Hey Guys,
I got a chance to shoot the bow on the 28th and here are my initial impressions...(Please keep in mind, this was a VERY brief shooting session after a short break in the weather... I hope to shoot it again in the morning with a friend so I can get his take on it as well. I hope to be able to add pictures after tomorrow as well of the bow at full draw and the beautiful lines. Also I typed this up on the evening of the 28th but wanted to shoot it one more time before posting, but haven't had a chance due to work and weather, so it may read weird.)
From the other night...
The Bow: PERFECT construction as always from Allen, just like my two previous Contenders. The wood combos were a little busy for my tastes, but a fantastic example of what is available from Allen's shop and an excellent choice for a pass-around bow. The Yew in the limbs is a nice reddish color that blends well with the black glass. SPECS: 68" #45@28"
The Handle: This handle was a little too rounded/peaked on the belly side for MY tastes. If there weren't the two overlays on the belly of the grip that my palm presses against, I think I would have been more consistent in my shooting. The more I shot the bow, the more I noticed the thin part if the grip on the belly was changing position in my hand. When I spoke to Allen last week, he told me he has changed the grip on the current Classics, but I can't remember what he told me he changed. If I were to order one, I think I'd opt for no overlays to give the handle a more rectangular feel on the belly side. I'll ask him when I talk to him next if this is possible or if this is one of the things he changed in the final design. (UPDATE: Based on the pictures above of the Black Classic, it looks like the grip might be more squared, but it's hard to tell from pictures...maybe Allen can give us the skinny on the changes)
The shooting: My first three arrows were low left, but within an inch of each other at about ten yards. Then as I shot more, the group opened up and the more inconsistent I got. I noticed the string had kind of a "tinny" ping at the shot and there was a little more thump than I was expecting. I was shooting 2016's because I had them handy. It wasn't what I'd call handshock by any means, the bow was just letting you know it had just sent an arrow downrange for you. It did have a lot more thump than my Contenders did and that's probably due to the stringfollow design as opposed to the reflexed limbs of the Contenders. The draw was smooth, but I couldn't really tell the difference of my past Contenders by memory (I wish I still had one of them the test alongside this one). I'm also losing favor with bamboo cored bows. I have a funny feeling if this bow had Yew or Elm cores, it would have had a completely different feel and sound. Funny thing though, it seemed the bow quieted down the more I shot it. Maybe it was the string settling down, but it was noticeably quieter by the end of the short shooting session. Maybe I was getting a cleaner release...I hope to find out tomorrow. I should also include that I was shooting 3-under and didn't have time to play with nock height. I'll shoot a few tomorrow split finger and see how that sounds/feels.
Overall: It's a beautiful bow and another example of Allen's master craftsmanship. I think if this bow had a more square grip, I was able spend more time tuning it/playing with heavier arrows, and I added a couple Hush Puppy's, I believe I could have tamed the little thump and made the bow absolutely dead silent. I'll see what I have for shafts in the shop and try shooting with a heavier arrow shaft and point combo in the morning.
Based on this VERY brief shooting session (similar to being as if I were trying this one out at a Show or 3D shoot) and the way I WAS SHOOTING this bow, if I were to order a bow from Allen today I'd be ordering another one of his Contenders. I've had two already and want another one real bad. I think I'd be more consistent with a straight gripped & reflex limb model that I'M ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH. I do want to try out one of the updated versions of the Classic with different core woods to see if that makes a significant difference IN MY SHOOTING of this particular model, so I hope I catch up with him later this year at the Rancho Neblina Shoot in Petaluma. No matter what, I'll be shaking has hand again and will more than likely be ordering another one of his creations before the year's end.
Allen, I got your message today when I got home from the forest. It was a little scratchy (probably my wet lines) but I'm pretty sure you were giving me the green light to send to bow to Butchie. No Problem, if I can get it packed up tomorrow night , it will be on the way by the end of the week. I wish the weather was better and I had more time to play with it, but I'd rather get it off to the next tester. I can shoot another one if you come down in September. I'll call you tomorrow after I get in from shooting it again.
Butchie, PM me your address and I'll get the tube ready to go.
THANK YOU ALLEN FOR ALLOWING ME TO TRY THIS BABY OUT!!! I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY!!!
Mike
Topic: Anyone shoot the Liberty Classic and/or JD Berry Taipan? (Read 1681 times)
