Shot some Trad. bows today... now what?

[JoshT]

So I ran in up to Sportsmans and shot a couple of recurves today at lunch... I'm sold on going back to a Trad. bow... but have no idea what to buy. It was kind of cool to pick one up and shoot it pretty decent... even after 10+ years away from stickbows. But, it'll take some time to get back into recurve/longbow shape, that's for sure. When I was a kid (15) I lucked into a 45# Big Horn T/D recurve that I shot for about 5 years. When I got to college I found out how much it was worth... so I sold it for book money... ok, ok... I sold it for beer money! So, I'm pretty spoiled when it comes to bows. But, there ain't no way in hell I'm plunking down the kind of moolah that it takes to pick one of those up... even on the used market.

I have a pretty long draw, about 30"... and all the bows I shot were in the 50#@28" and 58"-60" overall length range. I was having a tough time with the bows stacking-up and starting to hit the wall about 1" or so before I got them anchored, and it seemed like there was a lot of string pinch. I'm thinking of going to a r/d type longbow in the 45#@28" and 64" OAL range... anyone shoot something like that? Got any suggestions on what to look for in a bow of that type? Anyone in the Seattle area have one I might be able to fling a few arrows through? I'm already stoked to go chase whitetails with a trad. bow... I haven't ever done that, it gives me something to look forward to for the next 6 months or so.

[Hornseeker]

Now what?

Sounds like you dang near have it figured out and I couldn't agree more... What kind of price range are you looking at? How much are the BigHorns??

A good, custom/semi-custom is going to cost you $450-$1000 or more... My bows are $550 and are considered a pretty good deal by anyone that has bought one... There are a few bows on the market that can be had for $300-$500 that are good bows too...

The Hybrid Longbows are really the way to go. They are as fast and as easy to shoot as recurves and are quieter without the string slap...and generally lighter weight too!

You are right on with the 64" bow idea. My 64's are designed for 29-30 inche draw. 66's go out to 32 like Boneaddict draws..

The Martin LB's are a good value... Another good bow is at www.montanabows.com especially for the money. Bears Paw bows www.bpbows.com are a good deal... mine are at www.sapphirearchery.com

An incredible deal on a recurve can be had at quinnsarchery.com these bows are Very shootable and for $275 CAN NOT be beat... period... They have metal handles...which have many, many good points... another good recurve is the Trad Tech Pinnacle that takes interchangeable limbs with hundreds to choose from...

There are hundreds to choose from. The popular ones are 800-1000 to start... course...thats it, no sights, rests and such to have to buy....

Good Luck! Keep us posted!

Ernie

[jackelope]

get a hold of hornseeker on here or pacyew on here...both are bowyers and both make nice bows.
pacyew is in fall city.

[Ray]

Get what type of bow you like shooting. Just like guns I guess.

Maybe you can shoot more bows and try some new ones out.

Jay makes several different kinds of bows. His recurve (or was it his dad's model?) you can shoot left and right handed. Pretty sweet and yew is a nice choice for wood. He also makes some English D longbows which are a treat to shoot. If you like the longer bows you might like those English D longbows. I don't have one but I might one day. I know he makes those in a take-down as well. Then he makes a workhorse sort of longbow which I have two of (including one take down version). These are great bows. I'm sure they will last me many years.

I have one of Hornseeker's bows and that thing is a flat shooter. It's a machine when it comes to performance and it feels really good to shoot.

[JoshT]

Ray and Horn... thanks for the imput. I shot a couple more tonight... still all 60" or less, most were 50#s, one #60 and a couple #45s. The 60# was way too heavy, particularly on a shorter bow... with my longer draw. I like the 45# and I'm pretty set on that, my Bighorn was a 60" @45#s... and my draw was probably 1.5-2" shorter. That bow was pretty fast with the xx75s I shot... markedly faster than my first bow, a #45 Pearson. I shot about 100 shots trough traditional bows today... and came away with what I think is a sound solution. I think the Quinn Stallion in 64" is probably the way to go...  seems like a well built bow. If I can shoot it out to 25 yards or so, that's what my range was with the Big Horn... I'm good with that. Then down the road maybe I can have Horn build me a set of longbow limbs for it....

Sound like a decent theory?

[Hornseeker]

As much as I'd love to have you buy one of mine, or Jays, I do believe that is a good choice. I have a quinn stallion at my house right now and really enjoy shooting it...

Just so you know though... I am finishing up a 46# 64" bow right now that doesn't have anyones name on it!

Keep us posted!!

[boneaddict]

What...make mine too light so you have to give it to someone else.....

[Hornseeker]

No...you are sooo picky that I just have a hard time making decisions on yours!!  :0)

[boneaddict]

  won't get any arguements out of me on that.  Look what the end product turns out like though.  The only thing the deer hears is the freezer door slammin shut. 

[Lovemypronghorn]

Josh, I have 2 bows for sale one is a 60" 50@28" Cooks Mtn recurve brand new, never been shot for 300.00 and the other is a 66" Cooks Mtn longbow 50@28" with bamboo cores 275.00...Paul