Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Every year, I eagerly dive into the world of flagship compound bows, testing and tinkering with numerous models. It’s not just a job for me, it’s a passion that I’m fortunate to have.
Rest assured, there are no faulty flagship bow models on the market. From Hoyt to Mathews to Bear to PSE, these compound bow makers have elevated their craft, delivering top-tier products that are sure to fulfill your bowhunting dreams.
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Still, each year, I tend to have a favorite or two—a compound that, for one reason or another, boosts my shooting comfort, accuracy, and overall confidence.
One of those 2024 bow models is Hoyt’s Alpha X 33.
Hoyt’s Best Aluminum Build Ever
I’ve shot Hoyt bows for years. Hoyt does a remarkable job of hitting a sweet spot that provides archers with bows that promise accuracy, comfort, adjustability, top-end technologies, and bullet-proof durability.
Spoiler Alert: I think Hoyt’s new Alpha X 33, which is available in 2024, is the bow maker’s best aluminum bow build to date.
Why?
Alpha X 33 – Maximum Shooter Customization
I’ve struggled with draw length my entire archery career. Twenty-nine inches is a tick too long, and 28.5 inches is too short. I’ve experimented with handheld releases with shorter necks to increase draw length with my compound set at a 28-inch draw. Twice, I’ve set my draw to 29.5 inches and used a long-neck handheld release to shorten my draw. Still, I’ve never experienced draw-length perfection until Hoyt’s Alpha X 33 arrived.
The new HBX Xact Cam allows for 1/4-inch draw-length adjustments over a trio of mod systems. My mod is draw-length adjustable without a bow press between 27.25 and 29 inches. For the first time in my stick-and-string tenure, I’m shooting the release I want to shoot because my draw length is set at a perfect 28.75 inches.
Nothing increases accuracy, overall shooting feel, or confidence like shooting a bow with a picture-perfect draw length.
Back Wall Settings
Another advantage of the cam system is that it offers a pair of back wall settings. I shoot a handheld release, often a hinge, so I prefer a bit of valley when I start driving my bow arm into the target and my release elbow backward while relaxing my hand from the wrist down. For this reason, I opt for the Hard Wall option. Some shooters may love a back wall feel with zero valley. This feeling is commonly achieved via limb stops. With the Alpha X, all that’s required is to loosen the single H15 set screw in the draw stop on the cam module and flip it to X-Hard.
You’ll also notice that the draw-stop arm offers a trio (85,80, and 75 percent) of let-off settings for further customization. The cam system, the BIG STORY with Hoyt’s 2024 aluminum flagship, is fitted with an integrated kickstand to keep the grooves of the bottom and top cam elevated off the ground and out of the dirt.
Did You Hear That?
The first time I shot my Alpha X 33 in front of one of my bowhunting buddies, he turned to me and asked, “Jace, did you hear that?”
I was confused. I’d heard nothing. Then, my friend smiled and said, “Neither did I.”
This is the quietest Hoyt bow I’ve ever shot, and the entire process, from the time I clip onto my D-loop until I settle into my pair of anchor points and let the release fire the bow, is pure engineering perfection.
Hoyt engineers worked tirelessly to hone every part of the riser, limbs, cams, etc., to achieve up to an 18 percent reduction in vibration and a 25 percent reduction in sound over the 2023 VTM. And friends, I thought the VTM was church-mouse quiet. Even the cagiest whitetail in the woods won’t be ducking an Alpha X-powered arrow.
The Riser
I love the Alpha X TEC riser. It’s the perfect blend of strength and weight. The dual cage toward the top and bottom boosts strength and gives the bow a sit-like-a-well-trained retriever feel at full draw. Hoyt also managed to keep the weight of the 33-5/16-inch axle-to-axle bow under five pounds, which is remarkable.
I’ve always accurately shot bows with axle-to-axle lengths between 33 and 34.5 inches, especially when shooting long distances. My issue with these longer axle-to-axle bows, especially after outfitting them with accessories, was weight. I can haul this rig around the mountains for days without feeling like carrying a tree trunk.
The limbs are wide and short and meld seamlessly into the aluminum pockets. I was thrilled to see Hoyt kept the Integrated Drop Cord Slot in the riser. I’m a cable-driven rest guy, and I love that I can pass the rest-activation cord through the riser and tie it into the bow’s down cable.
