Does the same pound pull (weight) feel lighter on a recurve?

[El Perro]

Sorry if this has been covered before...

I mainly shoot longbows.  Have until just recently only shot longbows for the past many years actually.The past few times I've shot a recurve it feels like 55# is lighter i.e. easier to pull, than 55# on a longbow.  Same draw length and other variables.  

Is this a common feeling with recurves or am I just imagining it?

[dhermon85]

I think it may feel a little lighter but probably just the limbs opening up

[damascusdave]

I have an RER LXR that is a 3 piece takedown with a set of static tip recurve and a set of highly reflexed longbow limbs...both sets are 57 pounds...I cannot tell the difference

DDave

[McDave]

Theoretically, a 55# recurve will gain less pounds per inch of draw at full draw than a 55# longbow.  The recurve gains more pounds earlier in the draw.  This may be what you're feeling.

OTOH, each bow has it's own particular feel, and the particular recurve you shot may just have a "smoother" draw than your longbows.  There are a lot of variables that go into making a smooth drawing bow other than just limb shape.

[Orion]

Yep.  What McDave said. The draw force curve is usually a little different between the two types of bows, with longbows tending to build weight a tad more toward the end of the draw.  That may make them feel heavier, but ultimately, if they're both 55#, you're still holding the same weight at full draw.  

It's possible, too, that the poundage on one or both of the bows you're shooting is mismarked.  That's a fairly common occurrence.

Lots of other design and composition factors also come into play. Some bows just stack more than others.  Shorter bows tend to stack more quickly than longer bows, for example, but there are all kinds of things that can be done with bow design and materials to smooth out the draw force curve regardless of bow type.

[David Mitchell]

I have found that longer limbed longbows feel a tad bit lighter on the draw to me than shorter ones of the same weight.  I have a Schulz that is 50@ and 69" long and it seems to draw easier than shorter long bows I have of the same weight that are 66".  I believe the added leverage gives more mechanical advantage thus causes the better feel.

[El Perro]

Thanks guys.  Stack and draw force curve makes sense.

[Paul_R]

It can depending on the bow. Toelke claims their Chinook does and being a Toelke owner (and fan) I believe it.

[reddogge]

I've never seen a force draw curve for a regular longbow, not a r/d longbow.