Longbow more forgiving then a Recurve??

[swampbuck]

May I suggest that YOU try several differnt bows to see what is better for YOU.

I hear LB's are harder to shoot well and I hear they are more forgiving too..doesn't that seem contradictory    :confused:   I personally did not loose accuracy going from a recurve to a LB and also didn't notice any added forgivness either,not saying it wasn't there just for ME I did not notice it.I like the feel of the newer RD LB's over the classic rattle your teeth D shaped bows but again feel is subjective to the user.

If LBs were more accurate they'd be shot in the olympics lets face it there not more accurate all else being equal as for more forgiving mmmmmmmmmmmm sorry all I can say for sure is I like them myself while others prefer their curve's

[Mr.Chuck]

Chose whatever bow you want to shoot, and go practice till you hit what you look at.  Problem solved!        

[bowhunterfrompast]

It's been years but if I remember correctly, Howard Hill also stated that you could grab the string on a longbow and twist it, the longbow would not unstring itself. A recurve would come unstrung.

All the legends chose the bow they could shoot the best and history was made.

As already stated each to his own.

[beaglesandbucks]

All I know..is this....

I started my traditional journey with recurves...and almost gave it up...UNTIL....my eye was caught one day by a Martin Savannah.

I got it for my birthday in 2006...and have never looked back.  Liked the longbow so much...I bought a Widow PLII.

FOR ME...(note the emphasis...ME).....I shoot longbows better.  They kept me on the traditional straight and narrow.

[frassettor]

Originally posted by Daddy Bear:
"I use the straight-end longbow for the simple reason that it requires a less exacting hold and loose to get necessary accuracy while hunting, where quick shots must be made from unconventional positions-standing, kneeling or sitting-not the traditional target archer's pose. Also, the longbow throws a heavy arrow much better than any recurve designed, which is necessary for sufficient big game penetration. The longbow is fast, smooth, sturdy and dependable, built to give many years of trouble-free service." - Howard Hill

I'm of the opinion that those words are as valid today as then. I agree completely when kept in context of hunting, hunting shots, and hunting accuracy. Many target archers will quickly point out tournament scores and rankings to dispute this logic. I'm of the opinion that such comparison misses the point entirely.

One does not need pinpoint accuracy while using strinct target archer form when hunting game afoot. It would be great to have, but it is more important to have greater flexibility and a range of tolerance in position and form while maintaining killing accuracy. It is of far greater importance to maintain this killing accuracy from unconventional field positons than to maintain pinpoint precision from your best position.

All of the above does require that you have proficiency in your marksmanship. You need the ability to properly execute killing shots. But it doesn't require that you maintain silver dollar tournament groups.

Where I find the joy in the longbow is indeed when hunting game afoot. The very characteristics that hamper the longbow in tournament scores are the very characteristics that make it shine when hunting game afoot. Its light weight and pointability marries the bow to the hunter like no other. Combined with the proper draw techniques, the longbow shows outstanding accuracy on small moving game that is hard to match with the heavier recurve. Despite its longer length, with the longbow shooting an arrow close to the hand it is very accurate on game when working the bow from extreme angles both forward and reverse to include everything between.

For me, when it comes to having a hell for stout bow that is easy to manage, light to carry, casts heavy arrows well, has a broad range of acceptable accuracy (forginveness) for when I'm cold, tired, and/or shooting from an odd position, keeps the arrow close to my hand so I can quickly swing on moving targets, aerials and such, ....for all of this I find the longbow to be my choice.

later,
Daddy Bear

Well said!!  

[Tim]

Jerry  -  I'm little bit of a form nut and I do believe the heavier mass weight of the recurve allows me to settle in more comfortably and retain that position after the shot. I do prefer the cleaner sight picture of a longbow which like you I can bring up on target quicker.

Nobody has gotten into grips yet? Longbow versus recurve anyone....locator, straight, recurve...

I seem much more consistent with a recurve grip although I prefer a locator.  The madness continues.  

[pdk25]

Daddy Bear,
  I certainly shouldn't argue with Mr. Hill, but I'm pretty sure that no objective evidence supports the claim that longbows throw heavier arrows better than longbows.  I shoot my longbow better than my recurve, but it has alot of mass weight in the riser with a bow-bolt and dymondwood. I don't know that I agree with longbows being better suited to fast shooting with a less exacting grip.  It seems the extra mass weight of the riser would make up for this.  Just my opinion. Oh well, had to stir the pot.

[pdk25]

Should read "longbows throw heavier arrows better than recurves".

[Scott Gray]

Honestly I think it doesn't matter. I can shoot both well. I have owned both, but not both at the same time. I think that it would be difficult to shoot both well going back and forth. I shot recurves very well and wanted to try a longbow,sold the 'curve and although there was a learning curve I can shoot it as well as a recurve. As far as forgiveness goes I honestly think there is no difference in forgiveness. A good shot is still a good shot and a bad one is still a bad one with either bow.

[BMG]

I was just reading the Cloverdale Nationals webpage looking at the scores posted.   Vvveeeery interesting who came out with the highest score.

[Widowbender]

Don't make your bow mad and you won't have to worry about it forgiving you  

David

[Dartwick]

Originally posted by swampbuck:

I hear LB's are harder to shoot well and I hear they are more forgiving too..doesn't that seem contradictory     :confused:    

I dont think what you heard is what was said.

[pdk25]

I feel much the same as Mr. Gray.

[longbowben]

A longbow will consume you.Its a love hate relationship.

[Don Stokes]

There's so much overlap these days in the way limbs are designed, the "forgivability" difference may not be as obvious as in the past. The most noticeable difference is between a Hill-style straight-and-narrow longbow and a wide-and-thin limbed recurve, but it only shows up when you really need it!

[swampbuck]

Dartwick,if ya look around not just on this thread or even this site you'll see both sides just as I said.Sometimes the arguements or disagreemnts are quite old this is just one of those.

I personally like LB's better and maybe??I even shoot them better but that still doesn't change the facts that all else being equal recurves are more accurate.

Please somebody show me an olympic contender doing so with a LB.....Don't get me wrong I really really like LB's but my like's or dislike's doesn't change the facts.

We should shot what we want for our own personal satisfaction,if thats a self bow great if its a full blown fita rig well thats great too.It amazes me more and more everyday even in a forum that insists on .....oh never mind have a great day guys/gals

[frassettor]

BOY, I should have done a poll on this one!  

[mike g]

Olympic shooters use Recurves, Butt all of the great shots and trick shooters used longbows...
    Howard Hill and Byron Feruguson....So which bow is more Accurate....

[swampbuck]

"..So which bow is more Accurate...."

   

[frassettor]

And here I thought it was a simple question