New to archery, need bow selection help

[eddiejclayton]

Hello all!  I've been looking for a good traditional archery forum and it looks like I've finally found one!

I've just recently started shooting. I bought a cheap PSE Buckeye (30#) just to see if archery was something I would like...and I can honestly say that I'm hooked!  :D

I'm going to be giving my buckeye to my girlfriend as she wants to start shooting with me.  I'm in the market for a new recurve, I've been looking at the Martin X-200 (55#)..are there any other comparable bows that I should be looking at?  My budget is around $300 but I can go up a little bit if necessary.  I appreciate any help that you guys can offer, thanks!

[rabbitman]

Welcome.  Check out the classified forum.  You should be able to find a good used bow in your price range.

[James Wrenn]

Well I have to ash why you want a 55# bow?Are you planning on hunting big game or just shooting for fun?If just for fun you would be much better staying with something lighter in weight. jmo

Quinn archery builds some very nice shooting recurves at or under your price range.I also understand some of the Samick recurves shoot nice and some look very nice too.Most of them would come in the range you want to spend or less.

[kennym]

Welcome!! Same as Rabbitman said. You can get a lot more bow than the x for 300 used. I'd start around 45-50 # to get your form down,cause you can always sell it and buy another. Careful,its very addictive tryin different bows! LOL

[Shakes.602]

WELCOME  To  The TradGang Family!!       and We will Share or Lead You to Someone that can answer Your Question!!  

[woodchucker]

I would also suggest the TradGang classifieds!!!!!

Great deals,from Great people!!!!!

I would also suggest a bow between 45# and 50#

Jumping from 30# to 55# is a BIG jump in weight,most people move up about 5#-10# at a time. i.e 30# to 40# to 50#,over 50# most move up about 5# at a time,55# to 60# to 65#.....

FYI, My 17 year old son Kevin,(6'1" - 260#) shoots 48# and I shoot 53#

[R H Clark]

Get a Quinn around 40#.You can get extra limbs cheaper and faster than anywhere else that I know of.

[TexMex]

Welcome!  

[eddiejclayton]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!  I knew I found a good forum here.  I've been checking the classifieds and found a 55# Dreamcatcher that looks absolutely gorgeous.  

The bow will initially be used just for shooting for fun, but eventually I will probably go deer hunting.  I should be ok with the 55#, my buddy has a 60# Martin that I can shoot with no problems (I think it's a Martin Hunter).  Keep the suggestions coming fellas, and thanks for being patient with the "noob".  :D

[eagle feather]

Welcome to Tradgang and welcome Traditional Archery!
Allow me to suggest that you look into Chek-Mate bows. A new Falcon is in your price range and these bows are top quality in every aspect. Chad at Recurves.com is a member (sponsor?)here as is Greg from G&Marchery.com. I have personal experience doing business with Greg and can highly recommend him. while I have not done business with Chad I have had emails with him regarding his bows and he has always been top notch, and I'm certain you will be happy with his service and expertise. Good luck with your search!

[vermonster13]

Welcome aboard. Another vote for the classifieds or a Quinn. Being able to draw 60# and being able to shoot it well are two different things. You may want to spend some time in the shooters forum before you decide on a weight just yet.

[rbbhunt]

Welcome.  All the above are good suggestions.  I would definitely go with 45-50# to start with.  And would suggest a takedown that you can get spare limbs for when yopu decide to move up in weight.  The lighter weight will be more fun to shoot starting out and will help with establishing a good form from the beginning.  Of course, if you buy a good one piece to start out, it would be a good excuse to buy another bow!  

[Shawn Leonard]

Good advice form everyone and take it from someone who shot 70-80# bows for a lot of years and than settled on 60-65# bows the last ten years, go lighter weight. I know am shooting 47-54# bows only as I have wrecked my shoulders. 50#s with the right arrow and BH combo will kill anything in North America. Rivers Edge makes an Arroyo recurve that is awesome and a base one is around $400 or so, you will be impressed. Shawn

[whitebuffalo]

Hey in the classidfieds there a perfect bow cheaper than your looking for,,Theres a Boss recurve,,Nice bow,,there are a couple of Bob lees as well real close to your range,,take a look,,some good deals right now wishin I had some more dough,,JB

[Yellowsnake]

Welcome!  This is an excellent site.  Going from 30# to 55# is a BIG jump in poundage.  If I were you I would be looking at a 40# bow, maybe 45# at the most.  Good shooting form is critical for good accuracy.  A bow which is too heavy will lead to bad shooting habits and potential injury.  Just because someone can pull a 55# bow back to anchor does not always mean that they can shoot the bow with good, consistant form.  As far as bows go the Martin X-200 is an very good bow.  Check out the Quinn bows or the Chek-mate bows.  But like several others have suggested you may want to look at the classifieds.

[eddiejclayton]

Thanks for all of the suggestions guys!  I'm meeting up with a member from here this weekend and picking up a Martin Dreamcatcher.  It's a 55# bow but I may pick up another bow (maybe 40# or 45#) and eventually work my way up to the Dreamcatcher (it's a great deal and I can't pass it up @$350).

And so begins the gear acquisiton syndrome!  I've been reading the Shooters forum here and picked up 2 books (Become The Arrow, and Core Archery) to help perfect my form.  I knew I was hooked after the first arrow that I shot, thanks for the warm welcome fellas..and for having patience with the new guy.  I hope to be around here for a while.