Advantage/Disadvantage Flatbow

[LongStick64]

I'm considering a GN Bush bow and I'm not sure what the advantages or disadvantage a flatbow has over a traditional D bow or mild r/d bow.

Also I've heard that the Great Northern bows seem to feel lighter in draw weight. A 60lb bow doesn't feel like a 60lb bow.

[George D. Stout]

I've shot a few Great Northern bows, and to me 60# feels like 60#.  It may start a little smoother than another bow, but you can't hide the weight....it's 60# at draw.  8^).  The Bushbow I shot was a 64 pounder with that broomhandle riser, and felt pretty much like a 64 pound bow 8^).  That doesn't mean much though; another person may claim it to be the smoothest thing going.  

A flatbow is normally a shorter, wider and thinner bow than a standard longbow design.  The definition can get pretty corrupted though. It has been said the deeper core of the longbow style is better for shooting heavier arrows.  I'm not sure of that so am a tad skeptical...not that it can't be so.  

I really don't see a dimes worth of difference between styles as long as they are designed well.
Both will shoot very well.

[trashwood]

I agree with George except for special bows.  I hunted for a decade with a string fellow longbow.  Geroge hinted at it.  Stringfollow bow has low early load.  you can hold it at 1/3 draw for a long time.  as geroge stated when ya hit full draw ya hit it.  if your shot sequence is a couple of seconds or maybe three (not takling about snap shooting here).  If you have good form. a stringfollow flat bow can be a lethal partner.  

I don't know that one bow is better than another.  I just know that some bows fit the way a specific trad bowhunter may shoot better than others do. it is all about form and style.  Shoot the bow you are deadly with.

rusty

[LongStick64]

Ok I've read that the limb design, torsional stability of a longbow is critical compared to a recurve. Since a recurve has wider/flat limbs. So I'm guessing that a flatbow would have better stability factor than a traditional longbow.

Not an engineer so take it easy on me guys.

[trashwood]

hmmm have you seen the 3D scores of flatbow vs recurve.  doesn't seem to be so.

rusty

[Lamey]

Just walked inside from shooting my Bush Bow,  i find that it draws extremely smooth, and feels lighter than the actual poundage.  

It is very forgiving, points very naturally, quiet,  little to no hand shock.

Its not as fast as my Black Creek or Toelke Whip,,,  but is a tad more forgiving,  and for what ever reason in its utterly simple design the Bush Bow really points/shoots naturally with not alot of work.

Its not the fastest,  but its very quiet, stable, forgiving and just fun to shoot.

[Molson]

Rusty has hit it with regard to the Bushbow.  It has an easy feel to the early draw and if you have a more free style of shooting there are big benefits to it when hunting.  For me, a bow that draws light early feels way lighter throughout than one with preload, but that really depends on the individual.  As for performance, the 52# Ghost I just bought shoots way faster than the 56# Bushbow I had.  I'm missing the Bushbow...

[Tom Leemans]

Prolly just get a few more fps out of a R/D over a flatbow design of any given weight. Doesn't mean it shoots better though. Best thing to do is to try one if you can and see how it shoots for you. It is usually the operator, not the equipment. A recurve has more mass in the riser, which can lend itself to being more stable in one's hand than a lighter physical weight longbow, assuming the same experience level with both designs. Shoot a longbow/flatbow/selfbow long enough, and you'll get stable. Right fellas?