Questions...

[Workaholic1]

This is my third post, I think.  Been lurking 'round here for a couple years now, and finally registered a couple weeks ago.  I'm in Wichita, Kansas.

I have a 1966 Bear Alaskan recurve.  It measures in at 66" AMO, 35# @28.  I've had it for probably 30 years at this point.  It's pretty much been in storage, due to work, kids, basically life in general.  I'm finally at a point where I'll be getting a new string for it in the near future.  My draw is 30.5".

So, my two main questions are:  What should the starting brace height be?  Considering that the draw weight will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 41-45# at my draw length, what arrows would be recommended?  to help with that, since there is no longer a minimum draw weight (except for common sense) here in Kansas, it might eventually be used on whitetails.

Oh, and to be nice, here are a few links to pics of it:
 http://s845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Workaholic1/?action=view¤t=003.jpg
 http://s845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Workaholic1/?action=view¤t=006.jpg
 http://s845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Workaholic1/?action=view¤t=005.jpg
 http://s845.photobucket.com/albums/ab17/Workaholic1/?action=view¤t=007.jpg

Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Rich

[ti-guy]

Welcome!You're at the good place.Many guys are specialized with bear bows to answer your questions.If you're new with trad bowhunting there is a section for it by Rob DiStefano.  

[George Vernon]

If you want to do some experimenting of your own here's a way to start.  Get an arrow with 5" fletching and adjust the brace height by twisting the string (look at the existing twists first and add to increase height, remove to reduce brace)  Get the brace to where the tips of the fletching are about a half inch short of the rear edge of the sight window.  I have found one half to one inch gap with five inch fletch works well on many old bows I've found in garage sales without strings or instructions.

[Night Wing]

Beautiful bow. Of all the Bear's bows, the 66" Alaskan has always been one of my all time favorites due to it's length.

[Orion]

Very nice bow.  I assume your 30.5 inch draw length is with a compound.  If so, it's likely to shorten at least an inch and probably more when you shoot a recurve.  I think you're in the neighborhood on the weight.  Will probably be closer to 41# than 45#.  

I'd suggest full length 11/32 POCs spined about 50-55# and 125 grain glue on field points.

Standard length of POC is 32 inches,  31.5 inches for the old ACMEs if you can find any of those around.  You'll need about an inch of that length for the point taper. A plastic nock will add about 1/8 inch length to the shaft.  That should give you about 5/8 inch clearance in the back of the bow, plus the length of the point.

Others may have recommendations for carbon and/or aluminum shafts.  Good luck.

[Slewfoot62]

Workaholic1, If you will PM me with your adress I
will get my freind to build you a nicest dacron flemish string and I will ship it to you. No strings attached ha ha. Just trying to pay it forward - folks have been real good to me here.

[karrow]

workaholic1 good to have you here. this site is sooooo full of info. im about 1 1/2 hours east of you in yates center ks. as far as arrows port orford cedar would be my first choice 45-50# spine with sum sort of feather fletch. aluminus are fairly cheap and easy to come by im not sure of the size that you would need but sumone here will.

[30pointbuck]

Welcome to the site workaholic1. You came to the right place for any and all your bow help need's
The guy's and gal's here are alway's glad to help.    

[Gen273]

Welcome to the Gang!!!      

[Workaholic1]

Thanks for the welcome, guys.

Nightwing- I enjoyed this bow when I was younger, and it was a favorite over the compound I had at the time.  absolutely love the way the grip fits my hand.  hopefully, i'll be able to start looking for another, in perhaps 45-50# in the near future.

Orion- you assume correct, that my draw is using a compound.  however i'm not one of those typical mathews/hoyt big wheels/parallel limbs cable gun guys.  my compound is an Oneida lever limb, shooting split finger. no releases for me.

Slewfoot-  that's a mighty nice offer. you have a pm.

Karrow- i'll keep your advice on the the cedars in mind.  i have a good idea where Yate's Center is, should be not too far from Chanute and Iola, if memory serves.  Just put someone in the Navy from over in your neck of the woods.  He's from Thayer.

again, thanks for the warm welcome.  i really appreciate it.

Rich

[Friend]

Trad Archery just might be the correct medicine to address workaholism.

Welcome!

[owlbait]

If you want to try skinny carbons, Axis 600 with 125 may work well for you. Good luck and welcome.

[Tom-Wisconsin]

Welcome W1,

I shoot a recurve at about 43#. The following set up may work for you if you want to go with carbon arrows.

Carbon Express Predator II 2040 arrows
Spine 0.600
29 5/8 cut to cut
30 ‘ BOP
7.7 gpi
145 gr field pt. (flies a tad weak spine bare shaft which is good when fletching is added.)

[seven crows]

nice bow, never would have thought a bear.