Hill bows ? some info please

[nevada cody]

Hi i am thinking of getting a howard hill .
only problem is that i have never shoot one , i have shoot australian made back set bows , that look like hills ,but i was not very impressed, i have shoot many reflex deflex type designs, and i own many of them, some are cut to center like my widows, and some are very close to center .
my quiestion is do you find the hill type bow, to be as accurate as the other designs, i know they are not as fast i do not worry about the speed thing  so much , but  do you guys  find the non centercut design to be accurate ,and is it hard  to tune,
and do they kick like a mule, do they rattle your teeth like some say .the australian made hill type bows i have tried did kick a bit but not to bad .
thx cody

and i draw a little bit over 28 would a 68 " be a good length ?

[fireball31]

speaking from just my own experience thus far:
1. I draw 29 inches and my 58lb@28in  68" big 5 is very smooth all the way through. I've drawn it behind my ear while training and haven't noticed any stacking.
2. I to heard the rumors of hand-shock and was a bit leary.  I have found them to be untrue as far as my bow is considered. Dead in the hand. but I always use at least a 600 grain arrow.
3. They are definitly not cut to center, but I had no problem tuning the bow.  If you'd like some arrow recipe's that I've used shoot me a PM
4. As far as accuracy is concerned, I believe that lies in the shooter.  Some people cannot get used to a hill, I prefer the indicator grip becaue I feel I have a more repeatable reference for my hand.

Good luck and I would certainly reccommend shooting one or two before spending the money, or trading.  But I would reccommend that for any bow.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Nevada Cody,

All bows are capable of precision shooting; it's up to the Indian more than the bow.

I find Hills just as easy to tune a good arrow for as any other bow.

I don't believe that they kick too much at all, but perhaps I've learned to hold onto it properly. I like what Don Thomas had to say about true longbows in "Longbows in the Far North", that they are old-fashioned teachers who will let you know in no uncertain terms when you've done the wrong thing. But once you learn how to hold it, and given that you have one that isn't too short for you, they are, in my opinion, a real joy to shoot from any angle or position. I think a lot of fellows who say they are unforgiving or harsh haven't stuck with them long enough to learn how to hold them.

I think 68" would be fine, but you wouldn't go wrong with a 70" bow, either.

Cheers,

Ben

[Apex Predator]

Straight profile longbows have always had a little thump in the hand, but it's not objectionable to me.  They are some of the most accurate bows I have shot.  You do need to ensure you are shooting the proper spine arrow though.  I would go with a 66" bow if I were you.

[JRY309]

I enjoy shooting my Hill's,I had never shot a Hill from hearing the stories of handshock.I was wrong and they can become quite addictive.I don't find them not cut to center any problem at all,but I have always shot longbows.Some guys will hate them and some just love them.Go to  www.HowardHillShooters.com  and you will find alot of good info,pictures on Hill bows and shooting them.

[GingivitisKahn]

Mine is a 60@29" Halfbreed (66" long - a bit shorter than recommended for that draw length).  It's fast (regardless of what you've heard), quiet, and much more accurate than I'll ever be.

It seemed shocky at first until I learned how to hold it - now, not at all.  Also at first, I shot to the left with it - I had previously shot a center cut recurve for quite some time and had to adjust.  Anyway, it's accurate enough that I had to cover the head trauma on Mr. Groundhog before taking this picture  :D  ...

 

I really like mine and couldn't be happier that I bought it.

[Overspined]

Be patient and learn how to shoot it and hold it. Heavy arrows are great out of these bows and really smooth them out without much loss of speed. Tune nicely and are forgiving, but again, they take some getting used to when switching back and forth from other styles of bows. You will get used to it though. Have fun and good luck.

[Sam McMichael]

There is some sound  advice in these posts. I really like my Wesley Special. I don't feel hand shock and do not consider it any more difficult to tune than any other bow.  You do have to hold it securly, you do need to use heavy arrows (but I consider that true for any bow). They are fun and perform very well. Just take the time to get used to it, and you may find it is truly addictive.

[Orion]

A lot of folks have mentioned that you would need to learn how to shoot it.  That translates primarily into how you grip it.  A light grip works best, IMO, to reduce/eliminate felt handshock.  A padded loop fast flite string and heavy arrows also help reduce handshock, on all bows, not just Hills.  I've generally found bows cut 1/8 inch from center (as Hills are) easier to tune than those cut to or past center.  They're faster than most people give them credit for, very stable and will shoot a wide range of arrow spines.  I like them  better than any other bow design for quick target acquisition.  All that being said, they do have a different feel than severe r/d hybrid bows.  Some folks like that, others don't.

[straitera]

Heavier straight handled Hill style bows only for 31 years straight. IMO, the straight handle & h-draw allow additional experiences to totally enjoy this simple beautiful weapon. As Ben above, I favor 70". Kick is a mind thing. It happens as a friendly reminder yet never a problem.

[Ric O'Shay]

Everything everyone else has said X2. Additionally, I would recommend that you acquire one from a friend and spend some time not just shooting it, but get acquainted with the bow. Get to know what it likes (arrow spine, weight, length and material type, your grip on the bow, etc.) Make the decision as to what you like and maybe dislike.

Call and talk to Craig Ekin and tell him about your experience. I know of now one better to help you decide what material, length and draw weight is best suited for you. Then order the bow from Craig. He'll have it to you in 4 to 5 weeks. You will not be disappointed!    

[fixer]

I have four hill bows and several other makes I have found each one has a little different feel that being said I like shooting all of them, find some one with one and shoot it or find one for sale used then if you like it order the one of your dreams. Not all of us like the same feel it is hard to reccomend to some one on personal likes and dislikes on feel and balance. Have fun doing it!!!!  :D

[lpcjon2]

I have never shot a better, smoother, or quieter bow ever IMO  

[Dick in Seattle]

re shock, shot right it's not a problem... grip, you're on your own, tight is usually recommended, but some like light, see what works...   As to tuning and not being center cut, I build about 1/3 of my Hill styles with no shelf cutout at all.   Tuning has never been a problem.  I can usually guess what arrow it will like, then I take some of those and some one spine up and one spine down from there and go shoot it to see which is best.  Usually the one I expected.  Once you find the one that shoots best, you just try to shoot it better.   I have a no-shelf Hill style circulating in the HH Longbowmen group right now.  Four guys have had it and none had any problem with finding an arrow match.

[far rider]

I love my Hill Wesley. Quiet, smooth, quick enough, very stable, and I just don't get hand shock. I have big paws though.

[Greg Skinner]

Personally, I shoot my Hill better than any other bow I own. Finding the correct arrow was easy and the speed with heavy arrows is not that far behind r/d designs.  Mine is 66", 57#@27 Tembo with carbon backing and straight grip; smooth, quiet and no shock. As with all bows, though, your experience may be different, so it definitely is a good idea to try one before you buy, if you can.

[nevada cody]

thx for al info and recomendations ,unfortunately i do not have the chance to test shoot  one, not any hill shooters were i live in australia ,,some people i know shoot the woomera  longbow wich is
simmilar in design .
thx again

cody

[Ben Maher]

where abouts in Oz are you ... let me know and i'll try and get one sent to you to try ...
pm sent
ben

[bearbowman]

Its gonna be pricing for shipping unless you get a T/D The package restriction for postal is 46" and a bow usually runs about $40/$45 UPS is very pricey