60" or 62" really matter for performance?

[redeemed]

tell me what the diff. is between 60--62" (besides 2 inches)
does it make a big diff. as far as shooting characteristics or cast or penetration?
i have 29" draw   wondering about recurve,maybe longbow will be the same answer?

[texbow2]

I'm not sure 2 inches makes alot of difference. The last bow I had built, the bower said going from 60 to 58(all else being equal) the shorter would be about 2-3 fps faster. I have recurves from 56 to 60 but I only draw 27.

[Orion]

The trend now is toward shorter bows, particularly with hybrids, but longer bows will generally be more pleasant to shoot and don't give up much in performance.  At your draw length, a 62-inch recurve would be a good fit.  In my opinion, a 62-inch longbow, even a hybrid, would be too short.  64 or better yet 66 inches would be a better longbow length for a 29 inch draw.  Of course, there are folks with 30-inch draws shooting 60-inch hybrids who will say it works just fine.  Try some different lengths to determine what you like best.

[Woodduck]

And different bows are drastically different.

I pull 29" and have longbows from 63" to 68" that are sweet. Depends on the bow design.

I think Orion's advice is great and like the  62" recurves I've owned.

Try before you buy or buy good used bows and you can recoup most of your money or trade.

[tradtusker]

interesting i was thinking the same thing the other day, i have always liked short bows but when i got my silvertip i got a 62" bow and was wondering if there would be a difference and all i can tell is its is a bit more stable, slightly smoother to draw but a bit slower than my 60" bows.

[redeemed]

TTT

[Shawn Leonard]

Orion gives good advice. I find design has alot to do with it though. I have shot some very short bows that were very forgiving but most are not and I have shot some long bows(over 64"s for me) that were very critical of release, performance wise 8-10fps. does not make much of a difference to me. Shawn

[donw]

i have a 29" draw and find 60" on up ok for my purpose.

i think the design (and possibly the age/date the bow was built) is influencial as well.

i suspect if a mechanical release aid is utilized, it (bow length) would not matter as string contact is nearly zero, therefore 'fingerpinch' and finger contact with the string is eliminated. that alters the dynamics of length, too.

were i to use a bow shorter than 60", i would most definitely utilize a mechanical release aid.

JMHO

[Shawn Leonard]

donw, I have a 54" RER Arroyo that would no doubt change your mind. I have had guys shoot it with a 30" draw and due the static tips and limb design say it shoot and behaves like a 64" bow. Shawn

[robslifts]

you should try the super shrews from ron laclair anointed archer pulls almost 30" with his super shrew classic 54" and he says it is the smoothest hes shot yet  hes shot a lot of bows also recurve and longbow

[Steelhead]

a forward set riser with a descent amounnt of deflex is gonna be a descent shooter for you at 60 inches and a 29 inch draw.A short riser with more working limb is also gonna make the bow feel smoother in general.If you got a good clean release I dont see it as a problem.I have owned a 60 inch shrew and griffin that performed pretty nice for me.I draw 30.Had a few 60 inch curves with forward set risers that shot well for me.The great plains and a widow TF and also a 62 inch RER Arroyo.a thunderhorn might fit your requirements as well.Thier are others with this design as well that can help you have a shorter bow that shoots well at yourdraw length.

[redeemed]

TTT

[joebuck]

They will probably perform identical if bows are forced curved at 29", your draw lenght. Optimal performance as we all know deals with a lot of varibles ( arrow tuning,release, limb timing, etc.) But food for thought here is a 21" riser for a 60" will possibly behave different than a 18" riser for a 60". I love longer limbs. More accurate and sometimes faster given the design/force curve. But bottomline, your shooting an arrow off of a shelf with fingers. It's hard to be so accurate with your equipment that you could tell 60 to 62. Now going from a 48" bow to a 66" ...yes. Just ask your bowyer the limb lenght before optima force curve swing at your draw lenght..Thats the lenght bow I would shoot....

[bentpole]

I shot 58" and 60" bows.I now have two 62"ers. I'm a 27" draw and to me the 62's just seem to feel and shoot better. . I think the biggest plus is that both bows have BOO cores which in my opinion helps alot also.You really have to do some "homework " yourself YOU have to shoot those lengths and see for yourself everyone is different. Bowyers and their style of making bows has alot to do with it too.As far as performance a bowyer can tell you flat out which length bow is better.Some lengthen the riser and shorten the limbs.Some shorten the riser and lengthen the limbs.I hope I didn't confuse you too much.