bow lenght question

[Scott Beitzel]

i know this has been addressed before but coyuldn't find exactly what i was looking for.

whatbow lenght should i look for .
as in my draw lenght is right at 29.5 to 30 inches so would a 60 inch long bow be ok i thought i read that it should be double your draw lenght but does that also include recurves .
i know the shorter the bow and the more draw lenght it leads to finger pinch . but what lenght aol should i look for .

thanks,
Scott

[Mike Vines]

Every longbow I have ever owned has been 64", I even have a 64" recurve.  I have had good friends do studies on them, and they determined a 64" bow to be the ultimate length to power ratio. So I went with their theory, and it hasn't failed me yet.

That being said, ask someone else, and your going to get a whole different answer.

Pick what you think shoots great, feels good in the hand, and last but not least, looks beautiful to you.  Only you will know which bow shoots the best for you.

[stevewills]

id say 62 to a 64.i draw 29 and shoot a 62in.hunting bow and for target i shoot a 70in.

[Scott Beitzel]

but does those measurements also fit the recurves as far as lenght and such .

thanks,
Scott

[Orion]

In a straight bow, 68-70 inches.
In a mild r/d 64-66 inches
In a radical r/d 60-62 inches

Some will note that they shoot 58-inch or shorter hybrids with 29-30-inch draws.  Sure it can be done but finger pinch increases and consistency decreases because any torque put on the bow/string is magnified with a long draw and short limbs.  Usually, short bows begin to stack substantially at longer (30-inch) draws as well.

[McDave]

For your drawlength, I would recommend a 64" recurve.  Some bowyers make shorter recurves that would work for you, and you might like them better in tight shots, but a 64" recurve will be more accurate if you don't have any obstructions.

[Scott Beitzel]

ok thats what i was looking for thanks fellas .
i would like to go all wood even my arrows and try that this year be something differant i now shoot a long bow i built the other year and have taken 1 doe with it but at it 87 lb draw weight its a pain to target shoot with the buddies . but an awsome bow even if i have to toot my own horn lol.

thanks again .

Scott

[stagetek]

With that draw length you could use a 60" bow. But, I think you would be better off with a 62-64" bow. I draw 30 1/2" and shoot 60" bows all the time, but when I switch to a 64" there's a noticable difference in smoothness.

[legends1]

I build 60" recurve "Tornado" style. I have a 30.5" draw.I made the 60" recurve so i can shoot it even at my long draw. Now, with that being said my personal bow of choice, is a "Safari Elite" 64" recurve.I just like the feel of a longer bow better for me.I dont only think it feels better but its more forgiving.

[Eugene Slagle]

I draw 27" & have found that my sweet spot on Recurve length to be 60".

Every body will be different in their thoughts of that sweet spot or feel, 62-64" would be optimal for your draw length in terms of smooth draw & string pinch but each person is different.

[Rob DiStefano]

this may help ...

 www.tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html

... scroll down to the section on bow length.

[Night Wing]

I have a 30" draw length and my first "real" hunting bow was a Bear one piece 60", 40# @ 28" Super Kodiak recurve. The SK gave me a nasty case of finger pinch which really affected my accuracy after 30 minutes of shooting.

With a 30" draw length, I would suggest a 64" bow or longer as well. The longer length makes a bow draw smoother in my opinion.

Take note. With my 30" draw length, both of my recurves in my signature are 66" in length.

[Bowmania]

Get that finger pinch idea out of your mind.  Or the guy who says, "my short bow draws smooth out to 30" or longer.  The real reason to think longer is accuracy.  The longer the bow the less string you'll have on your fingers and the better your release will be.  The reason I say get the finger pinch out of your mind is because that's just pain.  It doesn't address the frustration of not being accurate.  When was the last time you saw a compound shooter shoot fingers.  They can't, because their machines are 3 feet long.  All oly shooter are shooting 70 - 72.

Bowmania

[duncan idaho]

I have a 29.5 inch draw. 5 of my recurves are 62in, one 64in,and one 58in Belcher SSR. I think it depends on who the bowyer is, all of mine are smooth, including the Belcher.

[Elk whisperer]

LONGER IS BETTER

[Rob DiStefano]

these are as good a set of guidelines for stick bow length as any ...

RECURVE
Bow Length   Draw Length
60" - 24" to 27"
62" - 26" to 29"
64" - 27" to 30"
66" - 28" to 33"

AFL LONGBOW ("HOWARD HILL" et al)
Bow Length   Draw Length
64" - 26" to 27"
66" - 27" to 28"
68" - 28" to 29"
70" - 29" to 30"

MILD R/D LONGBOW ("MOHAWK" et al)
Bow Length   Draw Length
60" - 26" to 27"
62" - 27" to 28"
64" - 28" to 29"
66" - 29" to 30"
68" - 30" to 31"

AGGRESSIVE R/D LONGBOW ("SHREW", "BAMA EXPI" et al)
Bow Length      Draw Length
56" - 26" to 28"
58" - 27" to 29"
60" - 28" to 29"
62" - 29" to 30"
64" - 30" to 31"

[PaddyMac]

I draw 30" and went from 62" to 64" on my recurve and I really like the longer length. But as for pinch, my problem there was more a form issue than anything. I was giving that nock a good ol' lobster pinch and it affected everything, including comfort. The added 2" have helped. So apples to oranges, longer is better.

[Scott Beitzel]

once again thanks fellas for all the info will noe be keeping my eye out for a bow that fits .

thanks again ,
Scott

[Bjorn]

I would get the longest bow you think you can comfortably live with and then add 2 inches.

[Don Stokes]