ILF users- help me pick a bow!

[Trad Whitetail]

So I am getting tired of not being able to bring my beloved 2000 Martin Hunter on trips because it is a one piece and I am very interested in the ILF concept so I am wanting to put together an ILF bow very similar to my Hunter.  Now I know there are many sizes, styles, etc. out there and while I have not shot them all (and no ILF bows)I have tried a number of styles, lengths, and grips and I just keep coming back to the Hunter - smooth, fast, quiet, shoots where I look, and just plain fits me.  This bow is just tuned to work for me.  

I love the idea of being able to adjust tiller, etc. on the ILF bows and I understand the limb / riser lengths etc.  I also know there are many paths to a 62" recurve in this system.  Here is where I need help from experienced ILF shooters:

-Which riser length / limb length combo would I be looking for here to match the speed and feel of the Hunter?  I draw around 29" and this bow will probably be 55 - 60 pounds @28" since I shoot that weight easily. The ability to handle at least 70 pound limbs would be nice, though not absolutely necessary (I can and do shoot that weight with my long bow, though after 30 or so shots I start to tire a little) just in case I come across some money and need to go on safari    :D  .  I also shoot off the shelf or from elevated rests so a riser that is good for both would be a plus.  

I know this is an extremely subjective question but give it your best guess.  Feel free to throw brands out there too.  I know that in the end this will probably not be my only ILF bow (I like to tinker and have a closet full of bows already) but I would like a starting point here.  Also, this will be a hunting bow and fancy wood does not matter.  I am looking for dependability / value and between wood and metal it has become a toss up for me (lets face it, eventually I will own both like most of you do         ).

[Tutanka]

Draw length dictates limb length, with a 29" draw you would be fine with medium limbs on a 19" riser for a 62" bow, long limbs on a 17" riser would also make a 62".  I would not suggest short limbs.

As far as metal or wood risers go, one of the benefits of metal is that you can shoot using a plunger.  This opens up endless arrow tuning possibilities.  Plus, metals risers have removable grips so you can try different types of grips and not have to alter the bow. Border archery is the only one that I know of that incorporates a plunger hole in a wood riser.

For 19" risers you can look at the morrison Phoenix or the ******** titan.  For 17" risers you can look at the ********, morrison, or sky.  You can also look at DAS, but they have to be converted to accept ILF  limbs (they have their own limb special limb mounting).  These are all metal risers.  To shoot the ******** off the shelf you have to make your own shelf, which is easy.  Morrison and DAS on the other hand are setup to shoot off the shelf using a plunger.  All of the above can be shot using an elevated rest and a plunger.

A person could write for ever on the ILF stuff, I am sure I am leaving something out.

[Bill Carlsen]

Call Bob Morrison and ask about his new risers and especially his new MAX I limbs. They are the best I have shot. PM me if you want to know more.

[ron w]

I like a 17" riser with long limbs for a 62" bow. I also draw a shade over 29". With metal risers you can change the grip to get what you want, high, med., or low. I do prefer wood but thats just me.....I have a Zipper wood riser and like it a lot. I also have a Morrison alum riser that works well also. Something you want to consider is picking up a used one on the classifieds.....It will save you some cash and you can always sell what you don't like. Maybe keep the limbs ,sell the riser and try a different one. Or find a riser that you like and just keep trying limbs till you find a set that fits your needs.

[Trad Whitetail]

Tutanka - good information there.  I was wondering about a 21" riser (Excel) with short limbs but have only heard of one person shooting that at my draw. I will heed your advice on that and avoid it.  The ******** and Morrison are where I have been looking as far as metal risers.  Any advantage to a 19" riser with medium limbs vs a 17" riser with long limbs?

Bill - Bob Morrison's riser looks good.  It is definitely one I am considering.  What length riser and limbs are you shooting?

ron - the 17" riser with long limbs is kind of the direction I was headed just because so many companies make one.  I have seen a lot of praise for the 17" risers with all different limb lengths and I don't plan on going above 62" or below 58".  I have been watching the classifieds and will continue to do so.

