Newbie to trad and have some questions

[Fireman2019]

I am ordering a Black Widow very soon and have most of the specs worked out (except the wood lams).  One thing I am unsure of is split finger or three under tiller.  Before I switched to using a release for compounds (mid 90's), I shot split finger.  Is there any great advantage to 3 under?  Or should I just stick with split finger? I am going to call the guys at Black Widow tomorrow and talk to them as well. I shoot a 76 pound Hoyt Carbon Spyder currently.  I shot a recurve in a local shop that was 60 pounds at 28" inches and I felt pretty comfortable with it.  After about 10 shots I was a bit tired, but I figured that my muscles would quickly strengthen with practice.

[azhunter]

I would say if you are new to trad, don't overbow yourself. A 50# bow will kill anything in North America. Before you order see if you can shoot a bow a little lighter than 60# and see how it feels. Accuracy is more important than shooting a 60# bow. If 10 arrows and then you were tired drop down to a lighter bow. There are guys shooting 60# plus trad bows but I think they are the exception and not the rule.

[azhunter]

I would say if you are new to trad, don't overbow yourself. A 50# bow will kill anything in North America. Before you order see if you can shoot a bow a little lighter than 60# and see how it feels. Accuracy is more important than shooting a 60# bow. If 10 arrows and then you were tired drop down to a lighter bow. There are guys shooting 60# plus trad bows but I think they are the exception and not the rule.

[JRY309]

For a new guy I would stay around the 45# to 50# for a new traditional shooter.Like you said you get tired of the 60# bow after about 10 shots.You don't want to start off with developing bad form with a bow that is not comfortable after 10 or so shots.Definitly talk with the guys at Black Widow.Have you shot many other trad bows,there is a lot of great buys in the classifieds.Just switching over I would try some different bows and see what you like.

[Orion]

Congrats on a new bow.  60# is a lot to start with unless you're a real horse, and it's not really needed for most critters. Keep in mind that with 60-80% let off, you were only holding 20-30# at full draw with your wheelie bow.

Split finger or three under is a personal preference thing. Have proponents on both sides,and each seem to rigorously promote/defend their way of doing it vis-a-vis the other. Regardless of how a bow is tillered, it can be shot either way.  

I suggest you pick up a good book on traditional archery.  It will answer a lot of questions for you and save you about 1,000 posts.  Here are a few to consider.  The Traditional Bowhunter's handbook, by T.J. Conrads, Timeless Bowhunting by Roy,  Marlowe, either of the two books on Instinctive Shooting by G. Fred Asbel, or Shooting the Stickbow by Anthony Camera.

Welcome to the gang.

[woodslinger]

In my opinion it really doesn't matter. Just pick the one you are most comfortable with and stick with it. Once you master one method than you can try switching and see for yourself which one works the best for you. I shot split for the first 5 years I shot and then switched to 3 under and still shoot that way today 35 years later.

As for the poundage if it were me I would get a set of 50-55lb limbs to start and shoot that for a while. That poundage will handle anything in North America if you put it where you should. Once that becomes easy than order a set of heavier limbs if you think you need them.

Good luck and congratulations on a great new hobby!

[JB74nola]

I'm fairly new to trad too. I have been shooting a longbow for a few months now. I over shot it the first week and had issues in my shoulder and had to put it down for a couple weeks, don't over do it. I took archery classes at summer camp when I was younger shooting split, but I read something about how 3 finger isn't for everyone but everyone should try it out... Well, I'm shooting 3 under religiously now. It tightened up my groupings without any noticeable noise increase, but I would try it out before ordering your widow tillered for it.

[lt-m-grow]

Whew...as far as poundage...I shot compound in target  leagues (60 shots) all night at 75 lbs.   When I started trad, I bought a 50 lbs recurve per some of the advice here.  Shot it some and quickly moved up to 60 - 65 lbs and haven't shot that first bow in 8-10 years.  So my advice...don't buy your custom bow yet.  Shop the classifieds and save some money to find your preferred poundage.

