Let's talk about the short bows (very short ones)

[2treks]

Originally posted by sticksnstones:
 

Originally posted by Mike Vines:
Monday morning will find me in the swamp in a Ranch Safari ghillie and my Two Tracks Ambush.  Hopefully there will be some good stories to come out of it.

Sounds like a winning combo! Good luck Mike!
Thom [/b]

Yep! Good luck Mike and Dan.
I will be looking for pictures about 0830 or so.

CTT

Of the all of the short bows that I have either owned or shot, i have found that the 50" Browning Cobra to be the best of the bunch for accuracy with the 52" Pearson coming in a close but slightly slower second. We compared three 52 Kmags recently from different years. I was surprised to see how much different they were and how they all shot differently. I have been looking for a 55 pound Kmag lefty, but it will have to wait for next year. so far the ones that i have checked out have had some limb problems and cracked glass. perhaps I will have to get a new one eventually. I do not have any luck with getting the 48" super mag to cooperate with me. My draw left handed is only about 26.5" so it is not a finger pinch problem. There is at times a handy side to the short bows, but they do have their limitations when compared to my faster and leaner Schulz longbows.

[Frank V]

I shot a Bear Super Mag. for awhile till it developed stress cracks. I'm thinking now I shouldn't have shot that one as I draw an honest 29" with a recurve. I didn't notice finger pinch all that much, but my form HAD to be good.
I really enjoyed it, but it was picky about form. If I slacked off my form it'd tell me right quick. I still like that bow even though it's retired.
  I think if you like them shoot them.    
Frank

[Kamm1004]

I also shoot chuck's ambush recurve and love it. Im proficient out to 25 or 30 yards. I like ot shoot at 40 or so and then move into my hunting range (25 yards and less) its amazing how close those shots feel and how accurate you can get after practicing at longer ranges and gaining some confidence there. At 35-40 yards the majority of my arrows hit within a paper plate sized area but some stray. When I move up, the arrows stack up like crazy. Give that a try, I don't see any reason why you couldn't be consitent out ot that range. Its all about practice.

[john fletch]

I am partial to short bows, that would be self bows of the Apache, Sioux and especially west coast bows such as the Haida paddle bow.

All of those I would not shoot more than 20 yards - you need to be a good hunter with them.

I shoot all of them with an instinctive style, even the aboriginal pinch nock.

To be honest, I shoot long bows a lot more!

[mahantango]

The vintage shorties that I've found to be the best shooters are the 54" Howaat Hi-Speed, and the 54" Wing Thunderbird. The Supermag was probably the worst, with the K-Mag and the BPH 52 falling somewhere in between. That said, there are some outstanding short bows being made today that I feel give up nothing, even with longer draws. If you can, try out a Shrew, Hoots, or Kanati. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I have a 56" Roger Hollenbeck recurve that is one of the fastest bows I have ever shot.

[DannyBows]

Dan d, here's a couple pics of the Little Suckling. Taken down it makes a very small package. It's a great little bow and fun to shoot.

That said, I've also shot Chuck's Ambush and it's a better shooting bow; faster, lighter, and Chuck's workmanship is flawless. I can't imagine there's a better bow to be found in that length range.

I also have an old 48" Pearson Ambusher that you don't see too often. I only shot it once when I got it and I was impressed. Then last winter I refinished it but lost the string before I got to shoot her more. I guess I need to get around to getting a new one.

 

 

 

 

[Goshawkin]

I have a Browning Cobra-1,Great little bow,50".The bow and I are the same vintage,1970.(there's one for sale in the classifieds right now)
I also have a 54" Shrew longbow and want a 52" but don't want to wait a year.
I had a 2 piece Elburg Mite,48",wish I never sold it. All 3 are very good shooters,but I'd give the nod to the Shrew.I only have a 26" draw,so the short bows fit me fine.I like the short bows but If I could only have one bow it would have to be a 66+" Hill style longbow,they just feel "right" when I shoot them.And of them I like Timberlines the best.

[dan d]

Thanks for the pics Dannybows !  Very nice !

I'm glad to read all the positive replies, maybe when someone googles a short bow they will find this post and not just see the negative ones about short bows.

I will have to practice more at longer distances, but not this year anymore as hunting season starts this Monday & I will stick with my 18 yard rule this year.

Chuck, you will be one of the first to get an email when I get one !

Thanks for all the positive replies everyone !
Dan