New to traditional archery

[Evy]

Im looking for a low priced ($100-$300) longbow for a lefty, my draw weight is about 29 and Im leaning to lighter draw weight around 30lb to help with form. I would like a bow with an arrow rest. What would you suggest?

[VictoryHunter]

Buy a bow from Mike at Maddog bows. He makes a nice custom in your price range. I just bought one for my wife at 35 lbs. Lefties are hard to come by from what I understand. Do you mean an elevated rest? If so I'm sure I have any advice there but I will say as a beginner I think you would have an easier time learning to shoot off the shelf.

[Evy]

Thanks victoryhunter. Im not opposed to learning to shoot off the shelf but I thought It may be easier with an arrow rest. I very well could be wrong because Im a beginner  

[Bud B.]

Not sure Maddog's bows are made for shooting with a rest but he makes one heck of a bow. Call him and ask.

You could also put an request here in the classifieds but you'll need to become a contributor to access them. Shooting with a rest made me think of older Bears immediately. There's a 1966 Bear Grizzly in the classifieds now that would fit your requirements except the weight is more than 30.

Shooting off the shelf is not as difficult as you might think. A crowned riser shelf is helpful. Some of the older bows have long flat shelves and seems they were made for shooting with attached rests.

For your price range and weight you may want to contact Mike Ballenger of 7 lakes Longbows. He can make you a bow for $250. He is also a sponsor and is wonderful to work with. I have two of his bows. One is a Light Night I bought for my father. (So, actually Dad has it now    )

 http://www.7lakeslongbows.com/Light-Night.html

I'm sure as the day progresses you'll have many more replies. Read them all carefully but know this, anyone that another member here recommends as a source for your new bow that would be made for you has likely had a very good experience with the bow/bowyer he/she recommends. Take your time and choose what's right for you. You have lots of options.

Welcome aboard. Again  

[Tajue17]

well looky here another shooter from Plymouth, Mass.  

I'll PM you I have alot of info for ya.

[legends1]

Welcome to Tradgang.

[JEFF B]

welcome to the Best place on the net      

[Frank V]

Welcome to the forum!!!

[Rob DiStefano]

while i think it's good to use a light draw weight for yer first trad bow, there is such a thing as going too light.  considering your age and activities, i would recommend a bow holding weight in the high 30's to perhaps low 40's at your draw length.  also, consider that if your draw length is at or approaching 29", maybe it isn't - this can fluctuate for a newbie.  if it is on the longer side, any style of trad bow - longbow or recurve - should be of a length commensurate with your draw length.

almost all trad bows will have a shelf rest.  an elevated rest can be used with a recurve, if need be, but i would recommend using a shelf rest as you want both your arrow and bow hand as close to one another as possible.

if you haven't done so yet, perhaps this article will help ...

 trad archery for bowhunters

[Jeremy Rash]

I'd recommend Legends Bows Cyclone! Awesome great shooting bows and its a take down! Little bit more money but worth every penny

[Evy]

Thanks for all the help guys!  

[Evy]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
while i think it's good to use a light draw weight for yer first trad bow, there is such a thing as going too light.  considering your age and activities, i would recommend a bow holding weight in the high 30's to perhaps low 40's at your draw length.  also, consider that if your draw length is at or approaching 29", maybe it isn't - this can fluctuate for a newbie.  if it is on the longer side, any style of trad bow - longbow or recurve - should be of a length commensurate with your draw length.

almost all trad bows will have a shelf rest.  an elevated rest can be used with a recurve, if need be, but i would recommend using a shelf rest as you want both your arrow and bow hand as close to one another as possible.

if you haven't done so yet, perhaps this article will help ...

 trad archery for bowhunters  

The recurve that I first bought had a plunger with a rest for veined and feathered fletching. The idea of shooting off the shelf sounds attractive to me and ill have to try it.  

[Evy]

Im going to go to my local shop and see if I can get some 30lb limbs for the takedown recurve that I have. The recurve is 45lbs and Im seeking a low lb because Im a beginner. Is it true that longbows are more forgiving than recurves?

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky!

[Pine]

Well I have been shooting a recurve for over 50 years and just this last summer I got a true flat long bow and to my amazement it is more forgiving . I would get the occasional high left flier but that doesn't happen with my long bow .

[4 point]

Welcome. I disagree that a one piece long bow is more forgiving. A takedown bow of any kind with a good grip that fits your hand and places it in the same spot shot after shot is most forgiving I think. Mass weight in the riser makes a bow a lot easier to shoot for me. It goes back to the physics deal about a object a rest tends to stay at rest and the heavier the object is the harder it is to move. As Rob said, to light of poundage can be very hard to shoot well. It is very hard to get a clean release with to light of poundage. Hope I didn't confuse you. You will find a lot of great knowledge on this site. Good luck and keep it fun.

[Bjorn]

Welcome to Trad Gang! I think you have the right idea just don't get hung up on the raised rest, it does not matter. Look at used bows and all the best to you!

[Evy]

What would be the minimum poundage of a bow for a beginner?

[Bud B.]

Evy,

It all depends on your abilities, but that does not mean it's a negative thing. I'd say 30-35 is a good start, but if your strength is above average, 40-45 might not be bad, but, play it safe and go 30-35. Trying to build muscles while trying to build form does not end well in most cases. If you got a 68" longbow from Mike Ballenger you could have it 30-35 pounds and if form is good, Mike might be able to shorten the bow after you work on form and strength and thereby increase the poundage to a huntable level. Any bowyer might be able to do that with the right limb design and bow design.

Any nearby tradgangers you can work with? I think one has already posted that may be a neighbor not far away.

Again, good luck with your quest.

Bud