Recommendation Request from Great Northern Owners

[ItzaKen]

Hello, All!

I'm 65 and have shot trad since I was ~ 3yrs old.  Now that I'm "getting older", I'm looking at lightening up my bow for an easier shooting experience into the future.

I'm currently shooting a ~ 53#, 62" Bush Bow, as well as a ~53# Fazio/Sovereign Archery Trident recurve.  I've shot Browning Nomad, Red Wing Hunter, Howatt Hunter, and Gamemaster Jet bows.

I DO like the smoothness of draw of my Trident, compared to my Bush Bow and have not enjoyed the "stiffness" of longbows I've drawn, in the past.  (I did very much enjoy shooting one of John Strunk's bows, decades ago).

While I once shot high wrist and even, open hand, I've come to prefer the quickness and versatility of a smaller riser and flatter bow hand.

3 questions for y'all:
1. Would 45# be enough drop in poundage to make a sig. diff.? (40# is now legal for all game in OR)

2. Ghost recurve, Bush Bow, or Fireball for my experience and wants?

3. I'm a little under 5'10", with ~28" draw.  What length should I be considering?  I've shot 50"-64", neither being preferred, though I can sit on the ground and shoot the shorty, recurve.

Thank you for taking time to read this all and give your input!
Ken

[Clint B.]

The only thing I can offer is that a 60" amo Fireball is no problem at all for my 28" draw.

[Trenton G.]

I have a 62 inch ghost and love it. I draw a bit over 29 and it handles it just fine, so you could definitely get away with the 60 inch model. It's super smooth, fast, and hardly any handshock considering how small the riser is.

[Steelhead]

The 8 pound drop in poundage is pretty significant.So yes you will definatly feel its much easier to draw.At 65 I think it would be a good choice for you for now and the future.

I think you would get more performance from the Ghost or Fireball than thier other models.So either would be a good choice in the lower poundage if you wanted a little more performance out of the lighter poundage bow.I really liked my 60 inch ghosts alot.At 28 inches draw that length would be ideal overall IMO for you.I have had 60 and 62 inchers.

Folks seem to really give the Fireball high marks when reviewed.Its the only GN bow I have not had.So cant give feedback on it.It should be a little more performance in speed than the mild reflex/deflex Bushbow though.

[ItzaKen]

Excellent and sincere replies, All!  Thank you.
As far as grip goes; I know it's a personal preference....
What do you all prefer and why?

[Steelhead]

Thier locator grip very very nice!

As far as the more straight grip that they call the Broomhandle grip.I like it alot.Its smaller than other straighter more Hill style grips.My favorite grip of that style due to the size.For me I like the small size.Although it does not look shapely it does have some nuances to it that make it feel good.

They also had the Superghost grip.Those are nice and smaller and have kinda an egg shaped geometry on the sides.The Superghost is cut to center.The Ghosts use to be cut 1/8th out from center to match thier longbows.I think you can have the ghosts cut to center though now.

[Trenton G.]

I like the locator grip as well. It's a bit of a smaller grip but it still works fine and feels good. Like I said I was surprised how little handshock with respect to how small the grip is

I haven't shot one of their bows with a straight handle so I can't comment on that.

[ItzaKen]

So these "locator" grips are sig. less than the standard, but more support than a drop-off handle, as is my Bush bow?
My Sovereign Trident has a locator, which is easier to get in the correct/same position, each time, with the web of my hand just under the riser, whereas there doesn't seem to be the support I'd like, with my hand so flat.

On the flip side, my Bush Bow feels more "agile" and the recurve, with longer and slightly biger riser, feels more rigid; nothing like a big-handled/-risered bow.

[Orion]

My recommendation pretty much mirrors both of Steelhead's comments.  I like the 60-inch straight grip Ghost the best.

[Clint B.]

I shoot with a medium wrist grip.  I had no problem doing so with the indexed locator grip on the GN Fireball.