Recurve vs. Long Bow accuracy?

[Sam McMichael]

It is the skill of the shooter. Even though shooting technique sometimes varies between the two types of bow, it is still the skill of the archer that is the dominant factor.

[McDave]

Looking back at my earlier post, I believe I was focused too much on answering the specific question posed, and ignored the broader perspective.  I love my longbows, and welcome any opportunity to shoot in longbows with wood arrows only tournaments.  We are all accepting far greater restrictions voluntarily by limiting ourselves to traditional bows in general than the small differences between longbows, hybrids, and recurves.  This doesn't change my earlier response; I just wanted to add this to it.

[Trenton G.]

I'm not a good enough shot to notice a difference. I believe I remember hearing someone, might have been Byron Ferguson, talk about how when a longbow is put in a shooting machine where it cant move all all and the same shot is repeated, the arrow will go in the same hole again and again whereas a recurve will enlarge the hole slightly. Whether this is true or not I don't really know, and I'm sure there are other variables such as arrow tune and what not.

[blacktailbob]

I do know this...the only way MY accuracy stays or get better is practice, practice, practice.

[GCook]

I do believe it's the shooter.  But I also believe a bow that fits you well, that you can master your form and control with, will shoot best for you regardless of which it is as long as you stay in your effective range.
I've been struggling with some shoulder pain for a while and with a very busy work schedule, fatigued muscles and sore everything I've really limited my shooting.  For a while it was only 3 shots once a week, sometimes once every two weeks.  Went three weeks once in June.   I'm up to a couple of times a week but normally no more than 3 arrows.  Focused, don't release unless it's right arrows.  Staying at 13 to 15 yards.  And it has been effective to keep me at least in a place where I could make an effective kill shot if I could actually get a chance to go hunt some pigs.😒
I've never held a bow that shot as well for me as this Primal Tech.   Every time I pick it up I feel like I'm going to hit the spot.  More often than not I'm PDC.
I think when you find a bow that fits you, regardless of recurve or longbow, that's what will be most accurate.  At least for you.

[Otto]

While I have a couple of R/D longbows....I don't shoot any of them nearly as well as I can shoot a recurve, and of the 3 dozen recurves I have, there is no doubt that I shoot my heavy riser Black Widows better than any other recurve.

[R. Fletcher]

If you are asking about the Black Hunter longbow and recurve specifically, I have both.  Comparing these two, I find the longbow version to be much smoother and more accurate. I don't care much for the recurve.

[Wilderlife]

Skill of the shooter and arrow tuning aside...

Most people may have an easier time shooting a recurve more accurately than a longbow as traditionally a recurve has a more accommodating grip and usually has a lot more weight in the riser which makes it easier to hold steady.

This is a very basic rule of thumb as there are many kinds of longbows around nowadays. The Black Hunter being discussed in this thread is a good example of essentially a recurve riser but with longbow limbs. Lots of companies are doing this now.

If I compare my Black Widow PCH to my Norseman Chieftain (essentially a D style ASL) the Black Widow is far easier for me to shoot accurately. Both bows are comparable in poundage. The Widow has a lot more mass to it and holds steady at full draw and at follow through.

That's just me however. I'm sure there are people who can shoot an ASL more accurately than a big recurve.

[Terry Green]

Get your form down correctly and consistently, then know how to tune your arrow and bow together.

 Then you can be accurate with a broomstick.

[Part Time Archer]

Shorter bows are forced to carry more lbs per inch in their short limbs so accuracy suffers if you are off on your full draw. A longer bow is less effected and more tolerate (forgiving) of a less than full draw. Comparing a 50 inch to 70 inch bow, both 1/2 inch from full draw, the 50 inch would lose more weight making the longer bow more accurate. 

[F. Dobbs]

Ask Howard Hill. 

[Bowguy67]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve been eyeing a black hunter long bow or recurve to start with. The long bow had lower draw weights in stock at the moment. I also considered an ILF setup, but ultimately I want a one piece bow of some sort and I wasn’t sure if an ILF would ruin that for me if I started with that? I know that opens a whole other can of worms… but any thoughts?

Buddy if I could deviate a little cause it’s really important. The Black Hunter is Chinese. When things come from Amazon if that’s where you plan on getting it they are a fulfillment company not an export company. They don’t pay the Pittman Robertson taxes. As sportsman we need to lead the way as we always have.
Lots of options on the used market or buy at least from an archery distributor so those funds got paid. The country of origin though would exclude my purchase anyhow.

[Baylee]

I shoot my ASL longbows more accurately than any recurve. I’ve owned and shot some of the high priced custom recurves, and more Bears, Redwing, Pearson, than I can count. The Hill style bows always shoot better for me. If any other type of bow shot better in hunting situations I’d switch. The thing with longbows ASL longbows, a lot of people want to look the part but don’t put in the time to learn how to shoot them.

And Howard Hill made a living shooting a bow. His company also sold and made recurves. He said himself, if any other bow shot better he’d shoot that bow...period. Bob Swinehart, John Schulz etc. said the same. Now you can find truck loads of folks that can’t shoot an ASL worth a flip....but that’s the shooter and not the bow.

[Cavscout9753]

All things being equal, I’ve always found that I can pick up my Kodiak Hunter and hit vitals at ~20m regardless of how long it’s been since I’ve touched it. I love long bows—both ASL and R/D—but with the more instinctive shooting style often required for them, there’s always a bit of a homecoming penalty before I’m confidently dialed in. That said, I’m no prodigy.