Longbow length question

[ed cowden]

I would like to know what we might be missing as the trend is getting shorter. Longbows of old times were much longer and I am sure when they went to laminated everything got shorter. Now the race is on to build the shortest hunting bow possible. What were the qualities of shooting those real long bows like 75 inches or longer. They had to be very steady in the bow hand and that is 90 % of the accurate shot. Just like a tight rope walker uses that very long pole to stead himself. Who makes really long bows and has anyone got any real experience with them?

[halfseminole]

I really like the ELB design.  No finger pinch even at my 36" draw really easy in the hand.

[newhouse114]

Edward Boyd is presently trying to figure out how to produce a 72 inch bow for me without having to make a brand new set of forms just for my bow! I just love how a longer bow feels and shoots! I have close to a 30 inch draw and I feel that I get a smoother release with the longer bow. I am presently shooting a 64" Montana.

[monterey]

Those old English warbows were the answer to a question that is not frequently asked by archers and bow hunters today.  Those bows were meant to launch very heavy arrows into the ranks of the enemy. Certainly accuracy was important, but probably not as important as it is to a modern day tournament archer or hunter.   Contests of those days were shot at longish distances to hone the skill of placing that arrow into the ranks of the enemy.

Today we lump many designs as "longbows".  Bows of 66 to 72 inches provide a steady platform for many archers, but not all!  There are individual shooters who excel with these longer bows and others who find a shorter R/D or recurve to be more to their liking.

I've always been of the opinion that individual skill is more defining of accuracy than the style of bow.  When a shooter exclaims that his new bow stacks arrow after arrow into a tiny little group, he/she is selling his/her skills short.  What has happened is the shooter has picked up a bow that is a good fit to the shooters skills.

[ed cowden]

I talked to Mike at 7 Lakes and he makes them up to 74". Also stated the longer limbs will have more weight and cause more vibration or hand shock. Recommended Bamboo for the Hill styles. I guess you have to pay a price for anything. To get that long stable forgiving bow you will have more hand shock.

[halfseminole]

That's due to design.  I've got a 72" bow that's dead in the hand.  Most ELBs I've shot are the same.  I'm not so much a fan of the newer longbows.

[monterey]

X2 what halfseminole says.  My longer bows are quite shock free.  Mine have narrow tips and therefore lighter tips.  Maybe that's the key.

My favorite Hill style right hand bow is 68" for 26.5" draw.  I moved the action of the limb out and away from the fadeouts a bit and gave it more tip action, although it is not really whip ended to any extreme.  With a modern string it has less vibration and shock than many recurves with B55 strings.  It is also the most accurate standard Hill that I have ever shot and faster than many that I have compared it to.  I am not sure that one loses things to get extra length if the lay up and tiller is compensated to match it.

[Moots]

Ed,

I'm not sure what is the tradeoff between longer and shorter bows.  I have a 30 1/2" draw, and Mike at 7 Lakes recommended, and is building me a 70" bow.  He thought it would have good speed (for and ASL) and be a smooth shooter.

Rob

[arrow flynn]

I went to Bob Wesleys for archery instruction in 95 I had him order me a hill longbow well I have a 27.5 draw and he ordered me a 70 inch big 5 and he said' this will shoot the best for you' so there you have it another opinion on bow length and it did shoot very well and it was not slow.

[Archie]

I'm someone who enjoys shooting a longer bow.  They do seem to be more forgiving and smoother on the draw.

I have been intrigued by the shorter bows, but when I try them, I don't seem to shoot them well.  And for the significant loss I suffer in accuracy and consistency, gaining a couple of inches on either end isn't worth it.