Question: Long Bow Length

[Nattybumppo]

Question:

I am considering ordering a custom Long Bow. This will be my first LB I currently shoot recurves. Now... In a Long bow why would I go with a 64" bow vs a 60" bow? What are the advantages/disadvantages in length?

I appreciate all the help I can get guys. I've only been shooting trad for a year +/- and still figuring this stuff out.

[Jason Kendall]

It's all about design, I wouldnt want a 60" Hill style bow but there are quite a few 60" bows on the market that would be smooth even at long draw lengths.

[TDHunter]

I was a recurve shooter for 15 years and took quite a while to make the which to shooting both, for a number of reasons. I didn't like the added hand shock and lack of speed I found with many longbows. Over the past few years I've owned 20+ longbows ranging from 56 inches to 68 inches. My favorite by far arethe 62-64 " bows. I have a 29" draw so that may have something to do with my preferences. The short bows I owned were meant for 29+" draw lengths, I just found the 62-64" bows were plenty forgiving, had better performance and just plain pointed a whole lot easier.
Cheers
Allan

[Bjorn]

I shoot 64" Reflex/Deflex LB with a 28" draw and have tried R/D LB as short as 58". There has not been any real finger pinch and no real stacking but the 64" length is the shooter for me.
Smoother, more accurate, just a way better feel.
Bow preferences are remarkably personal you need to spend some time with a few bows and see what you like.

[Nattybumppo]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
I shoot 64" Reflex/Deflex LB with a 28" draw and have tried R/D LB as short as 58". There has not been any real finger pinch and no real stacking but the 64" length is the shooter for me.
Smoother, more accurate, just a way better feel.
Bow preferences are remarkably personal you need to spend some time with a few bows and see what you like.

Yes. I am trying to get to shoot 4 different sizes of the bow I am thinking of buying. But that was much the same as getting a recurve for me.

[BowHunterGA]

I just made/am in the progress of making the switch to longbows. I have a longer draw as well around 29.5 inches and I prefer the longer bows and am even willing to step up in draw weight to make up any speed differences but at this point my 68" Schulz bow shoots within 20-25 fps or so of my 56" Howatt Recurve. Also, the recurve I was shooting 250 Heritage Carbons with a total weight of about 500 grains, with the Schulz I am shooting woodies with a total weight of near 700 grains so the difference in speed is there but not all that pronounced. Now my Mamba is 55@28 and the Schulz is 59@27 so at my near 30" draw that equates to around 61 and 68 pounds respectively.

I like the longer length longbows. The shortest that I like being 66" ntn. IMHO, the longer bows feel smoother and are more forgiving. Of course that is just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

I am saving for a custom longbow in the near future and it will be a 70" ntn Hill Style, straight grip in the 70-80# range.

[Doc Nock]

I've always shot 60" recurves... then a set of D (62") limbs for my Morrison Cheyenne...

Then lucked into a used set of D C/FC longbow limbs for the Morrison! Sweet!

Then I came into a Lost Creek 56" longbow. I needed to make some alterations to the grip to get from low to medium, but oh, my!

That li'l sucker slings the same arrow as the much longer Morrison to the same point of impact!

By comparison, the "D" recurve limbs of the Cheyenne are 22" long on the straight line. The D Lonbow limbs are 27". Strung, that is a huge difference!

It's a treasure to pack around the Lost Creek "shortie" in woods or in the stand!

I have "nearly" a 29" draw and I can't belive how smooth that Lost Creek is!  I'm quickly becoming a true fan of longbows (quiet) and the shorter ones are very intriguing li'l gals!

Maybe it's just Chad's design, but man...!  

[30coupe]

It depends on the design of the bow. I went from a 62" Mahaska to a 58# Kanati and I'd never go back. The Kanati is handier, slings a heavy arrow just as fast (even though it is much lighter in draw), and is just as smooth and forgiving as a longer bow. I shot a 64" bow for a couple of weeks and saw no advantage over my Kanati, plus it was a pain to string (I'm sort of vertically challenged).

Jason is being too modest. If you try one of his bows you won't want or need anything longer...ever!

[Jerry Jeffer]

When asking for opinions on TG, you will get many. My recommendation is to try out as many longbows as you can at some of the traditional shoots. Other wise I am going to tell you that a 70" long bow will seduce you and that will be all folks.

[BRITTMAN]

Yep its all about design , hybrid r/d can go as short as 52 in. such as the Shew classic hunter but you want your Hill style much longer say  66 in. for a 28 in. draw . A good middle of the road would be mild r/d bows such as a Mohawk . You can shoot a little shorter bow say 62in. for a 28 in. draw and be very comforatable.