New to me Brackenbury

[Blueridge]

I got it yesterday, shot it yesterday. I think we will become good friends.

 

[Night Wing]

What are it's specifications? And do you have a photo of it fully strung?

Brackenbury's are fine bows. When I was looking for a 66" recurve, Brackenbury, Blacktail and Wes Wallace were my three choices.

I didn't choose the Brackenbury because at the time, it was a 24 month wait to get one from Bill Howland.

[Blueridge]

This is one made by Jim , 66" 61#@30", I draw 28.5. I had never shot a 66" recurve and like it alot. the grip on this bow is amazing.

[DannyBows]

Nice bow and the Bonding process went well judging by your shooting. I never shot a recurve over 60", I imagine she's a smooth drawing beauty. Well Done!    

[Blueridge]

Those were 3 different arrow wts,2 GT 5575 and a 2117. Shot was at 23yds. she shoots where your lookin and it is a smooth draw as well. I have a Wes Wallace on order @ 62" , I may change it to 64". I was reading an old article about an interview with Jim and in it he stated that he hunted with a 66" bow. I can see why.

[Big Ed]

I started shooting with a 66" Brackenbury. Wish I still had that bow!! Silky smooth and quiet!!

[Friend]

Nice!

Congrats!!

[stujay]

Good shootin. Have heard lots of good over the years about brackenbury bows.

[redant 60/65]

I got a Brackenbury back in 86 or 87 just before Jim pasted it's the drifter 56# @28 66" still have it. It's a shooter and at the time I think it was about a two month wait and the bow was about $325.00. Good luck with it.  

[soap creek]

I have a Brackenury I got from Jim in the mid 80s. A few years ago I had Wes Wallace make some lighter limbs for me(getting older). It's 62in. 51lbs(new limbs). I love it, smooth drawing,quiet and the grip really fits me.

[Blueridge]

Night Wing, I don't have a pic of the bow but look in the classifieds. Tenbrook had it for sale, should be around page 4. What brace height did you guys use? Seems to shoot well at 7 3/4 - 8.

[Red Beastmaster]

I've had three Brack's: A Drifter Gordon Porter made for me, then a Quest Hunter from the auction site, and now I'm shooting a custom Quest Bill made just the way I wanted. I shot each of them better than anything else I ever tried.

[Blueridge]

Night Wing, I don't have a pic of the bow but look in the classifieds. Tenbrook had it for sale, should be around page 4. What brace height did you guys use? Seems to shoot well at 7 3/4 - 8.

[Tree Killer]

It should make you a happy man for many years!

I have a Drifter I bought new in 1986 for $200. It served me well for 20 years until I bought my Blacktail.

The bow in my avatar pic is the Brackenbury Drifter.

[Night Wing]

Originally posted by Blueridge:

Night Wing, I don't have a pic of the bow but look in the classifieds. Tenbrook had it for sale, should be around page 4. What brace height did you guys use? Seems to shoot well at 7 3/4 - 8.

A Brackenbury and a Wes Wallace are similar in design. My two 66" Blacktail TDs recommended brace height are 7 3/4"-8". Your Brackenbury should be in the same brace height range if the riser is 19" in length.

BTW, thought you might like this little tidbit of info. Jim Brackenbury wasn't the only bowyer who bowhunted with a 66" recurve.....Norm Johnson of Blacktail Bows also bowhunts with his 66" Blacktail TD recurve.

[Kid's Pastor]

I have had a couple of Jim's bows plus four of Wes' bows.
They are truly one of my all time favorites.

[Night Wing]

I'm a sucker for long length recurves. To me, they're the cat's meow.

If the wait for a Brackenbury wouldn't be so long, on a special order Bill Howland will make a 68" Legend TD recurve. He told me the 68" Legend TD has a 21" riser.

The only drawback for me is the long 24 month wait which is the last time I checked on the waiting period. I'm sorely tempted and would love to get my hands on and shoot a 68", 40# @ 30" right hand Legend TD.

In fact, typing this message is giving me the heebie-jeebies just thinking of one.    :eek:     Yowser!      :D

[Blueridge]

NW, go ahead and make the call, it will be here before you know it. I was going to ask Wes if he could make new limbs for it . I hunted from tree stands here in Ga. With a 64" black widow for 17 years. No problems with longer bows from a tree. Made a new Dacron string for it last night and shot it for an hour in my basement( 11 yds)  found a dz old 2117's to re-fletch .  Taking this old Jim to the woods this weekend and try and make some meat , it feels lucky.

[Night Wing]

Blueridge,

I know I won't do it for one "main" reason which bothers me to no end.

A 68" Brackenbury Legend TD costs $1271. I'm okay with the cost since my 66" Blacktails cost over $1000 each.

The 24 month long wait time does bother me a little since I had to wait 15 months on my second Blacktail. But, I can live with the long wait.

The one thing that "really" bothers me is the plus or minus 2# leeway from the poundage that's ordered.

Both Norm Johnson of Blacktail Bows and Wes Wallace of Wes Wallace Bows have a plus or minus 1# leeway from the poundage ordered.

I figure if I want a 68", 40# @ 30" Brackenbury Legend TD recurve and since it's going to cost me $1271 big ones, at that price, I'm okay with the bow coming in at 39# or 41#. But, not at 38# or 42#.

In other words, for the hefty price, Bill has to come in at a plus or minus 1# leeway to satisfy me.

[Blueridge]

I understand. I had always wanted one and knew that Wes had learned/worked with Jim. My Wes Wallace is due in January. it will be 62" 54@28 and with yew limbs. I am going to talk to Wes about a set of limbs for the Brackenbury as well.
Aside from the Widow's i have shot for so long this Brackenbury is one of the very best rucurves I have ever shot. It really fits my hand so well and shoots where you look. besides that they look great.