Long bows vs Recurve?

[shade seeker]

Hi! Just of couple of questions about long bows. Currently I have a Check Mate Hunter 2...  54# at 29". I'm thinking I need to down grade the poundage I'm shooting with as I'm a newbie and developing my form.
What I'm thinking is I need to sell or trade my Hunter two for something closer to a 45# bow.

The question is since I'm changing my bow I'm thinking of switching to a long bow. Would I loose speed by changing from a recurve to a long bow... asuming of course that they are both 45# bows?

[BigRonHuntAlot]

Depends on the bows.  Some of the Hybrid Longbows are hanging right there with the recurves.

[Gordon martiniuk]

Some long bows seem easer to draw than recurves so add 5 or 6 lbs and then you could hunt with it and I dont think you will feel the extra pounds

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

My 50# Striker Longbow feels heavier than my 50# Hummingbird recurve.  Don't add any weight especially if you're just starting, that will only teach your muscles bad form if you,re overbowed.  It's like Ron said it depends on the bow.  As far as being able to hunt with it different states have different draw weight restrictions and as long as its within your states guidelines you can hunt with it as long as you place a good shot.

[Bear Heart]

Just realize you will be bumped back a little on the learning curve from where you were.  Design is everything.  I would stay with the same poundage as you had on your recurve if going to a longbow.  Another option is getting another set of limbs if possible.

[George D. Stout]

You are right to get the poundage down, and longbows and recurves pull the same at full draw, so don't add five or six pounds....that is not the right thing to do.

I would not go above 45 pounds to learn form.  That is almost too heavy in itself, but 45 is also plenty for any game in the USA.  Learn to shoot accurate first, then if you want to increase poundage, do it a few pounds at a time, not in big steps.   I've been at this nearly fifty years and there are few shortcuts to accurate shooting.  And, being overbowed, is the worst thing you can do.

[O.L. Adcock]

You can switch from recurve to recurve and gain or lose 10% in performance. Going from recurve to longbow just makes the differences bigger!    Smart move dropping weight....O.L.

[Dartwick]

"Recurve" and "long bow" are no longer the particularly good ways to differentiate between modern bows.

Beyond the recurve normally having string slap you cant say much about performance based on that classification.

[Hot Hap]

If you like the H2, you might want to get a lighter set of limbs for it. Hap