Dave Johnson Hill Style - Length and Weight Suggestions?

[Prometheus]

Hello, Folks,

Earlier today I placed an order with Dave Johnson. Dave's a great guy, and was kind enough to chat with me for quite some time and provide all sorts of wise advice and guidance regarding the various stats of my upcoming Red Cedar longbow. What I didn't pin down, however, was what length and draw weight I wanted.

This bow is meant to be a bird, small game, and target bow. I'd like a low enough weight that frequent and lengthy target shooting sessions won't likely lead to shoulder and elbow fatigue, but high enough that I won't lose the satisfying cast that I've heard characterize Hill style bows. Dave mentioned that he enjoys shooting bows in the mid 30s to mid 40s or so.

What would you Hill enthusiasts with much more experience than I suggest for draw weight? Any light weight draw folks care to weight in?

How about length? Dave mentioned he has a lot of demand for 66" bows, but I've been wondering if I'd get an even better experience out of something longer. I've never had a Hill bow, but I often hear that "the longer the longbow, the better the feel", etc..

Thanks a ton for any and all advice, folks!

[Overspined]

Are you getting backset, straight, or SF profile?  What's you're true draw length?

Match the arrow weight to the bow and you should be fine with whatever weight you choose. The 40# hills throw a 400 gr arrow just fine.

[Prometheus]

Overspined - thanks for the advice. I'm thinking SF, and I draw about 27.25-27.5".

[Brazos]

I ordered one from Dave recently, should have it in a few weeks.  66" is as long as he will make them.  I believe it has to do with the cedar.  I believe I read it is very difficult to reliably get cedar in longer lengths, or something like that.  You can call Dave and get the low down as to exactly why.  When I ordered mine in January I asked for 68" but 66" was the max.

[Bud B.]

I would advise on backset. Mine throws arrows very quickly. At the weight you're looking to get it should be fine. A 40# DJ would be great for all you're asking from it plus it would be good for hunting deer sized game.

[trad_in_cali]

I'm shooting a JD Berry Vixen (Hill-style, straight grip and backset). 43# at my 28.5 draw length.
It has a lot of power and casts a 430 grain arrow with authority: my point-on with 3-under is 34 yards. You'll be fine with that weight. Enjoy,
Marco

[Overspined]

Agreed with backset, maybe straight. Would you get less finger pinch with straight? You may want that if so. With your draw length a 68" is a good choice if you are sensitive to finger pinch.  

That's the whole point of glass...at least originally.  It was to increase performance and stop the bow from following the string. I can't figure out why anyone would want SF?...even the self bow makers add backing and whatever they can to keep the bow from becoming too much SF. Hill put a ton of backset in his bows when he started with glass, I've never seen one of his with glass and SF.  Anyway, I owned one and it was a great shooter.  I thought of reshaping the grip more to my liking, it was used, but decided I'd just sell it order one if I decided I couldn't live without one.  It's a superbly finished bow. I was impressed. What I heard was all true.

[Alan Coe]

I am a Dave Johnson bow owner. 66" is a great length for his bows. The Red Cedar lams are awesome.

Best Hill Style bow I have ever shot. Smooth and quiet. Lots of cast. Super light in the hand. The Myrtle Riser is beautiful.

Alan

[Bill Turner]

Contact "Ric O'Shay" (Danny Long) on TG for first hand info. He just recently received his second Dave Johnson bow. Danny knows his bows and would be glad to share his opinion with you.  

[kestimator]

You guys are killing me.  I need to sell off one of my toys and it was going to be my Dave Johnson.  I don't need to be reminded how sweet it shoots    LOL!!!
Congrats on the pending DJs guys!!  I predict that you are going to like them a lot!!

[Overspined]

Kevin ,

Where'd you get that bow?

[kestimator]

LOL Matt!!!  I think you know  

[Brazos]

After talking to Dave for a while I ordered mine with backset.  I was not interested in string follow and planned to go straight or backset.   Dave left me with the impression his bows worked really well with a slight 3/4" backset.  I figured he is the bowyer with many, many years of experience developing his red cedar LB so it would make sense to take his advice.  On top of that I too ordered a lower poundage (40#) bow.  I figure a little extra zip is a good thing.  I am going to go out on a limb here and make a statement that could be wrong.  It seems to me the lower the draw weight the less string follow makes a noticeable difference.

[nineworlds9]

Prometheus, at your draw length minimum 64, 66 prolly ideal, iif you don't mind 68 then great.  Depends on primary use...if hunting 64-66, if primarily target/field 66-68 good rule o thumb.   Important thing IMO if you go longer than 66 is to have the bow tillered to your draw and not just a canned @28 bow. If you're shooting a lower weight say mid 30s to mid 40s backset is nice for a little more snap.  Nothing wrong with stringfollow bows either, esp if you go heavier, little more stable maybe, but straight or backset good stuff.  I draw between 28-29 closer to 29 and shoot a 66" 50# Miller with about 3/4" backset and love it.  I wholeheartedly feel the longer the bow the more tolerable a higher weight becomes due to leverage.  Do your homework and good luck.

[Prometheus]

You guys have been great! Thanks so much for all the quick advice. I think I'm definitely going to go with the 66". Dave said he could do 68", but he recommended the 66". My 66" flat bow is a pleasure, and the length feels "right", I just thought I'd ask in case others thought there was a huge advantage or something and I woul really be missing out.

I think I'll go 40# and slightly backset, as per Dave's and many of you guys' advice. I think 40# is a nice versatile weight that allows a lot of hunting options around here. I like the look of straight limbs, but Dave only does a slight backset and it seems he feels it makes the bow smoothest all the way through the draw. That sounds pretty good to me.

Thanks a ton for the info., folks! Pics to come in a month or so!

[nineworlds9]

Cool deal!

[Brazos]

Well it sounds like your bow will have the same specs as mine.  66", 40#, slight backset.  Dave & I had a similliar conversation. Hope to have mine soon.

[arrow flynn]

In the mid. 80s when trad archery was making a comeback people were shooting much heavier bow weights 60 and up was more common .I think a good percent of shooters were overbowed. The trend towards lighter weights is a good thing..

[Brazos]

Just finished crowning my new arrow shafts for my Dave Johnson that I hope to arrive in a couple weeks.  It will be 40# at 27". I got some 1816 XX75's for it.  I also got some 1916's as back-up but think the 1816's will work.  Now I need to figure out what wood spine and order some Surewoods.  I am guessing 40-45# spine range.

[Ric O'Shay]

Dave's red cedar bows are top shelf in my book. The day I received my first bow from Dave I called him and put my name back on his build list. Dave and his lovely bride, Pat, are the best. The red cedar is light in the hand and quick of cast. They give up absolutely nothing to bamboo.