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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: nineworlds9 on August 13, 2014, 09:21:00 PM
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I need another bow like I need a hole in the head. LOL. My current stable is better than it has ever been for me...got a group of winners...
BUT
Bowholism is bowholism,
And I have a chance at a lefty Rick Welch-built all-bocote Dakota Pro Hunter 3pc longbow,
And I would like the straight talk on them. You almost never see them for sale, and a lefty well never. So far have read nothing but compliments. Wondering if past years' comments still hold true today?
Now many of you know I have owned many of the true 'greats' as far as high end bows go, so I have a 'critical' eye and I expect a bow to shoot sweetly if I am to hold onto it for any length of time.
Not saying I'm buying this one, as I'd have to get a little creative since I just snagged that Schafer and budget is poor, but I can always list something else in the stable for sale. I keep one or two 'rotation' bows and the fella with this Dakota is in no huge hurry.
So, what say you? Best buy? Or 'decent' but not a 911?
Should I just s.t.f.u. stop cruising the classifieds and stick to my plans of getting on the list for either another Centaur, or another 3pc Slammer, or a second set of limbs for my Schafer, or maybe a Timberghost? LOL.
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Get it man. Reading your write ups on a new bow, is almost like I'm getting a new bow myself, lol.
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Why not satisfied with current stable?? Seems like a gamble to get this one and think it will out perform the others...
EDIT: ok, I see your clarification that you love your current line-up.
I'm not the expert and have not heard anything bad about Dakota bows. I hope to test shoot one someday.
Decisions, decisions! You only live once!
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No no Jack, I was trying to say I LOVE my current stable of bows, love my current line up more than I ever have at any other time, that's why my voice of reason is like 'wtf do you need another bow for you junkie!' LOL!
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I've become jaded at purchasing bows and have a simple rule now. I don't buy anything unless it outperforms what I have. I won't buy it even if it equals what I have. Of course that means shooting the bow so that is rule #2, I won't buy a bow unless I shoot it.
But in your case, if you have the cash and need to scratch an itch, go for it.
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Originally posted by reddogge:
I've become jaded at purchasing bows and have a simple rule now. I don't buy anything unless it outperforms what I have. I won't buy it even if it equals what I have. Of course that means shooting the bow so that is rule #2, I won't buy a bow unless I shoot it.
But in your case, if you have the cash and need to scratch an itch, go for it.
Wise words. Very wise. I should listen to you. :)
I agree in principle. I have worked hard to whittle down my stable to a handful of top shelf bows that are all different enough from each other, whether it be length, poundage, or style that it keeps things interesting and ensures I have a bow for pretty much any occasion. All are top performers in looks and performance. Really the only thing I look out for anymore is stuff that's interesting.
I guess I'm just intrigued by these bows and wonder if it's worth trying or whether I would find it mediocre.
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A lot of the top line bowyers are represented in my collection, but my favorite is my Dakota Pro Hunter. Bows are very personal things, and no two bows made of wood to the same specs will perform exactly the same.
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Ricks bows are excellent. I had one and donated it for a raffle for a fellow in need. It hurt to do it and I wish I had it back. I will be ordering another one someday.
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I don't think you'll like it more than your slammer. And yes you should get on the list for a centaur. Maybe a dark matter chimera with diamond back skins on the back and some fancy carving or inlay work.
Or you can buy it try it out and if you don't like it resell it on the classifieds...
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9w9
I had a Dakota and loved it. Weight was unbelievable and speed was killer. Go for it man
Andrew
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I Have One Of Rick Pro Hunter Longbow All Bocote wood its 28@50@62 shoots awsome
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you had me at Bocote
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I have shot a couple of his bows. Phenomenal. I have not shot the longbow though. His recurves are definitely hard to beat in terms of performance though. He likes heavy massed risers. If you aren't into that then I would pass.
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I've shot Ricks bows. Recurve and L/B. I learned to shoot from him.. Good dude... Some don't like his "plain spoken/ southern" mannerisms, but he is a good dude... His bow are not the prettiest bows out there, but they shoot better for me than anything I've ever picked up... I'd say if you can get it... Do it.. If you are not pleased with it, you can sell it in no time! If you get a right handed Dakota , holler at me, I'll take it...
Get it!
