Draw length of recurve bow?

[Questor]

How can I tell what the draw length of a recurve bow is?  I know my draw length (31 inches), but I'm looking at used bows and don't have a way of knowing.  Generally, I'm looking at the 60" 50 pound bows. I don't see many longer than that.

Thanks.

[Thomas Krupinski]

Questor,

From what I am finding out, the practical draw length will depend upon the model of the bow.  Usually the poundage will be scribed somewhere on the riser showing the weight at a particular draw length, but that's just a guide.  From there they have computation tables or formulas available that are supposed to give you some idea of how much an increase or decrease you will get from each inch of difference, very roughly 2.5 lbs. per inch.  

Now I have heard that that will go on and increase up to a certain point of increase, and then the fibers on the bow will do something called "stack" and then you will not have the same amount of gain or efficiency.  That point is supposed to depend upon the design of the bow.  Not sure if that information is available anywhere.

Now I suspect, but am rather uncertain about this but I am trying to find out, for someone with a long draw length will that stacking phenomena be reduced by a longer bow, and conversely will, someone like me, with a short 26" draw length, do better with a short limbed bow?  I am think that it will, but I just don't know till I try it out.

From what I remember about those formula for increased draw length, that 50 lb. bow you mention will probably pull between 55 and 60 if the 50 lb. draw weight is caculated at 29".

My son now has that 58" 45 lb. Bear Grizzly that I bought recently.  I was only pulling 37 lbs. on it and he pulls 51 with his increased draw lenght, somewhere around yours.  I am hoping to get a shorter limbed bow and see if that really will work for someone with a shorter draw length.

[Bob/FLA]

I too have a long draw length, 30".  I have a Wes Wallace 64" bow and it's a sweet shooter.  

Let me hit a few things to get to the answer.
ALL bows stack.  As Tom said, fibers compress and produce increased resistance without increased power delivered.  Where they stack depends on the materials, construction techniques, etc.  The best way to find one that fits you is to try them.  Also as Tom suggested, stay away from short bows.  I suggest 64" minimum.  You can find them on ebay.  Don't forget about longbows. They are typically longer and easy to shoot.

I hope this helps.  I also suggest http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/tf/lw/threadsx2.cfm  for traditional archery information.  Maybe we can pull-in some more archers to visit and exchange info here.

[Graybeard]

Rudy, recurve bows do not have a specific length of pull associated with them as do compounds. I'm sure each has a practical maximum but certainly 31" would not likely exceed that on any normal length recurve bow. They are rated at 28" draw length which just happens to be what my draw length is when using a recurve.

Another point of interest is that what your draw length is with a compound is not necessarily what it will be with a recurve. Most folks use a release aid with a compound but hardly anyone does with a recurve. I doubt anyone does when hunting as opposed to competition target shooting. Fingers is most common with recurves using either a three finger glove or tab. You likely will need to learn a new anchor point also.

Is it your intention to shoot instinctive or do you plan to try to rig up some sort of sight? Again I think most of us shoot recurves instinctively without sights. There is no true aiming process in this method and release can come almost as soon as the string is fully pulled to rear.

GB

[longwinters]

The best way to see what the poundage is for the length that you anchor a traditional bow is to put an arrow on it and then draw it back.  When you are anchored have someone mark the arrow (standing beside you obviously) at the front of the arrow shelf.  Then find someone with a bow scale and, with the arrow on the string, pull down on the bow until the mark (on the arrow) is again even with the front of the arrow shelf.  Then have the other person look at the scale.  You can do this in 1" increments and then you will see not only the poundage at your draw length but also where the bow stacks.  

long

[Questor]

Interestingly, I went to a bow shop and they measured me for a recurve and it turned out to be 29.5" I must have been using the measurement for compound bows when I measured myself.

GB: I will do instinctive shooting.

[seymour]

Generally good advice so far.  With your draw length, probably anything 60 inches or longer would work okay in a recurve.  In a longbow you might want to go longer.

There is such a thing as too long with a recurve.  Some people with exceptionally short draws won't be able to fully uncoil the recurves on longer bows so part of the bows aren't being used in such circumstances.  

With a longbow, it really doesn't matter that much although one probably ought to consider what might happen when shooting from a kneeling position with the longer bows.  Contacting the ground with the lower limb can be disconcerting during a shot.

Stacking is more of a problem with traditional stacked bows such as English longbows.  It is a function of the pronounced D shaped cross section belly on such bows.  That's why they're called stacked bows.