draw length vs bow length

[ericmerg]

i draw an honest 28.75" and im wondering what the optimum bow length is to get the best force curve(is that the right term) out of my bow

currently ive got a 62" bow a 64" and a 68" bow which bow would give me the best performance for my draw length if everything else is equal im thinking it would be the 64" but i might be wrong.

[pdk25]

Eric, there is no set answer for you because every bow design is different and the optimal length for you for a force draw curve would be dependent on that particular bow design.  Your bowyer could answer the question better for you most likely, or you could carefully plot it out.  For what it is worth, as long as the bow isn't stacking too much for you or causing too much finger pinch, it really won't amount to that much difference. I notice that you have quite a few questions lately, and this site is full of well-informed people that can help you. Perhaps you might consider finding a traditional archer from your area to help mentor you. It may speed up the learning curve a little bit.  Good luck.

[gringol]

pdk25 is right, there is no one answer for that question.  There are too many variables in bow design.  In reality, if you shoot all 3 lengths equally well, I doubt the performance difference (if any) would be enough to notice.  If I were you, I'd shoot the one you are the most accurate with.  The most efficient bow is the one you can shoot best.  If you miss, you can consider all the energy put into the shot as wasted.  I can appreciate that you like learning all the technical stuff, but with trad hunting most of that doesn't make a bear's turd worth of difference.  Your hunting skills and shooting ability are 95% of the game, the bow is only about 5% of success.  Focus on the 95%...

[kawika b]

Some good reading...

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=074069;p=1

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=074177;p=1#000000

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=074231;p=1#000000

[pdk25]

Good links, Kawika.  The last one cuts to the chase.

[sawtoothscream]

I draw around 27.5".  I have a 58" longbow and recurve, 60" curve, 62" curve and 62" longbow. my favorite lengths are deffinatly 60 and 62". thats just what I personally shoot best with.  going to sell the short limbs I have and get some mediums to make that curve a 60" .

[JParanee]

Every bow is different and with my 27 1/2 inch draw I have settled on 60 inches

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

I googled and found this:
  Draw Length  

And this:
  Another

[Otto]

Here is 20 yrs of my experience.

I draw a no BS 29 inches.  On a 30 inch arrow, You'll see the back edge of a field point just touch the back of my shelf.  I say that because I've seen more than a few claim to draw 29 with 6 inches of arrow hanging off the shelf.  Having said that....

I own about 15 different recurves.  Most of them are Assenheimers, Wapiti's, Zippers, RER, and a bunch of BW's.

The BW, the Wapiti and the RER are the 60" bows that are comfortable for me to shoot.  In the Assenheimer and the Zipper, a 62 inch bow is comfortable to shoot.

  I have yet to find a 58 inch bow that is comfortable but the newer recurve from BW looks tempting.

YMMV.