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Thanks for the input so far guys. Pastor Steve, Ceme', etc, your votes of confidence I find pretty significant, knowing y'all's taste in bows. Hmmm. Now if he would just be willing to work on the price some more... And I also have to convince myself to sell one of my 'rotation' bows.
LOL.
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We all know where this is headed! LOL
If you don't like it PM me before you put it up for sale.
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
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I have had some of the best bows made, and for me the Dakota is the one, that's why I sold everything else and ordered another, no grip out there that fits me like the Dakota, and smooth and smoking fast and just a pleasure to shoot, you better jump on this, like you said you dont see them very often, and for a reason. It wont be the prettiest bow you have but it will be the best shooting
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I love Rick's bows.
I have several and just got a call from Rick yesterday saying he is about to ship me a new one. The latest is a 58" 50@28" Dakota Pro Hunter.
Now, I have 58", 60", 62" and 64" models.
Did I mention that I like Rick's bows?
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Well, wasn't sure I was gonna be able to make it work, but seller and I worked out a mutually beneficial deal and this Dakota 3pc longbow is now going to be headed my way for testing and a full review. Stay tuned.
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Originally posted by ceme24:
We all know where this is headed! LOL
If you don't like it PM me before you put it up for sale.
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
Hey Colin, get in line - I pm'd him last week about that. :D
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Looking forward to your review. I ordered a Dakota Pro Hunter back in December and should have it next month. 9 months is a long time.
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You will fin fit it to be the most shootable bow you own. The long will not perform as well as the recurve but it is very easy to shoot. They are very easy to set up and tune if you know Rick's methods.
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I have the Pro Hunter in Marblewood and Curly Maple 58"( Recurve).
I like the extra center mass.
It's the most accurate bow I own....bar none.
I am not sure why I keep trying others, but now that I know he builds a longbow....hmmmmm.
There's a guy in TX that has quite a collection of them.
Almost sold mine to him.
Glad I didn't.
Enjoy yours.
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FloridaLime - LOL!!!!
I look forward to the review. Rick's recurves are exceptional.
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Review will be forthcoming. Want to spend some time with the bow first.
Initial thoughts, this thing is massive! Its like a Bob Lee 3pc longbow on steroids hahaha. Its actually 68" nock to nock and I threw a 65" string on it and ended up with a 9" brace height. I have an email in to Rick to confirm if this is correct?! What is interesting is the limb profile. Kinda looks a little like a Stewart Multicam type deal almost. Double bend and the tips are slightly flipped. Working portion of the limb appears to be very short kinda like other longbows geared toward accuracy/target shooting. What's strange about that is even though it ended up at a 9" brace height, if you study how the limbs attach and bend its almost like its a forward handle design. Very unique. I wonder what I'll find out from Rick. Shot it a few times this morning, pretty easy shooter, pretty quiet, seems pretty quick but not a screamer. Pleasant to shoot. We'll see what what more shooting and tuning yields...more pics will accompany the review. Lemme just say that this much bocote is crazy. Its a bocote explosion hahaha.
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/9E1F5166-F8DE-44C2-85D1-32B8BC9303B9.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/9E1F5166-F8DE-44C2-85D1-32B8BC9303B9.jpg.html)
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/CF99C751-DE24-4A6F-92E4-1FBDB09FAD12.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/CF99C751-DE24-4A6F-92E4-1FBDB09FAD12.jpg.html)
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Chuck,
Looks like a shooter to me!
What is the official statistics on the bow?
If you talk to Rick, I wonder if he could make recurve limbs for the same riser? Just curious as I know that wood isn't purty enough for you, but it is for me! But I tend to be a recurve guy
:goldtooth:
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Here's what I measured this a.m. :
68" NTN unstrung
BH 9" w/ 65" string
Limbs 1.5" wide at the fades, 3/4" at the nock grooves
Marked 57#@29.5". No length marking on limb.
Very smooth linear draw. Comfy grip.
Its a 'big' bow. It kinda vaguely reminds me of that bow Arnold Schwarzenegger built out of tree branches at the end of the movie 'Predator' LOL.
I will ask Rick about recurve limbs Ceme.
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Ahhhh....you just made this easy on me. There is no way my arthiritic shoulder is dealing with 57#! Enjoy!
