Anyone shooting a 66" RD long bow in the 40-45 lb range

[Huntschool]

I have been off shooting for a bit due to health situations but have been thinking I want a longer smooth drawing RD LB to try and do some 3D shoots with starting this spring.

I have two Widow PL's one of which is a 45 @28 64" and it shot/shoots great but was wondering about a longer bow, 66" in the 40lb range.

Any thoughts appreciated.....

[Orion]

In a pretty extreme deflex reflex like the Widow, you probably won't notice the additional 2 inches in length much, but you'll definitely notice the 5# less weight.  Put them together, and I think you'll like the longer, lighter bow for 3D.  That being said, I, and many others,  find it harder too get off the string cleanly with a lighter weight bow. However, if you can train yourself to get a clean release with a light weight bow, which is one of the reasons we use them to work on form and targets, you'll be dynamite with a little heavier weight.  Good luck. 

[Huntschool]

Orion:

Thanks so much.  I have in the past, with 45lb bows, not have had more then 1fps variation off my release and that has been with either a glove or a tab so I think the lower poundage will work.  I was planning to have a bow tillered 3 under and use a cut down to two finger tab which would be highly "slicked" to get this to work.  I have been playing around with the wife's 35# LB and things seem to be working.  I just thought the 66" bow might be a smoother draw.

Here I go down a rabbit hole again.....  LOL

[Steelhead]

Might depend on your draw length.Like if your 30 inches or over the 66 incher might be better for getting the string off and feel smoother.

With a bow like your Widow the length may not be that critical and you might get better performance from the 64 inch bow.It even shoot better for you and or the bow may be a better fit for you.Itsd probably gonna be pretty close and you might have to have the 64 and 66 Widow both to shoot side by side to decide in the same poundage

For instance.I had a few different Big jim Buffalos in different lengths.Very similar to your Widow longbow actually.I have also had a few Widow longbows in 64 and 66".I did not notice much difference with the 2 length Widows.With the B.J Buffalo's I had a  few 62" inchers and liked them a lot.I also had a few 64 inchers and they were nice.But I like the 62 inchers more and how they shot and felt for me at around a 29 inch draw.Some might think well the 64 incher will be better for you and smoother and more accurate.But not really in real life for me.More limb length is not always beneficial and can be detrimental.I let the bow model tell me what length is best overall for my draw length and how I shoot and how the bow feels overall as well at a given length for that model.

With an ASL type longbow and their limb designs of straight,string follow or reflexed/setback type limbs I tend to lean toward the longer length more than with the more moderate to radical reflex deflex bows.

A mild reflex deflex D shape  longbow with a traditional riser is more similar to an ASL longbow and I typically go longer with those designs as well vs more hybrid radically designed longbows.

[Huntschool]

Steelhead:

I can find no opposition to anything you posted. Great info on you behalf.  I agree the bow needs to just feel good and perform well inside its own parameters and meanwhile fit the parameters I have in mind.

I suspect my question really goes to what other folks have found using a 66" RD LB at 28" draw (I have no use for an ASL style bow) relative to their own shooting style and I suspect somewhat particular to low poundage highly tuned 3D dedicated bow. When I had the 64" made there was a good bit of discussion about a 66"  My thoughts also include going with a different anchoring an sighting method which would increase my draw length by a bit.  I can shoot several different draw and anchor methods but really want to stay where I am comfortable.

My 64 PL shoots quite well and was ordered after some extended conversation with Roger and then a consequent visit to the "Widow House"  but that was for a true hunting bow.  I even ordered a plain Grey Bark and discussed building the grip up beyond a Toby which I did just to fit what I wanted.   

Likely, if I go with another Widow, it may require another trip to "Widow Land" to check out some things.  If I proceed with this I will want an all out "Widow X" build.  I like pretty for target work.

Thank you for your thoughts.

[old_goat2]

Maybe it's time you tried a Toelke Whip, you could have one in three or four weeks from ordering. Faster if you pick a stock bow. Get one with micarta in the riser! He has X models too with premium woods!

[mec lineman]

If you are after smooth drawing, there are a few other bows to consider. A 66" A&H will draw like butter. a 62" Centaur for me drew substantially smoother than a 64" BW pl. A 66" Whip is awesome and a 60" Whistler is great. for a milder R/D a 64" Baraga or 66" Superior .this is just my findings. The BW pl is tried and true, but a smoother drawing bow can be found.

[Petrichor]

I shoot a 66 inch three piece cardiac arrest long bow. R/d 66" long 43lbs at 28". Love it. When jose built this and my other 66 they have the limbs for his 68 inch bow and a 2 inch shorter riser. Really a pleasure to shoot. I have bows in 52", 56, 58, 62, and two in 66. Even though I am short and have a short draw I like longer bows. Dont know why. Too bad he isn't making bows at the moment.

[McDave]

I have 2 66” r/d longbows: a 40# Toelke Lynx and a 42# Schafer Silvertip.  I also draw 28”. Both Dan Toelke and Dave Windauer advised me when I had them made to go with a 66” bow if my intention was to use it for 3D competitions, and I don't regret following their advice.  My desire was to have the smoothest pull possible. I believe your Widow is somewhat more r/d than either of my longbows, and my understanding is that the more r/d a longbow is, the less it matters to go to a longer length bow to get a smoother pull.  My Lynx is slightly more r/d than my Silvertip, and it shows, because measuring them side by side, the Lynx has almost exactly the same speed with the same arrow, even though the Silvertip is 2 pounds heavier.  The thing is that the Silvertip is a one piece, and is D shaped when drawn, so would qualify in some longbow competitions where the Lynx wouldn't.

[Huntschool]

Thanks guys for the comments/thoughts.  Keep em coming.  I am going to look around a bit before any final decisions are made.

My next serious consideration will be for arrows for this bow.  I would like , because of my draw/release technique, to work for the fastest speed I can.  I realize there are limiting factors/conditions with this having worked up my hunting arrows, but,  we shall see.

Off to the races....

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

I've got a 48lb, 66" Toelke Whip on order. Believe they are a 6 week wait at the moment. They've got some gorgeous Myrtle in stock, as always.

[Friend]

The 64" centaur in dark matter may warrant serious consideration.