ILF hunting bow

[R H Clark]

Does anyone here shoot-hunt with a factory ILF riser off the shelf? I've got this crazy idea for a 23 in. riser hunting-3D rig.

I have a Dalaa but I'm thinking 66 in. recurve.

[Tom A]

I shoot and hunt with them. Last year I had a 25" winstar2 riser and short limbs. Makes a 66" bow.  This year I am shooting a 23" Elan with Medium limbs. Also a 66" bow.

I use a plunger in combination with a flipper or stickon rest. There is no need for off the shelf unless your 3D shoot does not allow rests.

[James Wrenn]

I agree with Tom.The only reason for shooting such a bow off the shelf is if using it in competions that do not allow rest.I certainly would have a rest on it if just hunting. jmo

[R H Clark]

I agree with you guys. I would use a plunger and rest to hunt.I would have to shoot off the shelf in the 3D shoots I go to.I just wondered how such a rig would work set to to shoot off the shelf.Would a Warf by Bob Gordon be cut further from center and be easier to tune? What do you think about the Best Zenit 23 in. riser for what I want to do? Also is it hard to get one of these rigs quiet?

[Tom A]

If I was going to set one up for shooting off the shelf I would not want one that is not cut real deep past center and I would also want one that was designed for the arrow rest to set lower on the riser. I have tried setting my elan up for off the shelf and it did not work very well. I had to make the side plate almost 3/4" thick and the shelf the same.

[jhinaz]

RHC,
Do you shoot your Dalaa off the shelf? If so, you could modify any metal riser to shoot off the shelf in the same manner as the Dalaa if you like to tinker.

The "modified" shelf option that Bob Gordon makes is narrower and tapered so there isn't as much "actual shelf" material as what you have on the Dalaa. - John

[R H Clark]

jhinaz,yes I shoot the Dalaa off the shelf.I know I would be able to build up the shelf.I just was wondering more about the ammount of center shot and how these risers feel without weights or stabilizers.Also how quiet can they be made?

[James Wrenn]

I think the warf makes a great bow for shooting off the shelf.The shelf on the black bear has enough curve to it a couple pieces of leather will give you good atrow flight.While it is not cut as deep for using some types of a stick-on and plunger works fine too.For the money if you want to use ilf limbs it is hard to beat.jmo

[jhinaz]

"...how these risers feel without weights or stabilizers."

RHC, to obtain the "balance and feel" that you want you can do as a lot of shooters do and add screw-on weight or a short stabilizer to a metal riser bow. - John

[R H Clark]

Jhinaz,I appreciate the help but the trad class I shoot in won't allow any stabilizers or screw on attachments.You can see my confusion.

James, the Warf might be the way to go but I thought I might get a riser I could set up as a full blown target bow in the future.

My thanks to everyone for the help
Randy

[john mccabe]

I have shot the Hoyt's Elan, radian, matrix etc.
 23" riser with short limbs 64" bow. I like the center rest and carbon arrows with weight tubes.
 I spray paint them camo colors and there great adjustable hunting bows.

[R.D.]

My youngest son shoots a 55 pound Gamemaster off of the shelf with 2117's.  We had to build the side plate out pretty far but he now gets great arrow flight and I am happy to say, beats his old man with regularity.

[jhinaz]

"What do you think about the Best Zenit 23 in. riser for what I want to do?"

If you're right-handed it would make a fine 3D/hunting bow, and it takes an optional weight kit if you want to change the balance. - John