Backing off on bow weight

[la chouette rire]

 

[la chouette rire]

I mostly shoot a 55-lb Howard Hill Halfbreed and a 47-lb Olympic style recurve. But I'm swapping out the recurve limbs for some 35s and I'm looking for another longbow in the 40-45 lb range.  I also think I'm going to look for a reflex-deflex longbow -- maybe a Yellowstone Longbow. I also like some of the Byron Ferguson RD bows. That way I'll preserve my shoulder joints without the risk of handshock. Anyone have any experience with these bows?

[Vroomvroom]

I don’t. But just interested as I shoot 55 lbs but it’s fairly heavy to hold and aim long. But I don’t get out a lot either.   Just curious of how it works out for you.

[David Mitchell]

The time comes for a lot of us to back off on weight.  At 81 I can't shoot what I used to.  The heaviest I ever shot was 55# which I found adequate for anything I might have a chance at.  Now my favorite weight is around 38-40#.  I am being very careful about care for my shoulder as I have been dealing with impingement syndrome in my drawing arm shoulder for almost a year.  For quite some time I wasn't able to even draw a 35# bow much past half draw.  Now I am able to shoot but taking it slow so as not to injure it again.  Over several months I got cortisone injections which did help in the recovery process and exercises my doc gave me to do at home.  Nothing to be embarrassed about if we do what we need to do to stay in the game longer.

[Wudstix]

Creeping up on 67, and have not been shooting as much as I'd like.  I can still draw all my bows at least once, the one I have been spending time with is the 66" Moosejaw Razorback.  MOAB will always be a back-up.  The Big River D/R longbow will be a last ditch choice, since I draw just a tad under 28".
 

[Vroomvroom]

I draw my 55 lb easily.  But no doubt it’s not too too long I’ll get tired.  But I can’t really say as I been out of it for a year.  Just become so busy.

[Terry Green]

If you want to preserve your shoulder joints make sure you are properly aligned no matter the bow weight. Bad form causes injuries.