27" Draw and 66" Recurve Why Not?

[Kurt in Memphis]

I just bought a new to me 66 inch Blacktail one-piece recurve.  I really like the bow and it shoots very accurately.  I'm just curious why most people wouldn't recommend such a long recurve with a short draw-length?

Am I not getting the full power stroke, or is the design of longer recurve only fully realized with a longer draw length?  Thoughts?

Kurt

[Don Stokes]

Kurt, 27" isn't really short. I would enjoy the bow and not worry about it. My draw length is 27-28" depending on the bow, and I like the longer lengths. Less finger pinch, smoother release, better accuracy for me.

[BWD]

Enjoy shooting your bow.  

[LKH]

Shoot what you like.  

If all things were equal, a shorter bow will be somewhat faster, but like me, your relatively short draw will never be screaming anyway.  That accuracy you are noticing is much more important.

[primitivealltheway]

dont worry what anyone else thinks ,or says .. its your bow ,enjoy it ,i bet that is one smooth bow.a blacktail and 66" gotta feel like butter .

[Ben Maher]

i much prefer a longer bow at my 27" draw and would have no problems hunting witgh a 66" recurve ... but perhaps we had better see some pics of your new bow  !

[Kurt in Memphis]

I really like the stability of longer bows, and this is no exception.  I bought it because the weight is good for me and I wanted a one piece recurve.

It just seems that every bowyer recommends 58-60" bows for my draw length....which is actually just a tad under 27"

I do need to get some pictures posted, it's a beauty.  Footed snakewood with some another (unknown) wood with yew limbs.  Rumored to be Norm's very first footed riser bow.

Kurt

[EL Mejor]

PICS,PICS,PICS, COME ONE BLACKTAILS ARE FINE BOWS....

[BOWMARKS]

Why not??

[leatherneck]

I have a 27" draw and shoot 66" longbows. Whats not to like. Dont get too caught up in the technical way of doing things. If it shoots good then go with it.

[damascusdave]

The recommendations are for minimum length in most cases. You never see a recommendation for maximum length.

Take a look at what the Olympians are shooting and tell me that there is any problem with short draw length shooters and a long bow.

DDave

[shadman]

Kurt, I hope that you're enjoying the bow! The riser is snakewood footed with bloodwood. The limbs are bamboo stained to a yew color. The bow is a shooter and real smooth. I draw 29" but don't worry about your draw. Enjoy the bow! Seller's remorse...maybe?

[LKH]

I think the limit for me would be if it was difficult to shoot sitting down.  I do a lot of spot and stalk and have shot several critters while sitting.

[kongo]

If you're target shooting , there m/b an advantage to a 66" bow . I just can't imagine why you'd want to take that long of a bow hunting . Tree stand , ground blind or spot & stalk the shorter bow is better . I've shot down to a 52" recurve w/o any finger pinch @27" draw .

[JL]

Hey, as long as your taller then 65", I dont see a problem. The reason they are telling you 58-60" bow is so at your draw, the working part of the limbs are being worked. But, with that being said, there is no hard fast rule on a specif length bow for a particular draw length. I myself like 64" bows and own two 64" Blacktails.

One of the fastest bows I ever owned was a 60" Border black Douglas swift TD. What I did was set up a video camera and shot so I could see how the limbs unfolded, stored energy and released. It was pretty cool to see how the limbs loaded up then the tips laid back. On the loose, everything worked together. Very cool design!

How are you and the Blacktail getting along? I have a soft spot for Blacktails. Not only do they have the looks but they also have what it takes under the hood to take care of business!

Nice pick up! Post a pic or two of your bow. I would like to see that wood combo.

Enjoy!

[Bjorn]

I draw about the same as Kurt; 27-28 and I too much prefer a longer bow-I have tried the short ones; but since I spot and stalk a longer bow works fine.

[Bjorn]

....and let's see the pics!

[Thumper Dunker]

Im stubby and have a 27 " draw and do fine with my 66" long bow. Pics please.