nice first time longbow?

[$bowhunter$]

well after having recurves for long time im considering investing in a longbow. im not looking to spend a fortune as to see if i really like the longbows or not. whats a good bow to buy to  try? i have a 31" draw so i figure it needs to be longer and hopefully around 60lbs draw. i was thing somwhere around 200 - 250 dollars but the less the better. id perfer a non reflex deflex. im open to any suggestions,

thanks everyone,
steven

[lpcjon2]

If your not able to go to an archery event or have an archery store near by to try some out, I would look at the cabelas catalog and pick a nice PSE(I have one) or a Bear. At a standard 28"(should be 50#@28) draw on most manufactured bows your 31" draw would bring you close to 60#@31.JMHO

[lpcjon2]

I almost forget check out Mike @ Maddog bows he has some great deals.He is a sponsor and his site is in the sponsor banner up top.

[Three Finger]

X2 Maddog Archery. Mike is a great guy to deal with. D shaped long bows is what he makes.

[Prairie Drifter]

Maddog all the way! He makes d shaped AND r/d bows.

[Red Beastmaster]

A year ago I picked up a new Greatree Solo Black longbow, 68", 45# @ 28". They are usually less than $200 but I got mine on a clearance sale for $144. It has a mild reflex in the limbs and casts an arrow with plenty of zip. No abusive hand shock like some of the more popular brands.

I bought it as a cheap beater but it is one of the nicest shooting longbows I ever shot! Very nice bow and quite a bargain at the price.

[joekeith]

There's lot's more places out there......
But no need to go farther than Mike @ MadDog.  

Steven,
If you can make the trip, come on over to the Kalamazoo trad expo next month.  There you can see, fondle, and shoot many of the greatest bows in the world.  So many vendors with tons of knowledge and even a few good deals to boot!

[Ulysseys]

Don't forget to search the classifieds!

[Friend]

For mild r/d longbow - you may find that a 68" bow in general will nicely accommodate a 30-31" draw.

A 64"r will likely leave you unimpressed.

[atatarpm]

I really hate to ad my two cents on this BUT for 200$ you are not going to give long bows a fair chance.  However if you can add 100$ to that you can find so real deals at pawn shops. Urrrrgh did I really say that? However I picked up a 64" 40# Bears Paw for that and I also picked up a 1968 60" 50# Bear Recurve for 300$ in pawn shop. You could try that and maybe get a good long bow and give them a fair try. Ric

[ripforce56]

$389 Bama Hunter 66in longbow custom made, any way you want it! As stated Maddog great value on a custom bow!

[tenbrook]

The classifieds here is the best deal going IMO.

Good luck with your search!

Tenbrook

[Rob DiStefano]

as a side note, and apropos to your longbow question ....

i often wonder just how long a wingspan it takes to wind up with a 31" draw length for a stick bow ... ?  at least seven feet, is my best guess.  most trad archers who think they have really long draw lengths really don't, and that becomes quite obvious whilst observing them shoot.