Rudder bows

[2bird]

I’m looking for a self bow, i would love to build one myself but right now with 4 kids, moving in the near future and a big old honey do list it just aint going to happen anytime soon.

What do you guys think of the rudder bows? Any good, fair?

Not asking a lot out of the bow just a decent shooter for close (25 yards and in) range hunting.  

Also what weight? I guess what I’m really asking is how much performance lack is there between a 45# modern recurve and a 45# self bow? I really like the 40-45# range but don’t want a complete dog of a self bow either, I know they won’t stack up neck and neck but I would like to send a 400 - 450 ish grain arrow around 170 fps+, what weight am I looking for?

[McDave]

I don't have a lot of experience with self bows, but I do own several that were made by John Strunk, a well known and respected bowyer of self bows.  I also have several friends who shoot other self bows and have observed the subjective differences in trajectory/speed between their bows and my laminated fiberglass backed bows.

My experience is that about 155 fps is about the maximum you can expect from a 45# self bow pulled to 28" shooting a 10 gpp arrow.  145 fps would also be a respectable speed from this type of bow.

My laminated fiberglass backed bows in the 40-45# range will typically shoot 165-170 fps with a 10 gpp arrow.  Of course, this type of bow is also capable of attaining 185-190 fps, or even more, with a lighter arrow as long as it is within the design capabilities of the bow.  

I wouldn't recommend shooting an arrow much lighter than 10 gpp in a self bow.

People do hunt and take game with self bows; just look at any issue of Primitive Archer.  They just have to try harder and shoot at closer ranges to do it.

Sorry, have no specific experience with Rudder bows.

[2bird]

Thanks McDave, good info. i guess i should just go with a 45-50# bow as it may lose some of it's weight over time. I plan to shoot 11/32 POC with 145 grain points (have a bunch of 145 grain glue on broadheads i want to use) so whatever those weigh is what i will be shooting.

[McDave]

You can minimize your loss of draw weight over time by unstringing the self bow whenever it is not in use.  Even the same day, unstring it if you're not going to be using it for an hour or so.

If you haven't shot the bow for more than a few days, exercise it before drawing it to full draw.  In other words, first draw it about 1/3, then 1/2, then 2/3, letting down after each short draw, before you draw it to full draw and shoot it.

The max draw length on a self bow isn't just a suggestion; it's critical.  Don't ever let anyone draw it past the max recommended draw length.

[2bird]

Great info!

[nineworlds9]

Rudderbows- fair to $#/!, at best.  Your $ would be better spent elsewhere IMHO.

[2bird]

Originally posted by nineworlds9:
Rudderbows- fair to $#/!, at best.  Your $ would be better spent elsewhere IMHO.

I have started to come up with that conclusion myself. When you look at a pic of a bow and the first thing that pops into your head is "i could have done better than that, drunk", well there’s your sign...

I have a background of building flintlocks so I’m sure i could end up with a decent self bow.

[Pat B]

There is plenty of info here to help you build your own selfbow. Get your wood and post pics as you go along. There are plenty of experienced folks here on Trad Gang to walk you through it.
 George Tsoukalas has a great website that will get you from selecting the wood to finishing the bow and everything between. There are a few others here also. You Tube has lots of info also.

[nineworlds9]

Originally posted by 2bird:
 

Originally posted by nineworlds9:
Rudderbows- fair to $#/!, at best.  Your $ would be better spent elsewhere IMHO.

I have started to come up with that conclusion myself. When you look at a pic of a bow and the first thing that pops into your head is "i could have done better than that, drunk", well there’s your sign...

I have a background of building flintlocks so I’m sure i could end up with a decent self bow. [/b]

"Functional" would be my best effort at a positive assessment.  I guess if I wanted to stay positive I could say "if it gets people shooting"...

[Dan bree]

Strunk.  Stim Wilcox  and James rempp . I'm sure ther are many more but I think they  are the best out there. And my rempp will shoot right up there with a glassed bow.  And the strunk and Wilcox also.  Properly made and designed a self bow will not be a dog.  !,      And a real pleasure to shoot. . Contact  James  on Facebook hamstring. Archery.    And check out his bows.