How Many Shoot and LOVE Bear TakeDowns?

[Marksman Quivers]

Definitely my go to bow now. Always loved Fred Bear and Bear archery. I have an A and B red stripe and a magnesium B riser. For some reason I am really drawn to the Brown stripe B risers, so one day that will probably join the collection too.

Mark

[SC Bowhunter]

Hey guys,
I have a pair of #1 red tips @ 50# that I am thinking about selling.
Is $275 asking too much?
Thanks.

[woodchucker]

NO!!!!! I've just dropped my weight to 40# or I'd buy them from you

[soap creek]

Well I did it. I went and bought a Bear td. Its a B red stripe riser with 45lb #1 limbs. I've been wanting one for years. I'm not getting any younger so I took the plunge.  Bought riser and limbs separately from 2 different fellas. Very satisfied.   

[pipcount]

Love em.  Especially the C risers.. copied from my *********** posting in past:

For guys out there that would "fit" a certain profile and benefit from the viewpoint below. I wish to help our community of archers. If you don't fit the profile below, then a C riser should NOT be considered.

The profile is a small "target" market.. but hey, fun

Profile: An archer who - is a barebow target shooter (modest size market) or guy who likes a big hunting bow (smaller market) - has a 31" to 32" draw length, so a long riser (25") is really reasonable - prefers a takedown - prefers to invest in assets that hold their value rather than depreciate rapidly - Now make one darn/unfortunate aesthetic choice: Require a wood riser because you like the looks of wood. No RATIONALE reason here whatsoever, you just want a wood riser. Crazy the things we like, but there it is.

This singular choice pushes an archer into a weird and expensive corner. There are only a handful of 25" or longer wood riser manufacturers, they almost never come up used... And for NEW all are pretty pricey (min $550 TYD new, riser alone) and mainly ILF. If you don't use ILF, it usually gets much more expensive and you have more and more trouble finding cheaper used limbs as you are limited to ONE vendor and typically a small pool of used equipment. New long risers/custom limbs are ~$1500-$1700 for a set/bow. And each new set of custom limbs is $500-$700.

Used Bear limbs are $150-$250 typically. You could viably put together a rig for $1000 with two sets of limbs if you are in the ~30-40# range.

Suddenly an older C-riser at $600-700 is not so crazy, right? But wait, there is more:

-Once you own your old bow, it is unlikely to lose significant value. It is not a "wasting asset" like a new riser/limbs which lose ~50% of value rapidly. You might even make money in future should you decide to resell. -You can shoot competitively. There are few barebow shooters who would ever be able to tell the difference between this rig and any other for scores. I am certainly not in that crowd. -It is simpler than ILF to set up and use, less to fiddle with -There are lots of older Bear shooters out there, so when you show up to the range folks are interested, get engaged, you meet people. This is a FUN riser. Even kids seem interested in hearing the history. To them you are shooting an antique without wheels, then you tell them it is from ~1970 and they go "really?" I really appreciate this aspect myself. I give a ton of free introductory lessons at our range, try hard to get kids interested, this helps. -It is aesthetically pleasing to look upon. Simply "pretty"

If you are not buying for extreme performance alone, and you fit the profile, you might consider a C-riser. I shoot them every week and have a ton of fun.

"What a value!"

[woodchucker]

Back in 1984, when I got out of the Marines, I worked in a Bow/Bait Shop ("Bow, Bait and Tackle" )
Nice ring to it!!

We ordered our bows through "Bowhunter's Warehouse" in Pa.
At the height of the compound craze, they carried 4 recurves. Bear Grizzly, Kodiak Mag, Kodiak Special...
Bear Custom Kodiak Takedown

I have always wanted one, but at the time, the price tag was $269.00
You could buy ANY top of the line compound that they carried, for less money!!!
When guys would come in looking to "switch" to a compound, I'd offer to take their recurve as a trade.
I had lots of recurves that I'd picked up for 20-30 dollars or so. I really didn't NEED another bow...

