help switching to longbow from recurve

[Kaninmaskwa]

Hi all been lurking for a long time and finally joined.

I really want to buy a modern RF DF long bow leaning towards a Centaur elite, A&H ACS, or a Cari-bow peregrine finally lookin at the Tolke whip.

Currently im shooting an early 70's Ben pearson Flame hunter recurve TD with Aluminium riser 45#@28 60 AMO 7" brace height using B-50 14 strand string.
 I find this bow shoots really nice and if i go to a long bow I would like the long bow pound for pouind to shoot faster smoother and more quiet. now from what I can tell these modern ones should be able to.
Now the question....what length in these styles of bows should I be looking at? I draw 28" and have been thinking 60" would be good but not sure.

BTW Ill be looking to go up a few pounds in the new bow too for a bit of extrta performance thinking 48#-50# and would try and set up with 11GPP 13-15% FOC 4" helical feather fletched carbon arrows.

any suggestions or comments?
cheers
Shawnee

[LongStick64]

While 60 is very possible, especially with the bowyers you mention, and all would probably say you could do it. I personally love my Robertson at 66 and I draw 27.

[BowMIke]

Shawnee,
Might want to consider a 60" or 62" Morrison Shawnee longbow. They are beautiful, fast, smooth and quiet. (if you can afford the carbon/foam limbs you woulnd't regret it!).
Kind of goes right with your handle(Shawnee) as well.
(I also like the Morrison ILF with longbow limbs as well).
You can find a nice one in the classified occasionally.

[Can Hahaka]

shawnee,

I made the switch after heart surgery. I had a martin hunter - 60" - 60@28 and bought a Mississippi Lake 64" R/D - 55@28" and the change was smooth. I did find that I shot the recurve a little more vertical than I shoot the longbow. Smooth, quiet and delivers a really nice arrow.

Can

[The Whittler]

You can't go wrong with the bows you are looking at. I have heard nothing but good about them.

I have a A&H ACS and love it. It's 62" 47#@28". I also have a Black Widow that is 62" 51#@28". I draw 29" on both bows so 50# to 54#, and the ACS seems to be as fast as the Widow.

Which ever one you pick I am sure you will be happy. Give it some time for you to get use to it, don't be in a hurry. As the more you shoot it the more you will like and get use to the bow.

When changing bows it takes some getting use to shooting. This is what I have found from shooting different bows.

Good luck, enjoy, and have fun.

[The Whittler]

You can't go wrong with the bows you are looking at. I have heard nothing but good about them.

I have a A&H ACS and love it. It's 62" 47#@28". I also have a Black Widow that is 62" 51#@28". I draw 29" on both bows so 50# to 54#, and the ACS seems to be as fast as the Widow.

Which ever one you pick I am sure you will be happy. Give it some time fore you to get use to it, don't be in a hurry, as the more you shoot it the more you will like and get use to to the bow.

When changing bows it takes some getting use to shooting. This is what I have found from shooting different bows.

Good luck, enjoy, and have fun.

[Arkansaslongbow]

IMO, it's all in the grip; if you switch to a longbow and the grip is "traditional" longbow grip, then it will take some getting use too; when choosing a custom bowyer, the first thing that they will want to know is what kind of grip you desire; think long and hard on this area of your bow; if you like a "recurve" style grip then that's what you need to explain to the bowyer;

I hope nothing but the best in your decision; and as always, please let us all know what you decide on and share photo's of that new bow when it arrives................  

[Roadkill]

All good bows. I also cant my longbows more than my recurves. Take your time working into it, but I shoot all my bows interchangeably.  Welcome to the wonderful world of longbows!

[Dan in KS]

All the bows you mention are excellent and will do all you want.  I also draw 28" and both of my primary hunting bows are 60" long and shoot just fine.  If your hunting schedule includes air travel, I strongly recommend a take down model.  It will fit in your luggage and save you the extra luggage fee and associated hassle.

DB

[Stinger]

As a long time (30+ years) recurve hunter who has been playing with different longbows for the past 4 years, I think the biggest issue for you will be the grip.  That Ben Pearson you have has a pretty high wrist grip.  Some of the longbows you have chosen are pretty low wrist.  Some of them though you have a choice.  It's obviously a matter of personal preference.  I have found that I can only shoot those that have a locator style grip.  The length is also a personal thing, but for me I have found that the longer longbows are easier to shoot.  That is, they are smoother drawing and more forgiving of form errors - for me.  I have not had a lot of luck with longbows under 62" and think 64" to 66" works well.  I am 5' 9" and draw 27".

