One piece recurve length

[fazhu]

Hello all.  I have a question concerning one piece recurve length.  In "Shooting the Stickbow", Anthony Camera suggests certain bow lengths that correspond (roughly) to a persons height.  I fully understand the concept of the recommendation (simple physics).  But, I am not interested in shooting a T/D and it seems like all of the mass produced one piece recurves fall in the 58" -60" range.  I live on a small island in the middle of the pacific and trying a bow before I buy it is, unfortunately, not an option for me.  I would not be using any bow for hunting but only flinging arrows at a target for fun.  Serious fun though, i'd like to practice and get as accurate as I can with the one piece recurve.  So, my question boils down to....in the grand scheme of things should I worry about the length of the bow and any finger pinch that might affect my release or just get the longest bow I can and not worry about it.  Thanks so much for any time that you can give.

[Killdeer]

How long is your draw? The old rule of thumb is to get a bow roughly twice your draw length, for comfort and bow longevity. With the new designs and materials, though, that is no longer a rule.

Most target recurves will have a heavy riser and be 60" or more. I have found it to be very hard to string a recurve much over 62" in length, darn it, because my arms are too short to get the string loop over the nock when using a Selway-type stringer. So, if you are a shortie like me, you will want an average-length bow between 58 and 62", but if you are a knuckle-dragging behemoth of a manly man, then you can go longer.

There is a very nice collection of recurves on Guam...
Oh, DANNY!!!!!!!
Killdeer    

[scedvm]

Definitely depends on your draw length.  I draw 31" on a recurve and bows 62" and less are very uncomfortable for me and it shows in my release and accuracy.  I much prefer 64" and over....Shawn

[Don Stokes]

The size of your hand matters, too. I have an average draw length, but my hands are larger than average. Bows below 60" get uncomfortable due to finger pinch.

[magnus]

Also consider static tip recurves. A different design that allows longer draw's with shorter bows. Generally. I have a 29" draw and shoot a 50" bow.

[Night Wing]

The old rule of thumb of...."to get a bow roughly twice your draw length, for comfort and bow longevity"....does NOT work for me at all.

I'm a small framed guy of 5' 9" and weigh 156 pounds. I've also got small hands with orangutan length arms giving me a 30" draw length. By following the old rule of thumb, I should be shooting a 60" length bow.

I once owned a 60" Bear Super Kodiak and that bow gave me a SEVERE case of "finger pinch" since it made my right index finger very sore after 15 minutes of constant shooting. I sold the 60" SK and eventually bought a 64" Bob Lee Signature Hunter.

After constantly shooting the 64" SH for 45 minutes, I started noticing the tell tale signs of finger pinch coming on since my right index finger was starting to get sore. So, I sold the 64" SH and bought my first 66" Blacktail.

With my 66" Blacktail, I shot for 4 hours straight and never experienced the right index finger pain which is associated with "finger pinch". I loved my first 66" Blacktail so much, I bought a second 66" Blacktail. My Blacktails are the only two bows I now own. BTW, my right index finger does not have a callous on it.

In closing. I let my right index finger tell me what's the proper length bow for me to shoot and not some author of a book; whether the author of said book is a well known target archer/instructor, a well known olympic target archer/instructor or a well known bowhunting archer/instructor.

[fazhu]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies.  My draw length as near as I can tell is 29".  Is finger pinch more of an issue with higher draw weight?  I am looking at a 30# or 35#.  My main interest is in a kinda kyudo, fun target shooting.  Mr. Killdeer, is "Danny" a gentleman that lives on Guam as well?

[dirtguy]

Hey fazhu...Killdeer is a Ms.  

[Bobaru]

My draw is 29 1/2.  Right now, I'm shooting a Martin Hunter, because that's the longest production bow I could get at the archery shop.  It's 62".  I sure like the bow.  But, NightWing is right.  I now have a 66" Blacktail on order becuase it will shoot much more smoothly and be more forgiving for me.

Few inexpensive hunting bows, "production bows," are over 62".  You may have to go with a target bow. Or buy a custom bow.

I bought a Swift Wing on **** for less than 200 bucks because it was lower poundage and longer.  It shoots very nice and works well with my longer draw length.  I also bought it at 36# because I could hunt in New York State if I wanted.  The lower limit here is 35#...  You may want to check out your state for legal hunting bows.  It may affect your decision.

[Swamp Yankee]

Finger pinch is an issue no matter what you're doing at some point with very short bows (52" class).  For me with a 29" draw, I'm perfectly happy with a little finger pince while shooting a 58" bow for hunting or 3D courses where I'm not shooting a lot of arrows over the course of the day.  Back in my target archery days when shooting 200 or 300 arrows at a tournament was a pretty normal day, I wouldn't want to be shooting anything less than 68".  I'd suggest borrowing a couple of light bows of various lengths if you can, or pick up a cheap 60" mid-length light bow to start with and go from there.

[Shawn Leonard]

Have to disagree with a lot said here. With the right design finger pinch is not an issue with even a short bow. I have drawn my 54" Arroyo(RER) to 30"s and no pinch at all, it starts to stack a bit but no pinch and oh by the way wear a size 17 ring(sausage fingers)I would say all in all if you are gonna shoot target and have a 29" draw there will not be an issue with any 62" bow out there. You most likely could shoot most 58-60" bows as well but since you are a beginner and a 62" bow is mostly more forgiving than a shorter one, I can say with confidence buy a 62"er and you will be more than happy. Shawn

[fazhu]

Oip! leave it up to me.  Sorry Ms. Killdeer.  Thanks so much for the replies everyone.  After scouring around I think I may go the route of the Samick Red Stag one piece (60" 30#).  That seems like the best value on the longest one-piece that I could find.  If by some meager chance I get halfway decent at flinging arrows around I can opt for a custom at that time and I'm not out too much cash.  Thanks again.

[jhg]

My draw is 30" and I have shot a LOT of different bows. I live about 30 minutes away from RMSG...

Being longer does not mean its going to shoot smoother. It might. But it might not. Longer does not magically translate into a smoother, better shooting bow or into a better choice for longer draw archers.

Joshua