Shooting a bow that has not been shot for 10/15 years

[frassettor]

Was just thinking that with today’s “modern materials”, would it be ok to just string up a laminated longbow that has been stored inside and has been sitting for 10/15 years and just go shoot it? It was just a curiosity thing for me.

[Arctic Hunter]

I’d say check (and listen) for cracks, twists, delaminating, or bad crazing. If you don’t see anything, go for it.

I’ve made strings for a few older bows that had clearly not been shot for decades. Usually, it’s the “this was my dad’s bow” type of story. Kind of cool when you resurrect them.

[JR Chambers]

Not until you put on a catchers mask and a football helmet 

[dad]

Visual inspection first. Use the right length string that is in very good condition. Use bow stringer, work the limbs. Little up and down movement. Listen noise and watch for cracks in the bow. Work the stringer up and down a little at a time several times. I you don't hear any cracking or other noise put the string on. Take the stringer off and do a visual inspection.  Check to see if the limbs are strait. If all the above is ok. Now work the limbs again several short draws to full draw let down and see if the limbs are tracking. If all is good I would shoot a arrow, always listing for noise. IF you shoot the arrow and the string stays on. If so shoot a few more. If you don't know if the bow is fast flight string capable use B50 or 55 bow string.

[Possum Head]

Tough as the day you hung it up most likely. Let er eat!

[M60gunner]

Follow what dad wrote. Even then there is no guarantee it won’t break after a few shots or even a hundred shots. Just watched a guy do a complete refinish on a Bear Super Mag. He got about 6 shots before one of the limbs broke. You just never know

[Roger Norris]

I'm a little cautious with bows like that. I Certainly give them a good visual inspection before stringing.

Get a new string, don't trust the old one.

Bring it up to room temperature for a few hours.....I don't string it in a frigid garage for example.

Flex it a bit, and inspect limb alignment.

When you start shooting, use a good heavy arrow.

[BAK]

My brother bought me a bow that was made back in the 1950's.  He found it at a garage sale, still in it's original box.  This was back around 1990 so it was about 40 years old.  Got it out, strung it up and went to shooting.  I was concerned with the glues that were used but it all worked fine.  Yah just never know until you try.

Oh, it was an Eddings.