Thought I was "just a recurve guy", but now I don't know

[tomsm44]

I started out with recurves several years ago, but picked up an R/D longbow about a year and a half back.  The end of last summer, I just couldn't hit with the longbow like I could with my curves, even though the longbow is 64" vs as short as 56" with the curves.  Not sure if it's the grip or what, but I put the longbow on the shelf and hunted with my curves all season.  I actually put a post up on here about it and decided I must just be a recurve guy.

Now that the season is over, I got my longbow back out just to change things up a bit, and I'm stacking arrows like you wouldn't believe.  Better even than the curves.  So now I'm confused.  

The only thing I can figure is maybe when I put my longbow up last summer, my form wasn't where it needed to be and the grip style showed the problems more than the recurves.  It's a locator style grip, but isn't nearly as contoured as the all out hybrid longbows, so that could very well be it.  I shot almost everyday from late last summer all the way through the season, so my form is much better now.  

Anybody else ever had anything similar happen?

[Shadowhnter]

Just the part about stacking them in tighter with a longbow then recurves. Once I picked up longbow, my curves got dusty. It just fits me better, and I like a medium to low wrist grip.

[Pine]

I shot a curve sense the early 1970s .
Just the past two years , I've been a longbow shooter .
Like Shadowhunter said , I like the lower grip .

[Victory Rider]

I've tried liking longbows, I've had over 20 different ones, D shaped R/D, Hill, best shooting were my Centaurs, but still shoot a recurve significantly better. A couple of years ago I picked up a Mohawk from Vince and although it's butter smooth and zero hand shock I can't stack arrows. For me it seems to be the grip, I've had moments of great shooting but they are fleeting.

[highlow]

Recently picked up a Centaur, 58 inches. Shooting the best I ever have. I too think it's the low wrist. Just feels good. I believe it offers more control, allowing me to get everything in line more easily. The high wrists on my curves don't give that kind of feedback.

[crazynate]

It  has happened to me. I'm a recurve only guy but when i shoot a longbow I shoot great. I am convinced it's the low grip. I'm actually considering ordering  a new black widow just because of the low wrist grip I can get on one.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Over the last 35 years, I've switched several times. Started out with a longbow and after the last 3-4 years with a recurve, I'm back again to longbows. Just picked up a used ACS CX on the classifieds and I dare to say I wont be switching anytime soon. I just find im more consistent with the longbow and the shot sequences feels better.

[Trenton G.]

I have had the same thing happen. When I first got my longbow, I shot it every day with no improvement. I went back to my recurve and didn't touch the longbow for a year. One day I pulled it back out and was drilling the bullseye out to 20 yards. It's now my go to bow and the recurves are only shot on occasion.

[forestdweller]

I started out with a recurve but noticed over time that I would miss the target and could not figure out why.

Later on I figured out that it was because my recurve (like most recurves) are prone to torque which is why the Oly guys all use wrist straps with their bows (so that they don't grip them).

I ended up getting my first longbow and never looked back. I'm way more accurate with a longbow and they are much quieter and do not require string silencers, limb dampeners, or brush buttons to be quiet. (less fiddling around).

The grip feels more natural as well and it actually shoots faster than my recurve.

Just yesterday I took the bow out after not shooting much for a week due to the cold and was able to hit the target from about 60 yards with my second arrow just above a very small (2" diameter) object I had sitting on a string in front of the target.

I hit it first try from about 45 yards out.

Accuracy and smoothness in draw is where the longbows excel due to the long narrow torque free limbs and a riser design that places the arrow very close to the knuckles.

[MnFn]

Yes, seems to be a pattern.

I have a few long bows, and currently only two recurves. Having shot various recurves successfully, I still feel more competent with my Tall Tines recurve- but I am getting more comfortable with my longbows.

I shot an average sized 2X2 whitetail this past fall with my Liberty Chief.

What I don't know is why I am so drawn to shoot a longbow, when I am so comfortable with my recurves.

[YosemiteSam]

If it weren't for the clicker, I'd shoot them about the same.  I enjoy shooting my selfbows more than my recurves, though.  Just a few min ago, I got up to shoot a few shots.  Somehow, I arced one in from 25 yards to within about 1" of my spot (a 1/2" red dot).  I wish I could do that every time but it tickles me every time I pull it off.  It's so much more gratifying than doing it from a factory-made bow and carbons.

But my recurve (with a clicker) still drives a heavy arrow deep into that straw bale with more consistency.  So for hunting, it's a no-brainer for now.

[fnshtr]

I like them both equally! Love shooting the short (54") Elkheart. I go back and forth with no problem.

[Orion]

I tend to score a tad higher with recurves than other bows, but overall, I shoot all of them pretty much the same.  

Have been shooting sticks for more than 60 years.  During that time, I've come full circle three or four times.  Was shooting hybrids for most of the past 15 years.  Started leaning pretty heavily into recurves the past several years, but now i again feel the pull of one-piece straight and moderate r/d longbows.

I always have a couple of each on my bow rack.  Life's too short to shoot only one (type of) bow.  

[bunyan]

I've always shot recurves, but lately I've been getting the itch for the simplicity of a D shaped longbow. Is it a progression or regression? I don't know!

[Bowwild]

Love that some love LBs.  I know I'm a recurve guy and I'm closed minded enough not to even give a LB a chance!  

[forestdweller]

Originally posted by bunyan:
I've always shot recurves, but lately I've been getting the itch for the simplicity of a D shaped longbow. Is it a progression or regression? I don't know!

It's a regression progression. lol.

I'd really like to build a nice 72-76" longbow. I built one that ended up too low in draw weight but  the draw is buttery smooth with very low string angle.