LONGER AXLE TO AXLE OR SHORTER

[grousetracker]

I WAS WONDERING WHICH IS BETTER? I KNOW LONGER IS MORE ACCURATE, SHORTER SEEMS MORE EASIER TO PACK AND SHOOT IN TIGHT SPOTS. WHATS YOUR THOUGHTS?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Neither are really "better". You pretty much have it figured out. It really comes down to preference. If your hunting style allows for a longer bow then I would definitely recommend it... I use a short bow because I am primarily a  treestand hunter. If you are going to shoot fingers then you will definitely want a longer bow.

[TheHunt]

Longer will cover many flaws in your shooting form.  Now when shooting at elk I have only shot two standing up like most people do when they practice.  But when shoot around trees on your knee's your form goes down the tube.  All the rest of my elk were from my knees... 

[Mudman]

Brace height is where its at.  My Z7extreme is as short as they come but brace is over 7inches.  Shoots very well.  Have shot longer bows with short 6inch and they are very touchy.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Brace height is where its at.  My Z7extreme is as short as they come but brace is over 7inches.  Shoots very well.  Have shot longer bows with short 6inch and they are very touchy.

 

Though if you have a short draw length the shorter brace heights matter less... Though I have a short draw length and I still prefer a 7 inch brace height.

[earlmarne]

i shoot a strothers moxie with a 37 1/2 inch axle to axle for hunting and have yet to find it cumbersome at all.

[grousetracker]

i currently shoot a mathews drenalin LD,but would like to get the mathews chill. it is short ATA 30'' and am used to longer ATA. the CHILL is 30fps faster at the same draw weight.

[D-Rock425]

Longer is always better.  I like to be about the 35 inch range.

[Mudman]

i currently shoot a mathews drenalin LD,but would like to get the mathews chill. it is short ATA 30'' and am used to longer ATA. the CHILL is 30fps faster at the same draw weight.

DO it!!!  You will be happy!

[D-Rock425]

I thought the new creed shot better.

[coastie hunter]

 I like the chill smooth bow right there

[RadSav]

Longer is always better.  I like to be about the 35 inch range.

I remember when 35" was too short!  Guys back then said it would never work.  Now it is long?  Hmmm

I'm of the school of thought that grip and stiffness of the riser means more than length.  Add a good amount of brace height to make it easier to shoot and your personal accuracy should be at or near it's best.

Longer is not more accurate.  Length has nothing to do with accuracy.  However, longer does have a tendency to be easier to shoot accurately.  Though brace height and riser flex needs to be equal to properly compare.

Limb angle can effect how brace height effects the shot too.  Do the limbs come out toward the shooter at full draw or are the limbs past parallel and coming straight up and down?  A typical target bow with a 7" brace height might hold as solid as a short parallel limb hunting bow with 8" brace height.

A simple 'what length A2A is better' question is nearly impossible to determine.  Depends one what your base sample of comparison is.  And more than anything whether the bows are properly fitted to you, your style of shooting and the size and shape of your hand.  I have Hoyt bows that on paper should be superior to what I normally shoot.  But, because of the Hoyt grip and the shape of my hand I can not shoot the Hoyt as well as my general hunting bow.  Fit and form will out way A2A in benefits to your shooting.  However, if you can match perfect fit and form on multiple length bows you should find the longer A2A easier to shoot well.  On the range at least

[D-Rock425]

I'm not as old as you radsav 35 is long to me.  But you share great information with us

[RadSav]

I'm not as old as you radsav 35 is long to me.  But you share great information with us

There was a time when my recurve and my compound were only a few inches different in length!  Got a York Tracker with Alpha cams and everyone at the range gathered to see this super fast short bow shoot!  Can't remember the exact A2A but it had to be at least as short as 42".  Had plenty of guys tell me it would never shoot as accurately as their Martin Cougar Magnums and Jennings T-Stars.

[RadSav]

My Jim Cox Dynabo was the ultimate answer!  Great for the treestand and still long in length! Only 3# too When they came out with the overdraw riser you'd of thought I had died and gone to heaven   Shot well enough to tag a crud load of bear, but I never did get the hang of shooting it barebow.  Everyone thought it must be the fastest bow ever since you always shot high when not using sights Sure wish I would have held on to some of these old gems.

Check out the way we strung it   Man! I loved that bow.

Photos are from Archery History website: