Martin X-200 Review

Image	Length	Bow Weight	Draw Weight	Takedown?
Martin X 200 Recurve Bow See on Amazon.com	60"	1 lb. 12 oz. How to: choose arrows, draw weight, and tune your recurve	25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 lbs.	No

Package Contents

Welcome back. Today, we are looking at the Martin X-200 recurve bow. Martin has designed this traditional bow to be equally suitable for both recreational shooters and avid hunters. Each package delivered by Martin Archery includes the following items:

• The Martin X-200 bow
• Traditional arrow rest
• Bowstring
• Owner’s Manual
• Warranty Card

Assembling The Bow

Assembling the Martin X-200 is pretty much what you’d expect from a traditional bow: string the bow and install the arrow rest. Since the X-200 is not a takedown bow, you do not need to attach the limbs because they’ll be permanently attached out of the box.

The Martin X-200 doesn’t come with a bow stringer, so you should make sure to have one before you try assembling the bow. While some of our fathers and grandfathers used the “step through” method to string their bows, we realize today just how dangerous that method is, both for the archer and for the bow. Use a bow stringer, because it will safe your legs and hands, as well as your bow’s longevity.

How Powerful and Accurate is the Bow?

That is a good question, but the power depends on which model you buy. The Martin X-200 is available in draw weights ranging from 25# to 55#. The more draw weight your bow has, the more powerful it is. That said, this bow has the potential to be a very powerful shot.

The accuracy of the Martin X-200 depends a bit on properly setting the brace height (Martin recommends 7.75” to 8”), but it mostly depends on the skill of the archer. At more forgiving brace heights, the X-200 will be very accurate even for the newest of archers. During my testing, I was able to consistently hold 1” groupings from 30 yards with the Martin X-200, and 2.5” groupings at 50 yards.

Is The Bow Suitable For Hunting?

Yes, the Martin X-200 is definitely a good hunting bow once it’s set up properly. With a 55# draw weight, the Martin X-200 will easily take down a deer and, in the right hands, can comfortably drop an elk. During one hunt, my arrow passed clean through the shoulder of a buck and dug its way 6” into the ground beside the buck. The buck simpered off about 20 yards before he keeled over from blood loss.

Is The Bow Suitable For Beginners?

With its 40# draw weight, the Martin X-200 might not be the best bow for rank beginning archers. Even so, the possible brace heights of the bow can make it very forgiving of poor technique and methods.

This bow is too large for most youth hunters, but an adult who is trying archery for the first time will probably find the Martin X-200 an excellent bow for them to “cut their teeth on,” and they’ll be able to keep using it for years to come. The X-200 is one of the nicest mid-range bows on the market, and its low price point makes it easy for adults to enter the fray of archery.

Does This Recurve Accept Accessories?

Martin has not drilled any holes into the X-200, so it will not accept any accessories out of the box. A skilled bow technician might be able to add a stabilizer or a sight to the bow, but a plunger is virtually out of the question.

Accessories are not really needed with this bow, though. The arrow rest is full enough to allow you to put in your own sighting pins, and the bow is light and balanced enough to eliminate any real need for a stabilizer.

Arrows For The Martin X-200

When I was testing the X-200, I used Easton aluminum arrows for my sighting and target practice. I also tossed in some Carbon Express arrows, and found the X-200 not at all fussy about what arrows to use. Just remember that a lighter arrow will not have enough stopping power to take down any medium- to large-sized game, so you should make sure to use arrows heavy enough for what you want to do. For even more tips on arrow selection, head on over to our guide on choosing arrows.

Is This Bow Comfortable To Hold?

The Martin X-200 is almost perfectly balanced and a pleasure to hold from the beginning. I found with lower brace heights, I tended to get my wrist slapped a bit from the bowstring during release, but that’s easily and quickly remedied.

Materials And Durability (Riser, Limbs)

The riser is carved from solid Shedua, and the limbs are constructed from a lamination of Eastern Hard Maple and black fiberglass. Its AMO length is 60”, and it’s available in draw weights from 25# to 55#.

This bow is highly durable, and has withstood rainstorms as well as snowstorms. I have seen the bow fall a handful of times, and nothing seems to inflict any damage on the bow or its string.

What String Fits The Martin X-200?

The Martin X-200 ships with a good quality Dacron string, but the reinforced limb tips make it very possible to install a Flemish twist or FastFlight string. I fired the bow using FastFlight strings, and found the accuracy and stopping power of the arrow to be greatly improved.

Is The Martin X-200 a Heavy Bow?

No, the Martin X-200 weighs only 1 lb. 12 ozx, so it’s probably one of the lightest bows on the market today. The small amount of weight in your hands when you’re holding this bow will be barely noticeable, and you’ll find yourself feeling fatigue in your draw arm long before the weight of the bow itself starts to wear on you.

How Loud Is The Martin X-200?

When I first set up my Martin X-200, the brace height was only 7” and the bow made a horrendous amount of noise. The string slapped against my wrists, limb smack as the string hits the top and bottom of the recurve, and vibrations were the order of the day until I tuned the bow a bit.

Once I had dealt with the brace height, I noticed the bow was still a bit longer than I’m used to.

X-200Review – Summary

Thanks for reading our bow review. Martin Archery’s X-200 is an excellent example of a mid-range bow. The only real downfall for this bow is the conspicuous lack of a bow stringer in the manufacturing box. Once the bow is strung and properly tuned, however, the quality of the bow cannot be beat. Take a look at Today's Amazon.com price on the Martin X-200.