But, I wanted one!!!

Fast forward to 2015...
We had just settled our Union contract, and received a nice Retro wage check.
I decided right then, after years of waiting... I was going to finally have one!!!
So, I called Big Jim, and ordered a Red stripe Bubinga A-handle, and 50# Number 1 limbs  (56" bow)

This past Spring, I ordered a set of 40# 50th Anniversary Number 1 limbs. About a month ago, I got on Big Jim's "list" for one of the new Green A- Mag handles, that are soon coming out.

Hmmmm... YUP!!! I think it's an addiction!!!

[Roy from Pa]

Bought my Victor viking C riser in 1971 and still have it.

Best shooting bow I've ever had.

[soap creek]

I have been shooting this bow every day since I received it about a week ago. I shoot it as good as any bow I have ever owned. Its just a really nice fit for me. The mass weight of the riser makes it really stable,  the shelf cut close to the hand, the grip they all just work for me. Grips are a personal thing I know but it fits me just right. I shoot it like I've been shooting it for years. Makes me wish I had picked one up years ago. Now I know what all the hype was about.

[Chain2]

HELP! OK. I’m in. I’ve been thinking of a Bear T/D for a couple years. I’m drawing mid -50’s @ 31”. I’m told I need a “B” riser and #3 limbs. Where to I get them? I know the 50th anniversary seems to be BO’ed everywhere. Is it worth the wait and the $$? Another bonus to me buying one is my son said he would be interested as well. I might need 2?? If there’s anything else I need to know feel free to let me know and Thank you in advance Guys.

[woodchucker]

A B-handle and #3 limbs, will give you a 64" bow.
Many with a 31" draw, shoot shorter bows. The issue is "finger pinch" and how concerned you are with it?

Either an A-handle and #3 limbs, or a B-handle and #1 limbs, will give you a 60" bow which many with long draws are comfortable shooting. Papa Bear was a TALL man, and his favorite was a B-handle with #1 limbs.

As for getting one?? Call Big Jim, or 3Rivers... Place your order and wait? (Trust me, it's worth it!!)

[Chain2]

So are you suggesting I order the 50th? Or are there others that are new? I heard the grip on the 50th is bigger than the norm. Thanks for the intel.

[woodchucker]

You can still order a plain Bubinga, or a Black Maple riser (I believe) Big Jim is putting together a list for the new metal A-handles that may be coming in Dec. A call to either him, or 3Rivers would be well worth it!! Either will be able to answer any questions you may have.

That being said, If you decide to spring for a 50th Anniversary.... It will NEVER loose it's value!!!

[Roy from Pa]

 

[Chain2]

I’ve talked to 3 Rivers, left Big Jim a message. If I want to be mid-50’s at 31” what weight limbs do I order ?

[woodchucker]

That depends on the Riser/Limb combo? 3Rivers has a chart where you order the limbs.
An A-handle with #1 limbs such as mine, usually runs +2 pounds at 28". ie 40# limbs = 42#

Rule of thumb, add/subtract 2# per inch over/under 28"

[woodchucker]

Hmmm, looks like an A-handle with #3, 45# limbs should put you about 53# at 31"

B-handle with #1, 50# limbs should put you about 56# at 31"

Either combo will give you a 60" bow

[Chain2]

Thank you. I need to see if 60” is long enough. I own a 64” Longbow. It’s as short as I have been able to shoot

[woodchucker]

A B-handle and #3, 50# limbs will give you a 64" bow drawing about 56# at 31"

If you're shooting a 64" longbow now, you shouldn't have any issues with the actual length of the bow handling/hunting wise. It's really like ordering a "custom" bow from a bowyer. Place your order and wait!! LOL

[stagetek]

Chain, I think your first thought was the best. B handle and #3 limbs. 64" bow. I have a 30.5" draw and that combo is the most comfortable for me. If you're going to go with a 60" bow, I would suggest an A handle with #3 limbs. Either way, you can always buy more.

[Chain2]

Thanks for all the help guys.