Long draw length bow

[Zach Mikita]

Right now I'm shooting a '07 Kodiak Mag. 52" bow 55# @ 28" and my draw is nearly 30".  This is the bow I began shooting trad and wouldn't trade it for the world.  I shoot 3 under because of the tremendous pinch on my hand and have grown to love it.  The problem is when I shoot the bow I must be perfect when it comes to form or I get extreme changes in accuracy (which I know this has made me a much better and more confident shooter) but when I shoot my buddy's Dwire R/D longbow or his Widow they are so much smoother and simply easier to shoot.  I know there is a quality difference between the bows mentioned, but what are some suggestions on bows?  And obviously the length of the bow is a tremedous factor also.

Thanks fellas

[Night Wing]

I also have a 30" draw and I shoot split finger. I hate finger pinch. This is one of the reasons why I sold my 60" Bear Super Kodiak almost 30 years ago. It gave me a bad case of finger pinch. I do regret that decison since the SK was a looker. My first custom bow was a 64" Bob Lee TD recurve and it gave me a slight case of finger pinch at my 30" draw. Sold that bow and ordered me a 66" Blacktail TD recurve and it was love at first shot. Long limbs with a 19" riser length. The long limbs really cast a heavy arrow with surprising speed. No finger pinch and it shoots a variety of arrows with different point weights. Wanted to try a hybrid longbow so I ordered a 68" Belcher "Longhorn" at my 30" draw. Great bow length for a long draw archer. Right now, I'm waitng on my second 66" Blacktail at my 30" draw. I'm hoping it arrives around Halloween.

[Zach Mikita]

Thanks! I'll be researching the BT

[George D. Stout]

Zach, you can get lots of bows made in 66" length.  Your problems with accuracy shift with the Kodiak Magnum is probably bow arm related, as much as anything else.  There is very little mass in the short bows so they are easy to move during the shot process.  At 30" draw, you can shoot bows fine that are much shorter than 66 inches....you need to find what works best for you.  Try several models if possible.  In the mean time, work on follow-through with the K.Mag., paying particular attention to keeping the bow in place until after the arrow strikes the target.  That can help immensely until you find your pefect bow.

[BobW]

Well said George (as always).  My 32"+ draw is handled by bows ranging in length from 56" to 68".  Design, design, design.  Admittedly, longer is friendlier.

[Zach Mikita]

I have focused more on my left hand (bow hand) than my right for George's reason.  It alone has helped two fold.

[Bob L.]

I have a 64" Toelke whip and 64" toelke recurve and a 32 in draw both shoot well. I think 64" or higher is better for the long draw

[freefeet]

I shoot a Martin X200 60" bow at 30.5" draw.  Had a ring finger numbing issue at first using a thin glove so i changed to a big shot glove and that cured that.  Other than that it works great at 30.5.

It's 40# @ 28" and 46# @ 30.5" so don't think there's any stacking issues with it.

[ChetterB]

Zach do yourself a favor and give Mike Rash of Legends bows a call a sponser on this site. Mike is the bowyer and has a long draw -- he knows how to build the bow for you!!! Thanks Jerry

[Zach Mikita]

Thanks Jerry I'll look him up!