Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Fishers on December 07, 2009, 05:59:00 PM
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I know this might be a hotly debated issue, but I couldn't find a heading for it anywhere on the site. As a new member & recent convert to traditional archery, I'm trying to decide between a recurve or longbow. I'm leaning toward a recurve because I hear they're GENERALLY a little faster and somewhat easier to shoot, plus shorter for the tree stand, but I would like to hear opinions from the people who know more than I do (which is everyone on this site).
Last season (2008) I decided to give it a try with a friend's old AMF/Wing Archery "Swift Wing" (66" and 48#). Had a blast shooting it all winter & summer, then killed a nice doe & a little 4-point buck with it (southern Indiana). Thought I had it out of my system & went back to my compound this past season, & even shot a little 7-point; but I missed the traditional shooting. The compound is just a tool for hunting, which is fine; but traditional shooting is fun by itself, so I guess I'm hooked.
Now I need some advice on taking the plunge. The 66" length didn't seem to be a problem in the tree stand, although the Wing is really a target bow. I also need something that won't deplete my bank account too much. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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I shoot a long bow better. Notice I said I. Its a personal choice. You need to shoot a bunch for yourself to decide for yourself. Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer.
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I have a 30in draw and shoot a 62in recurve and a 64in longbow and love them both. Only you can decide what shoots best for you no matter what anyone else tells you on this site.
Shoot as many bow as possible and you will find what works best for you. :thumbsup:
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I have both but I prefer the longbow. Why I really don't know. I shot both types about the same accuracy wise. The only thing I can think of that I would worry about with a recurve is limb twist. A stringer and proper handling takes care of that.
For whatever reason the recurve sits on the rack and the longbow is what I have when I leave the house.
I hunt from treestands and shooting a longbow from it hasn't been a factor for me.
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I prefer one of each. As for as which to get first, the one you find first in your price range. Start shooting and shoot some more!!!!!
have fun
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You should shoot some more of them,there is the Great Northern Expo in Michigan coming up in the end of January 2010.You'll be able to shoot some different bows there.For me it comes down to personal preference,I like longbows and shoot them the best.I have never really cared for a recurve type grip.
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you will hear every opinion and reason to go with either. The Holy Grail is what you decide works for you. Remember, the destination is the journey.... enjoy it.
Sorry, not as lot of direction given....
FWIW - I'm a longbow fan. Just like them.... the differences are so blurred these days. Lots of great bows out there.
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I shoot a Samick Red Stag take down recurve and a Samick Outlander longbow. Both bows were under the $200 mark and both shoot really well, especially if you consider the price. I owned a custom longbow once and while it was a beauty I found no appreciable difference in performance between it and my Samicks. For the price you can't go wrong with a new Samick. As far as bow type I would have to say the recurve is the easier of the two to master. I have been shooting both types of bows for two years now and found the recurve much easier to get the hang of. I would also recommend Mr Asbell's book on instinctive shooting. Once I got a hold of a copy the resident Squirrel population at my tower decreased dramatically.
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I own both but prefer the grip on the recurves. Again this is strictly a personal preference. As for the length issue you can order a custom long bow from some of the bowyers in lengths clear down to 56 or 58 inches. I know JD at whisperstick makes some short longbows in these lengths and JD makes a great bow at a great price. Again, it's just a preference thing, shoot what you shoot best.
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I shoot longbow. Were in Southern Indiana you at? Possibly try mine out if your close.
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I've been a recurve kind of guy since the 60s but did own a longbow in the 70s. I did kill a flying chuckar partridge with it also. I prefer the recurve for hunting but would like to own another longbow, the old design, not the "new" design.
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Recurves for me but I somtimes shoot my longbow but prefer Recurves each to his own ,also newer r&d longbows are as fast as recurves :wavey:
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Come to Kalamazoo in January. Spend a day or two and shoot a lot of stuff. Best thing you can do. Find other TG members in your area. I got lucky and found a few in my area with a lot of bows and new ones all the time. Everyone is different and it is all personal preference.
I shot recurves back in the day and started with them when I got back into trad bows. I tried LB's and recurves that are one piece, two piece, 3 piece, straight grip, locator, medium grip, short bows and long. I had to try them all to figure out what I like, and even then I had to own some used ones to really spend time with them to see how they did longer term. I am still trying stuff anytime I can. My taste in bows changes as time goes on, and I spend more time with different bows. I found I didn't need a short bow for tree stands. I draw about 29 1/2" and have found LB's from 58"-62" to work fine for me if designed for my draw length. I found in the end I like the medium grip LB's with R/D limbs at 60" the best. I like how quiet a LB is. I like the speed of the R/D LB. I like a little more grip angle. I now really like the 3 piece TD LB I am shooting. It has a little weight to steady my shot, but it is not heavy or bulky to me. It is easy to repeat grip, very quiet, and compact to pack. I think I have found my bow, but I will be at Kalamazoo in January shooting everything I can.
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After swearing by the "genius" of recurves for years, I bought a longbow a year or two ago and it just grabbed me! Something about a "D" shaped 64", "Howard Hill" handled, longbow just grabbed hold of me and I can't say I'll ever go back to the recurve or hybrid despite their advantages. I still like them all and suggest you try all, including some hybrids (just to confuse you further :D ). It's all good! :thumbsup:
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I have both recurves and longbows and my bow of choice is a recurve.My longbow is very smooth and quiet with good speed but I never could get use to the smaller grip. I know you can get a hybrid and get the best of both worlds,but I'm happy with the recurves.Please yourself not someone else. Ben
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If you decide on a traditional grip longbow, look at Mowhawk bows. A full blown custom bow for $475 is a smoking price and everyone I know who owns one loves their bows.