I do look forward to the write up. Rick is a big guy that makes big bows and shoots them very well!
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It's probably about 54@28 Ceme, but you draw 29" like me right?
Honestly with as long as this bow is with all the leverage and as high as the BH is its actually a real easy pull, but I know how physical issues can affect comfort (read: battled tendonitis for 2 years)
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Dang I wish you all would stop with the threads about new bows... I can resist anything but temptation. and.. well... now my imagination is in lit up and I've got to go look at Ricks web site.
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Pretty darn ugly bow form imho, as ugly as a ILF 3 piece LB, but pretty wood. I see no elegance in this form at all. I am not a big fan of 3 piece longbows anyways, but the Wapiti Spike III looks elegant compared to this bow.
As a comparison, it looks like my first flintlock rifle I built compared to my original rifle from the 1740ies.
This first built rifle shoots great, but lacks elegance and grace to make it feel 100%.
Would I build it like that again? Hell no!
With this long length and this much mass, it is no wonder this bow is accurate. I would try to lower the brace height to about 7" and see how it shoots then.
Just to make an experiment:
Shoot this bow and your favorite longbow. Each around 30 arrows, each arrow at a different target/or from a different position.
Weigh the riser and weigh the limbs. Weigh your "best" one piece LB, deduct the Dakota limbs weight from it and calculate difference between Dakota riser and this value and tape a piece of lead weighing this amount just 1" below your grip on the one piece longbow.
Do the same 30 arrow shooting experiment again.
Does your favorite 1 piece now shoot any better?
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You crack me up Roland, you always tell it straight, and you have the engineering background to back it up, you are right on several points for sure. I think a few others have admitted that function vs. form probably won out on this design. Yes the length and mass certainly influences the ease of shooting. I have done the weight experiment you mention before on some real light 1pc bows and it does work.
To me so far this bow is 'interesting'. I just find the approach intriguing. I'm not sure if it will stay, but maybe it will if I keep finding it interesting. LOL.
Here's an unstrung profile:
(http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s631/nineworlds9/E73260C8-A887-4218-AEAD-BF58CCA6D94E.jpg) (http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/nineworlds9/media/E73260C8-A887-4218-AEAD-BF58CCA6D94E.jpg.html)
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The unstrung profile is interesting for sure. "Interesting" bows that shoot greater are just fine with me.
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Ceme Rick emailed me back and said brace on this 68" should be 8.75 - 9.25". His reply was short. He didn't really answer my questions on the bows design and interesting limb profile. He may have been having a busy Friday though, so I'll follow up later. I've got it at 9" currently, so smack in the middle. Shot it some more and it definitely groups arrows easily, though don't quite have it tuned yet cause I keep grouping to the right with this bow.
After seeing the post on the 'Centaurized' '71 Super Kodiak I think I may need to contact Jim Neaves about refinishing this Dakota and doing some stippling and engraving on it to jazz it up.
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I haven't shot one of his longbows but I have a lh 61" 45@28" recurve that I have had for 2 years. They are not the prettiest bows out there but they are smooth and shoot where you are looking and have all the speed that i need. The first two hunting seasons I have taken 5 deer with it. I can't wait to see what this season brings!
This is one of those bows that I don't think I will ever get rid of!
Rick
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Yeah I don't think the bow is 'bad' looking, its just 'different'.
I'm excited cause I finally have it tuned! I totally didnt realize that it was cut past center and it was giving me fits because I kept shooting right and thought I was over spined so I kept softening up my arrow and it just magnified the problem. I'm so used to bows cut to center or slightly before center so I was beating my head against a wall and then I took a deep breath, looked at the bow and a light bulb went off. Grabbed a .340 spine arrow and VOILA problem solved, adjusted my nock point a little and now I'm center punching the target ;)
I also figured out that this bow is designed for light arrows, aka 7gpp. That's why it's so beefy and the cast isn't as flat with 9-10gpp arrows. This is in line with what I've heard about Rick's philosophy. Once I grabbed the .340 spine arrow and had it at 400g they were flying like laser beams and the bit of puzzling handle bump I had got reduced significantly. Basically because I was underspined before the arrows were bouncing off the past center cut shelf.
Having fun now!
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Great write up as usual.
I like the bow, you've got another great one!!!