My continuing 3 under saga

[Michael Pfander]

As stated earlier I have been having some issues with my hunting weight longbows.  After shooting a lot this past weekend [therapy for tax time] I have reached some conclusions.  Too whit:  Longer is better unless the design has to much preload.  Older is better [less preload].  My shortest 60" is a pain.  My 21st century 70" is as well [too much preload].  The best so far are my 64"1981 Monarch, my 66"1989 Stotler, and my 66" 2004 American wolf, my 66" Morrison is ok as are my 64" Royal, and the 64" Big river.  The only high preload bow that works is my 64" Griffen.  Before the change I shot the same arrows out of all of these with changes to brace, knocking point, and shelf to make them work.  I will have to make some new arrows for some of these as they show way to stiff or weak.  In a way its kind of nice, I haven't killed any elk with my older bows in a long time.  This year will change that.

MAP
 

[McDave]

When you say “preload” do you mean the force required to begin the draw?  If I understand that term correctly, I like a lot of preload because it gives me additional arrow velocity without having to pay for it by holding a higher weight at full draw.  By the time I get to full draw, I’ve forgotten how much force it took to get the draw started.  All I’m aware of is how much force it takes to hold the bow at full draw.

I’ve corresponded with only one other person on TradGang who doesn’t like a lot of preload.  I can understand how it feels better to gradually increase force, and maybe the increase in performance is not worth it for you.  What I don’t understand is why the preload doesn’t bother you on the Griffin.  Any ideas on that?

BTW, I agree with you that longer is better with longbows.  For me with a 28” draw, I don’t notice any improvement after 66”, but maybe I would with a self bow.  My friend who shoots a self bow starts at 68”, and goes up from there.

[Michael Pfander]

My standard arrow for all of these was a 340 5/16/carbon with 350 up front for an arrow weight around 650.  From fastest to slowest there is only 12 fps. difference.  The fastest is my border griffen which is 62# at 182 and the slowest is my old monarch which is also 62# at 170.  What I notice about the preload is the reduced hand shock more than speed, although they seem louder to me.  I made some new strings which has    had an effect on the spine issues.  I put softer strings on the bows showing weak and harder strings on those showing stiff and that has helped.
MAP