THEN BUY A CUSTOM BOW :-)

Regarding three under...again don't buy a custom bow yet.  I have shot split and three under and split and three under... and now I REALLY shoot three under :-)

So again, shop the classifieds find your preferred method THEN BUY A CUSTOM BOW!

Have fun and this is the best advice I can offer to the good advice already given except that you cannot go wrong buying a widow or listening to their sound advice.

[LimBender]

X2 on lt-m-grow's advice - get something used and cheap to learn.  You can't know what you like until you start shooting with some consistency.  That goes for all decisions - recurve v longbow, grip, split finger and weight.  

If you are shooting 76 compound you should be able to work up to at least 60 or so, but don't start with 60.

I started in low to mid 40s and am now comfortably shooting low to mid 50s.

[maineac]

I shot split finger for a lot of years, then went to three under for a couple of years.  Then I went back to split.  I noticed no real consistency improvement with three under, and split just feels more natural to me.  There are others who find three under to be more consistent. I believe it comes from having all three fingers together, preventing one of the fingers from staying on the string longer than the other two.  Good luck with your journey.  I too would say become a contributing member and shop on the classifieds before ordering your first bow.

[mcgroundstalker]

Lots of good advice here... But, if you have your heart set on ordering a new Black Widow, go for it! Just get a Widow in the 50# range at your draw length... Shooting a trad bow should be fun during the learning curve... Don't think about arrow speed or laser flat trajectory... Learn How To Shoot A Trad Bow The Right Way From The Start!

You may never go back to wheels again... Find a one-on-one teacher/coach to show you the ropes... Books and videos are good if you can put what you (learn) into practice... Most of all, don't pressure yourself... Slow and steady is the way to go!

Welcome Aboard!

... mike ...    ...

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky!

Thats a question only you can answer. You will have to shoot a bow (thats tuned for three under) for about 7 days in a row three under before you will know which is best for you. Whichever way you decide on your brain will adjust.

If you have a bow tillered for split and shoot it three under you will just most likely just have to move the nock point up some and it will shoot fine.

Great advice here about the 50lb bow choice. I made the mistake of shooting a 60lb bow when I started. I know like them right at 50@28.

[Fireman2019]

I definitely need to get over the poundage issue.  It's tough to wrap my head around.  With my Hoyt, more poundage meant a flatter shooting bow at distance.  The main reason I am starting traditional is for the challenge.  The last few seasons with my compound have been very productive.  But I might as well have been shooting a 30-30.  I killed my mule deer at 92yds double lung.  I am getting bored with it and practicing isn't as fun.  I think I will drop to 55#'s for the weight.  I can always order heavier limbs later.  I appreciate everyone's advice.  Hopefully I'll be ready by September to chase some turkeys and mule deer.

[mcgroundstalker]

Get yourself a trad bow and arrows "matched-up" at your draw... Remember, you will have a limited effective range for a short while... Hit the 3D range and stump shoot as often as you can... Have fun with it!

Many years ago I read an article in an outdoor magazine that sparked my interest in recurves for hunting... It said something to the effect of:

If you can always hit a 6" paper plate at five yards, go hunting with your new bow... Just Don't Shoot Over Five Yards! Understand your limits, hold to the cover and hunt...

Some people learn faster than others... You have the basics down with your compound... It should be a short time getting ready for September.

Good Luck!

[moebow]

Fireman,

Welcome to trad, but I have to say from a coach's perspective, that even a 70 or 80# C bow is only holding somewhere in the area of 15# at full draw.  You are talking about 4 times the holding weight you are used too.

Pulling a C bow to full draw has LITTLE relation to drawing a trad bow to full draw.  You are in the group of "converts" that are MOST likely biting off more than you can chew (VERY common!).

Just because you think you can pull the 60# bow doesn't mean you can control it. (or completely dominate it)

I truly wish you luck but frankly don't think you'll have it.

Good luck!!

Arne