Traditional Archery groupings

[Wanttohuntmore]

I've always wondered what kind of accuracy (groups) guys are getting with recurves and longbows?   Personally, with my recurve, I feel I'm only good to about 20 yards (8 inch group), but hardly ever practice.  30 yds is a NO GO!!!  I'm wondering what kind of yardage I could expect with a year of practice under my belt?  Reason I'm asking, I have had elk many times within 20 yards, but just could not get a good angle on them with the compound.  Or was too busy dinking around with the release, sights, etc...  I always have felt that trad bows do have some advantages in some situations...  I want to be proficient with both, not to mention I would love to take some game with trad gear, especially if I take something with a selfbow or homemade laminate longbow.....  Just dreaming out loud right now.  I really appreciate your comments on this.  Thx!

[boneaddict]

40 yards is my accurate outer limit.   Its not as good as it was a year ago with the lack of practice time.  I try to be within 30 of all my kills.  I can wing from 70, but really honestly, nothing ever over 40.

[boneaddict]

I'll add that practice is ESSENTIAL for me with Trad gear.  I can pick up my compound having not shot it in a year, go out and hammer it at 40-50 or even further out.  Trad bow I need to practice regualrly at all ranges.  I'm not saying you don't need to practice with the compound or rifle or any other weapon, just that the curve is set differently for me and the Trad bow

[Machias]

 

I can group about 5-6 inches at 20 yards (although not quite as consistent as I need to), 30 yards I'm still getting about 7-8 inches but way too many flyers.  Most of my problem is muscle memory at this point.  Next year I am going to work hard on extending my range out to 35 yards and I'll be quite happy

[tlbradford]

I'll add that practice is ESSENTIAL for me with Trad gear.  I can pick up my compound having not shot it in a year, go out and hammer it at 40-50 or even further out.  Trad bow I need to practice regualrly at all ranges.  I'm not saying you don't need to practice with the compound or rifle or any other weapon, just that the curve is set differently for me and the Trad bow

x2, I can be in the area as soon as I pick it back up, but you will have little form errors, or your muscles will get tight....just little stuff that will result in an arrow being about a foot off at 15 yards.

[npaull]

I am about 6" groups at a little over 20 yards or so with my longbow. That said, on a good day under 15 yards I occasionally have to worry about breaking nocks. It's hard for me to practice much more distance than 20 yards, so I don't take shots at game over roughly 20 yards. I'd like to be able to practice out to 30, but honestly much over 30 I start worrying about animals moving (particularly deer) whether I'm shooting traditional or compound... I'd never shoot at an alert deer over 25 yards or so with any bow.