Howard Hill question

[Flying Dutchman]

So now I am looking at a HH bow. Just out of curiosity ofcourse, I won't buy one!

The questions who come in mind are:

What bowlenght?
What bowweight?
What grip, locator or not?


At the moment I am shooting a fast hybrid, 45 lbs at mu drawlenght of 29. I will get a second one in a fewe weeks, and that will be 50 lbs.

[MikeM]

With a 29" draw on a Hill I would want the 70" length. The grip is really personal. I shoot 70" Howard Hill bows by Craig Ekin that pull between 45-48#@29" with a straight grip. I have tried shorter Hill's (66" and 68")but did not find them as comfortable at my draw.
MikeM

[khardrunner]

start with a straight grip and you can modify it later

[MT Longbow]

With a straight grip and held properly, your draw length will most likely be shorter on the Hill with proper form.

My draw was 29.5 on the high wrist recurve and hybrids.

When I switched to the straight grip Hill, it went to 28.5

Now it is hovering right about 28  and a little bit, as I moved up in bow weight from the 50 lb Hills to my current setup of 70-75 lbs.

It's just natural for you to lose that inch to an inch and a half.  Don't fight it, plan on it and all is well.

Howard's rule (not set in stone) was whatever your last number in your draw length was the last number in your bow length,  ......so for me 28 and a bit calls for a 68 inch bow.  Now mind you, that measurement on Hill bows is nock to nock length so all my 68 inch HH bows are around  69.5-70 inches overall. My 70 inch HH bow is around 72 inches long.  But the measurement that you go by is nock to nock length.  I shoot both my 70 inch and now my 68's are  where I'm sticking fr length just like Howard suggested.

To long a bow limb length for the draw length is not getting the limbs to work enough.  That's why he suggested that formula.  I really like the action of my 68,s a bit better than my 70 incher.

And no, the string didn't pinch going from longer to shorter nock to nock.  If I were you I would try shooting both the 70 and the 68 to see what you like better.  But if your not accustomed to shooting the Hill longbow, it will take you a while to develop the form.  Find someone who shoots a straight grip well and learn from him.

Good luck!

[Stone Knife]

Originally posted by khardrunner:
start with a straight grip and you can modify it later

Well put  

[mike g]

I have a Big Five 68" @ 29"
Slightly dished grip....

And the fine people at HH archery will help you pick the length for ya..

[straitera]

Great idea starting w/straight grip. Once learned (real quick) you might not shoot anything else. Much prefer 70" longbows in a heavier weight for my long draw. Suggest 5-10# more than you're currently shooting if you go with 68-70" ntn bow. There is a speed variance switching from shorter bows especially recurves. Many folks can't seem to tolerate the slower longer lb enough to give it a chance. The extra weight will make up the speed difference. Plus the longer bow will be so much smoother you'll likely feel you're drawing less. My experience is that 66" Hills are surprisingly smooth even at a longer draw. Welcome Hillbro.

[Moots]

I shoot a 70" Big Five, 50# @ 28.  My draw length is 30".

[Ric O'Shay]

Originally posted by Flying Dutchman:
So now I am looking at a HH bow. Just out of curiosity ofcourse, I won't buy one!

You won't buy one?       HA! Curiosity is a strange thing. It killed the cat and will force you to buy a Hill. Mark my words. You have the Hill bug, it won't quit biting....ever!

Danny

[cahaba]

I love the straight grip on my Hill Big 5. Its my favorite bow. I draw a tad over 26" and its a 66er. My next bow will be 67" or 68". I will give up a little performance for smoothness.

[straitera]

I'm with you Dan. Mark our words, you;re in for a ride! Howard purified all this longbow magic so many years ago. Cahaba above has 2 of the finest longbows ever made! Me & Dan own a fair few too!

[Flying Dutchman]

You own me some pics Forrest! Cahaba also....

[BowHunterGA]

My bows either have the normal straight grip, or a dished grip. So long as the body of the grip is the correct size for my hand I really do not have a preference between the two.

One thing I will add is, don't forget to consider the size of the grip as well as the type. I had a lighter weight longbow that I sold recently. I really never shot that bow well and I later realized it was because the grip was too thin for me to grip and shoot comfortably.