PSE X-Force AXE 6

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PSE manufactures a host of lightning fast bows on its X-Force platform. These bows have taken us to new levels of shootability in the speed bow department. Gone are the days of teeth chattering recoil just to get great speed. For 2010, PSE offers another X-Force bow that burns arrows down range with the added bonus of super simple adjustability and a price tag $100-$200 less than many other top rigs.

PSE's AXE 6 features a reflexed riser, easily adjusted AXE Hybrid Cam, Next Generation X Technology Split Limbs, Slim Low Torque (SLT) grip with rubber side panels and Vibracheck Backstop sting vibration dampener.

Inner Strength
PSE's new AXE Hybrid Cam system powers the AXE 6 to advertised IBO speeds reaching upwards of 345 feet per second. Each cam features an inner module that easily adjusts from 25€‰1„2-30€‰1„2 inches, in half-inch increments. All that is needed to move the inner modules and adjust the draw length are a few quick turns on a 7„64-inch hex wrench. High contrast orientation marks are laser engraved into the cam and module for fast and accurate positioning.

Each draw length option is indicated by a hash mark or letter (A, B, C, etc.) on the cam. To complete the draw length change, the draw stop on each cam is moved into a corresponding location, also marked with an engraved letter or hash. Archers can experiment with draw stop position to customize the feel of the back wall at full draw. The machined aluminum cams also feature custom engineered groove profiles and ride on sealed ball bearings for decreased friction and increased efficiency. Letoff is advertised at 75 percent.

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Out on a Limb
When PSE first came out with its highly pre-loaded limbs, they were "going out on a limb" so to speak with an all new concept and look. Several years later, it is apparent they made the right move as demonstrated by exceptional performance and one of the most recognizable profiles in the business. PSE's AXE 6 is home to the new Next Generation X Technology Split Limbs.

X Technology refers to a manufacturing process that allows for a significant pre-load. Stress from the pre-load shapes the limbs into a semi-curl shape while the bow is at rest. At full draw, limbs curl past parallel, which allows them to distribute the force from release in equal and opposite directions. This causes leftover energy after propelling the arrow to be cancelled out as the limbs act in opposition to one another. Compared to a bow with upright limbs, a bow that incorporates parallel limb technology has significantly less shock, vibration and noise.

The extreme pre-load and curl of the limbs also make it possible for PSE to capture the inherent stability of an upright limb pocket configuration while still reaching far beyond parallel at full draw. The 12-inch limbs are precision manufactured from pultruded fiberglass and either painted black or film dipped in Mossy Oak's Treestand camo pattern.

High-Tech Hub
Serving as the base that pulls all of the different technologies together is the feature-packed AXE riser. The Slim, Low Torque (SLT) Grip is fully machined and uses contoured rubber side panels to provide comfort and consistency.

An extended sight window is home to a PSE X-Force AXE Logo, while the opposite side contains five threaded sight-mounting holes for multiple sight-mounting positions. Tuning marks for elevation and windage are machined directly into the shelf for quick and easy initial bow setup. A stainless steel stabilizer-mounting insert is located opposite the string-dampening Vibracheck Backstop.

Performance Observations
I spent a significant amount of time shooting the AXE both indoors and outdoors. While drawing the new PSE rig, I noted an aggressive initial climb to peak draw weight followed by a rolling stay near the top and eventual gentle drop into full draw. The SLT grip proved functional by offering consistency shot after shot. The real magic of the AXE can be found in its ability to send an arrow smoking down range with minimal shock, vibration or noise.