52" vs 60"

[H-MANEOD]

I currently shoot a 54" recurve and I am thinking about getting a new bow.  What does anyone feel the pros/cons are for a new 52" or a 60" bow. I will be ordering it at 45#@28".

[Orion]

A lot depends on your draw length (and bow design, of course) .  Folks with short draw lengths can shoot either.  Folks with longer draw lengths, more than 28 inches, often find that short bows stack more and are more unstable for them.

[Gump21Bravo]

I will second what Orion said

[NIGEL01]

I have a short draw and shoot a Kmag with no problems, course I've got a 60" Browning and the draw seems smooth as butter, so I guess it depends on your draw length and what kind of hunting you do.

[Bruinbow]

Short bows are beter for hunting but dont pinch yourself . With your short draw you should have no problem .

[H-MANEOD]

If you were just shooting for pleasure, which bow would you choose?

[Brock]

as mentioned...if draw length is under 27 inches then either...if 28+ then I would worry about stacking and finger pinch.

for pleasure I would want same as for hunting without the weight...smooth, steady, natural pointing, encourages good clean release, easy to match arrows for proper flight.

[Fletcher]

If shooting for pleasure, I would definitely go with the 60".  Shorter bows are fine, but just not as stable or comfortable.  I draw 27 with a recurve and am most comfortable with 58" for a hunter and 60 or 62 for just shooting.  Find a 45 lb Martin Hunter and you will see what I mean.

[chanumpa]

Just my own preferance here but its no contest for the longer bow.

[Sharpend60]

I prefer longer myself, even for hunting.

[Ray Lyon]

I think bow design plays a part in it. I have a 56" Super Shrew Classic Hunter and a 1971 60" Bear Super Kodiak.  I use them interchangably and last year at the 30 target 3D range I shot a couple of times each week. I would notice no significant difference in my scores between the two bows. The Super Shrew is handier in my Double Bull ground blind as I can shoot without conciously canting it to avoid the roof of the blind.

[Wheels2]

A lot depends on the riser.  Short riser with longer working limb length will feel smoother than the same length if the bow has a longer riser and shorter working limb length.
Either way you can't cheat on string pinch/angle

[longrifle346]

I really think it depends on the bow. I shoot a longer draw length, 29+, but I have a 1971 52" Kodiak Magnum I use for tree stands, stillhunting through thick brush, and from some ground blinds. It just barely starts to stack at anchor, nothing uncomfortable, like a "soft" wall on a compound. Normally I shoot long bows, 66", but this old KMag has become a really good friend....