Looking for advice to get started. Many questions I have.

[Mschmeiske]

Hello, my names Mark and this is my first post in here, hopefully in the right place.
I’ve been bowhunting for five years, but with a compound and now I’m interested in getting a recurve.

Compound draw weight and length 50#/ 26.5”
Height 5’7”

I’m curious what draw weight you would recommend for a starting point.
Also, what arrow set up would you recommend for the suggested draw weight?
Arrow weight, length, broadhead weight, etc.

Can you tell me about riser length vs limb length?

Any recommendations on a bow? I’ve heard a lot about samick and black hunter, but I’ve also considered just getting some sort of ILF riser from the start and some limbs. I figured I’d rather something I’d hold onto longer and not grow out of quickly.

I figured something middle of the road as far as smoothness and speed. I also don’t think I would like a bow that’s longer than 60”

Once again though, I am new and these are just what I think, not what I know.
I’m hoping some of you can help and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[McDave]

Hi Mark, welcome to Tradgang!

For bow hunting, you're eventually going to want a weight of about 45# (or more).  That's not the best weight for you to learn on, though, so I like your idea of getting something in ILF so you can learn, and perhaps shoot tournaments, with 40# limbs, and hunt with 45# limbs.  Bows are usually marked at the weight of the bow at a 28” draw length, so you would be looking for a bow marked about 43# to get 40# at your draw length, and 48# to get 45# at your draw length.

You may end up with a different draw length after you become accustomed to a recurve, so while it is common to cut arrows about an inch longer than your draw length, I would suggest starting with arrows cut to 29”.  That will give you room for a longer draw length, if that happens, and to trim the arrows if you need to to get a better tune.  Most people use carbon arrows these days, and a .600 spine carbon arrow with a 100 or 125 grain tip should work for your 40# limbs.  Assuming you want to hunt, you will want a heavier point or broadhead on your hunting arrow, so probably something like a .500 spine arrow with a 150 grain point or broadhead would work on your 45# bow.  If you want a heavier point, you could cut an inch off the 29” arrow, which would stiffen it some, and probably use a 175 or 200 grain point.

For a recurve to produce best results, it is necessary to bend the recurve limbs far enough that the recurve ends open up.  A tall person with a draw length of 29-30” would want a fairly short riser on a 60” bow so as not to overextend the recurved ends.  A shorter person with a draw length of 26.5” would want a longer riser and shorter limbs so the recurved ends would be able to bend more.  I can't tell you exactly what length riser you should get for a 60” bow, but I would guess somewhere in the range of medium to long would work.  At your draw length, you could also use a 58” bow, if you plan to shoot in places where you need the extra maneuverability.

[Mschmeiske]

That was helpful and I greatly appreciate your reply! Do you have any recommendations on riser length? And short or medium limbs?

[McDave]

Common riser lengths seem to be 17”, 19”, and 21”. Limbs to make a 60” bow appear to be available in 17”and 19”. Therefore, for your relatively short draw length, I would suggest a 19” riser, in order to maximize use of the energy stored in the recurved limbs.