Hoyt AX90 vs PSE Sicario 80lbs: Two Heavy Hitters Put to the Test

The Specs Side by Side

One Thing to Know About the Sicario's Brace Height

Before we get into the feel — there's something important to understand about the Sicario's 5 1/4 inch brace height.

A short brace height means the arrow stays on the string longer. That's how you get those 357 fps IBO numbers. But it also means any issues you introduce into your shot process get amplified downrange. If your form isn't dialed, a short brace height bow will make that very clear very fast.

The Sicario is probably the easiest speed bow you'll ever shoot. But it's still less forgiving than most bows on the market. Keep that in mind going in.

Also worth noting — the Sicario maxes out at 30 inches draw length. If you're a long draw guy, this bow is not for you. That's going to eliminate a portion of hunters right there.

The Technology — What Each Brand Brought in 2026

PSE Sicario — FDS Cam

The FDS cam is new for 2026 and PSE did a really good job with it. Performance-driven, incredibly smooth, and you get great speeds without sacrificing draw cycle. More let-off options with the new let-off post. Tuning is still done with PSE's 220 shim system — requires a press, but simple and easy to execute.

Hoyt AX90 — XTS Tuning System

Hoyt's big story for 2026 is the XTS tuning system. Micro-tune without a press — as long as your paper tear is within an inch. Anything bigger and you're still shimming, but once you're close, the XTS handles it. Hoyt also uses multiple mods to maximize efficiency at each specific draw length — worth knowing if you're particular about tuning.

Speed Test — Both at 28.5 Inches, 465-Grain Arrow

The Sicario edges the AX90 by about 4 fps — and it's doing that at 83 lbs versus 91 lbs. More speed at lower poundage is exactly what a carbon speed bow is supposed to deliver, and the Sicario delivers. For all practical purposes though, these bows are neck and neck. Neither is going to give you a meaningful trajectory advantage in real hunting situations.

Draw Cycle — Very Different Experiences

PSE Sicario at 80lbs

After drawing the AX90, the Sicario at 80 lbs honestly feels like nothing. The FDS cam is smooth all the way back. No sponge on the back wall. Consistent and clean. For a speed bow at 80 lbs, the draw cycle is genuinely fantastic — PSE did a really good job with this cam.

Hoyt AX90

You've got to rip into this thing. At 91 lbs, the draw cycle is incredibly stiff. Not aggressive in a bad way — smooth enough — but it does dump a little bit on the back half coming into the valley. You have to commit to this draw. Once you're through it though, the bow holds dead on target. No wobble.

Valley and Letting Down — Both Are a Chore at This Poundage

Here's the honest truth about high poundage bows — letting them down is work. Both of them. At 85% let-off, once the bow starts to run home it goes fast. You need to be deliberate and controlled or that arrow will slap around inside the rest cage and make noise.

Sicario: The valley isn't bad but it's on the shorter side. Less forgiving — which fits the short brace height and speed-focused platform.

AX90: The valley feels a little more forgiving than the Sicario. But at 91 lbs, the let-down still takes real effort.

Post-Shot Feel — Carbon vs Aluminum

PSE Sicario: There is some feedback. Not a lot, but you feel it. Carbon bows transfer more energy through the riser than aluminum — that's the trade-off for being lighter. Throw stabilizer bars on it and you'll probably eliminate it entirely. But shooting bare, you do feel a little on the shot.

Hoyt AX90: Dead. Zero feedback. Hoyt's aluminum bows are known for this and the AX90 is no exception. About as clean as post-shot feel gets — which is saying something at 91 lbs.

Accuracy Testing — 6-Arrow Group at 30 Yards

PSE Sicario: Two center yellow, one a little low — and that third arrow was me, not the bow. The group was good. But the Sicario demands clean form. That short brace height amplifies any mistakes. If your shot process is dialed, this bow shoots great. If it's not — it'll let you know.

Hoyt AX90: The group was tighter. One shot didn't feel great coming out and it still landed inside the group — that tells you everything. The longer brace height and extra weight make the AX90 more forgiving to shoot, even at 91 lbs. More margin for error. Better consistency out of the box.

Edge in accuracy goes to the AX90 — not because it's a better built bow, but because the longer brace height and heavier aluminum platform are simply more forgiving to shoot.

Which Bow Should You Buy?

Buy the PSE Sicario at 80lbs if:

• You want maximum performance at the lowest poundage
• Speed is a priority and you don't want to go to 90 lbs to get it
• Your draw length is 30 inches or under
• Your form is dialed and you're comfortable with a less forgiving platform
• You want a lighter bow — 5.2 lbs is noticeably lighter than the AX90

Buy the Hoyt AX90 if:

• You want the most forgiving shooting experience in a high-poundage bow
• You can handle a stiff 91 lb draw cycle and commit to it consistently
• You prefer an aluminum platform that holds dead on target
• You want Hoyt's XTS tuning system and zero-feedback post-shot feel
• Your draw length is between 26 and 31 inches

Final Verdict

Both of these bows are absolutely phenomenal high-poundage options. Neither one is a bad choice — they just make different trade-offs.

Sicario at 80lbs: More speed at lower poundage, smoother draw cycle, lighter bow. Less forgiving to shoot.

Hoyt AX90: Dead in the hand, more forgiving to shoot, holds on target better. The draw is the challenge.

Flip a coin if you can shoot both. Come in, draw them, and let the bow tell you which one belongs in your hands. Real people answer the phones at Extreme Outfitters Monday through Saturday.