New to Trad Gang; Short bow best for short draw?

[JPNTN]

Just registered today on the site today, though I've read posts for a while.  I've only been shooting for about a year when a friend let me borrow his longbow.  Now both me and my youngest boy are hooked.  We shoot after school nearly every day - a great way to spend time with the little guy.  And we're trying to get the oldest boy interested.

Just a quick question I've asked around:  I've got about a 26" draw length and am considering going to a shorter bow (I currently have a 64" Montana, 55@28).  I'm shooting less than 55# and, probably, have a slower arrow b/c of my draw on that bow. What are some good ones you'd recommend?  I've looked at some bowyers's sites who make shorter bows (Kanati, MaddDog, Don Dow, etc.) and am considering one of them.  How short should I go with my draw length? 54?, 56?  I was considering a 58" bow but would like some input.  Alot is personal preference I know, but would be glad to hear your opinion.  Thanks to all.

JP

[freeman]

Don't go buying a short longbow unless you've tried one. You might be better off just sticking with your current length and going up in poundage. You don't NEED to go down in length. Shoot what feels good for you.

The length of the bow does not always mean that it will be more or less efficient at your draw.  I draw around 26" my custom Schulz longbows were 66", I could have gone up two or down two inches. If a bow can be smoothly drawn to 30" it will probably be under stressed at 26", but if it stacks like a mule much over an inch of its designed draw and is smooth up to that it may be more efficient at your draw. This could all change with some limb designs that can put out a fairly quick arrow at more draw lengths.  With the Schulz design they were plenty fast at 26" at 50 pounds to shoot deer, with my 64 pounders I had as much speed as most recurves at longer draws and similar poundages. A 62" Robertson will put out a faster arrow than the Montana by a noticeable margin at 26" draw. I have one that is about 52 at my draw and another on the way.

[JPNTN]

Here is my rationale behind considering a shorter bow length, so by all means, correct me  where I may be wrong here. I'm thinking that there is a lot of potential energy stored up in those limbs, but I really can't take full advantage of it b/c I draw only part of it.  Having a shorter bow would allow someone like me to put all of that potential energy to work, and more kinetic energy would mean more arrow speed.  As far as poundage goes, I may even go down some.  The LB I borrowed when I started was 65#.  It was a good bow and worked me like a dog, but I knew I'd have to find something a little more comfortable. The 55# (or ~ 50# for me) works much better.

[Dick in Seattle]

I have a 25" draw and have shot a lot of Hill and other longbows, from 60" to 70".    I found that 64" and 66" are the best compromise for smoothness and forgiveness in a true longbow.   For a pure hunting bow, I go down to 62".  

While I'm far from expert, I build my own bows now, something between a real Hill style and a flatbow, i.e. just a bit wider limb than most Hills.   I've found that in general, I still like 66" best of all, but on my own, I use an extended riser to move the main power action up the limb a bit.  I think this gives a shorter working limb and a hair more speed without going to a shorter, less smooth and less forgiving bow.

If you like shooting longbows, I definitely would not go real short.  You'd be moving out of the feel of shooting a real longbow.

I'm also a fierce advocate of dropping weight and shooting better while enjoying it more.   Give it some thought.  Your bow shouldn't be working you like a dog.  While I don't make a practice of it, I've experimented all the way down to shooting 3D with a 17# longbow.  You'd be amazed at what you can do when you're not fighting the bow.  Just today I took a new one out of the oven that I hope will be a terrific 20 to 22# 3D and stumping bow.  We'll see.  

I hunt with a shorter 64" 42#.  Younger guys would want a bit more, but don't get carried away.  A real longbow is a wonderful instrument when it and you are really comfortable together.

[Mudd]

I don't have any advice for you but just wanted to say welcome to Tradgang. Enjoy the journey with us.
I think it's great your son is enjoying shooting with you.
God bless,Mudd

If you like the stability and the clean release of the 64" Montana or a Hill, but want more performance, I would be confident in the 62" Robertson.  Mine has the same speed as my fastest Hill style that is eight pounds heavier.  I would not go under 62" on the Purist, however a 60" would work for you.  I do not have any experience with the shorter version, there may be trade offs to consider.  I would dare to use my 52 pound at 26" Purist on elk, I am sure that there are other bows that could do the same. I have shot some aggressive hybrids that were shorter and, for me, they did not have the forgiveness of my release that I was looking for.

[Blackhawk]

I'm a fan of the shorter hybrids, especially the Griffin, Shrew, and Centaur.  My 60" bows are comfortable for 29"-30" draws and accuracy does not suffer.  I would not hesitate to try a 58" hybrid with your draw.  

Welcome...and good luck deciding. There are plenty of quality bows out there, so find'em and shoot'em.

[Arwin]

I really like a 60 inch bow for the "middle of the road". I was a huge fan of 62-64 inches for stability and 56-58 inches for getting in tight spots. 60 seems perfect!

 I have about 27 inch draw(maybe an 1/8th under). Here is me drawing my 60 inch St. Joe carbon/boo longbow. Best of both worlds!

 

[Tim Fishell]

There are definatly a lot of great shorter longbows out there.  For me personally I like my 52" Shrew Classic Hunter.  I have a draw length that is just shy of 28" and this little beauty shoots amazing.  Thats just my personal preferance for short bows.

[SveinD]

As stated above, you don't need a shorter bow for a short draw. I draw 26,5 and I just plain like a bow to be short! From what I've heard these are some good candidates..
Toelke Whip or Chinook, Big Jims Thunderchild, Whisperstik Bows, Centaur, Kanati..
Probably other really good ones as well, but these were the ones who came to mind atm ^^
Good luck browsing  

[joekeith]

I don't see where you said you are just looking for a longbow.  If you're interested in a recurve there are some real nice short ones out there.
  I've gotta 46" Rodney Wright Stalker that is one of my favorites to shoot.  It's a good bow as long as your draw isn't over 28".  At 28" it hits a wall.  That's fine with me, I only draw to 28" and kinda like the wall, it let's me know just where my pull is at.  Less than 28" and you'll never notice it.
  There's other short ones out there too.  Recurve or longbow, try to shoot one first if possible.
  Good luck......  

[Jesse Minish]

Look at Cascade Archery. 48" or 52" Golden Hawk Mag or Night Hawk Mag would be my picks for a short bow. I have about a 29" draw and they are great for me.

[James Wrenn]

I draw 26" but don't care for a longbow less than 66".Rather have 68 or 70" when I can get it.

Length has nothing to do with performance.My fastest bows are the long ones.Just ask the guys at A%H how long it took to come up with a short ACS that would shoot almost as fast as the longer ones.   :D  

I can shoot through anything that will ever walk through this state and many more with 45lbs and do it with a 70" longbow.  

[crotch horn]

I have a 27" draw and just bought a Lost Creek NAT longbow. Chad makes great bows that are easy to shoot. Try as many as possible then decide what works. Congrats on getting the boy into it. Try taking him to a trad shoot and shoot as many other guys bows as you can.

[Chris Surtees]

Best thing you could do is go to a big shoot (Comptons, ETAR, ATAR, ect...) where lots of bowyers attend and try out bows until you find something that fits you and your needs.

Personally I like longbows in the 60" range and recurves in the 56" range but this is what I have settled into.

Best of luck in your search.

[lil jake]

use a shorter arrow. it will in crease speed, volocity, and penetration cuz it will be stiffer.