What length longbow?

[DngrsDan]

When I finally get the cash in hand to get my choice of LB I can get it anywhere from 62" to 68". Yes, I know the shorter one would be more maneuverable in tight quarters/brush, so that point is understood. With a longer bow I also realize there is less finger pinch at draw. For my draw length (29)the one I'm looking at has these choices: 62" - 26"-29",
64" - 27"-30", 66" - 27"-31", 68" - 27"-33".
I am considering either the 64" or the 66". Have a 64" Southern Draw now, so I have a feel for that length of a bow, and I can imagine the additional 2" of a 66". And thanks to my meeting Curtis and his friends I had a chance to shoot a 62".
What I am curious about is there any advantage of a longer limbed bow in relation to power/speed/stacking/comfort, or any other factor, to consider when I finally can get it.

[Daddy Bear]

If you are talking straight limbed and/or backset Hill type LB, you'd be looking at a cookie cutter standard of 68" or 70" if you pull it 29". I draw 27", so for me it is 66" and 68" as a standard. The longer length to give me a bit more stability and the shorter length to give me a bit more speed. When you look at a R/D LB, same thing applies but the R/D limb design enables you to get away with shorter limbs. The shorter 62" will give you a bit more speed while the 64" will give you a bit more stability. Different bow designs will may have different length recommendations per the bowyer.

For me, I prefer the shorter 66" length in a straight longbow for hunting. I find this combination smoother and more stable than a shorter length R/D style longbow. But that is my preference and yours may differ. You need to shoot the different bows to find what suits you best. If I were drawing a Hill bow 29inches, I'd probably be shooting a 68" instead of a 66".

[DngrsDan]

DB,
thanks for the input. Am kinda leaning towards the 66", being vertically challenged a 66" is almost as tall as I am. Haven't had a chance to shoot my Southern Draw 64" much yet, we're buried under that ice storm that hit this last week, only had a chance to shoot about 5 arrows out of it, but I liked the way it shot. I was thinking that slightly longer limbs, at my draw, might have a smoother feel to it. Not that the SD felt rough, just thought along that line.

[Curtis Haden]

Dan, for what it's worth, my Griffin you were shooting is a 64" bow...  Another thing to consider is that a particular bowyer's limb design will determine whether or not a longer limb is noticeably slower.  Most of the t/d bows I've shot haven't shown a lot of difference between say 60" to 64" models.

I don't have any experience with the GP's you were considering before, but I would think 64" would be plenty for a 29" draw, with a mild to moderate r/d limb design.

Having said that, I'm shallow enough that the "cool" factor is still a consideration when I'm looking at bows, and I think "long" bows are kinda cool...

 

[Jerry Jeffer]

I just picked up a 70" D style long bow. I find I am more accurate with the longer bow. Seems to give me better stability and it is just a nicer draw.

[DngrsDan]

Curtis,
who's bow was the Striker? I think I read on the limb it was 62". That was the one I was referring to as the 62"er. Wasn't sure, until now, what the length of your Griffin was. What was the weight of your?

[Curtis Haden]

The Striker belonged to Eric. The guy whose yard we were shooting in.  I think it is a 62" bow.  My Griffin is 52@28, so about 55@29.