By R. Blacky Schwarz

Manufacturer: A&H Archery Inc.
P.O. Box 187
Marne, MI  49435
www.ACSBows.com
Price: $ 1,200.00 (US)

Bow Specs:
Model: ACS-CX T/D longbow
Length: 62 inches
Draw weight: 47 lbs at 28 inches
Brace height: 6 to 7 inches
Physical weight: 1 lbs 15 oz (complete bow)

Test Results:
Draw weight: 47 lbs at 28 inches
Stored energy: 43.43 ft-lbs
Stored energy per
pound of draw weight: 0.92 ft-lbs/lbs
Arrow weight: 425 grains
Arrow speed: 197 fps with mechanical release
Kinetic energy: 36.63 ft-lbs
Efficiency: 84.3 percent (Kinetic energy / stored energy)
Arrow Speed: 192 fps with finger release

Riser:
Length: 14 inches
Shape: reflexed
Sight Window: 2 ½ inches high
Centre cut: 3/16 inche past center
Material: Multiple layers of black and white glass and three layers of highly figured bocote for the overlay, centre and grip area are laid up and bonded in an aluminium mould before the riser is shaped on a CNC milling machine. The arrangement of the contrasting layers of wood and fibreglass not only makes for a pleasing optical appearance, but more importantly, provides sufficient rigidity and strength to ensure no loss in dynamic efficiency owing to slight bending and deforming of the riser when the string is released. Cutting the sight window 3/16 inch past centre without weakening the slim riser was accomplished with an offset reinforcement on that riser part, right above the thumb groove. The ability to use a multitude of arrows and ease of tuning are the advantages of such an ample centre cut, usually only found on bows with big, hefty risers.
Grip: medium high pistol-type grip

Limbs:
Shape: Reflexed limbs with patented Adcock- Cross-Section (ACS) and rounded-off edges.

Limb width: 1 3/16 inches at the fade-outs and 23/32 inches just below the string groove.

Material: The ACS-CX (Carbon eXtreme) limbs are glued up from two different layers of carbon on the belly side, three thin layers of ActionBoo for the limb core and two different layers of carbon on the back. The limb wedges are ground from black glass. Limb butt overlays made from black glass protect the carbon fibres of the outer limb lamination by distributing the shearing force from the limb bolts. The unique feature of the ACS limb is the design of the limb's cross section. The limb starts out like a conventional limb with a rectangular cross section at the limb butts and then makes a gradual transition into the special Adcock Cross Section. Imagine the curved shape of the tape from a tape measure, with the dished-out side on the back of the bow limb, that is the easiest way to describe the shape of the ACS limb. By using a curved cross section, A&H Archery is able to build a bow limb with a similar draw weight to a conventional limb, but with considerably less mass weight. Less mass weight that has to be moved translates into higher speed and higher dynamic efficiency, as can be seen in the test data.

Tip overlays: The limb tip overlays consist of two layers of black micarta and a layer of black glass, which are glued up in a mould to give them the special shape of the limb surface. In this way the tip overlays have a seamless fit when glued to the limb tips.

Finish: Thunderbird epoxy finish

Supplied string: According to the draw weight either a 12-14 strand Dynaflite 97 or a 16-18 strand BCY 8125 Flemish twist string is furnished with the bow. All strings made from high-performance string material can be used.

Ordering options: The three-piece Take-Down ACS-CX longbow is available in RH and LH models. Bow lengths can be ordered in 62, 64 and 66 inches with draw weights ranging from 35 to 65 pounds. The riser can be made from glass and exotic woods, as the reviewed model, from solid aluminium or aluminium with a wooden grip. Risers and limbs are crafted using CNC technology. They share the same mounting system and are interchangeable.

Testing parameters: Speed testing three feet in front of chronograph
Bow drawn to 28 inches AMO (26 ¼ inches from string to push point of grip)
Arrow weight of nine grains per pound of draw weight
16 strand Fast-Flight string without any attachments (silencers, etc.)