Author Topic: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice  (Read 1235 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline teddy12b

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3078
Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« on: September 10, 2008, 06:39:23 AM »
I’m thinking about buying a bow.  I’d like to get recurve/longbow that will mainly get used to target practice and possibly hunting someday.  Currently I have a handmade #70 longbow that I bought new off of ebay years ago for about $50 and now it’s starting to show signs of wear (little cracks).

My biggest concerns are wanting to know what affects accuracy in bows?  Beyond the obvious shooter of course.  I’m not new to hunting and I know a good shot is on the hunter, not the equipment, but equipment does play a role in it.  I’m not really a stickler for cosmetic things, but I don’t know what to look for in a good bow.  Is there one brand that has a better reputation than the others similar to that of savage rifles?

I've been kind of watching the montana longbows, but I haven't got a clue if they are any good or not.  I’d appreciate any advice you all have to offer.

Offline tn_junk

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (54)
  • A Real Regular
  • *****
  • Posts: 885
  • Gender: Male
  • Look to Him
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2008, 11:30:01 AM »
I know that it's a lot easier to buy a bow, but one of the most fulfilling things I have ever (hunting wise) done is build
a stickbow and then take game with it, and a good stickbow runs $300 plus nowadays.
When I built mine I was living in a tiny one room apartment, eating rice and beans after my first divorce.
Total cost for my bow was $36, that included the stave, varnish and bowstring material. 1992 prices.
Only tools you need are a good sharp drawknife, a good rasp and either a cabinet scraper or some various
grades of sandpaper.

alan

ps. I've even got a book or three I'll loan you.
Common Sense Ain't Very Common

Deceased May 20, 2009.  RIP Alan we miss you.

Offline jgalar

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1231
  • Gender: Male
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2008, 04:23:29 AM »
Personally I can shoot a recurve much better than a longbow/flatbow/stickbow. Others shoot the longbow better than the recurve. You have to try them out.

I have a PSE Impalla recurve that I can shoot very well for such an inexpensive bow.

I have made numerous stickbows out of redoak boards purchased from HomeDepot. Its a pain going through a bunch of boards trying to find one with the proper grain and many times not finding one. Without a backing the highest poundage I have made one is 50lbs pull. Total cost of the bow is around $6 but a bunch of labor.

Offline JonD.

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (34)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1118
  • Gender: Male
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2008, 02:13:59 PM »
I recently purchased an old Pearson Mustang recurve from e-bay for $36. It needs to be re-varnished, but is otherwise in excellent condition and shoots great. For a starter bow, you may want to check these out, there are usally some very nice bows on there relatively cheap. Some good brands to start with are, Bear, Pearson, Wing, Shakespeare, Root, Browning, Damon Howatt, etc. Be wary and only choose bows that are well photographed and have good descriptions (staright limbs, no twist, no delaminations etc.), and check the feed back of the seller. Of course as with anything you buy from an auction site theres always the risk of getting junk. ;) Most recurves are built pretty much the same and haven't changed much. They all are laminated with the outer laminations made of Gordon Composites fiberglass called Bo-Tuff, which is the same glass that new modern recurve bows are made with. If you are a do it yourself-er check out Bingham projects:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,136859.0.html

Offline Empty Quiver

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2847
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #4 on: September 22, 2008, 04:57:22 PM »
    If you are looking to a modern traditional bow you probably won't go wrong with any mainstream builder. Longbows are a little harder to tune than recurves. The latest design longbows are more like recurves as far as the limb geometry goes and are very efficient as well as smooth shooters, they allow a shorter limb than the Hill style bows.


    The heavier the riser, generally, the better, when it comes to accuracy. Longer limbs lead to a more stability, and accuracy. If only a target bow, go way down in draw weight, #30 range. The arrow being tuned for the bow is absolutely the most important thing as far as trad bows go. Adjust the string length and properly spine the arrows and the rest is your own personal ability.


    A day spent with someone who knows how to TEACH will put you way ahead. Being a good shot with a compound won't necessarily transfer over to a stickbow. Most folks have forgotten how to use there fingers to hold a string. Launcher type arrow rests require different techniques than shelf or flipper rests. Many fine archers have never encountered the old stuff. 


    A Savage rifle of the archery world... Martin X200 maybe. Bear makes good bows, PSE makes a couple recurves, Ramin or something like that is a Korean maker that has some good looking inexpensive bows.  The Footed Shaft out of Rochester, Mn. deals in used bows. He has been at it for years, and likely has forgotten more about stickbows than many experts will ever know. He has advertised in Traditional Bowhunter Mag since forever, and has a web site you can google to.  If you are buying new stuff gather up about the same money as that Savage rifle then shop for the bow and some arrows to match it. You may have some money left over, unless you are a sucker for beautiful wood and workmanship. $800 will get you some works of art that will have you dreaming of mountains and Elk and... sorry, it's about my bedtime.

   
**Concealed Carry...Because when seconds count help is only minutes away**

Offline myronman3

  • Moderator
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4837
  • Gender: Male
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2008, 04:41:20 PM »
best advice i can give you is to check your ego at the door and get a reasonable bow weight.  70# is insane.  i shot a 70# pse compound for years.  when i started with a stickbow i "dropped down" some weight to 62#.   i soon discovered i had alot to learn.  while i can shoot it o.k., seeing me shoot a 45# trad bow lays to rest any arguement about that.  DO NOT OVERBOW YOURSELF.  unless you want to get frustrated fast and not enjoy it. 
  instead of poundage, concentrate on putting the arrow where it needs to be and keeping a razor edge on them broadheads and you will be in great shape. ;)

Offline teddy12b

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3078
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2008, 04:17:43 AM »
I have no idea of what poundage is really needed for deer.  I knew the 70# was probably a little much, and it was mostly ego & curiousity.  I was thinking about a 60#, but how much lower than that should I consider?

Offline myronman3

  • Moderator
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4837
  • Gender: Male
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2008, 07:19:07 AM »
most people i know do their best shooting with 40-55#.   i shot a 70# pse thunderflight express compound, and 45# bear recurve is just about right for me.   i am a pretty strong guy, and ego aside 45# is perfect.  i still can shoot 70# compound pretty easily.   

Offline Empty Quiver

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2847
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2008, 07:00:44 AM »
Teddy, #45 to #50 will do about anything you need for deer hunting. If you have penetration concerns use a good two blade head. If it is a flat shooting thing, well... that is why they have wheels.  It's a mindset thing, sorta like 30/30 vs. 300win mag, generally the deer really doesn't care which it was shot with, it goes ahead and dies anyway.

Get a #50 your body will love you, and your buddies will still respect you, the #60 bow will get there attn. and your shoulders will get yours. JMHO
**Concealed Carry...Because when seconds count help is only minutes away**

Offline teddy12b

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3078
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2008, 08:09:20 AM »
Sounds good.  I might buy a bow some time again.  There are usually great deals on bows on ebay after the seasons are over.  There isn't enough time left for this season to get proficient with a new bow so I can put it off.  Gun season opens up in a month, but who's counting.

Offline JonD.

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (34)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1118
  • Gender: Male
Re: Rookie needs Recurve/Longbow advice
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2008, 02:18:05 PM »
I agree with myronman and empty quiver, 40 or 50 pounds is plenty enough for deer with good sharp b-heads. The bow I have is 70lbs @ my draw length, but I used to shoot a compound at 84lbs. I can definitely tell it when I've finished shooting after a half hour or so, and wish I had gotten a little lighter poundage.