Is a recurve the answer?

[TimRadke]

Hello all!  New member here.

I think I already know the answer to my question here, but it's always good to make certain...

I used to shoot a buddy's black widow recurve, and was good with it (18-20 yards was in the lungs 90% of the time).. so i decided to get into traditional.  I bought a Byron Ferguson longbow and could not hit anything with it!  12 yards tops was my effective range.  I did manage to take a fat forky on new year's eve, but it was tough to miss the 12 foot shot.  I bought it a but heavy too... 58 lbs at 28"... heavy considering I only shot 65 lbs with my compound.  I got frustrated as I couldn't shoot it well, and eventually went back to the pulley popper.

I'm interested in getting back into it again, but i still can't shoot my overbowed longbow well.  I've heard that recurves are easier to shoot, and considering that I've always shot recurves well, Im thinking I should get a nice lower poundage recurve (thinking rivers edge around 50 lbs), and put the BF longbow up on the wall and into retirement.

Im rambling a bit, but is my logic correct?  And considering I liked the Widow so much, should I spend the money and get one or save the $400 and go with the RER?

Thanks in advance!

[Deadbolt]

sounds like you are overbowed my friend...drop down some weight perfect the form with properly spined arrows.

ive never shot a LB so I can't comment on which is better but they say a recurve is easier to transition to from a compound then a longbow.

[Dave Bulla]

Well......Lots of folks claim a longbow is more forgiving to shoot than a recurve....

Bottom line, my guess is that you probably did not have properly matched arrows for your longbow.  That is, with properly tuned equipment, there is virtually no difference in accuracy from a longbow to a recurve or vice versa.

Now, if you are accustomed to a high wristed style from your compound days, a recurve may feel more "natural" to you but a longbow with a straighter grip should shoot just as well once you get used to the grip difference.

If the weight really is an issue, dropping 5 to 10 pounds certainly will help.

[p1choco]

I think there is always a misconception when compound shooters try or switch over to traditional.   The same 65# on a compound is no where near the same on a trad bow regardless of type (longbow/recurve).  Even when you are decreasing poundage by 7.  You'll start to hear things like start with something light (40-45 maybe 50#) to build up your back muscles.  And for the most part some people can get away with trying to muscle their bows with their arms.  Bone alignment and back muscle tension are the way to go along with other fundamentals.  Having your bow and arrows tuned are also key to good flight. Until your back is strong enough for your 58# pound bow, 1)learn to use them 2)make them stronger.  If you have the means to, post a video of your shooting form, and you'll get a lot of helpful responses about what you are doing right and things you can improve on.  Also what are your arrow specs?

[TRB]

Welcome Tim.  If your over bowed, it doesn't make any difference if its a longbow or a recurve. Drop down in weight, and I think you`ll see a defference.

[Rick Perry]

I agree with Bulla  ............. make sure your arrows are matched to your bow   .......... it makes a big difference   .......... thats probably why you shot your buddy's BW well  .... his arrows were probably spined right .


 I think matched arrows are the biggest problem for a lot of folks when they first "switch " to trad  ................. you cant count on most archery dealers to get you the right arrows   ............. if they sell mostly compounds they dont really understand matching arrows to a trad bow !  .......... you can not always go by a spine chart !!!!!!

 good luck !!!!

[Dave Lay]

some folks do shoot a recurve or longbow better. Plain and simple, but it usually has to do with the grip considering all else is in order ie tuned properly. As much as I love shootin and huntin with longbows, I am more consistant with my widow PSA.

[JL]

I personally shoot a high wrist recurve better then a longbow/recurve with a straight or low grip. If I shoot broken wrist, I'm all over the place.

