I believe I found a great find today in a longbow

[Cottonwood]

Well prior to heading down to Flaming Arrow, I stopped in at one of my local pawn shops and low and behold here was a traditional longbow that was made by one of our local bowers sitting lonely for just $32.99

Well when I was at Flaming Arrow, I strung the bow and it does shoot but if I hunted with this all the animals in the woods are very safe right now.  I just could not get the Easton 2016 Gamegetters with feather fletchings to fly straight.  I know its going to take some work on my part to shoot accurately and I believe with correct arrows.  So I need some advice for shooting a traditional bow that does not have a shelf or rest on it.

It looks very abused finish wise, and needs redone to bring the life back into it.  Don't pay no attention to the old fart holding the bow.

[scout4]

Hey Montanan, nice find! Is there any markings on it that gives the draw weight? For shooting a bow like that where there is no arrow shelf you will need an arrow that is matched to the draw weight at your draw length, and maybe even a few pounds under that draw weight. Feather fletched, and with at least a 100grain point. You will find the need to be much closer to the target than what you are used to, and that is okay. Canting the bow a little bit will help with your sight picture, and you may find that to get your arrows in there, you might have to hold off center a little bit. Accuracy will happen! but it takes time. Remember, those old bows came from a time when everything was at a much slower pace. It was more important to enjoy the adventure! Thanks! scout4<><

[Cottonwood]

Scout4, you bet and thanks.  The bow is marked with a 45 under the swede that covers the handle of the bow with a total OAL of 67" and from string notch to notch is 66".  The current string is a dacron, but I  maybe thinking about buying a new string in the future.  As far as weight of the tips, I believe I would like to go heavier than 125 gr possible to 145 gr.

Currently I have Easton Arrows in the following numbers 2016's (feather fletched) and  2117's, 2315's, 2413's

What do you think?

[scout4]

Montanian, If you are drawing to 45# then 2016's should be your arrow. I would go with an heavy point even out to 160 depending on the arrow length. That arrow needs to really flex around the handle of a longbow without a shelf and where you are shooting right off your knuckle. scout4<><

[Cottonwood]

Scout4 - Thanks a bunch, I will work with these 2016's.  Down at the shop the heaviest FP is a 145 gr that they stock, and put a 145 gr FP on them for now.  I  may have to order from 3Rivers Archery and get Screw In Field Point Test Kit where you get 2-100 grain, 2-125 grain, 2-145 grain, 2-175 grain, and 2-200 grain, & 2-250 grain points.

I also have a recurve that is also 45 lbs, that I want to work with as well and these arrows will work for it to.

[Cottonwood]

Scout4 - Went over to Flaming Arrow Archery today and got some 145 gr FP's for those 2016's.  These now shoot a lot more accurately, and was holding about a pie plate size group at about 12 paces with the recurve and a bit bigger with the Longbow.  More practice, and it was a bit more relaxing than what I thought.    Actually more fun than anything.

I will be back again tomorrow, doing the same old stuff.... shooting arrows 

[scout4]

Hey Montanian, You might want to give 1916 size aluminum arrows a try with a standard 125gr. point, make sure they are feather fletched. These should flex around that handle just about how it needs to. Maybe Flaming Arrow has a couple you could try out right there! scout4<><

[Empty Quiver]

I get good flight from #64 LB, I'm shooting 30" 2216 Eastons and 145 gr tips. I draw a good 29" , I would certainly try some lighter spined arrows or shoot full length and try plenty of different tips. It would not shoot 2315 that shoot well from a #50 recurve.

You're finding out that center shot bows are easier to tune. Once you find the ammo it likes you are good to go forever more.

[Cottonwood]

Well yesterday's range time was a good learning curve.  I used my Easton XX75 2016's that are feather fletched with a 145 gr FP's.  With the longbow I did okay, but some one else raised a question that has merit I believe.  He told me that over time this bow could have lost its poundage and your string may need replaced.  2 very good items of concern, so what I'm going to do is complete the refinish work on this longbow, replace the bowstring and get spacific arrows just for this longbow.

With my recurve the Easton XX75 2016's with the 145 gr FP's was giving me good accuracy ie Minute of Pie Plate (MOPP) at 20 yards this morning which I figure is not to bad considering how long it has been since I have shot a recurve bow.  I just have to get used to a differant way of shooting a bow now.  Fingers, tab or glove and I shot much better with fingers today than I thought I would.  So this is gonna take work on my part to shoot instinctively without sights.

I'm having the owner of Flaming Arrow Archery here in Kalispell, order me a new recurve bow as my next bow which will have nice laminated wooden limbs that look natural, or I will buy one of his upper end wooden laminated recurves that he has in the shop already.  I probably will stay in the 45# to 50# range and will see what feels good on the draw back of the bow.  I still have to watch out for my left shoulder when drawing a traditional bow.

Here is a pic of the two bows together.  I can't even give you a name of maker on the recurve, as it is a borrowed bow from our MT Bowhunters Education shed.  We get the use of bows that have been donated to our Bowhunters Ed program.

[scout4]

Hey Montanian! That old recurve looks like a Ben Pearson, or maybe even a Colt. Those old recurve bows sure were hansom with those big risers! I had a Staghorn recurve that was alot like the one you have, Man that bow was one good shooter! That I recall, it was 66" x 44# an had a real dark I think walnut riser with ivory colored limbs. That was a long time ago. scout4<><

[Cottonwood]

Scout4, I found out that my no name recurve, is a Bear Kodiak, but it has no logo on it.  All I care about is that it shoots, and I can draw it    It will be a prized bow for sure now, and will continue to be used.  I'm hitting the range again tomorrow with it as the weather is not cooperating up here in Montana as we are still getting some snow in places.

I will soon get some new arrows for the Kodiak as I only have 4 of the Easton 2016's that are feather fletched right now.  I've got to order some other stuff from 3 Rivers, but will get my arrows thru the shop here.

[Savage .250]

All the above with lots of ...............practice!