Long bow vs. recurve

[Tbob]

So I’d like to swap out my compound for a traditional bow, but not sure what to get. I like the idea and looks of the Longbow, but I’ve been reading that you get a bit more accuracy and speed with a recurve.. if you were just starting out in Tradional archery and would like to use it someday for hunting big game as well which route would you go and why?
   The other tough thing is that I’m a lefty, so it’s tough for me to find bows to just shoot and try out..
   Thanks so much!

[zwickeyman]

I would start off with a recurve. Typically they are a little easier to shoot. They make some really good reflex/deflex longbows that will shoot with them though. Buy a cheap recurve and go to some trad shoots and shoot as many different baows as you can. Spend some time with the cheap one first

[Special T]

I have both a compound and a recurve. I purchased a Samic Sage at Riverside Archery because they had several different poundage limbs to try out and see what was comfortable. I was out the door with a half dozen arrows with a glove for $230ish.

I now shoot a finger tab.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Tbob]

Thanks for the replies guys!

[Machias]

If you are able to make it over to Moses Lake area for the Rock Shoot, it would be well worth the drive and a blast!  http://tbwonline.org/events/

[Sandberm]

I shoot a 56 inch 55lb recurve bow. In my hunting situations I find myself sometimes digging the lower tip in the dirt as I'm crouched behind some sagebrush/rock and shooting a 62 incher would seem to make this worse.

My bro in law has a sweet shooting longbow. Very smooth. 50#, I think its 60 inch.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Recurve way more compact and manageable

[pope]

Apparently long bows are more "forgiving" of less-than-perfect form, due to their torsional rigidity. With a recurve it is possible to "torque the string" with improper grip, for example. Also longer bows diminish the problem of finger stacking around the arrow's knock, which can be a problem if you have a long draw and shoot a short bow. That's my understanding of some of the differences, but I only have experience with a recurve so my comments above are not my personal observations.

I'm only 5' 7" and shoot a 60-inch Martin recurve, with a split-finger string grip. I draw about 27" and haven't had any trouble with string torque or finger stacking. I plan to buy a Bear Montana long bow for no other reason than trad archery is my kind of fun. It requires skill that, for me at least, takes years and years of shooting thousands of arrows to acquire. Part of the intrigue is the challenge of it, as it doesn't come easy for me.