[Rick Richard]

I have the new 17 inch morrison Phoenix metal riser and Max1 limbs.  Send me a PM if you want to discuss.

[amar911]

If you want something closer to the feel of your Martin Hunter, I would suggest something other than a metal riser. My choice of an ILF riser and limbs would be a Morrison riser, either in wood or phenolic (or a combination of both), and the new Morrison Max I recurve limbs. There is no better ILF bow. You can mix the riser length and limb length to get what will work well for you. Bob Morrison will be happy to help you find the best combination for what you want, and he can alter the grip shape to suit your needs.

Allan

[Trad Whitetail]

Wow there are a lot of Morrison ILF fans!

[Craig]

I have had almost all high end bows and I bought the Hoyt Excel 21" Riser with short TT Black Max Carbon Limbs. Makes it a 62" bow. For a total of $324.00. This bow will out shoot all those high end bows. It has amazed me. The bow is only 44# at my draw 27". I am shooting Easton Axis 600 with 150 gr broadheads. I have shot several whitetails with it. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get a great shooting bow.

[SAVIOUR68]

MORRISON ILF RISER AND MAX 1 LIMBS

[katman]

agree with longs and 17 or mediums and 19, longs will feel a little smoother. like stated advantage of metal riser is grip interchangeability, extra mass and closer cut to center to allow plunger use.

Also look at the dryad offerings. Love the acs longbow limbs and the das 17 riser combo. Changing out limb bushings for the das only takes a few minutes and limbs won't pop off when unstrung in transit.

[Trad Whitetail]

I have considered the DAS riser and changing the bushings out does not bother me.  One question though - can you still adjust the tiller on the DAS like you can on the ILF risers or does it turn the ILF limb into a "bolt down" configuration?

[YORNOC]

Originally posted by Craig:
I have had almost all high end bows and I bought the Hoyt Excel 21" Riser with short TT Black Max Carbon Limbs. Makes it a 62" bow. For a total of $324.00. This bow will out shoot all those high end bows. It has amazed me. The bow is only 44# at my draw 27". I am shooting Easton Axis 600 with 150 gr broadheads. I have shot several whitetails with it. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get a great shooting bow.

X2, plenty of 2nd hand ILF's to try first without mortgaging your home. They resell quick too if you want to try another one. I too have fairly inexpensive target bows set up with 42-50# draw limbs. Throw some camo limbskins on and you will be blown away by the great performance of a non expensive bow.

[katman]

Tiller and poundage IS adjustable on the das riser.

[Peckerwood]

I got into the ILF early this year and have owned a number of set ups. I have a 29 + draw and what I have ended up with is a 17 in. DAS riser and long Border Hex 6 limbs (62 in . bow ). I thought I would never shoot a metal riser but found I really like the versatility of grip change ( I surprisingly found I shoot an ex low grip better ! ) I owned the TT Titan but favored the Das because of more adjust ability and it is quieter. For limbs I would suggest Border Hex 6 ,Morrison Max 1 , and Dryad ACS RC ( in that order ).
  If you can try before you buy it could save you a LOT of $    

Bill

[katman]

Bill, I have had 2 sets of border hex limbs in longs blow up on a 17" riser after about a year, I draw 29.5. Sid said I NEED xl.
Point is limb length is very important  in choosing ILF.

[iohkus]

Another thing to consider ............... (unless you really WANT to get into ILF) I'm sure you could find some bowyer willing and able to make your Hunter a two-piece takedown. Just a suggestion.

[Bill Carlsen]

Justin: My wife's set up is with super  shorts on a 17" DAS riser. Shoots great. She usually doesn't take shots at game over 15 yards but tried 20 two days ago. She gap shoots and at 20 with the MAX I's she shoots the same gap as she did at 15. When I get my limbs they will be shorts....58" bow on my 17" DAS riser and will be 55#. The super shorts are great by me with a 28" draw but Bob suggested that the shorts would be smoother. Right now I have a loaner pair of mediums at 55#. That makes a 60" bow and I can tell that i could get more out of the limbs if I had a longer draw. Even so, they shoot lights out. Can't wait to get the new ones.