What length bow ?

[joekeith]

OK, I USED to be a compound shooter.  Then last year I bought a Shakespear Wonderbow, 62" 45#.  Cheap bow off e***.  Very pleased with it.  For $50 great little shooter. When I draw it back to my draw length it just kinda feels like that's it.  If I pull further it no longer feels nice and smooth.  So it just feels right, and keeps me pulling and anchoring the same.  All's good, but want more bow.
  So I go buy a TD Recurve, 65" 45#.  Love it. smooth draw, but I keep wanting to overdraw.  With the 62" bow it just seemed to only want to draw to my proper draw length.  With the 65" I have to pay attention not to overdraw.
  I'm wanting to buy new limbs for the TD.  Figure I can go to 55#, just guessing but the 45# feels very easy now.  
 But what about length?  I read where guys are shootin' 54" bows.  Seems to me they wouldn't feel right at my draw lenth, which is 28".  Since my 65" and 62" really feel different at full draw.  I'd like some shorter limbs for huntin' out of a blind, but don't know how short can go.  Any suggestions on how short I can go if the 62" feels right?
  Any help greatly appreciated. thanks..

[vermonster13]

Speak to bowyer who made your bow. They are real good about knowing which bows work best for which draw lengths.

[macbow]

Keith, If your wanting to draw farther you might actually have a longer draw. If using good form and a light weight bow your draw length should be fixed. It should be easier to hit your anchor point with the light bow.
Maybe your anchor needs tweaked? Have you got any trad shooting friends that could asses your form?
I know there are a number of trad guys from the Dittmer area.
For a 28 inch draw 62 inches isn't too short but it may be stacking beyond the 28 inches.
Ron

[joekeith]

I don't know any other trad shooters around here.  I'd like to shoot some different bows to see what works best for me.  I tried to make MOJAM last year but I was havin' back problems and couldn't shoot anything.    :(  
  Oh well, may have to just wait till this July.    Anyone near Dittmer that would let me try out their bows for a shot or 2 I'd appreciate it. Thanks....  

[Shawn Leonard]

David had a good suggestion and I will add this. Bow design has a lot to do with what feels right at any draw length. I have a 54" Arroya(Rivers Edge) it draws smooth to 30"s with no stack and some pinch at that draw. I draw 28.5"s and there is no pinch at all. Now take a Bear Kodiak Mag, it is 52"s and when ya get them back to 28"s they start to stack and pinch at even shorter draw. 99% of bows that are 62"s should not stack or pinch at 28"s and most will let ya shoot out to 30"s pretty comfortable. I would say if your draw is a true 28"s any well made bow from 58"s and up should work for ya. Shawn

[Roy Stroh]

I have a 29" draw. I own two Java Man bows one is 54" and the other is 60" Both shoot great for me.  No pinch, no stack, and a smooth draw.  

[30coupe]

I draw 28" and find that any bow over 56" that I have shot works pretty well, no pinch and little or no stack. My 52" Herters begins to stack a bit at about 26" or so. It is not bad at 28", but I wouldn't want to have any longer draw. I do get some pinch with it and find that it is more comfortable to shoot with a tab than a glove.

My 60" recurve and 62" longbow have no stack or pinch at 28". I wouldn't know beyond that because that is where my short arms max out.

My son Ed, shoots my old 56" Herter's recurve at about 29" (maybe more if he had longer arrows) without stack or pinch.

I think every bow is different. The length and draw weight are only part of the equation. Either shoot first, then buy, or do what I do and buy used bows. Then your investment is lower and if they don't fit, you can trade or sell them.

[NDTerminator]

It seems to be equal factors of bow design and personal fit/preference.

I'm 5'9" with a 29" draw, and trial & error has taught me I'm at my best with a 58-60 inch OAL. That length just fits me.

Nowhere near as good/consistent with my 62" stuff and I seem to catch the longer string on clothes constantly. I personally find a 62" bow unweildy as well.  Lord above knows how bad I would do with a longer bow!

When I shot my Hunter 56 with the stock limbs at 56 inch OAL, I was turning my head in slightly and clipping the side of my nose bloody.  When I tried it with a set of longer limbs for an OAL of 58", the form problem disappeared and it was just plain easier to shoot well.

A person would think that 2" either way wouldn't make much difference, but it sure does for me.

Same with draw weight. I've found a couple pounds either way at the top end of my comfort zone is the difference between easy consistent shooting and a struggle...

[boavida]

Quote:"It seems to be equal factors of bow design and personal fit/preference".I fully agree.
My draw lenght is 27", my bow is a 56", Border Black Douglas Ultra (58# at 27"). I shoot 3 fingers under.No finger pinch, smooth draw, no stacking up to 29". I have another bow, 60" long, but has a little bit more finger pinch than the other one (!); also begins to stack after 28 1/2 ".
I reckon it's a matter of limb design...