Advice on bow purchase, riser mass weight and bow length.

[RedShaft]

While sitting here before heading off to church this morning I wanted to ask you guys your advice.
I have not been shooting a whole lot lately and I have not been hunting with the tradbow for a few years now. I’m wanting to get myself a new bow. I have had bob lee, black widow, bear and a longbow. My shooting right now is where I’m wanting to get back to really shooting more and enjoying it for what it is. More backyard, 3-d and going to traditional shoots. I may with that dabble back into hunting with a traditional bow.
I have always shot 58” recurved mostly for hunting purpose. 28” draw. I was really going to get myself a toelke chinook a while back in 60 in long. I even called and talked to Dan a few times. Lately I have been shooting a bear grizzly.

What has me here asking this question is I don’t really care much for the weight. Kinda light in hand. I really liked the mass of my widow pch 58” I had.
I know the chinook is very light. I Think it would be a fantastic hunting bow without a doubt! I’m just worried I won’t like that light weight shooting “fun/competition” I’m just stuck now. Because I always used to hunt and now I’m doing more fun shooting and thing I may shoot better with the heavier riser bow, I miss that solid shot with a heavy bow I had in my pch.

Can you guys who do the 3-d and shoots stuff mostly chime in and give me some advice? I was thinking ILF setup or going to something heavier like a 3pc like my widow, bow lee was. I’m not sure what length, I definitely want to be at least a 60” bow and would definitely consider a 62”. I’m planning on having it setup no heavier than 45lbs. I think I’m the back of my head I would like the ability to take it to the woods if the feeling to do so hits me.
I know this is long winded but I have been saving up and have been thinking this over lately.

[Orion]

I think you already know what you want, but if you want further confirmation, think about what all the all the top target and 3-D shooters shoot.  They shoot heavy risered recurves.  They're comfortable to shoot and it's just easier to be more accurate with them than small, light risered 50s style recurves or longbows.  And, there's no reason you can't take a heavier riser recurve hunting. Good luck on your decision. 

 

[blacktailbob]

I would say if you think you like the way the heavier bow feels, stick with it. Draw weight will likely affect your shooting more. A slightly longer bow will also feel more comfortable when shooting. Especially for extended periods.

With a custom ordered bow the bowyer can tell you which woods are noticeably heavier in the hand as well what length might be best.
Getting older my self I've come down from shooting a 66lb bow 20 years ago to less than 45 now. Currently a 64" Blacktail takedown with dense woods in the riser. Personally I like the slightly heavier feel in my hand.

[Sam McMichael]

I never differentiate between my target and hunting bows. They are all the same bows. Since I shoot Hill style bows, lighter mass weight appeals to me. It seems that you like the feel of a heavy bow, and, as Orion stated, you can hunt or shoot targets very well with a heavy bow - just look at all the hunting pictures that have Widows in them.

[McDave]

45# is a good compromise if you want to mix hunting and 3D. A better 3D bow would be 40#.  You can get really good lightweight arrows for a 40# bow that will shoot fast and flat.  62” would be a good compromise length for both hunting and 3D.  A better 3D length would be 64”.  I really like the weight of the Bob Lee and Black Widow takedown recurves for both hunting and 3D.  Obviously, YMMV.

[Friend]

I typically participate in over 25 3D events and hit the field more than 100 times each year. However, in stating this, I am no authority but due recognize my own personal preferences.
My propensity to favor plenty of mass weight both on the range and in the field has remained consistent throughout the years. I also favor risers that are all phenolic and G10 in conjunction with dense woods such as cocobolo and macassar. Those heavy wood combinations without phenolic have also been good. Note: ILF bows have been wonderful to work with over the past 7 years.

My draw weight preference is 40#’s for 3D yet I hunt with heavier.  Guys that I had setup, built hunting arrows for and guided for were quite successful in harvesting deer with 40#s.

Most of my ground blinds accommodate bows up to 66”s. I hunt with 62” recurves and longer longbows when possible. The same preference goes with 3D...(my draw is 28"s) Possibly, if 3D was my sole or primary interest, I would be toting my WF25 and shooting my longer setups.

There are many characteristics that may be positive attributes, however I am not proficient nor consistent enough to notice nor capitalize on the advantages. Shot a 3D last weekend without a single five. Shot a total of 160 3D targets Friday and yesteday. My shooting was pitiful the first 140 targets.

A few characteristics of which I do not compromise:
1.   Grip
2.   Mass wt
3.   Draw weight

Wish you much success in your quest.

