Bow Length Advantages

[monk]

There seems to be a clear trend in bows whether LB or Recurve to go shorter lengths. In your experiences what are the advantages/disadvantages of both (the tangible things like stacking/smoothness; handling; and the intangible like aesthetics; feel; etc)?

[Gerardo]

Fred Asbell wrote a great article on this in the TBM, there sure are different bows and there is a time for each one

[Earthdog]

Some bowyers I've spoken with maintain there's a particular bow length that goes with a certain DL.

Say 28" DL = 66' bow for best over all round balance ect.
Me,,I like 68" longbows and 62" recurves,,,they simply feel smoother to draw for me.

Asthetics,,,I like 58" recurves,,,and 68" longbows,,,,I have this thing that any bow under 68" is not a longbow,so I don't care what they look like,,,they just gott'a be long to be a "longbow".
Anything less is a "short" bow.
Like I said,,,"asthetics" an we're all different.

[James Wrenn]

Unless hunting a blind or bowfishing I don't really have a use for a longbow under 68" or a recurve shorter than 62".Unless in a confined space there is no advantage at all useing a shorter bow.I believe the longest bow you can fit in the size space you use the most is always best.  

[straitera]

32 years of hunting slickdraw heavier LB's 68" plus & have never been disadvantaged w/length or speed. Agree w/E-dog, shorter than 68" is too short for a LB IMO; but, 6'2" w/31" draw helps.

[Night Wing]

My primary concern, since I have a 30" draw length, is "finger pinch" because I draw and hold. I'm not a snap shooter. This is why I prefer 66" recurves and 68" longbows. Also, I think longer bows draw smoother than shorter bows in the same poundage at the same draw length.

[reddogge]

I like hunting bows from 58"-62".

[JC]

Right now, I don't own a bow over 56". I've owned them up to 66" and have found anything over about 58" is nothing but wasted limb for me. I only draw 27" and typically either hunt out of a treesaddle or from the ground in fairly thick cover and usually over very hilly terrain....so I have no use for a "long" bow. Shorter bows are lighter, more maneuverable, less likely to catch on stuff while I'm duckwalking through brush, less likely to hit a limb after release etc. etc....at least these hold true for me. You really should try both and find out what works best for you.

[Doc Pain]

If I lived in a more open terrain area, I would probably opt for a longer length bow.  I believe that they are more forgiving to shoot and have better cast.  That being said, where I live and hunt, over the last 40 years, my average shot is still under 15 yards and in fairly thick cover.  I also only have a 28" draw which caters to the short bow.

[kat]

I like 64" recurves for open woods, but have just gone to a 58" PCH recurve for ground blinds and tree stands.  Never have gotten the hang on longbows.

[rlc1959]

I have limited experience but seem to shoot the 66 " Bow I have better than the 62 & 64 " models. I have two 60" Long Bows on the way to try. I want the shortest model that I can shoot well for hunting. Take care, Randy

[LimbLover]

The Asbell article says it best.

I was all about the concept of a shorter R/D longbow and love the Dwyer Endeaver.

Now I'm just not on that wagon anymore. Yes, there are situations that could call for a shorter bow but guys like Howard Hill got around the longer lengths as part of the challenge. I can too. I love the feeling and smooth draw of a 68" longbow.

[Rob DiStefano]

it's all about compromise and personal opinions.

for those of us with a bit more to a lot more draw length, longer is best way to go but not always the right choice.

longer length bows just plain feel and shoot better for me and i love a 68" longbow for my 29" draw.  but not for hunting - even just for ground hunting i want a shorter longbow length of 60-62" for manoeuvrability.

[LBR]

Look at the bows that Art Young, Saxton Pope, Ben Pearson, Fred Bear, Howard Hill, etc. used.  Look at the variety and numbers of game they killed, and the various terrain they killed it in.

For me accuracy is the main goal.  Longer bows are generally more forgiving.  What is "long" depends on the shooter, the bow design, etc. but generally speaking longer works better for me.  I hunt and shoot tournaments with the same bows, that are 66" to 72" long.  Shooting 3-D with them is a big help in knowing hunting limitations.  Practice in the same situations you hunt in.

Chad

[TheFatboy]

Short bows are adorable. Long bows are adorable too. I generally prefer longer bows, due to my draw length (30-32"). I have recently ordered a warbow, which is to be atleast 74" long, due to the high poundage, to minimize stack. I can barely imagine how it must have been for the horse archers of old, to pull bows with poundages up to 180#, on bows sometimes measuring down to 44". Naturally, these bows were severely recurved, but still... talk about stacking!

[Ground Hunter]

I hunt from well, the ground.  I've always used bows of at least 64inch.  Never had a issue with the bow being too long.  I've just made arrangements for a new ACS Cx - its 66inchs and 66#s.  I'm sure it will hunt.  For me, I'll follow the sage advice of the founders of our sport - use a long bow.  It's not complicated - use a long lever or a short lever.  Which is easer?  Its all about the shot.  H

[Bowtie]

Being that my draw length is short (just over 26"), I find that 62"-64" length bows (longbow or recurve) shoot best for me.  Most of my bows are 64".

[Michl]

I only have a 27" draw, but I love longer bows, Recurves 60-62 and Longbows 66-68 because of the smoothness, they seem to be more forgiving too.

[Ben Maher]

i have always been and probably always will be a fan of longer bows. for my just on 27" draw i prefer 68" in a straight limb bow and 62" in a 'curve . i only hunt from the ground by stalking and have never felt impeded or limited by my bow ... only by my shooting !!! LOL
Ben .

[Overspined]

On the technical side there is an advantage to longer limbs. I shoot 66, 68, and 70" bows.

If you shoot a 66" bow and draw to 28, then 27", the difference in limb movement is more than if you would have done the same with a longer bow. So the arrow will have a larger change in speed with a one inch difference in draw length with a shorter bow than with a longer one. Thus, a longer bow is generally more forgiving and consistent, even in unorthodox, quick, or just plain short draw situations so you will hopefully hit what it was you were aiming at.

I wish I could take credit for coming up with this information but some experienced bowyers are much smarter than I on this subject!