My new Longbow pics and a few questions.

[Joe03]

Well from my other threads a few know i purchased my first Longbow.
I'll try to keep this short. I have always been a recurve guy and wanted to take up the long bow.
So I am the proud Papa of a Spirit Longbow made by Bryan Holley and purchased from RMS. Was going to wait till Sat to shoot, limited time this week but, had to shoot today. I thought i was going to buy GT Trads 35 55 for this 46# 62" bow with my draw around 28". But, I tried my GT Trads in 1535's with 125gr tips I had for my old Sage 30# recurve and they flew great. Not really sure what to make of it. Think I should just stay with the 1535's?
Also, any suggestions on Brace height, RMS suggested between 7 & 8 but, for a longbow is that to high.
Gonna try to post a pic or 2. Thanks from a Really happy longbow owner, Joe

   

[awbowman]

How heavy is the the 1535 setup?

You could make the 3555s work but you will have to increase point weight.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but I'd say if you are happy with the 1535s go for it as long as they weigh at least 8gpp.  More would be better for hunting.

The hybrid longbow is probably cut just short of center so you NEED a weaker arrow than you would normally see in a recurve cut to center and at the same weight.  It sounds right to me for the 1535s to be at least close with a 125 BH.

BTW, congrats on the bow, she's a good looking bow

[mahantango]

Those 15/35 (.600) sound about right. I shoot 35/55 (.500) out of bows in the 55-57# range.

[ron w]

In the photo the brace looks about right, you might want to go up or down a bit just to fine tune your set up. Bryan makes a nice bow!

[Rob DiStefano]

nice hybrid longbow - get that bad boy bloodied up.    

shoot whatever arrows flies best for you.  it always comes down to what works works personally.  carbons typically have a very stiff dynamic spine, so don't put too much regard to their static listed spine.  the fact they list such a wide range (15-35) for a specific size is a giveaway clue to what it will do on release from a variety of holding weights ... and draw lengths.  

i shoot 29" beman 500's out of 50 and 55 pound longbows, with an over 25% foc and 535 to 580 grains total arrow weight.  there are no rules, only guidelines - the rest is up to personal test results.  enjoy!

[Joe03]

Thanks all, stick with the 1535's now and if I want to raise my point weight, I like to hunt with a heavier broad head, I will poss. go a bit stiffer spine, full lenght. I may be tempted to just try 145gr on the 1535 and see where they fly??

[Longbow917]

Thats a good looking stick Joe, welcome to the longbow world.  I love the hybrid longbows, excellent hunting weapons!

[gonefishing600]

If the 1535's are flying good for you, then you have a base-line/bench-mark that you can use when you want to increase or decrease point weight. if you ever get lost you know where home is at.

On the brace height, rule of thumb is longbows 7" give or take a little.

Good luck!

[Bodork]

I'd stick with the 1535's if they fly good because the are usually easier to get ahold of. Especially the blems!

[Gator1]

Congratulations that is a sweet stick. I really like the strung profile.

As Ron said go up and down in brace height until you find the quietest spot.

I don't think adding 20-30 grains to point weight is going to affect your arrow flight at all..

       

[old_goat2]

The Spirits do like a little higher brace than most bows of their type. Start at 7" and adjust from there to see what she likes is what I'd suggest. I think the spirits really shine when matched with a fairly heavy arrow, they get whisper quiet and become way more comfortable to shoot.  Shoot what you have for now to get the feel of the bow and then try to find yourself a heavy GPI arrow that you can use a heavy tip on and you will be putting them in there in no time.

[Friend]

Beautiful...congrats!!!

[recurvericky]

Bryon makes a really nice bow at a reasonable price. Shot one back in Febuary and was quite impressed.

[Joe03]

Thanks Gents, I love shooting this longbow.
Believe I will give 3555 a try, full length, due to the fact would like to try a heavier head. Keep you posted

[30coupe]

My experience with GTs is that they run to the stiff side. I've had good luck with Beman ICS Bowhunter 500s cut to 29.5" with 100 gr. brass inserts, 30 gr. aluminum adapters, and 130-135 gr. broadheads (Deltas or Tigersharks). It gives me 22% FOC and 11.28 gpp from my 46# Kanati. They work equally well from my Orion.

[Joe03]

Ok, ok, I'm a bit monkish, tv show monk, that I went to my local archery shop and picked up factory GT Trads 3555's. I was concerned due to the fact the factory Trads have 4 " feathers instead of the 5s I'm used to but, tried them anyway. WOW, started at 10yrds to 15 yards, getting dark so had to stop. I love this longbow. Right in the center, well I aim low and hit just a bit above point of aim. So, I guess the 4" feather worked well now, just to be able to pick better colors.

Thanks for all the help. TradGang members are like a family here and I really appreciate it. You've been my guidance.

Ps, I went back to my 145gr field points for the shots.