I Guess I’m Just a Recurve Guy??? Struggling

[Ibow]

Last fall I purchased a 64”, 40@28, A&H ACS as an incentive to “stick to it” and work hard towards healing after a rotator surgery. Along with that, after decades of shooting nothing but Black Widow MA recurves, I wanted to try something totally new.

It’s an absolutely beautiful bow and I’ve gotten to the point where I can easily draw it back now and I’ve been working hard at getting used to the “longbow thing” past few weeks. Yet, as unbelievably smooth and nice shooting as it is, I am really struggling.    :(    I’ve reviewed my arrow/tip choice with several knowledgeable people and I seem to be in the ball park with that but I am consistently hitting high and right no matter what I am do. While I’m only shooting at about 8-9 yards in the basement, arrow flight seems beautiful.

I’ve tried a Bear Weatherest, the little white Hoyt rest, off the shelf. I’ve moved the brace in and out, I’ve moved the nocking point up and down which all results in little variations but I am almost always high and right. In frustration, I’ll grab one of my old Widow MA’s off the rack and I’ll absolutely funnel arrows into my target exactly where I want them.        

I know that while trying to “train my brain” with that longbow, grabbing a recurve off the rack might not be the right thing to do but ... uuuggghhh ... FRUSTRATING!!!            

It won’t be long and that beautiful ACS might show up on the classifieds.    :p    

Any advice?

[C.Cannon]

Have you tried canting your bow more? It sounds like you are used to shooting your recurves straight up and down and the longbow isn't cooperating

If worst comes to worst and you still want to shoot it, just consciously move your arrow down and to the left a bit, especially if your consistently hitting top right with good flight

[BuckeyeGuy]

Don't feel bad, after getting a Centaur and Kota off classifieds which both were just awesome bows, I realized I just shoot better with more mass in my hand so I'm a recurve guy.  I just could not be as rock steady with those lightweight bows.

[Ibow]

Originally posted by C.Cannon:
Have you tried canting your bow more? It sounds like you are used to shooting your recurves straight up and down and the longbow isn't cooperating.

I think I am actually canting a little bit more in order to get that arrow lined up right under my eye. The sight window is pretty big with that Widow and I maybe unconsciously canting a little more with that ACS in order to open it up a bit???  

[Blueridge]

Nothing wrong with being a recurve guy. Nothing at all. Hope you heal well.

[Blueridge]

Nothing wrong with being a recurve guy. Nothing at all. Hope you heal well.

[Rifle River Scout]

Don't be shy about it, there are a lot of us guys out there.
Just went back to recurves myself after several yrs. of trying to change over to longbows.

[Ibow]

Originally posted by BuckeyeGuy:
Don't feel bad, after getting a Centaur and Kota off classifieds which both were just awesome bows, I realized I just shoot better with more mass in my hand so I'm a recurve guy.  I just could not be as rock steady with those lightweight bows.

Yup, the Widow seems very solid, yet, I'm not ready to give up yet.

[Ibow]

Originally posted by Rifle River Scout:
Don't be shy about it, there are a lot of us guys out there.
Just went back to recurves myself after several yrs. of trying to change over to longbows.

Yup, I just wanted to try something new. It's a little frustrating to say the least.

[Ibow]

Originally posted by Blueridge:
Nothing wrong with being a recurve guy. Nothing at all. Hope you heal well.

Thanks ... it's been going terrific. While it was rough the first couple of weeks, I could kick myself for not having had it done sooner. It's great to be pain free!  

[Fishburglar]

Im strictly recurve!

[Thumper Dunker]

I like them both. But I also shoot the curves a bit better.

[magnus]

You can cant to a point that spine becomes an issue. At the distance of 8-9 yards you have good flight but try going out to 20+ yards and see what you get. The short distance might mask some arrow flight issues. Just speaking from experience.
Good luck with your shoulder and I admire you not giving up yet! Like said above nothing wrong with being a recurve guy!!!

[Blueridge]

I had both my cuffs done  10 years or so . I was able to hunt with my MAIIIi 60 @28 after about 6 months.
No problem since , shoulders feel great.
Just be patient.

[jonsimoneau]

I would guess it is a tuning issue.

[Flying Dutchman]

Best advice I can give ya: sell that ACS for a nice price to me!

[Ibow]

Originally posted by Flying Dutchman:
Best advice I can give ya: sell that ACS for a nice price to me!

We'll see.   :D

[Orion]

Ibow:  no reason your arrows should go where they're going if they're well tuned to the bow.  What are you shooting?  Keep in mind that the ACS is cut well past center.  It's often necessary to build out the side plate and shoot much higher spine than you normally would.

[Ibow]

Originally posted by Orion:
Ibow:  no reason your arrows should go where they're going if they're well tuned to the bow.  What are you shooting?  Keep in mind that the ACS is cut well past center.  It's often necessary to build out the side plate and shoot much higher spine than you normally would.

Orion – I thought I had kind of done that while experimenting earlier with that Bear Weatherest and the Hoyt rest as well and while it raised it off the shelf, it did bring that side plate out a bit to. I’ve since just gone back to shooting off the shelf with a little bit of calf hair on the shelf and side plate. Totally confused.   :confused:  

I shoot broadheads exclusively (even for practice) and after getting advice from a couple of guys I did indeed go with a little stiffer spine than called for with 2016’s. It’s a 29” arrow and to stiffen it even more, I’ve been shooting 125 gr Zwickey Eskimos. I normally shoot 135 Deltas. I draw a full 28”.

Again, the flight at 8-9 yards seems very good but I know it’s not very far.

What do you think?

[Otto]

I'm with you Ibow.  I've shot recurves for 20+ years and I've given longbows plenty of opportunity.  I've got a Shrew, a Kanati, a Thunderstick Mag....I can shoot em well enough to hit a barn door and that's about it.  They're like a Siren that calls to me only to dissappear into the mist when I try to shoot em.

So I always end up going back to my Widows.