HH bug got me ... Part One!

[LEWIS VADEN]

Thanks guys, that is what I needed to know.  Been watching the classifieds for over a year for a light wt. Hill Bow.  Gave up and ordered a Toelke Super D 10 days ago and yesterday a 2012 Tembo came up for sale that should fit me perfect.  I don't even know if I will like Hill bows, but its killing me not to buy this one for $375.

[ChrisM]

That is a nice looking Bow and ask questions and give it time and you may end up really liking it.

[David Mitchell]

It could be 2-4# heavier than marked.  My last one was dead on, but I've had them as much as 6# heavier than marked weight!  That's my only concern with Hills and I've owned a bunch.  Usually I ask the seller if they have actually weighed them if buying used.  Regarding the D97 string....my Northern Mist bows have come with  D97 strings from Steve and they have no tip overlays.  Most Hills will have a tip wedge in the middle of the lams to add extra strength.

[mikebiz]

I'm pretty sure all of Craig's bows come with tip wedges.  Easy to ask the seller.  They are obvious when you look at the tips in profile.  Should look like little dark wedges sandwiched between the bamboo laminations.  If they are there you are good to go with D97.  

That is a beautiful looking Tembo.  If it was 10# heavier I might have taken a shot at it.  You should try it out.  Great price.

What would anyone's best guess that a standard reflexed 66" 55 pound Hill longbow with a dacron string at a 26 inch draw with a 500 grain arrow shoot for fps, compared to a reverse handle and a string follow of the same specs and perhaps at 64" shoot in comparison? I have been asked this twice recently and after shooting longbows for 50 years, I don't know exactly what to answer.

[Pat B.]

I don't know about the fps but I have a dandy 66" Wesley that is 55 @ 28 that's pretty darn quick. I have done a lot of chronographing in the past but have just about put my chrono on the shelf..  A wild guess would put a 500 grain arrow right at 170 out of this rig.

[3Feathers]

Picked up a Big5 on a trade.Its 66in. 62lb.at 26in.a little on the heavy side but it shoots nice and smooth.Has a straight grip.For some reason I can shoot a heavy bow with a straight grip pretty good.Meaning heavy most of my bows are 48-51lbs.Only have a 25in. draw.This bow smokes a 600gr. woodie.Wish I knew how to send pics Would like to show it off........Good hunting

[toddster]

Well, Mr. Steen's sunset Hill, does it again.  sorry no pic, phone messed up.  Took another Doe but from stand, came in behind me, about 22 yards I just came up and shot.  Watch her go down.  Once I was over her giving thanks, I heard something, here came a doe and a big buck.  Guess time to start for him.  Once again the Hill method worked, quick, accurate and desisive.

[58WINTERS]

Pavan,
drop 6# for the shorter draw 49 @ 26 500gr I would be very surprised if you got out of the 150's.
58

[Bob B.]

Well, my Shrew Hill is no speed deamon.  That said, I really like it and it is effective on deer for sure.  It is 49 at 28.  I draw 29 1/2 with it and shoot B-50 for a string.  I have been shooting 580 grain woodies out of it a about 158 fps.  However, the deer does not seem to slow the arrow down any.  

Also, I made up some surewoods that are 546 grains.  I only gained a few FPS and they are chronoed at 161 FPS / conversly, my doug fir shafts are 620 grains and chrono at 155.

With either of the three arrow, the bow is SOOO quiet and the arrow flies real well.  Penetration on deer has not been a problem.  Lastly, the 68 inch limbs are so smooth to draw and release.

Bob.

[Pat B.]

58, you're right..  

With my 55 @ 28 I'm drawing almost to 29 so I'm getting 57-8 pounds plus the longer power stroke.

The same bow drawn to 26 is going to lose a good bit of performance.

Bob, you're sure giving me the itch.. Wish they didn't take so long to get..  I'm too old to wait over a year !!

[Bob B.]

Well, my Shrew Hill is no speed demon.  That said, I really like it and it is effective on deer for sure.  It is 49# at 28".  I draw 29 1/2 with it and shoot B-50 for a string.  I have been shooting 580 grain woodies out of it a about 158 fps.  However, the deer does not seem to slow the arrow down any.  

Also, I made up some Surewoods that are 546 grains.  I only gained a few FPS and they chrono at 161 FPS / conversly, my Doug Fir shafts are 620 grains and chrono at 155.

With either of the three arrows, the bow is SOOO quiet and the arrow flies real well.  Penetration on deer has not been a problem.  

Lastly, the 68 inch limbs are so smooth to draw and release.

Bob.

[AlanF]

[swampthing]

The 26" draw, ah, nice and quick to anchor no messing with thinking, just up and gone. Pavan you can expect 155fps with a light, 10-strand, f/f sting. Drop 3fps for dacron. give or take 1fps.
  Both of the bows you describe should be right about the same.
 I have cronied everyone I ever owned and have found that for each 10g of arrow you +/- 1fps, so add 50g arrow weight drop 5fps.
Every pound of draw weight would = +/- 1fps.
Per inch of draw length would be 10-14fps on light 8gpp arrows
and only 6fps for 10+gpp arrows.
 55# bow to 28" with 535g arrow and fast flight routinely go 170fps with a static release, short draw that same bow to 26" and you will see 158fps. especially if you shortened the arrow as well. A 66" bow does the same thing.    Search "Howard Hill Shootout" on pow wow, and play with the #'s they all are pretty much the same.

[Bob B.]

Pat, those Shrew Hills are kinda like morphine ... 3 shots and you are addicted!    

Bob.

[Muss03]

3Feathers,
I believe you may have been taken on that trade. This Northern Mist is a shooter!
Glad you like it anyways though.

[louislucido]

congrades Toddster ! you are da Man !

[toddster]

no Mr. Hill and all my Hill brothers are for there help, mr. steen, mr. wesley.

[Rossco7002]

Well my annual deer hunting leave starts tomorrow, can't wait to get out with Hill bow, Hill quiver and cedars arrows to chase the elusive whitetail (and anything else that's in season).

The only question:

Schulz Granpa or HH Half Breed?

Thanks to all for getting me hooked on these bows!

[False Cast]

3Feathers, I in your sig-line that you have a few 66" Hills as well as a 62". You and I have similar draw lengths. I have an actual DL of 25.5"-26" with the straight-gripped Hills. How much, and what kind of, difference do you feel between the 66"'s and the 62"? I'm thinking of going shorter on my next one. Right now both of mine are 66" with mild backset. What do you think?

Thanks for your input; as well as anyone else's.