[acedoc]

i have had a total of 5 bows in hand. a samick sage, a trinity longbow falcon, an ilf by jim belcher, another trinity falcon and my present fancy a toelke ss recurve. the ilf has that heavy mass feel you want and somehow i am accurate with it too. however the featherlight Toelke recurve is the one i am investing all my efforts in. the real question you need to ask is - whether you value smoothness of draw over all else? I do and all my future bows will be toelke.  i shoot an average of 100 shots /day and would go with smooth and light. the silence of a toelke is another disconcerting factor.

[RedShaft]

Thanks guys
I guess it’s not so much that it needs to be black widow heavy, just what I can compare as to what I have owned.
The grizzly I’m shooting now if it had a loaded quiver would suffice weight wise.  I just think the Toelke would have been excellent for me for hunting running a quiver. But I know from reading they are light and hand and I just don’t care much for a light bow to shoot for what I’m going to use it for.
Not where I’m really at anymore. For me this bow will be for 3-d and just to shoot and enjoy it. Why I’m even thinking going to ILF route again like I was a few years ago.
. But I always revolved around hunting for me. But I’m not hunting with traditional anymore at this point in my life. Maybe sometime, but its more for the enjoyment of shooting and starting back to shoots, just going out and pleasure shooting kinda stuff.
 I have never done that and im looking forward to that kind of shooting and Not messing around building a heavy arrow. Just want to watch that arrow fly.
Thanks for the suggestions guys!

[McDave]

Toelke used to make a 3 piece longbow called the Lynx, which is heavy enough to suit your needs, plus all the other magic Dan puts into his bows. I have two of them, and they are not for sale!  You might call him and ask if he is currently making anything comparable, weight wise.

[acedoc]

lynx is out of production, i had asked due to the possibility of getting 2 sets of limbs.

[Longtoke]

Another option might be to add a sturdy bow quiver like a GN to a light weight bow to add mass. A 2 piece chinook will also ad a bit of mass with the bow bolt and pheonolic riser.

I am partial to the toelkes though  ymmv

[Steelhead]

What longtoke said.I think Chinook in 60" would feel pretty solid and give you good mass weight with Phenolic riser and bowquiver.The Fox breed in 62 inches has a longer riser than most 50s style curves and does come with a Phenolic riser  upgrade and their 2 PC. brass/steel sleeve that's just under your hand adds some weight as well.That bow with a quver would have excellent weight in my experience buy still have a graceful and steamlined look and they shoot great!

Their are other one piece or 2 piece recurves with good mass weight that are more of a 60s style recurve with longer beefier risers like Wes Wallace,Super Kodiak,Widow,Big River etc..You might look into those styles.

 

[Wudstix]

Personally, I like Purple Heart in the riser it gives good mass weight, have a MOAB with that.  Also, Zircote is good, have a Big River 50's style recurve with that.  And reca Big River longbow with Zircote.  All have great handle weight.

[Kingstaken]

I agree 100% that most bows mostly LB's are too light in the hand and like longtoke said above I always add a bow quiver. Personally if I didn't have one mounted on my shrew, jd berry, 7 lakes or Vern Butler TD (pronghorn) I doubt I'd be shooting them. Most recurves handles are too big and brace heights to long to my liking. My 60" super shrew really hit the spot w/ perfect handle size and hand placement and w/ a strap on quiver weight and balance. The bow naturally wants to cant and sends wood arrows flying.

[jonsimoneau]

I like mass weight and definitely shoot better with it. If you want the ultimate ILF setup get yourself a WF19 riser and whatever you want for limbs. The riser alone is like 3.5 pounds. Been shooting one for a year now and it’s proven to be the most accurate setup I’ve ever had. It’s a metal riser of course but for wood bows I love my old Habu recurve and a black widow MA.

[RedShaft]

Thanks guys. Yeah I always run quivers on my
Bows for that reason. I’m just torn between getting another widow or going with the Toelke. Still have not made my mind up yet.

I do like ILF. I’m planning on getting one very soon. I have been thinking of a Hoyt Satori 19”. Everyone says about going with a 21” but my draw is 28”. I just don’t know.
Metal risers don’t bother me a bit. I think they have tremendously helped bring people in to our sport.
But I love wood bows too!

[old_goat2]

Watch for a used Toelke Lynx, its a 3 piece that Dan quit making. I've seen a couple on various classifieds in the past few weeks! If you can find one with Micarta in the riser and most of them have that, it has lots of mass!