Good luck on the search.

[BWD]

Going from a recurve to a r/d type longbow/hybrid should not be that big of a deal. I would probably be looking somewhere in the 60"-64" range, depending on what you intend to use it for. When it comes to making a decision, nothing beats a test drive.

[Terry Lightle]

I shoot a 60 inch Cari-bow Slynx and draw 28 inches and have no problems.Switched from a 66 inch selfbow in March

[COLongbow]

Take a look at Lost Creek Longbows.
Super performance, very well crafted, and a grip that just feels right.

I think there's some kind of a fan club here too!

[Bluenose]

I have a 62" Cari-bow Peregrine, 45 lbs @ 29".  This is a fast, smooth bow that is perhaps faster than a lot of recurves that I have shot during the past year that I have owned the Peregrine.  Abe Penner's workmanship is outstanding. You will find some reviews on this site that do a much better job of explaining the technical details of this bow. All I can say is that this Cari-bow will certainly not be my last bow from Abe.

[plentycoupe]

I haven't shot the others but have been through a few longbows. I settled with the ACS, 62" 55@28. This bow is just plain awesome. It shoots so smooth and just seems to put the arrows where I am looking.
I have a Hornes combo with longbow limbs as well. Very nice bow and great to shoot, but does not compare.
As for the difference in grip, the ACS has a deep grip much like a recuve.
I am just opposite of you though. I received my new to me Blacktail elite today. Beautiful and very very nice to shoot.

[bucksbuouy]

If you are going up in weight, you may also want to go up in length. Longer bows seem to draw nicer for their weight. IMO.

[Kaninmaskwa]

Thanks everyone,
This has raised a couple more ?? For me.
Since the grip is so important and most of these have grips made to a tracing of someones hand, should I steer clear of second hand ones if I cannot verify if the original buyers hand tracing is close to mine?
Next question this is about poundage. With my 45# bow I can draw it quite easily shoot a couple hundred arrows over a few hours without any fatigue. I like that and the fact that I can hold very steady. Of course I want to maximize my hunting potential and thus wanting to go up a bit in poundage and perhaps gain in efficiency too. Now I have heard that with these type bows I could go up 5# or so without even realizing it as they pull differently. So here's the question.
In your experience would going up from 45# recurve to 55# be a significant difference? if so what sort of increase should I be considering? ( I am trying to see if I can get somewhere to try some different pound longbows out but not sure if or when that will happen)
I would like it if I can get the bow to shoot a 660gr UEFOC arrow set up efficiently. Thus thinking the 55#, which would be 12gr/pound and should fly fast enough to breech bone.
I have my eye on some dangerous game and want the minimum poundage  I can be confident with. ( 2 reasons- 1 keep good form and my primary hunting targets will be deer goat and the like 2) I'm a Metis Canuck living down under and always have done things a bit different. Always will       )

Thanks
Shawnee

[El gran J]

Dan Toelke makes the Lynx.  It has the same riser, but you can either get recurve or longbow limbs.  I have both the Lynx and the Whip.  Both are fast and VERY quiet!!  My Black Widows aren't as quiet!  Still love them though!

As far as the grip goes, I saw a video by Fred Asbell.  He said that the recurve has a center of gravity thats closer to the throat, and therefore a wrist turned out helps the limbs flex more uniformly.  The grips on a longbow require more of a palm or heel of your hand.  I tried them and they seem to work.  Takes some time to get used to if you've been doing it a different way for a while.

[El gran J]

Dan Toelke makes the Lynx.  It has the same riser, but you can either get recurve or longbow limbs.  I have both the Lynx and the Whip.  Bot are fast and VERY quiet!!  My Black Widows aren't as quiet!  Still love them though!

As far as the grip goes, I saw a video by Fred Asbell.  He said that the recurve has a center of gravity thats closer to the throat, and therefore a wrist turned out helps the limbs flex more uniformly.  The grips on a longbow require more of a palm or heel of your hand.  I tried them and they seem to work.  Takes some time to get used to if you've been doing it a different way for a while.