Hill Guys. I need help.

[Chain2]

For reasons beyond my mental capacity I want another bow. I want a Wesley Special. My first dip into this pool was with a Wesley I swapped a rifle for. I was too green to truly appreciate it I think. I’m shooting an Echo #62 @ 30”. It is 70” long. String follow with a dished grip. Should or can I duplicate those specs with a Wesley? Something different? Maybe you could shed some insight on why I feel the need to have another? Thanks Guys.

[TealCoin]

I can not speak for the first two questions...

As for the last question - The answer is this:  You have a passion, many perhaps.  Just so happens that one is archery, particularly "Traditional Archery".  You need to feed that passion.  It's addictive and very rewarding to shoot.  You need a bow to shoot... not one, but many.  Keeps things interesting .

Good luck on the new bow venture! 

[Deno]

Jim

If that Wesley is on your mind.....go for it.   You'll regret it if you don't.  A very special bow for sure.  You might call Craig and inquire.

Deno

[pavan]

What is your wing span? 

[Macatawa]

I can identify with that!

You can duplicate that configuration / experience with other ASL builders.  I doubt you will be able to fully appreciate the difference .  Chuck has built the ECHO for many years now with a great following.  HHA (Craig Elkin) has been cranking out that same bow for years.  Guess it would be a flip of the coin for me as I started with an HHA Halfbreed, went to a Sunset Hill and finally settled on an Osage Royale built by Chuck Jones (Black Rhino bows).

i still shoot the 66" Royale...sold the Halfbreed (too heavy for me)

[Rock 'N Bow]

There are so many variations in Hill bows but the most important aspect is the grip. I really like dished grips but straight grips are my favorite. It boils down to what works best for you. If you are comfortable with a dished grip, order your Wesley with one. If you want something a little different, try backset limbs. I'm sure whatever you decide you'll be happy.

[Pfranchise]

Jim I would take a serious look at a Belcher Union Jack or American Longbow. Jim Belcher makes a great longbow and he is located in Michigan also. If he is close enough to you it might be worth stopping by his shop. Nothing like getting hands on a bow before you buy it. I recently had him build me a Union Jack which I love, it stacks arrows like no longbow I’ve shot.

[Sam McMichael]

If you like the Wesley, go for it. Otherwise you may always wonder "what if?" If it doesn't work out, you can easily sell it and try something else. If you like dished grips, you will like that on a Wesley. Both of mine have dished grips. That works well, as I have rather small hands. However, if you think a straight grip might be better, it shouldn't be hard to find somebody who will let you try it out. Look on the HHA website and call the company, and you will be able to get a rundown on all the specs they can build into your bow. I am a tremendous fan of both HHA and Northern Mist bows.

[pavan]

Perhaps you need to 'see someone' about this to find out how you really feel.  Or, maybe you are wondering if something could be made better.   The first thing is to find what, for you, would be better and then order a new bow according to what you discovered about you.   Just like tuning ASLs, the first thing to do is decide how you want to use it and then tune yourself first. 

[limbshaker]

If you want a new bow, go for it.

I sure hope you didn't think anyone here was going to talk you out of it! 

If you have a string follow now, my only thoughts would be to get a straight or backset model this time around. That's exactly what I'm doing. I have a Northern Mist Shelton now, and I'm on the list for a Northern Mist Classic (slight backset) this fall.

[Hoosierarcher88]

Ive looked into asl's several times and ive come to the conclusion if i were going to go with one it would be a toss uo between a maddog follower extreme (string follow with a little different lam taper than normal hills for less shock) or one of the offerings from mcbroom. Either of which are better price than the hha bows.

[Chain2]

Thanks Guys. I don’t necessarily want to replace my Echo by any means. I just want another. Pavan, I forget what my wingspan is but my draw is close to 31”. One of the reasons for this is, I’m going west for another hunt and I was thinking of having a back up bow. At least that’s what I told Sue. I think she knows I’m just wanting another. I am torn also for one of Steve’s Sheltons or maybe a Ramer. I like string follow I guess because the bows I’ve shot that have string follow I’ve shot better.

[Overspined]

If you really have a 31” draw stay long with Hill style. 70” for sure. If you want to have a bow that might fit you better I’d go reverse handle and still stay long and have it backset. That way it will create a super stable bow but effectively reduce your draw length through design by about 1.5-2”. It puts the string angle at a more comfy place and the reverse handle is lights out accurate. Combining string follow and reverse handle in the same bow  is not my favorite but some like it. I find it feels soft and looses more than I’m willing to give up.

[Hoosierarcher88]

If your draw is that long i would really look into the McBroom forward handle

[pavan]

For a 30" plus draw, you must be a tall one.  I believe that you can get a Wesley in the reverse handle, even then I would suggest 70".  Yep, you definitely need a new bow.  Not sure you need a string follow with a reverse grip, you may want to get one that is the best Fast Flight friendly layup that Craig can make.

[evgb127]

For what it's worth, I recently bought a HHA stringfollow Big 5 and it had significantly less stringfollow than most of the other ASLs that I've shot, including my McBroom.  Nevertheless, it is a great bow and I highly recommend giving Craig a call.  He has a wealth of information, he will take the time to speak with you about building the right bow for you, and the build time is under a month.  My two cents say go for it... then post lots of pictures!