of N3 shorts on March 1, to hunt turkey with this spring. They tell me they won't ship until the end of the month.
