Bow length question

[coaster500]

I'm working on my third bow. It's a Hackberry stave and compared to the Mulberry and Kentucky Coffee it's like carving butter.

My question is it is 72.5 inches long 1 3/4 at the fades to a 1/2 tip....  It has a 4" non-bending handle and 2+ inch fades in this picture. I am shooting for 50#@28....   is there any advantage to leaving the bow 72 inches long? What would you do at this point....  as it sits now it's pulling 50#s at 16"s..

The longest bow I have ever shot was 66"s and it shot great...

 

 

[Roy from Pa]

The shorter you make it, the more weight it will gain. Your going to have to keep taking wood off the belly and or make it a little bit narrower from fades to mid limb +. I would take wood off the belly.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Its all personal taste in regards to bow length. I myself would take it to 66" tip to tip. I have found that you need to be around 35/40# @ 20" to land close to 50 @ 28" with all the finish work. Heat treat that belly Coaster. Hackberry will take on some good set, its quite soft. I do love my hackberry bows though! Very fast wood.

[Art B]

That pyramid design (vs a rectangular) you're using will allow for a longer draw length through a shorter bow. I like that 66" that Pearly mentioned also. I would keep the outer third of the limbs more non-bending if you stay with your origanal length and reduce weight inner limbs......Art

[coaster500]

Thank you for your coments guys...  I normally shoot bows 56 to 60 inches(laminated)and at my slight 27" draw I think I'll cut it down a bit. I think I'll make it 66 or so and it will still be the longest kid in the rack....

[Osagetree]

To me longer bows seem to draw smoother and stack less.

[Mike Most]

If your hunting with it the longer it is the more it gets caught in the brush, at least in my neck of the woods. (wonder how I know that?)

[coaster500]

Well it's 66"s now and starting to bend...