have a question about bow length

[goodolboy94]

well i have finally had to face reality and reliaze that im a 100% more acccurate with a recurve than my longbows so heres my question to tall guys or people with longer draws i have a 29 inch draw what would be the shortest recurve bow i could have and not worry about staking or finger pinch i was thinking 60" but i would like some input from other people thanks

[R H Clark]

I also draw 29".My recurves range from 60"-66".My favorite is a 21" riser with medium ILF limbs for a 64" bow.

A lot will depend on bowyer design and your personal needs.Since the bows I shoot most are ILF recurves,I can adjust preload to suit what I like.

I shoot 3 under so finger pinch isn't really an issue but I don't enjoy most bows under 60" that I have tried.

This is a very personal choice.I have a friend that also draws 29" but he likes 58" and 56" bows and shoots them well.

I would however ask a bowyer if a shorter bow could handle your draw before buying.

[wharvey]

I have a draw length of just short of 30" and both of my recurves, 62", shoot just fine. I do seem to have a bit of stacking with my Martin Hatfield that I don't see with my Martin Hunter. Finger pinching isn't an issue with either.

Whatever bow you decide on I would check to see if it is suitable to longer draw lengths so you won't encounter stacking problems.

[Rufus 25]

I draw 29 and have no problem with 60" recurves (I have several)  Contact JD at whisperstikbows.com I have 3 of his Mojostiks and they are very smooth and fast.

[magnus]

I draw 29.5 and shoot a 52" kodiak mag with no problems. I did put a one inch longer string on it but it shoots best with a lower brace height. old bow

[vermonster13]

My favorite is my 56" Black Swan 3pc recurve. I draw 30"

[amar911]

I'm sure David's Black Swan is great, but I haven't tried one yet. My draw length is 29 1/2". I can definitely say that a 54" Shrew Lil Favorite recurve would be great for you (Gregg Coffey is now making a 56" Lil Favorite too), assuming you want a bow that light. I would personally get one with the Bow Bolt so I could take it down to 2 pieces for travel. Also foam cores are nice to have and they are now being offered on new bow orders. Another great option is a Morrison ILF bow with the Mini-14 riser and the C recurve limbs. That combination makes a 56" bow that will shoot lights out. I recommend the foam cores in those limbs too. I love my Morrisons and Shrews and know from personal experience that either of the bows I recommended will shoot very well at your draw length. They are both fast and smooth. The Shrews will shoot well at significantly longer draw lengths than either you or I have. I can draw my 54" Lil Favorite to about 31 inches and it still feels great. The specific Morrison ILF combination I mentioned is getting maxed out at my draw length -- not that it is starting to stack or pinching fingers -- it just isn't designed to be pulled back farther and maintain its integrity (in other words, it can get overstressed at 30" or more. Get the Shrew Lil Favorite if you like light weight bows that are extremely pleasant to carry all day. Buy the Morrison if you want a bow with more weight that adds some stability to your shooting and still carries well. Don't ask me to name my favorite. They are both super bows made by super bowyers. You asked about short bows and the two I have recommended are among my shortest. I have other bows up to 66", but you don't need that extra length. My 54" Lil Favorite shoots just as well from the standpoint of lack of stacking and finger pinch as my bows that are a foot or more longer. I shoot split finger in case you were wondering.

Allan

[Swamp Yankee]

What might be unacceptable finger pinch or stacking for me might not bother others a bit.  The bottom line is you should shoot a bunch of different bows to get an idea what might work best for you.  I have a 29" draw and have found I prefer 60" or longer bows; but as stated above it also depends on bow design. I also have a 58" PSA Widow that works fine for me with it's slightly shorter than normal handle area.  I also have a 52" Red Wing Hunter that I absolutely hate shooting, but when I do it has the mojo to put meat in the freezer.  The 68" Martin longbow is a wall hanger; like you as pretty as a longbow is, they just don't work for me.

[amar911]

Dan is right. There is a huge difference in smoothness and finger pinch among different bow designs. Short, forward risers change the geometry of the bow and allow you to draw long without pinching your fingers. BobW has a 32" draw and shoots a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter without finger pinch. The Black Swan has a similar design, as do some other bows. Don't think you can just pick up various bows of the same length and have them feel the same when you shoot them. Get a bow that is designed to be short while accommodating long draws. I have some 60" bows that are not as comfortable at my draw length as my 54" Shrew Classic Hunter or Lil Favorite. All that said, I also agree with Dan that finger pinch varies from individual to individual. I have fairly long, narrow fingers and think I have less problem with my fingers feeling pinched than people with thicker fingers. On the other hand, I also shoot split fingered which causes more finger pinch than three under. BobW shoots three under. David Knipes knows much more about this than most people because he has shot so many different bows and has a long 30" draw length himself. I would trust his opinion over about anyone else's I know! It is nice to try before you buy, but that is not always possible.

Allan