Bow Length & Draw Length

[47pronghorn]

I'm hunting for a 3 pc. pronghorn and found a really nice 58". My draw length is 29.5". I'm thinking that bow would pinch me pretty bad. Any advice or experience you'd care to offer?

[Rick P]

I have a 30 inch draw and shoot a 58" bow comfortably. I don't notice much pinch till a AMO of less than 54". What I do with the shorter bows is switch to a 2 fingered draw about half way through the draw cycle. Just be careful you only drop the ring finger and don't release the string early.

[Lindsay]

I draw 29" and shoot a 56" Dave Beeler Longbow with no problems.

[47pronghorn]

are you shooting recurves or longbows?

[northener]

I have the same draw length 29 1/2" on longbows and draw 30" on recurves. I shoot split finger and for me, I need 64" recurve and 66" longbows to NOT get finger pinch.This has been my experience your Mileage May Vary.

Like someone above mentioned you could drop a finger, or let your pointer finger kinda slip out of the way.

[straitera]

JMO, you're safe side of borderline. Heavier draw will get testy in a hurry. Gave up a 56" Kodiak Magnum at 55# due to pinch. All my bows are above 70# & 68" or longer. 31" draw. NP

[Bowmania]

I also shoot 29.5 and 64 inches.  Would not consider anything shorter.  The longer the bow the less string on the fingers and the better you will shoot it.  Look at page 10 in Vipers book.  The shorter the bow the harder it is to shoot AND vice verca.

Bowmania

[oddan]

I would ask the bowyer. As far as short bows having finger pinch, I only draw 26in and find short bows shoot better for me.

[Traxx]

I shoot a 60" pronghorn,with a 27" draw.Id rather shoot a 62".I shot a shorter one a couple years ago n i felt some serious finger pinch.Id go longer if it were me.

[Rick P]

Originally posted by 47pronghorn:
are you shooting recurves or longbows?

Both though I dont have any longbows shorter than 58".

[wingnut]

It really comes down to sensitivity to string angle (finger pinch).  If it is an issue go to a longer bow.  If not and you shoot a shorter bow as well or better.  Stay short.

I have a 29" draw and like to shoot our 58" curve and a 62" longbow.  In the "all natural" bows I go with 64" SoothSayer.

Mike

[Bob Morrison]

With 3 under finger pinch is not an issue at all. Then it turns to does the bow stack or not? At 26" draw a 52" bow 3 under never any pinch or stack.

[BobW]

It all depends on the bow geometry.  I draw 32" (no, that is not a typo).  My bows range from 68" down to 56".  I however shoot 3-under, and that may be of some "advantage" in regard to the finger pinch issue.  I was told to shoot 3-under when I started, and have never shot split more than one or two shots as I just can't get used to the way it feels to me.

BobW

[George D. Stout]

BobW is right, and I shoot split finger...never did like that 3under feel.  It's about string angle and form as much as bow length.

[Traxx]

Well,
Im gonna hafta respectfully dissagree with Bob and George on this one.I shoot 3 under and i can feel serious pinch with many designs,but the man who asked the initial question asked about pronghorns and i gave him my 2 cents worth based on my experience with 3 under shooting,with a Pronghorn.The design and length in a design of another bow may eliminate that im shure.I have experienced the lack of with bows such as the little Sheepeater bows and others,but,they arent the 3 piece pronghorns.

[nurayb]

I have a 60 inch Phorn and draw 28.5, no finger pinch for me, but I also shoot 3 under.  Just call Mr. Meland and ask him, he can answer much better than anyone here.