Matt how far are you off setting your riser if you are ?
What do you mean by off setting the riser? I just want to make sure I answer right. If you mean centered on the bow I do not center it. My shelf is 1 1/4 or 1 3/8 higher than the center of the bow. I’ve found it to be a much more tame shooting bow than centering so the fades are of equal size.
As far as tapers, for a 31” draw i think you’re on the right path. I wouldn’t go higher taper than 6 or 8 thou. I usually alter it based on shooter characteristics when necessary. Although a friend of mine draws maybe 29/30 and he likes the 10 thou taper in longer bows, usually 69”.
I think with a higher taper rate, you have less wood moving, maybe this is why it seems to have less vib. The one thing I’ve had a concern about is more mass in the limbs seems like it would move a heavy arrow better, I just haven’t found it to be true. The other thing is, its just not as true to the Hill legacy build with the higher taper rates. I do use thicker glass on the belly and thin on the back.
Over analyzing all of this can be fun, but in reality whether I build a low or high taper ASL bow, with my typical dimensions, they all are great to shoot. I value a several other bowyers builds very much as well, and their builds shoot great too. Sometimes its fun to try something new and be different..