Recurve vs Longbow. Will shooting both influence my accuracy with one?

[Johan van Niekerk]

I've been shooting a reflex-deflex longbow almost exclusively for the last few years. Now I'm tempted to get a recurve. But, I don't want to do something that will have a negative impact on my longbow ability.

How many of you shoot both? What are your experiences? If I get one, is the same poundage advisable? Or should I go for something higher/lower?

Thoughts?

[SlowBowKing]

I am far from an expert, but common sense would say that any change in bow/arrows/accessories/aiming method would negatively affect your shooting due to lack of consistency. I’m sure for some this is negligible, for others it probably makes a major difference.

Some people find one bow and stick with it. Others, like my best friend, have to constantly tweak and change everything, including their bow. Figure out what suits you and go for it. As my old economics professor would say, “Whatever maximizes your utility function.”

[Steelhead]

You might try and get a recurve with as close a grip as possible to your Longbow and overall massweight of your longbow.Close to the same poundage.Also cut the shelf the same way if possible,to center or past center etc.Also about the same length or very close.

In Essence trying to duplicate the recurve to the longbow as close as possible.Other than the limb style.

I never had much problem at all when I was primarily shooting longbows and had 50 style recurves that were similar in grip,mass weight,length and poundage.

You might even be able to use the same arrows for both bows which is an advantage as well for you.

If the bowyer you got your longbow from makes a recurve he might be able to set you up with a recurve to go with your longbow.

Or search for a Bowyer that could make a recurve very similar to your longbow in as many ways as possible.

[Bowguy67]

I see no issue and I change relatively constantly. It may take a few arrows but I’m fine right quick. You don’t need to same grip btw. The actual bow grip should never dictate proper “gripping” of the bow which is not relative at all to the bow handle itself.

[STICKBENDER98]

I shoot both recurve and long bow, and can't say that my accuracy has suffered with either.  I have a Black Widow PCH with the Asbell grip, and a Timberhawk Talon Premiere which has a bit deeper throat that my BW, and I shoot these bows 3 under.  I have a Javaman Elkheart which I also shoot 3 under, my other longbows are Northern Mist with a straight grip, and I shoot these split finger.  The only difference I have when switching from one to the other is adjusting from the split vs. the 3 under, I shoot instinctive with booth eyes open, and anchor both styles with my middle finger to the corner of my mouth, and hook my thumb behind my jaw.  Hope this helps.


Jason

[Orion]

I shoot one in the morning and a different one in the afternoon.  Sometimes a couple of different styles in the morning or afternoon.  It's just a stick and a string.  IMO, the more different bows one shoots, the more the brain experiences and learns and the better one's accuracy ultimately becomes with either. 

[GCook]

I shoot both all the time and usually my choice of bow to take to the ranch for the weekend is weighed on which I happen to be shooting the most consistent.   
Normally I'll shoot a few ends with one then switch to the other.  Back and forth.  I want to be able to hunt with either when I want.

[Lori]

I will be 69 by next deer season. Got out and shot today for the first time outside this year. I am told that my form looks better with an active bow arm as with my Hill, but for now I will stick with the lighter draw recurve, which I shoot with a straighter wrist and bow arm and a bit longer draw.

[M60gunner]

I shoot both as well. I take both to the range. I have to shoot a few arrows to get a “feel” for each.

[McDave]

There is no doubt in my mind that if you want to maximize your accuracy, you would pick one bow and stick with it.  The problem is, I don't know which bow I would pick!  There is more to life than accuracy, like versatility, for example.  If being able to switch bows without undue stress is important to you, then you need experience switching bows.  You pays yer money and you takes yer choice.  I like to shoot different bows, and don't mind the weight difference, the poundage difference, or the grip difference.  But I draw the line at the center shot difference.  All of my bows are cut past center.  I do not want to have to make the adjustment between a bow not cut to center and a bow cut past center!  YMMV, of course.

