bow length and shooter height

[jwbharper]

Quite a few tradgang members here have recommended a bow that is 60" or so (I am 6'). However, a lot of bows I have been keeping my eye on at **** are in the 54" range. For a person my height, what are the advantages of shooting a 60" bow compared to a shorter one? Is a 54" less forgiving and will take more practice? Can I get away with a shorter bow?
Thanks for the insight.

[moebow]

jwb..
I think you are asking the wrong question.  Bow length, generally, depends on two things.  First, what is your draw length?  Bowyers have recommendations as to bow length vs. draw length.  So you need a really good draw length measurement!!
Second, is the question of : do  you want a longbow or recurve?  Longbows MUST be longer for a given draw length.  Recurves can be significantly shorter for a given draw length.

Most folks find that shorter  bows are harder to shoot than longer ones.  Largely due to string angle at the fingers.  Depending on what you are looking for, I'd suggest that you can't be far wrong with a longer bow rather than a shorter one.

[jwbharper]

my draw length is 28.5-29 and I would prefer a recurve. Thanks for the help.

[Croatoan]

Draw length, especially longer draw lengths can lead to a bit of finger pinching on the shorter bows. Once drawn the point at your anchor, if the angles are too steep due to longer draws on shorter bows, pinches the fingers.

I'm no expert on where the break point is for bow length vs draw length.

Most of my bows are over 60"s and my draw length is 29". I have one 58" longbow and used to shoot it quite a bit, never had any pinching either.

I prefer my 64" longbow not because of any shooting dynamic, but rather the limb tip is exactly the right height to stabilize my binoculars on without stooping.

[jwbharper]

Funny the reasons things may be our favorite have nothing to do with their intended purpose =) Thanks for the insight!

[HB3]

I always shot 60 in bows until last year and started shooting a 66 in bow, it is not the problem I thought it would be in the blind or tree stand, kind of gotten used to it now, not a big deal.

[BowHuntingFool]

Theres a reason there are a lot of short bows in the classifieds! I prefer a longer bow and shoot it much better than a short bow!

[jwbharper]

Never thought of it like that...good point.

[Johnny UMAA]

Originally posted by jwbharper:
my draw length is 28.5-29 and I would prefer a recurve. Thanks for the help.

At your draw length, I would recommend a 62" bow. I am 6'1" tall (but that doean't make any difference), but my draw length is 28.5 to 29" and I have found that this length does not pinch my fingers on the draw.

[Ground Hunter]

I have never found a long bow a disadvantage.  I own no bow under 64inchs.  As said - want a short bow look in the for sale sections.

[String Cutter]

I believe at your draw I personally would go with a 62 inch recurve...  I'm only 5'8" and a 60-62 recurve  works fine for me. But I only have a 27 inch draw..And I would never dream of getting a 54 incher? The string angle would be terrorable even at my draw. Unless it was something radical like a Shrew , static tipped or something . Then I might get away without finger pinch???
I also find personally that longer bows are more forgiving to shoot. Hope this helps?