Originally posted by Jmatt1957:
I have never owned or shot a hill style longbow. But have been thinking about it for some time now.How do you determine what length bow to buy? Most of my hunting is from a tree stand for deer.
I go by the old rule of draw length to find a starting point. In addition, there are generally three Hill profiles: String Follow, Straight, and Back-Set. To my understanding, Hill had a preference for a specific Back-Set profile for use in a hunting bow, and he had a preference for a specific String Follow profile for a target bow. I do believe that Craig Ekin ( Howard Hill Archery) uses Hill's Back-Set as standard for hunting longbows unless you request different. Not sure the ratio, but I'd think the majority of his bows are built with the back-set. When you add the option of a reverse handle, you can markedly alter the overall characteristics of a Hill bow by use of the different combinations.
My draw length of 27-1/2 inches calls for a standard PB&J length of around 68-inches. If I were striving to maximize forgiveness for use as a target bow, I'd probably opt for a string follow the next size up in length than standard for my measured draw. If I were striving to maximize performance for use as a hunting bow, I'd probably opt for a back-set the next size down in length than standard for my measured draw. If I were striving for a cross purpose all 'rounder, I'd probably opt for a straight limb of standard PB&J length for my measured draw.
Adding to the draw length comments. When shooting a big handle high-wrist bow, the bow handle will be pushed out further than if shooting a low-wrist small straight handle. You can easily demonstrate this to yourself by placing your hand against the corner of a doorway in a straight handle low-wrist position. From there, raise up into a high wrist position and you can clearly see this pushes you further away, which will add to your draw length.
Hope that is not too confusing.
Best