[GCook]

I was on a hunt in late September.   Shot a deer atc16 yards and the bottom limb on myvTall Tines recurve separated on the shot.  That was on Friday evening.   On Saturday evening I shot an auodad ewe with the other bow I took with me.  My Primal Tech longbow.  Some of that versatility you're talking about.

[Friend]

All my longbow and recurve are cut at least 1/8” past center.

Switching between bows, which I frequently do, even between morning and afternoon hunts adds much spice to the pursuit.

When encountering a special focus required to shoot a particular bow, it is often something that already needed to improved upon in my shot execution. Now if it is a grip feature issue, then I will not own the bow very long,

[Silent footed]

Depends on how temperamental you are to changes and how versatile an archer you are.

For me it fits in well with the other practice I do: sitting shots, obstacle shots, reverse carts, leaning, moving targets, threading through blowouts, uphill down hill, whacking dirt clods and grass clumps, shooting at unknown ranges, etc.

Seems like a good skill to have to be able to pick up a new bow and be able to hit with it sufficiently after an afternoon. Hill mentioned that a proficient archer should be capable of doing so readily.

Suppose you whack the limb of your longbow on a tree trunk mid season during a hunting shot and break it off at the nock? What are you going to do now? Pick up the other bow, obviously. You definitely need to be somewhat familiar with it.

And to me, the more shooting you do at the more different kinds of targets, with ANY bow, the better.

But, beware the man with only one bow, he probably knows how to use it...

[Wudstix]

I have two Big River bows; one recurve Kodiak clone and a 21st Century clone longbow than both pull 66-67#.  Both are 60" bows and physically weight fairly close to the same.  Also, have a MOAB that is also 60" and @3# lighter draw.  And a 71# Kota "Badlands"(I think) D shaped LB 62".  I like to bounce back and forth with these bows.  The MOAB is lighter, shots different arrows, but all these are fairly easy for this old man to adjust too within 3-5 shots. YMMVGAD!!!  I just focus more on shot mechanics and the target, let my eye figure things out. 
 

[Johan van Niekerk]

I shoot both recurve and long bow, and can't say that my accuracy has suffered with either.  I have a Black Widow PCH with the Asbell grip, and a Timberhawk Talon Premiere which has a bit deeper throat that my BW, and I shoot these bows 3 under.  I have a Javaman Elkheart which I also shoot 3 under, my other longbows are Northern Mist with a straight grip, and I shoot these split finger.  The only difference I have when switching from one to the other is adjusting from the split vs. the 3 under, I shoot instinctive with booth eyes open, and anchor both styles with my middle finger to the corner of my mouth, and hook my thumb behind my jaw.  Hope this helps.


Jason

Thanks! This was going to be my next question. Would shooting 3 under make a huge difference. I'm shooting the longbow 3 under and haven't split in ages. I'll probably end up giving it a try. One can never have too many bows

[trad_bowhunter1965]

It's not the bow it's the archer just like picking up a rock, baseball, softball or football you throw them all the same but you grip them differently. 

[1Canvas]

I have two recurves and two longbows and I shoot both types, and although I shoot my recurves better on some days I really don’t shoot much different between them. I notice more differences in my shooting with different poundages more than bow styles.

[Rob DiStefano]

I prefer longbows because the string will never (should never) touch or slap the limbs, and I just like longbow aesthetics over recurves.  In terms of performance, nothing is lost with any decent longbow, with regards to consistent accuracy or hunting. 

However, if one fancies a recurve, have at it - there is no negative shooting influences with regards to comparisons of longbows and recurves. 

[Trad Whitetail]

Like most here, I enjoy and shoot a lot of different bows.  After a few arrows you can usually adjust and shoot pretty good with about anything out to twenty or even thirty yards if you shoot regularly.   However, as hunting season closes in, I pick one and stick with it.  When I do that, my shooting improves from hitting a paper plate at 30 yards to hitting pine cones at thirty yards.  The down side is I always reach for the Howatt Hunter since I shoot it the best and nothing else really gets a chance   

[old_goat2]

I don't feel like it matters too much as long as there isn't some huge difference in arrow speed!