Bow length

[ggenovez]

Hi all,

I'm getting started with traditional bow hunting, I've shot compound for many years.

I've picked up a Wonderbow @ 66" length 35#, and a 60" longbow 45#.

I have a 29" draw length.

WIth both those bows I fee like I'm reaching the limbs limits at full draw.

Is this a normal feeling? anybody else experience this?

Also, I'm looking on ebay for some Vintage Bears, and most of the Kodiaks are in the 50" range. I can't even imagine drawing one of those if the 66" doesn't feel right.

Am I missing something?

[Wayne Meuir]

You probably do not want a bow shorter than 62" if you are drawing 29". You will experience what is called "stack", which is the point at which the limbs no longer store energy in a linear fashion. The 35# bow that is 66" long should not stack at your draw length. The 60" bow might, depends on the quality and condition of the bow. I think a 50" bow is pretty much too short for a 29" draw length, plus, short bows are much harder to shoot accurately, so are a bad choice for a beginner.

A bow in the 62-64" length and in the 40-45# range AT YOUR DRAW LENGTH would probably be better suited. Also, If your draw length is 29" with your Compound, you probably need to have it measured with a Trad Bow, because it may not be the same. It is usually slightly shorter with a trad bow, but not always.

Don't get discouraged if you can't stack the arrows in the target. It takes lots fo practice and dedication.

Wayne

[shortstroke 91]

Bow design is just as important as length. I also draw 29" and have a 58" static limb recurve that could probably be shot at 30", at 29" it's still smooth as butter. I also have a 60" Kanati long bow that's fine out to about 29.5", I had to sell a 62" longbow that I started with due to the stack around 28.5". Try as many different bows as you can get your hands on and you'll see the difference.

[bubba1986]

I draw 29.5 and I shoot a 62" longbow with no stack and 60" recurve with no stack. I have discovered that Alot of it has to do with the bow itself.

[ggenovez]

Thanks Wayne,

That makes a lot of sense.

What is the correct way to be measured on a Trad Bow? I hold them the same way...

ShortStroke, Mind if I ask what type you shoot?

So I guess I can kiss those Bear Kodiaks goodbye? or will any of them work? I still don't understand how bear can make 60# bow @ 52" and sell it to anyone but midgets. this is a prime example http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...vip=true&rt=nc


Thanks again everyone...

[shortstroke 91]

My 58" is a Samick 15" Black Onyx ILF riser with Medium Dryad static recurve limbs. Easiest way at home to be measured is to get an arrow that you know long enough, put it on and draw to your comfortable and repeatable anchor. Now have someone either mark the shaft or just put a clothes pin on it right after the riser (on the target side of the bow). Measure from the deepest (valley) of the nock to the mark on the shaft and there you go.

[TxAg]

Since you're new to the dark side, it may feel like the limbs are bottoming out because you are fully engaging muscles you didn't use before.

[ggenovez]

Thx Shorstroke. Confirmed at 29.

TxAg. Engaging muscles that I haven't used feels different

[trad"Doc"53]

For the most part, longer is better, however I have a 27" draw and my "longbow" is 50" long tip to tip, 52#s@28"s and it shoots great! I shoot it the same as I do my 58" recurve and just like my recurve, as long as I do my part the bow takes good care of me. As stated above limb and riser design affects the smoothness of the draw.

[TxAg]

Thx Shorstroke. Confirmed at 29.

TxAg. Engaging muscles that I haven't used feels different

You know your body so you're probably right. Just as an example, though, I'll tell you what happened to me. I thought i was bottoming out the limbs when in reality i was just using more arm muscle than back muscle. I thought the bow was stacking and i couldn't draw it any further. In reality i wasn't using the right muscles or techniques. I think the hardest thingto do in traditional archery is to use correct back tension. Just a thought. For the record, i now shoot a 66" longbow drawn to 29". I found a 62" to be the shortest i liked....works, but not as smooth as the 66"

[ggenovez]

Not a problem TxAg. Yeah I'm a desk monkey so I know the feeling of muscles not working a few years ago when I started lifting...

[Wayne Meuir]

ggenovez, before you buy a bow, try a few out and see if you can determine what you like best. Nearly all trad shooters will be happy to let you shoot their bows. Almost everyone will agree that a longer bow is both smoother and easier to shoot accurately but you need to see for yourself. The only real advantage to a short bow is in hunting situations where the longer limbs sometimes get in the way.

Wayne

[Selfbowman]

ggenovez, before you buy a bow, try a few out and see if you can determine what you like best. Nearly all trad shooters will be happy to let you shoot their bows. Almost everyone will agree that a longer bow is both smoother and easier to shoot accurately but you need to see for yourself. The only real advantage to a short bow is in hunting situations where the longer limbs sometimes get in the way.

Wayne

This for me too.

[ggenovez]

Thanks Guys.

Makes sense.

So the short Bears I see, I take it that stacking is acceptable because they are hunting bows?

[jreyna920]

I don't have experience with the short bear bows, but I've seen some short bow deSigns pull smooth to 30", everything it traditional archery is a balance of give and take.
You'll learn that simple little bow is far more complex then it's wheelie cousins.