Used Bow Suggestions for Practice

[knot klipper]

I'm looking for used bow manufacturer suggestion for a practice bow before I get a Black Widow.  I like the Fred BEar recurves and would appreciate some other bow manufacturers to look for.  I don't want to spend more than $150 as I would rather put the money towards the BW.  My draw length is around 28" and I prefer a 45 to 50 # max.  I'll be looking on the online auction sites for the most part.  Thanks

[30coupe]

I'd go with the Bear, especially the older ones. The Black Bear is hard to beat, in my opinion, but Grizzly's are easier to find and are fine bows. Either one can be found for under $150.

Herter's made some great bows, but the prices seem to be climbing on them. A good one would probably eclipse your price limit.

I don't have much experience with other brands. Others may be able to offer opinions.

[Killdeer]

Look at the Ben Pearson Colts or Stallions. They can be had in the weights you desire, and have the "built in stabilizers" that the Super Kodiak features.
They usually go for pretty cheap, too.    

Killdeer

[Scott S.]

The Ben Pearsons, Shakespeares, and some Brownings often go for less money than the Bears if you're not too concerned with bow design.  Otherwise, Killdeer's post above for the "built in stabilizer" is a great suggestion.

[vermonster13]

The older Wings can go pretty cheap and are excellent shooters.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Martin makes some of the finest bows out there, IMO, and some of the older ones can be had for less than your budgeted price. Sometimes they are listed as Damon Howatt, but it's the same bow. Killy's advice is right on, too. Those older Pearsons are shooters.

[eagle24]

Originally posted by vermonster13:
The older Wings can go pretty cheap and are excellent shooters.

I'll second the older Wings.  Shakespeares were/are great shooters as well.

[indianalongbowshooter]

Martin, Ive got a Super Diablo that I gave 175.00 for and it shoots as good as any custom Ive ever shot and thats a bunch, had the tips converted to FF and it will shoot a 420 gr. arrow in the mid 190`s at 29 in. bow scales 47@28.

[Curtiss Cardinal]

Herters Bows are unsung bows that are great shooters. I'd own some if I could find some in my prefered weights.A Perfection Sitka will shoot as fast as most bows made today.

[trapperDave]

hard to beat the pearsons for price and shootability, you can buy em all day for 75-150 on the auction site

[Marblesonac]

Originally posted by indianalongbowshooter:
Martin, Ive got a Super Diablo that I gave 175.00 for and it shoots as good as any custom Ive ever shot and thats a bunch, had the tips converted to FF and it will shoot a 420 gr. arrow in the mid 190`s at 29 in. bow scales 47@28.

If that has the clear glass, you got a GREAT deal.

I have wanted one of those since about 1992.  I bought a Howatt Hunter that year that I still have and like a lot, because it was half the price.

[Shawn Leonard]

I would look for some of the brownings from the early 70's. Those bows are as quick as most bows today and handle very well. Also an old Root is hard to beat for a great shooting bow. Shawn

[Blackhawk]

Any of the bows mentioned would be good choices for the intended purpose, but I prefer the Bear since most are still reasonably priced, especially the Grizzly, Kodiak Hunters, Black Bear,...and they are easy to sell when the time comes.  

A close second is Shakespeare who made some great shooters and their prices are even better than Bear's in most cases.