Alpha X 33 In-Line System
Another Alpha X TEC riser win is the In-Line System. Hoyt’s In-Line System allows archers to mount their sight to the riser’s front. A small Picatinny-style rail accepts sights with PM (Pic or Picatinny mounting systems) attachments. These PM attachments mean no bulky mounting bar or mounting screw. This sight attachment style ensures absolute lock-down while perfecting bow balance. With no mounting bar on the side of the bow, there is no unnecessary weight distribution. My UltraView UV Slider w/UV3XL SE scope locks perfectly via the single-screw bracket, promoting shot-to-shot consistency.
Also, part of the In-Line System is the dovetail slits in the back of the riser that accept QAD’s Integrate Mounting System. This year, I added QAD’s all-new Integrate MX2 rest to my Alpha X. Using a dual-lock mounting system with clamps that slide into and suck down on the dovetail slits, unwanted rest movement is eliminated, and like the sight-mount rail, this system removes the need for a rest mounting bar and screw. The In-Line System allows you to create a fit and feel that is streamlined and ultra-balanced.
Other Must Mentions
Part of the Alpha X 33’s tranquil shooting experience is partly due to the all-new WireWRX Bow Strings and Holeshot V2 Silencers. I applaud the factory strings. I despise peep rotation, and in years past, I always replaced Hoyt factory strings with custom strings from AAE. While I still may go the AAE route, I’ve shot tons of Easton 4mm Axis Long Range, and Parallel Pro X10 shafts through the bow, and the strings are holding up very well. The strings include the Holeshot V2 string silencers, which further squeltch post-shot bow oscillation.
Though I always remove my Hoyt grip and use tennis racquet tape to wrap the grip, this is out of habit. There was a time when I wasn’t too fond of Hoyt’s grip designs. However, the VitalPoint Grip is, without question, Hoyt’s best grip design ever. The grip is crafted from durable Vesaflex material, which boosts shooting comfort and grip in all conditions. A repeatable grip is critical, and if you opt to leave this grip on your bow’s riser, a repeatable grip is what you can bank on.
How The Alpha X 33 Shoots
I spent my spring turkey season hunting with Hoyt’s 2024 carbon flagship, the RX-8. I love that bow, and I will review it shortly.
The Alpha X 33 will be my 2024 big-game assassin. With a nine-year-wait mule deer tag in Nevada and multiple other tags in my pocket, 2024’s fall season, Lord willing, will be a banger.
I will be sure to report my findings.
In the meantime…
With my Alpha X 33 shot in, I moved to the paper tuner. I was pleased to see only a tail-high tear and a slight left tear.After moving my Integrate MX2 a few micro-clicks right and a few micro-clicks up, my second arrow was close to perfect. I made minor tweaks, and the third arrow produced a perfect paper tear.
READ MORE: Getting Down and Dirty with “The Kit” from Two Vets Tripods
I have over 600 arrows through the Alpha X 33 as of this writing. It’s as accurate as the day is long—I’m shooting consistent sub-3-inch groups at 80 yards using only Cutter Stabilizers Elevate Pro 8 front stab. I credit this to the bow’s overall build and the fact that because it’s so quiet and vibration-free, I can focus on shooting an excellent arrow each time I draw back.
Speed & Draw Weight
I’m not a speed demon, but I will take speed if a bow is balanced, forgiving, and accurate. Speed that doesn’t come at a cost is a win.
My 420-grain Easton Parallel Pro X10 arrows produced an average three-shot arrow at 290 fps. That’s at a draw length of 28.75 inches and a draw weight of 67.22 pounds. Impressive! That fps rating, combined with the arrow’s weight of 420 grains, produces 78.45-foot pounds of kinetic energy. That’s enough to put down any big game animal in North America and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Every year, the question for every bowhunter is: Do I need to buy a new flagship bow? I don’t believe the answer to that question every year is yes. However, the Alpha X 33 crosses every checkmark off the list. If you’re new to the bowhunting world, this is the bow for you. If you’re a seasoned veteran wondering if this year is the year you upgrade to a new flagship, this is the bow for you. And, if you’re a bowhunter who loves buying a new flagship every year but is wondering if this is the year to skip, the answer is no. The Hoyt Alpha X 33 may be Hoyt’s best aluminum build ever.
Hoyt Alpha X 33 Specifications:
Speed: 334 FPS (ATA)
Axle-To-Axle: 33 5/16 in.
Weight: 4.75 lbs.
Brace Height: 6 3/8 in.
Draw Lengths: 26-27 in., 27.25-29 in., 29.25-31 in.
Peak Draw Weights: 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, and 80 lbs.
New Colors: Tombstone, Kuiu Vias, Mossy Oak Bottomlands, First Lite Cerca