long drawing older bears??

[TL54]

Hi,I'm getting the urge to go back in time and start shooting some older bear bows.However,I draw 30in.and would the older bears handle it? I presently have a 58 Alaskan and I'm looking at a 69 Tamerlane.Any thoughts??Thanks

[Shawn Leonard]

I would just limber them up a bit by drawing them slowly to 28"s or so and than go for it. As long as they are in good shape with no twists or real bad stress than they should bve fine at 30"s. I have a few from the early 50's to 1968 and they all handle 28-30"s fine. Shawn

[rickshot]

I draw over 30 and have no reservation shooting the old bows, including 3 or 4 Tamerlanes, I guess (…don’t want to start inventorying now). I usually will do pulls, adding a few inches each time then launch a couple of arrows at maybe 24" then 26, 28 and so on. If she’s tight all the way I never look back. Rick.

[Orion]

Tamerlanes are usually fairly long, lighter poundage bows.  No problem drawing them to 30 inches.  Drawing mid-and heavy weight older 58-inch bows to 30 inches severely stresses the limbs, and they're likely to fail, sooner rather than later.  I'm sure someone has been doing it right along, but that's not the way to bet.  Lots of good older 62- and 64-, even 66-inch bows around.  Much better for 30-inch draws, IMO.

[Bjorn]

I would pick bows that are 64" and longer-there were lots of them. I have Bear recurves that are 68 and 70" long-I'm talking hunting weapons. They will pull smooth out to whatever ya' got.

[jhg]

I have shot several older ones lately- a Kodiak TD,  Grizzly, Hunter and Special. The shortest one was 60 inches. My draw is 30 inches and they seemed pretty smooth all the way to anchor.

Joshua

[Gary Logsdon]

I shot a deer this year with a 1955/56 68" Bear Kodiak Special.  I have a 30" draw

[stagetek]

I shoot my 60" Super K's all the time and I have a 30 1/2" draw.

[Dave Bulla]

I've got a '57 Kodiak Special that is 64" and I pull it to 32".  Also have one of the Green and blue kodiaks that is 58" and it does fine too.

[cacciatore]

Like saied there is not any problem to shot old Bear bows since the integrity is been preserved,they were build for unlimited draw lenght.For sure a Kodiak Magnum52" can feel a little bit stucky,but at my 29" I shoot it without any problem.