Short vs long recurves

[Tradmike]

I have shot 58" and 60" bows for 50 years. I have a 28" draw. Just bought a used das daala 21" riser and installed medium limbs. This made a 64" bow. I was amazed how much more accurate I could shoot this longer bow. How long a recurve do you shoot?

[Red Beastmaster]

58", 60" & 62"

[MnFn]

60".  I have had 62", 64". Just prefer 60" , maybe what I am mostly used to. They were all previously owned.

[Trenton G.]

58", 60", 66". The 66" bow is mostly for form work, but is very easy to shoot accurately. If it was a heavier draw weight, that would probably be the bow that I hunt with.

[dbd870]

I have shot from 48 to 60" and I have found if I do my part (which I don't always do!) any of them work for me, draw 28". I would like to try a 64 or 66" just to see if it would make a difference.

[McDave]

60-64", toward the shorter length for hunting, and toward the longer length for target.  It doesn't seem like any of the modern trad bowyers are making recurves longer than 64", although  I occasionally see some longer ones that were made 50 or more years ago.  70" is a common recurve length for Olympic recurve bows.  As far as accuracy is concerned, I think the longer the better.  I guess you could paraphrase the answer the old Texas ranger gave when asked why he carried a .45: "Because they don't make a .46!"

[Prairie Drifter]

I'm of short stature. I don't like a bow taller than me LOL! Longest bow I shoot is a 54" Maddog Prairie Predator. All my recurves are 52" and shorter. Never had a problem in over 30 years.

[damascusdave]

52 to 69 inches with about a 30 inch draw

DDave

[dirtguy]

62-64 inches but I would consider 66 as well

[Danny Rowan]

56" to 62" with a 29" draw.

[wingnut]

64, 30 1/2" draw

[riverrat 2]

62" is as short as I like any bow. My favorite is 64-66". I only draw 28" but just enjoy the way a longer bow feels on the draw and release of arrow. rat'

[Holm-Made]

I was at the IBO Worlds a couple years back.  Don't remember seeing any short recurves.  Even the short fellas had long recurves.   Must be something to it......

That being said, many hunting archers know that a short recurve may be the best hunting bow for them and their hunting situation.

[30coupe]

I believe it depends on your intentions. From what I have seen, most of the target shooters use very long, very heavy bows with all sorts of do-dads hanging off of them. Those folks are darn good shots too and probably would be with a shorter bow as well. They also shoot very lightweight arrows from light draw weight bows. Their intention is to put arrows in the center of a target, and by golly, they do just that.    

As they say, your mileage may vary! If we all liked the same thing, there would be a lot of very fine bowyers looking for a career change.

[Pointer]

Mostly 62" with a 30" draw but I also have a couple of 60" I like to use if I am in a pop-up blind.

[Jwilliam]

I prefer 60" or 62" recurves.

[Chris Pharr]

56"-60" for me @ 29.5" draw. I like both equally for the most part,  but I've been shooting the 56" way more lately. Trying to prep myself for thunder chicken season in a pop-up.

[ISP 5353]

64" recurves for me.  Two Palmers and a Quinn.  I draw 30".

[KAZ]

54" & 60" Recurves... The 54" is my go to for hunting due to how nimble it is.....

[DesertDude]

A Wes Wallace 64"-66" for me at 29" draw