But, if I spent a lot of time with a "hill" type LB, I'm sure I could shoot it OK. My problem is, I have to set time aside to shoot, as it is. Maybe when I have more time on my hands, I'll pick up a LB and learn to master that bow. I've learned that in order to do something well, reguardless of what it is, you have got to put in the time. Shooting instictivly takes time to gel (building form,release,fallow thru,ect). If your hinting that your overbowed, you probably are. If you shoot better with a curve over a LB, my advice is to go with the flow. If you approach any shot second guessing you can't pull it off, you have alrady talked yourself into missing. Drop down in weight, shoot as many bows as you can before you settle on one. It's pretty amazing when everything comes together and you pick up a bow that you just can't miss with. But for most of us, it takes a while and a boatload of pratice to get to the point where we can shoot a lot of different bows well. Then again, some of us just plain can't shoot different styles well.

Most of all, welcome to the site and enjoy the ride. There is a wealth of info here that folks give freely.

JL

[LV2HUNT]

In short, yes you were way too heavy and a regular longbow grip takes some time to learn. A recurve with a regular grip will help.

Hard to tell someone not to buy a Widow. If you can swing it why not! I would do the try to buy program so you can get exactly what you will be comfortable with. Give them a call and tell them what you are looking for.

Put your Longbow in the classifieds not on the wall   . Still a nice bow even if it is not for you.

[SCATTERSHOT]

As others have pointed out, you may be overbowed. I'd look for a recurve, 45# or so, to start the transition. By next season you'll be ready for the heavier bow.  They are everywhere on the auction site and classifieds here. Shooting that heavy bow will ingrain bad habits that you may never overcome.

Good luck!

[Tree man]

Howard Hill claimed that he wasn't good enough to shoot a recurve. Tons of people claim a recurve is easier to shoot than a longbow. Personally, I switch back and forth between them all the time. The absolute easiest bow to hit with I have ever used was a longbow... But the most difficult bows to manage in my opinion are longbows with Hill style blocky grips. Bottom line, choose whatever style you really want but DROP WEIGHT. Try something in the low to mid forties, have fun and get good with it.

[Bob B.]

Tim,

Sounds like the lower poundage is the answer.  since you already have a bow you do not have confidence in and is a little heavy in poundage for you, go ahead and get a recurve.  Heck, there are lots for sale here on this site.  A Black Widow bow is a great bow for sure.  However, if you are just getting into this type of shooting, maybe a less expensive bow is a better route to take.  If you end up loving it, you can always sell or trade bows and move up.

Good luck!!

Bob.

[Bjorn]

These days the R/D longbows make the recurve vs. longbow argument old hat. For all but a few really big animals 50# is more than adequate and will likely perform better for you.
There are plenty of R/Ds available for less than 600.00 I would recommend to try before you buy, and several bowyers offer that; like Fedora, Toelke, BW and more. Call around and see what's available. Have fun!

[TimRadke]

Thanks all.. sounds like I'm on the right track in decreasing poundage.  I shot a recurve for 5 yrs before i switched to shooting a compound instinctively for the next 10, so i'm confident that if I can find the right bow/setup and can shoot enough arrows through it, I'll be pleased... Plus I know a few guys who are into traditional who have already told me they'd help however they can.  I think that's the biggest difference I see between most traditionalists vs modern archers... the willingness to help vs argue what's the "best" product, etc.

Great site!  Thanks again, and I'm sure you'll be hearing from me soon enough!

[Tom]

Agree with all the above! Drop some weight, get good form and arrows to match the bow weight and have at it!!
 Have had Widows but for my  money two RER Bows would work-bias showing of course.
 Good luck and enjoy whatever bow you decide on.

[BRITTMAN]

I would probally say yes you would get the feel of a recurve quicker than the longbow especialy comming off the compound . Most of the time archers take to the recurve quicker when comming from compound due to more mass weight and most recurves have a simulair grip to the compound . I would go with a recurve that the grip fit your hand around 50 lbs at your draw , 2016 arrow with 125 up frount cut to 29 in .


Mike

[maxwell]

Have to say 48-52# RER td recurve would work great for you, I have both bows you mentioned and for the money RER is real hard to beat.  Just my opinion.

Bill