shrew bows??

[Steel]

I don't see myself ever getting another longbow over 58". I shoot a short bow very good and they are such much easier to use in a treestand or bush.

[DEAN]

60 IN AND DRAW TO 29 1/2 AND VERY SMOOTH SHOOTER

[Dave2old]

Scott E -- I'd go with the 56" classic at that draw length. Still a really short bow!

[TSP]

If you draw 30" I would suggest going with at least a 60" Shrew (or Griffin) for a smooth draw in tight places/odd positions.  Shrews are great little bows, but even they have limitations.  

Have owned many bows over the years including five Shrew longbows.  I currently have two Shrews and they are among my all-time favorite designs, along with the venerable Howard Hills.

I'll second the advice above...its always best to try a bow before you buy.  What one person likes might not be what you are looking for.

[Ron LaClair]

Scott, Dave is right on the suggestion for a 56" Classic being a better choice for your 30" draw. The  Shrew Classic Hunter is different that the Super Shrew in that it has a shorter riser plus  the limb has more reflex on the end, with the result being a smooth no stack draw for a bow of it's short length.

The Classic is made in three lengths, 52,54 and 56" with the 56" being capable of long draws out to 31". While the 54" Classic will take a 30" draw, the 56" length would be my recommendation for best overall performance at that long draw.

Here's a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter being drawn to 30"

   

Here it is at 32"

   

[TSP]

I stand corrected, haven't tried the Classic Hunter and it looks like its a winner for a short bow and a longer draw.  Darned thing reminds me of two limbs joined at the butts!  

Whats next, a Shirt Pocket Shrew?  Maybe a Telescoping Shrew?  I could use one of those...    

[amar911]

Ron L.,

Would you also recommend a 56" Classic Hunter at my draw length of 29 1/2" or would a 54" bow work about as well? I don't know how much difference that last half inch of draw makes in which bow to choose. Also, does the Classic Hunter work with the bow bolt? I just don't like to travel with full length bows and really need to have at least a two piece takedown. Another question -- how do I find out what riser woods would be available to use assuming I can get the bow bolt installed? I know that some bowyers are hesitant to use various woods because of the lack of thickness in the riser when the bow bolt is installed. I don't know if that is a concern on the Classic Hunter. Last question -- I just read a post on TradGang from a guy who said that he had chronographed a Shrew next to another make of longbow and the Shrew was about 20 or so feet per second slower -- is that your test experience or did you get different speed results? Speed is not everything, but it is a major factor to me when we are talking a 10% or more difference.

Thanks for your input. There is no one who knows more about this subject than you do, of course, so I thought I would try to get my information from the "horse's mouth".

Allan

[Scott E]

Thanks for the feed back everyone I think the classic hunter is the bow I will choose for my first custom. Too bad I wont get until next year    I bet it'll be worth the wait though. sorry for hijacking the post by the way-Scott

[hardwaymike]

hey no problem scott, it just helps me get more info about my question. and i need more help than i can get usually;)

[L. E. Carroll]

I have 2 Super Shrew's [ not the Classic Hunter Series]a 58" 55# and a 56" 59# both are awesome and were built by John McColough [who makes the Griffins]. They are definately smooth and fit the hand Sooooo nice did I mention quite and fast !!! Hope that helps in your decision to join the Shrew Clan. I'm confident the new shrews are just as nice however have not been lucky enough to get to shoot one yet.
Gene

[Ron LaClair]

Allan, I think the 56" would be a better choice for you. Yes, the Bow Bolt can be installed in the Classic.

As for the 20fps difference,  I don't believe that.  

[amar911]

Thanks Ron. That answers most of my questions. I had a hard time believing the 20 fps difference too. I would really like a shorter bow since my shortest ones currently are 60". I did wonder about what riser woods are available with the bow bolt. What is the best way to get that info? Should I just pick up the phone and call your shop? I probably need to get on the list so I can get a Classic Hunter sometime next year. It sounds like the line is only going to get longer.

Allan

[amar911]

Ron,

Here is the link to the page where the comparison was made of a Shrew being much slower than a Morrison.  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=062739

Allan

[BRITTMAN]

Allan ,
I think you should give Ron a call on the phone and he will awnser all your questions . Hes a heck of a nice guy to talk to and its much easier that doing computer tag when asking questions about building a custom bow . Ron and Greg are first class all the way so you wont regret your decision to buy a Shrew .

Mike

[oddan]

My 54in Classic Hunter is my favorite bow. I also have a 54in PSR Widow. Both bows are within 2 # of each other. Shooting the same arrow I can not see a diffrence or tell a diffrence in speed. The Shrew Classic is the smoothest drawing bow I have ever shot.My 56in Chamelon shoots great but I KNOW the Classic Hunter is in a class all its own. There is something magical about this bow. I just can't figure out what it is.  

[Steel]

I have a  56 SuperShrew and am getting around 168-170 FPS With 475gr arrows 47lb@27 through my Chrony. Thats pretty darn fast for a 27" draw and under 50lbs plus the Shrew bow is flat out my Favortive bow at this time. It's short,smooth to draw and easy to hit with I really wish I had another one it a best designed longbow for my taste I have owned. I also Just received a New 58" Morrison Dakota carbon foam core limbs and I am pulling around 51 Lbs at 27" I shot it yesterday through the chrony same 475gr arrow 181 FPS average over 5 shots not bad but all things fair it is 4lbs heavier than my SuperShrew. My Friends 58" 48lb @ 28" draw Morrison Shawnee carbon foam core limbs hit 187 FPS to 190FPS over several shots(notice he has longer draw) with around 470gr arrow. One most Remember all bows have different performance even the same model same woods and so on. After all they are made one at a time. Also draw lenght,Lbs,arrow weight will all effect the FPS. I could go to a 540gr arrow and my the SuperShrew could like the heavier arrow and be faster than the my Morrison it happens. In the end I do think carbon foam core limbs will improve the performance on a longbow Vs wood but you would only be looking at maybe 5 to 10 FPS from what I have read. I would not buy a bow just to have carbon limbs. I would be looking at design,style,eye pleasing and so on first than carbon limbs once I found the bow if avaiable.

[Ron LaClair]

When comparing bow performance/speed, a very important factor to consider is the difference in the "shooters" themselves. Some people get off the string cleaner resulting in more fps from a given bow that another person, same bow, same arrows, same draw length, who's release will for a better word, "drag" off the string. A difference between a tab or a glove or the type of leather on them can also make a difference of 10fps more or less also. The best and most accurate test would be from a shooting machine.

Personally I want a bow that is stable and will shoot "line" To me it's not a race to see who's arrow gets there first but rather who's arrow hits where it's supposed to.  

[Steel]

I think you right there are so many things affecting arrow speed It's hard to see the whole story when compareing in the field. Plus I would rather have a bow that hits where I aim Vs one thats fast to miss the whole target!

[BobW]

That is a 56" Classic Hunter drawing 32" (yes, 32")  Bow is 59#@32, and if i remember correctly, it was only gaining 2.5#/in the whole way back (hasn't stacked yet).

This is a great bow.  It needs you to do your part (form, release, etc.), and will not cure ills in those areas, but is a real pleasure to shoot one.

Gregg builds a great bow for Ron.

[BobW]

And for you speed junkies, this bow is throwing a 675g arrow 168 fps....... not sure why I even ran it through a chrono, but it was there..... I'm more impressed how it drives an arrow half way through a McKenzie 3-D target - much to the despair of the guy who has to pull them...