Help starting out - new Bear T/D

[mdkelley]

I read the off topic link but the newbie link inside that post didn't work so I hope I am not violating rules.

I have been wanting a real bow for some time now. Been hunting for 30 some years now with training wheels and finally picked up a Bear T/D today. I need some help.

The string that came on it doesn't really fit well. The large loop isn't large enough to easily slide up the limb to remove all pressure when unstringing. The brace height is just a hair shy of 9" (like 8 7/8" or so) with no twist in the string so I can't lower it. The bow came with two extra strings but they look to be exactly the same as the "original" string. I would love it if someone familiar with the Bear T\\D bow could recommend a good string for this bow for me to start out with.

Also, I need to purchase arrows. The previous owner said he bought the bow new in the 80's and never really shot it much. He didn't have any arrows for it. I have shot it with some carbon xpress RED 350 and some gold tip 340 that were for my bow with training wheels. Both seem too light so I didn't shoot it much tonight.

The bow has the B riser with 55lb. #1 limbs. I know basically nothing about setting up or shooting traditional bows.

So, any thoughts on a decent string for this 60" bow and what spine and weight of arrows would work well for the 55lb draw weight? Or, is there a good way for me to figure that out for myself? I have heard of the arrow test kits at an online archery store. My draw is 29" with a compound, haven't measured it yet with the recurve. Also, anyone know of any good traditional shops around the Ann Arbor Michigan area or within a couple hours drive that maybe could help me out?

   

   

   

   

[mdkelley]

Also, I think I would like to get the standard hair rest for the shelf instead of the flipper that is on it. I did shoot two A-riser 2012 model bows at an archery shop around here a couple days ago. One had white tip 50lb. limbs and the other red tip 50lb. Both of those were new old stock and just had "Bear hair" on the shelf. I want to learn to shoot off the shelf so need to get my bow set up with new rest, string, arrows and string nock.

[R.V.T.B.]

Matt, be careful.  Those Bear take downs can be addictive.  I bought my first a half dozen years back and now own eight!

Congratulations on buying an outstanding bow.  You certainly chose well for your first trad bow.

It is easy to remove the stick on flipper rest and then install a hair rug and leather side plate.  The shop where you test drove the A risers ought to be able to help you with that.

The strings you have are old stock endless loop strings.  I only shoot Flemish twist strings on my traditional bows. Once again, that shop ought to be able to get you set up initially but the only strings I shoot any more are from Allen Shafer at TenRingStrings.  He is a sponsor here.

I shoot a 56" Flemish sting on my B risers with #1 limbs and shoot a 8-8 1/4" brace height.

[stagetek]

A 60" bow should take a 57-57.5" string. You're looking for a brace of around 8.25". My preference with those limbs would be a string made of B-50 or B-55. You can get all sorts of rests and strike plate from 3Rivers. I will warn you, if this is the first time shooting a recurve 55# is a lot of weight to start with. 45# is where I'd start. Good luck. Have fun.

[mdkelley]

Yes, I would have preferred to get a 40 or 45 lb bow. I wasn't going to buy this bow due to the high draw weight but I decided I could use these 55lb limbs for hunting once I am proficient. I convinced myself I would either be buying a light bow now and adding heavier limbs later, or buy a heavier bow and get some practice limbs right away. Either way it seems I need two sets of limbs. I am keeping an eye out for a mag riser with light limbs. I could use a mag riser for bowfishing too. The wood riser doesn't have inserts to screw my bottle reel onto.

The shop I shot at is an hour or more away so I may jump online at TenRing and 3River to see what I can get mailed to me. Someone on a different site mentioned the gold tip hunter 340 arrows would be fine if I threw some 175gr. points on them so I will pick up some new field tips also.

Thank you both very much for the advice. I forgot about the leather side plate but after you mentioned it I do remember seeing that on those A riser bows now.

[Bud B.]

My 60" TD setup likes a 56.5" actual length string for a brace at 8.5".

Go for a flemish twist string.

[M60gunner]

I had Allen at 10 ring strings make me B-55 string for my non FF SK. It seems to have put some zip into the bow. Those factory strings could have been used as climbing ropes. If memory severs me Bear had a batch of strings that were made short. An article in an old Bowhunters magazine comes to mind.

[woodchucker]

Actually... The strings you have, are just fine. They are Dacron, endless loop strings, that were factory standard for years. It is not uncommon, to get a 1/2" of stretch overnight, then a little more, after shooting awhile. String the bow up, measure the brace height, leave it strung overnight then measure it again in the morning. If it measures about 8" you can twist it up a few times.
Btw, Fred Bear always used off the shelf factory strings that were heavier than his bow required. He felt they made the bow quieter. If you look at pictures, you will never see "silencers" on his strings!

