Short Draw and Bow Length

[PZee]

I want to build my brother in South Africa a bow. I've had reasonable success with Bamboo Backed Bamboo floorboard and was looking at moving to Ipe and Bulletwood. He has a 25inch draw and was wondering what length I should make a R/D style BBI or BBBW that would cater for his draw length and still reach 55# so he can use it for wingshooting and possibly warthog hunting? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Pete

[John Scifres]

I'd make it 60" or so.  That's a handy length that will draw smooth as butter at 25".

[walkabout]

generally a good start is with how tall the person is, however with a backed bow and even self bows you can go shorter depending on your skill tillering.also a longer bow will be more forgiving,which could help out on snap shots wingshooting. i would probably over build it, and get the 55#@25 like you want, but make sure itll pull to say 28" safely. that way if he decides to show the great bow his brother made to his buddies you got no worries about someone over drawing it. you could also do a search on bamboo backed ipe on here and check out some other ppls builds to get some ideas

[walkabout]

id personally like to try an ipe or bamboo bow but im not sure where to get single serving flooring locally

[walkabout]

heres a boo backed ipe, not sure the length but im sure the builder could give you the specs if you ask.   http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=003064