riser mass and accuracy?

[ursusmajor]

Do you think a heavier mass riser provides for more accurate shooting that a much lighter one or that they are equal and dependent upon the shooter?

[Zradix]

I think more mass does help.
It HAS to be more stable..simple physics.

However, a better grip can easily trump more mass.

The trick is to find the right combo the fits you.
...it can be a long search...but it's fun!

[ursusmajor]

Yep I agree John. I think that mass is a bit more important as the distance increases. I totally agree bout the grip. Its eveything.

[mooshkat]

I also agree. Ive been a longbow shooter for 20years, recently picked up a new mojostik, a 50s style recurve and love it, i shoot it a little better than my longbows. Now this week i got a used Habu Bushmaster, huge riser, lot of mass wt. and wow can i shoot that thing, i have never shot recurves till this past December when i got my Mojostik. Now my Habu, i believe i should have at least tried recurves before, i may never shoot longbows again, i am loving recurvesand the extra mass in the risers.

[Bowwild]

I like heavier mass in a riser.

[Kris]

Certainly has to do with the shooter but a heavier riser will offer greater stability.  That's not to say that a very light bow cannot be accurate as well.  It will be as stabile as the shooter can hold it.

Kris

[Rick Wiltshire]

I may be the odd man out here, but - I think a heavy riser may lead to a dropping of the bow arm due to the extra mass if the shooter is not careful.

I think the main factors in accuracy are the shooter and how the grip on the bow matches the shooters style.

[JRY309]

I know alot say the heavier riser helps with stability.But to also most larger riser recurves are cut past center making them alittle easier to tune and  be accurate for the recurve shooter.I started out shooting longbows and have always preferred them.I feel its all it what you prefer to shoot.I just never really cared for a recurve type grip.I'm more accurate with a longbow then a recurve.But then for me I'm  more used to shooting longbows.

[eflanders]

Added mass to improve shot stability is why some shooters use stabilizers.  Look at the competitive compound target shooters as perfect examples.

[Shawn Leonard]

Funny though that most of the greats shoot longbows, Ron Laclair, Howard Hill, Byron Ferguson, Bob Swinehart and so on. I believe a lot has to do with the grip and the nut shooting the bow. I myself like a fairly heavy riser but can shoot a bow with the same grip that is quite light equally well. Shawn

[Matty]

Originally posted by Mike Walker:
 

Originally posted by Zradix:
I think more mass does help.
It HAS to be more stable..simple physics.

However, a better grip can easily trump more mass.

The trick is to find the right combo the fits you.
...it can be a long search...but it's fun!

I totally agree and I've found I prefer a medium mass weight set-up. [/b]

I happen to agree with both of these comments.

[awbowman]

Grip trumps mass in my book.  No torque and not dropping your bow arm is better than all the stability of a heavier riser.

Just another person's opinion though

[Rifle River Scout]

This is one of those 6 of one and half dozen of the other discussions.
I prefer light in the hand myself.

[SERGIO VENNERI]

Absolutely the Grip! I personally like a light mass weight bow and with the right grip i can make it talk! while i'm at it, the grip should be flat and actually should feel good in either hand. IMHO.

[Stumpkiller]

Yes.  In the manner of reducing some of the twitch errors that can bedevil us.  But there are delights of delicate bows that make them attractive as well.  My Red Wing Hunter weighs less than half what my Browning Explorer does - both one-piece recurves.  I treasure them both.

A Cadillac Escalade rides smoother than an Audi Quatro; but there are other considerations.    

[Knawbone]

I may be the odd man out here, but - I think a heavy riser may lead to a dropping of the bow arm due to the extra mass if the shooter is not careful.

I think the main factors in accuracy are the shooter and how the grip on the bow matches the shooters style.

 x2 perfectly stated

[ursusmajor]

I too love the looks of a fine longbow. I tend to shoot my longbows better than my curves, not sure why??  But, that being said I imagine its like a target or varmint rifle where the extra mass does help steady it a bit.

[Ajooter]

I'm a mass weight guy myself but I have lighter curves and longbowz well.  As mentioned above you need to find a hand position that works for the particular bow and grip style.

[Rick Richard]

I shake like a dog passing a peach seed so I need as much mass weight as possible.

[jonsimoneau]

The more mass the better for me. It's easier to keep it steady during the shot. The heavier it is the harder it is to move it. But it depends on what you are shooting at too. For me with big game animals I like a lot of mass. But if you are into shooting aerial targets, birds etc. you may want much lighter mass weight.