Longbow question, HH vs Martin

[riot1013]

I have a Martin Mountaineer 68" longbow that pulls 75# at 27" and shoots a 640 gr arrow 175.  I ordered a Hill Wesley Special that should be @75# at 27" and 66" long.  Will the performance be similar?  I am thinking (hoping) the Hill may be a bit quicker.  What do you guys think?

Riot

[TheArc]

The Martin's shorter limbs should be just a tad faster both bows being D style long bows. The Hill may be slightly smoother with the longer working limbs and have a bit less finger pinch though neither will really have any at your draw length or that of most folks under 30 inch draws. I have several of both makers bows but my Martins are R/D style so that is apples and oranges.

[Stone Knife]

The Hill should be a little faster seeing it has shorter limbs, I read somewhere that the Wesley special is one of the faster bows that Howard Hill Archery makes. Regardless you have purchased a nice bow and it will bring you a lot of enjoyment.

[Bob Barnes]

you'll like it...just had both bows and the Hill bow is as trim as a bow can be...nothing extra to add weight to the bow or limbs.  It has some reflex glued in as well and is pretty quick for that style.
enjoy.
Bob

[riot1013]

Thanks guys.  My Martin is one of the older Mountaineers (with the glass inserts for limb tip reinforcements rather than the overlays that they used in later production) and does not have reflex/deflex limbs.  They are fairly straight with about an inch of reflex if you were to lay the back flat against a wall.  My old Pioneer that I had about 8-9 years ago had what I would call a slight reflex/deflex design.  But it wasn't any faster, slower if I remember correctly.  But overall I am excited about the bow.  Bamboo and Cocobolo with clear glass, should be beautiful.

Riot

[HunterLawyer]

Riot:

Howard Hill Archery says a rule of thumb for Hill bows is 115 + bow weight=fps. I don't know what arrow weight that is with. I'd be interested to know how your bow chronos,at least for academic purposes and to test their belief. I have a 69@29 that I will chrono this weekend, and a 50@29 Wesley Special takedown that is coming soon. I hope. Not that I am eagerly awaiting it or anything...

Of course, as my brother said to me, why do I care what it chronos, as long as it gets the job done? The speed isn't exactly the point of longbow shooting (but it is good to know).

Either the Martin or the Hill will take care of business. Shoot what feels best to you.

Bill

[Orion]

Your Mountaineer has a bit more set back than the Hill will have, but the shorter length, and the bamboo limb cores should make the Hill faster.  IMO, bamboo is faster than the same weight wood core.

[TheArc]

Oops I got mixed up on which bow had the longer limbs. So I claim the duuhoh right to reverse my assessment:)