shoulder problem with 62" against 68"

[usmc2444]

anybody experience this, always shot 68" longbow, 50 lbs, dropped to 46 no problem, then bought 62" longbow 44lbs, shoulder problem in bow arm needed cortisone shot, worked out, shot the 68 bow no problem then went to 62", same problem started. put that bow down. i am shooting the 68 now ok.  i am 78 so my shoulder can get a little pain after shooting indoor or internation,  any input would help.  thanks   stan

[Ground Hunter]

Sounds like a form issue.  You maybe setting your shoulder different for some reason with the 62?  May want to post this on the Shooter's Form forum.

[Rob W.]

Are the grips the same?

[usmc2444]

grips are the same

[wingnut]

Heck if your 78, go with the one that doesn't hurt.  Dang I'll be glad to be shooting anything at 78.

LOL

Mike

[usmc2444]

thanks mike, i am leaning to that resolution less stress, less thinking  thanks  stan

[stujay]

I've had similar experiences with dofferent bows and have come the conclusion that if a bow hurts to shoot its time to move it on.

[tradlongbow]

The longer limbs are acting like a long lever and it's smoother when drawn back so there"s less tension being applied by your deltoid muscle.

Darren

[Bjorn]

Congratulations on shooting 50# at 78 yrs young! I am 68 and you Sir are an inspiration! Thank you.
Go with the bow that feels good and set the other to one side.  

It could be that you are reacting to the weight build up in the bow. I have had a case with a 52 inch recurve that I always turned my fingers as I drew and straightened out my bow arm. It bothered my drawing shoulder. when I shoot longbows my arm stays naturally bent and I keep my drawing arm in close until the bow is on target and over 3/4 drawn, that is when my drawing arm goes to work and finishes the draw. If I always do this my shoulders stay fine. If I start stiffening up the bow arm and dragging too much of the draw straight back my shoulders give me troubles and I find that I sometimes turn my draw fingers on the string in the process. With the shorter lighter bow you probably don't need to use the stronger muscles and are changing your draw and your fingers in the process.

[AkDan]

ditto that Mike!  I definatly dont like the shorties and have no problem in brush or trees with a 66/68"er.

[Night Wing]

With my 30" draw length, I've found with two bows being almost the same poundage, but different in length, say 62" versus 66", the longer (to me) bow always seems to draw smoother and easier.

[BigJim]

If you are comparing two similar or identical bows, both drawing to the same weight at the same draw length, the longer one will feel smoother because you are loading the limbs with less energy. You can actually shoot the shorter bow with less draw weight and obtain nearly the same end result.
I doubt that the two bows you are comparing are similar enough to base all asumptions on just differences in bow length. "Most" bowyers building 68" bows don't build a 62" in the same style and two different bowyers can have worldly different bows(not necessarily bad).

bigjim

[3Under]

@73 I guess I've got 5 good years or less!  :confused:

[usmc2444]

thanks for the good wishes and input, i am putting the bow down and staying with the old bow which no problems have come up.  thanks Big Jim you made a beautiful beaver grip for it.  hey 73 you can get a lot more in just keep positive attitude, with good buddys.

[Jedimaster]

I had a similar experience with an ILF recurve. Two sets of limbs at the same length & weight from two different manufacturers. Set "A" I could shoot all day without problem, set "B" caused shoulder aches that would last through the night after just a short shooting session.

I attributed it to the mechanics of the limbs and the draw/force curve. Sold set "B" and never looked back. Turns out the cheaper limbs shot better for me - bonus!

I guess none of the above is that important except to say "you're not alone".