Hill Style: JD Berry Vixen vs. HHA and David Miller

[Bluegoose]

Sold my HHA Cheetah and my David Miller custom bows last year when I needed to drop way down in weight to get my shoulder healed. Bought several r/d bows including an Abbott which I like a lot. But I'm getting the itch again for a Hill style bow and am looking at a Vixen by JD Berry. Any thoughts comparing a Vixen to the HHA and David Miller bows.  Due to my form change and ongoing rehab. I'm going to stick with something close to 50# at my 29.5" draw. Both my bows were 68".

[moebow]

They are all VERY good bows.  You won't go wrong with any choice.  You may want to check out wait times, that would be my only reservation.  How fast do you want the bow?  Last I heard, HHA is still the shortest wait time.

Arne

[Centex]

My new 50@29 68" Halfbreed with backset shots like a dream. Have not shot a Miller, but I would assume it would be the longest wait.  Berrys are the best looking.

[Bluegoose]

Arne, thanks. I appreciate your opinion. There is no big rush. And thanks again for your shooting form videos. They have helped my daughter and I.

What are you guys' opinions of limb woods. Any big difference in cast between yew and bamboo in a Hill style bow? Kinda leaning toward a Redman.

[moebow]

I really think there is little difference in core woods in a Hill style.  BUT, I am partial to bamboo (NOT action boo) for limb cores.  No real reason than that was Howard's preferred core.

I have both yew and "boo" and  both are good, just a personal idiosyncrasy  that I like bamboo better.

Glad to have been of help.

Arne

[Steve Jr]

I recently ordered a bow from JD and he said 9/10 months. I have not shot any of these bows but they all seem to have a good following.

[arrow flynn]

They are both good bows hha and jd berry .I give the edge to jd having shot them both .I have not shot the miller.mho

[Bill Turner]

Can't go wrong with a HH bow or JD Berry. I havn't shot the "Vixan", but JD's Morningstar and Tiapan are top performers. I have several Hill bows. If I had to pick a favorite it would be a "Chettah" or a "Half Breed". Good luck with your search.  

How you order your bow can be as important as what bow you order.  A friend of mine ordered one for his compound draw length, he would not believe that his draw would settle to something shorter.  It dropped three inches.  The long draw bow was clunker at 27".  His next one was a good one.  My favorite right hand bow has a bit of a thump if it is under drawn, but virtually none if it is close to my draw or drawn a little long, which I do sometimes.  Craig said that was because at the proper draw, the tips are coming in more.

[DaveT1963]

I've shot several of James' bows - cant go wrong with a JD Berry

[Bluegoose]

Originally posted by pavan:
How you order your bow can be as important as what bow you order.  A friend of mine ordered one for his compound draw length, he would not believe that his draw would settle to something shorter.  It dropped three inches.  The long draw bow was clunker at 27".  His next one was a good one.  My favorite right hand bow has a bit of a thump if it is under drawn, but virtually none if it is close to my draw or drawn a little long, which I do sometimes.  Craig said that was because at the proper draw, the tips are coming in more.

That is a great point. I've got to double check my drawlength. Since switching to an upright, olympic style of form my drawlength has actually increased quite a bit. I think 30.5 is pretty close right now. Important data if I'm going to order one.

Thanks to all for the thoughts. They are very helpful.

[Brianlocal3]

I've owned all the makers you have listed and for me personally it's JD Berry all the way .
I feel they are all good bows but the level of finesse and little details James adds to his set them apart. The Vixen seems to be a more efficient bow to me also, gentler on the shot and a more refined , sleek look.

[soap creek]

My favorite bow right now is a HH Redman. 68in.47@28 very smooth, I like it a lot. I've also owned a couple Vixens in the past and they were nice bows too. James does some fine work. Like Moebow mentioned I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

[Ric O'Shay]

I too am riding the Berry train. I've owned all three bows and each one was (is) a good bow. The Hill and Miller bows while great shooters are "what you see is what you get". That means they are beautiful and functional bows. That said, James is a wood artist. He has an eye for what works in the wood and can produce for you a work of art. Point in fact:

 
 
 

[Ric O'Shay]

But the Miller and Hills are not too shabby either.
     

 
 
 

[Bluegoose]

Mighty nice group of bows you have there, Danny! Thanks for posting those photos.