[Yooper-traveler]

I agree with Stagetek, get some 30-35# limbs to learn with.  At last count I think I have three sets of limbs for my TD.  My brace is 7.5" on a "B" riser with #3 limbs.

[mdkelley]

I called an archery shop near work, but it may have went out of business or just not paid the internet/phone bill. Not sure but I haven't stopped in since August so who knows. I stopped by a different shop on the way home, thay had nothing on my list, not even field points!

WoodChucker - I tried one of the other strings on a few minutes ago. Brace height was 8 1/4" right out of the bag, it will likely stretch a bit as you mentioned. The loop ends also were the correct size - I could unstring the bow by just sliding the top loop up the limb.

Yooper - I also have a 25lb longbow that my girlfriend's grandpa gave me. Would that be too light to learn on, or too much of a difference? I can't hold the 55lb. back more than 2-3 seconds before starting to shake so it is definitely too heavy to work on form. A $15 flemish string and a few light arrows would be easier to find than a set of used 35#-45# limbs I am thinking.

[mdkelley]

   

[Yooper-traveler]

No, not too light at all.  I see used light weight TD limbs pop up on other sites from time to time. You may never get up to 55#, so you may consider a trade for lighter limbs. My first deer with a bear TD was with 36-38# limbs at my draw lol.

[YosemiteSam]

25# is perfect to learn form.  It will also help with strength and coordination.  Holding steady is one thing.  Remaining steady while continuously pulling/expanding through a release will take some time and requires you to build muscles you've never used much before.  Go slow.  Your body needs to ease into it.

I often shoot light bows -- especially when my groups start to open up.  Go back to the fundamentals.  Sometimes, I'll even shoot a 20# with kid arrows just to try out something new in my form.

See if you can pick up a couple sets of limbs with your same riser, say a 25# & a 40# set, that will let you build up to the 55# set you already bought.  That way, all the strings & such can interchange.  Modularity/interchangeability is a big benefit in my book.  If the limbs are too expensive for the Bear you already bought, then get a cheap production recurve (samick, PSE, etc.) that you can use to slowly ramp up your draw weight with different limbs.

[hawkeye n pa]

Congrats on a beautiful recurve, non the less a green stripe!

[woodchucker]

Many here have suggested extra limbs... Good suggestion!!!
HOWEVER... Not everyone here can afford them! Especially when they are first starting out. Sometimes, you just have to do the best you can, with what you have.

I have shot bows in the 50-55# range since I started bowhunting in 1976. I shot that same 50# Bear Alaskan, right up untill I bought my first compound in 1984. Had several over the next few years, but I got tired of the latest, greatest, faster, faster, gotta buy a new bow every year mentality. Used recurves were everywhere, but strings and arrows, next to impossible to find! I just quit bowhunting.

In1998, I met my good friend and former TradGang member, Joe Skipp. Joe had a basement shop acrossed the river from me. He sold new & used traditional bows, and his custom wood arrows, plus traditional accessories. He had a used 55# Kodiak Mag that I bought for $80, and I bought a dozen feather fletched cedar arrows and a deerskin shooting glove. I still remember his words... Stand close, Shoot slow, only use 1 arrow... Shoot, walk up & pull it. Think about your shot...
Joe told me I was overbowed, which I knew, but he also emphasized that with time, practice, PATIENCE, I could easily work into my new bow. 10 arrows a day, no more!!! "Come see me next week"... So I did!
The next week, he watched me shoot at the bag target in his shop. I didn't seem to be struggling? So... 10 shots in the morning, 10 shots in the evening, no more!!! "See ya next week"!

The next week, we took a few Judos out in the yard. We shot at Dandilions, lol! We would shoot, talk about our shots, walk up and get our arrows, pick another target, shoot again...
We shot for about 2 hours, but I honestly don't think we took more than 20-25 shots... Surprisingly, when we were done, I was not "fatigued" at all!!! Slow, limited, slightly increasing practice sessions is the key, to working into a heavy bow.

Just one Old Fart's experiance...

[mdkelley]

Thanks for all the great advice guys! I did end up ordering a set of 40# limbs and some new arrows and a ff string from 3rivers. I plan to use the bow for 3D, stumping and plinking in addition to hunting so figured I would want the lighter limbs for that anyway. Also ordered d50 strings for the 55# and my longbow from ten rings. Sold my crossbow and a few compounds to fund this venture into traditional and really looking forward to getting this thing set up and tuned in.

[woodchucker]

Well, alrighty then!!! Now you're cookin with peanut oil!!!
Nothing like "found" money, Matthew!!!!! Looks like you're pretty much set, only thing you need now, is PRACTICE!

Keep us posted...!!

[woodchucker]

Hmmm... Wonder how Matthew's doing...??

[ron w]

I'll bet he is out hunting.........