Enlighten Me on Bow Length!

[LimBender]

I've googled and looked at some threads on bow length, but have not satisfied my curiosity.    

Using a takedown riser and assuming the same draw length and arrow, what difference would you expect to see between 56" (or 58") and 62" recurve limbs?

I've read about pinch, stacking, and stability, but haven't seen an overly technical answer, especially on speed/efficiency.  

I know riser geometry and drawlength comes into play, as it seems the longer drawing guys like longer limbs.  

I'm looking at getting a takedown recurve for fun and mostly treestand hunting and have a 26.5" draw (and have shot a 54" recurve fine).

I'm fairly new to this great hobby and looking to buy a takedown recurve, so any answers are appreciated.

[cyred4d]

Given the same length riser shorter limbs will be faster than longer limbs. Less mass to move. However we are not talking light years difference here. Maybe 2 or 3 fps at the most.

[LimBender]

Thanks cyred,

I guess for shorter draw lengths going with the shorter bow length shouldn't be a big issue, especially if looking to use it mostly for treeshand hunting.

What I don't get is a shorter riser is supposed to produce more speed due to more working limb, but a longer limb is supposed to make the bow a bit slower?  This seems to contradict.

[cyred4d]

Not really. Think of the bow limb as a lever. If you have a longer lever it can do more work more easily. Once again we are talking really small differences.

[Bowwild]

I'm 5'6" with a 26" draw. The "book" says I should be quite satisfied with 56" -58" bows, even shorter in some models. The "feel" of the draw is more important to me (after the grip) than speed.

I prefer 58" and 60" bows more than the shorter ones. I feel like 62" and higher bows leave a bit too much unused energy in the bow at my draw length.

This was most clear to me with a Bear A Mag comparing #1 limbs (56" bow) and #3 limbs (60" bows). Both sets of limbs are Rose Oak and within 1#of the same, digitally measured draw weight. I much prefer the #3 (longer) limbs.

[zipper bowss]

O.K. We hear this alot.Longer limbs are slower then shorter limbs.If there is one hard and fast rule that I have learned in archery.It is that their are very few hard and fast rules in archery.
Each bow has to be taken individually.That is because each bow is an individual.For example,When I build a take down bow for a person with a 28" drawlength he will not get the same limb wedge in a 56" limb that he will in a 60" limb.The basic limb design will be the similar,other then length and the wedge.Since I have the extra limb length.Why not use it.Just a simple change in wedge will preload the limb quite abit more,and still be smooth as silk past the 28" drawlength.In my openion this is why we buy CUSTOM bows.

I did not post this to disagree with the masses and start a big debate on bow design, or disrespect any ones openion.This is the way I approach my bow design.Since you are consider a Zipper bow,I thought this would be good info for you to have.
BIll

[SEMO_HUNTER]

That makes perfect sense Bill. Even though one limb of a different length can appear to be the same as another just a couple inches longer or shorter, even though they have the same draw wt. can in fact be very different in the way they are preloaded with a different wedge.

I've often wondered about this exact thing myself.

Thanks for clearing some of it up for us.

[bigbadjon]

Also don't confuse bow length with limb length. A Jack Howard Jet is 66". However 28" of that is riser, the working part of the limbs is very short.

[Roy Steele]

The longer the limbs the more forgiveing the bow. More consentant your arrow from shot to shot.(EASER TO SHOOT)As long as you don't get finger pinch. No one I know Shoots well enough to know in 2 inchs. It's all in what you like.

[LimBender]

So it looks like the answer is it is complicated (as you have another variable of angle/preload), which can be tweaked by a good bowyer so that most differences are negligible for a given draw length.

So I'm assuming this means it may not be advisable for a 27" or less draw length to buy a custom bow for a 29" draw length because the limbs will not be maximized for the shorter draw, and that it isn't as simple as just subtracting 5-6 pounds from the 29" dl weight.

Thanks for all the replies!

[Kip]

Will where are you in La? I have a Bob Lee with longbow limbs and other recurve limbs you could try a 54",56",58 recurve and 60" longbow.As you can see I am in Ville Platte.Let me know if this intrest you.Kip