I am going to parrot everyone else here. Find trad ganger's cloe by and shoot theirs, go to shoots and gatherings and shoot everything you can to find the one that fits you. What fits me perfectly and shoots straightest, might shoot way low and left for you.
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you guys make it hard for everybody! :biglaugh:pretty sure i'll have to buy a long bow now just to see!
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I also have one of each, but i like the long bow much more
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I prefer a recurve, I've found, like others here, that the grip just fits me better.
I've found that the comfort of the grip makes me much more consistent.
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Tommy, said it best, any bent stick will do for a bow, but good arrow a heap of work!
Brian, get a chance this coming year, go to Cloverdale Nationals and try alot of great sticks, new and old. Or any other trad shoots!
The Bunny shoot, in the next month. Shoot all that you can.
Not only great opportunity, But Great Folks and new friendships created!
Like having the cake and eating it too!
Good shootin, Steve
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I think the key is the grip. If the grip fits your hand, you will shoot the bow well. As you can see from my signature, I have some of each. The two I shoot the best are my 46# Kanati and my 53# Kota Prairie Nomad. They both have small grips, which fit my small hands well.
As to which is better...the one you shoot best. I would check the classifieds here and pick up a quality used bow. Several of the bows in my signature came to me that way.
If I were limited to one bow for the rest of my life, it would be my 46# Kanati that would stay while the others left. Jason Kendall builds one heck of a bow. This little bow flat smokes a 520 grain arrow. It is more than adequate for anything I am likely to shoot. Don't let the draw weight fool you; it will shoot with most bows at or above 50#...recurves included.
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Looooooooooooooooooogbow 68 or 70"
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I prefer the longbow, main reason, they are quieter. Or at least I can get them quieter than recurves. I like my Morrison Shawnees and usually shoot Dakota limbs on them, but do have a couple of sets of Arapaho recurve limbs too. Same riser with both longbow and recurve limbs. The recurve limbs are a bit noisier and no real difference in performance especially with the Carbon Foam limbed Dakotas...
I've shot a number of different recurves over the years, but when it comes time to head to the woods I tend to grab a longbow... I have taken a handful of critters with a recurve, but by and far the longbow has taken more in my hands. Basically it is because a longbow is in my hands most of the time. Both will do the job, if you do yours.
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I have both and there is not anything bad about either of them. I used to only have recurves and thought I would never own a longbow. Now I like the R/D longbows as much as the recurves. I probably shoot my longbows a little more now, but I could just as easily pick one of my recurves as my favorite of the day. The lack of a recurve does have advantages as far as transporting, stringing, and silencing the bow. The recurves tend to be a little faster, but not by much, depending on the design.
Take the advice about going to Kalamazoo and shooting lots of different bows. Then you can try to figure out what you like best. That may be hard to do with so many great bows around.
Allan
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I shoot and hunt w/both longbow and recurve. I find the recurve more accurate and easier to use (for me), and therefore the LB is more of a challange, as I have to focus more to hit anything.
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Don't care for longbows,will always be a recurve man.Just something about the whole "draw cycle" on it.Feels alot different then a longbow.Plus the limb whip and insane hand shock on the D shapes.
Longbows will always be quiter than a curve IMO though.Less string contact on the limbs.
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I ask that question every time I go to shoot.
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You can purchase a riser which will allow longbow or recurve limbs to be attached. I'm sure there are several to choose from - I know of Trad Tech and Bob Morrison, there was a thread which stated more. A nice option for a guy who is starting (as long as you like the grip). Going to a shoot or two will allow you to handle and shoot some bows to give yourself a better idea of what you like right now (which will change, I'm sure)
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Recurve or Longbow?
Yes, please.
I have a few of each and love them all. You may as well just plan on getting several now so you can pick what you want depending on the mood of the day. They aren't wives; it's okay to keep a few around.
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LONGBOW!! you have to have one. I personally don't like Recurves they seem like compounds without the pulley's there short and they can have a lot of attachments if you want them and some say they are easier to shoot. But to each their own.You have to shoot what feels comfortable to you.JMO
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Like said before find the grip style which fits and feels best to you. With that said I own both and they have identical grips so I shoot them both the same. A take-down with interchangable limbs is a good way to go.
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OK Brian....ya got yer answer! :thumbsup:
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Try both, and you may well end up owning both. I started out with the recurve but now shoot the longbow almost exclusively. There is just "something" about the longbow. Both are fun and each style has unique characteristics, so the best choice is the one that you like the best. Shoot a few different bows before making your final decision and pick whichever suits your fancy. But as I first stated, you may find that you ultimately want both. Nothing wrong with that, either.
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The answer to which is better, longbow or recurve, is "yes."
I own both, shoot both, enjoy both and if you told me I had to make a choice and could only shoot one from now on I have no idea what I'd do.
As 30Coupe and Pitbull, among others, said, it's what feels right to you that matters. If you enjoy shooting it, it's a good bow for you.
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I own both a Bear Montana long bow and Kodiak recurve and love shooting the long bow but the Kodiak spends the most time in the woods.