ILF riser question

[sam barrett]

I have been shooting traditional recurves and longbows for years now and want to take the plunge into the ILF world.  I mostly hunt, but shoot 3d for fun and practice, so hunting is my main focus when choosing a setup.  My question is:  Should I go with a 17" or 19" riser and what are the pros and cons of each.  I normally shoot a 60" recurve and 62" hybrid longbow.  A 17" riser would allow me to continue with those lengths, but a 19" would allow me to go up to 64"...which I may or may never need?  Anyway, any help and guidance is appreciated.  If my question sounds ignorant, it's because I'm completely new to the ILF world.  Thanks!!!

[sam barrett]

Also...I'm seriously considering the Morrison Phoenix riser if that helps in answering my questions.  Thanks!

[fireball31]

With a 19 in riser you will have a much bigger sight window. I personally shoot 3 under and cant the bow so I have never noticed a difference in sight window. The 19 in riser will be heavier and more stable, if it is a dedicated target bow, I would go 19.

[Orion]

Tough call.  You're right, the 17-inch riser will give you a 62-inch bow with long limbs, 19-inch riser will give you a 64-inch bow with longs.  The question is, do you need limbs that long?  

Let your draw length decide.  I think a 60-inch recurve is about optimal for a 28-inch draw, 62 for 29 inches and 64 for 30 inches.  Of course, folks with long draw lengths shoot shorter bows, and folks with shorter draw lengths shoot longer bows, but I think these are some pretty good parameters.

Both risers will let you build shorter bows with medium and short limbs.  15-inch and 17-inch risers seem to be popular hunting lengths, with some preferring 13-inch or 19-inch risers.  The sight window does get pretty short on a 13- and even 15-inch riser.  Will have plenty of sight window length for vertical bow shooting with 17 or 19-inch risers.

If it were me, I'd go with the 17-inch riser and medium limbs to make a 60-inch bow for my 28-inch draw.  That's the length I shoot for hunting and 3-D.  It's a personal choice though.  Go with what you like.

Anything Bob makes/offers is top quality. Good luck.

[lefty4]

If you are going with a Phoenix, I do not think the sight window will be an issue. I have both a 17" and 19" Phoenix and like them both with medium Border Hex 6.5 limbs. I shoot split finger and draw 28.5". If I could only shoot/keep one, it would be the 17" riser because my primary use is hunting. But I really like the 19" riser as well. My two cents.

[olddogrib]

I like 17" and mediums, your mileage may vary.  What's your draw length?

[Gil]

I have a 29 inch draw but have a 15 inch Dryad Epic and medium Kap Carbon limbs  making a 58inch bow. I feel quite fine with my setup. I also have a long WW XQ1 limbs but don't shoot it often.

[sam barrett]

Thanks for the response guys! My draw length is right at 28"...maybe a hair more like 28.25".  I'm really leaning towards the 17" riser, since I mostly hunt.  The only thing even making the decision difficult for me is that I might like the option of having a 64" longbow.  I also shoot three under.  Thanks again for the input...looking forward to more opinions.

[screamin]

I have a 28.5 draw and use a 17" Morrison Phoenix with medium Border 6.5's or medium Dryad Legends. My draw length is not an issue, both limbs will pull to 29" without any problems. I cant my bows but if you hold it straight up it will not be an issue, the sight window on the Morrison is pretty high. I bare shaft tune to 35 yards and will shoot some of these with the bow straight up, split finger. Medium limbs on a 17" will also let you set them to be more efficient, make them start stacking 1/2" past your draw length. You can always go with xl longbow limbs and hit 64".

[sam barrett]

Thanks Screamin, I thought that I had seen XL longbow limbs available, but wasn't sure.  Thanks for the replies everyone!

[creekwood]

Call Bob Morrison at 740-344-8175 and he will gladly answer any and all of your ILF questions.  Been there and done that.

[Trad Matt]

Yes Bob is extremely helpful. I was in your shoes 4 weeks ago - let me warn you the ability to buy limbs alone gets expensive quick! Now that that is out of the way I will say I was also looking at a 17"or a 19". The opportunity to get a 15" nearly immediately came up and I could not say no. I shoot instinctive I haven't noticed a difference in sight window even though the bow I shot previously was nearly double the space. I am extremely happy I got the shorter riser as in the woods it is much easier to handle. I also have a set of his SS limbs 47# @26" and would not change a thing. I draw 27" or so 3 under no pinching or stacking or any issues at all. It actually feels smoother than a set of TT shorts at 40#. Absolutely amazing set up! The only thing I may do is get his newer limbs with a 13"!

Thanks Bob for your top notch work!

[DKdc]

Call Bob he will tell you what riser will work best in order to get the most out of whatever limb is best. I myself have no advise because I just started. But I called Bob and he set me up. I shoot a 19" phoenix with xl longbow limbs and a plunger 32" draw. I love ILF maximum tinkering.

[damascusdave]

Bob mostly shoots one of his 13 inch risers as do I...with a set of Sky XL limbs I have a bow that is about 61 inches and works great for my 30 inch draw...all about limb pad angle