newbie first bow suggestions

[petersont]

howdy -

Absolute novice & my first post here: thanks ahead of time.

I'd like to learn to shoot a traditional bow - & a longbow or recurve or something in between ( as there seems to be some overlap..? ) is where I've read I should start. Which has led me to your group-
I am a 6'3 male, broad shouldered with a 75" arm spread (29-30" draw, again from what I've read ). Target practice is all for now; maybe one day I'll shoot at something when I'm confident I can kill it outright and not leave it to run away wounded...
While certainly on a budget like most of us, I will spend what I should to get the right bow & if its something I can grow into, all the better. I've read that I should start out with 30-35 lbs pull to learn technique.
There: that's all I think I know.
Any & all advice on bow length, pull weight & brand - used or new - is much appreciated.
cheers-


pete

[muth]

Check out the Samick Sage at 3rivers.com

I've never shot one but it gets good reviews and you can buy limbs at a very reasonable price.

[Sam McMichael]

If you have the chance, shoot a number of different bows to try to narrow your choice to something you are comfortable with. Then I would shop the classifieds carefully. Sometimes you can get a top of the line bow at a very reasonable cost. Whatever you find you, will enjoy the trad journey.

If there are 3D shoots and local trad clubs in your area, you can find a lot of bows for sale and will be able to talk to many experienced archers.

[mcgroundstalker]

Welcome aboard Pete! Check out Trad Events... You should get over to the Whittingham, New Jersey shoot the end of April... Many bows to look at and try... Lots of archers to talk to and learn from... Being at that place just one weekend did great for my learning curve!

That being said, a good idea would be to "learn-to-shoot-the-right-way-from-the-start". If you read all the books, watch every dvd, obtain a good bow and matched arrows, it means nothing if you start with bad habits and then fail to improve in time... I put myself with a group of good shooters and improved ten fold in short time!

I would suggest a bow length of 62"-64" for a tall fella like yourself... You would need to choose a longbow or recurve yourself... Maybe #40 max at this time... The look and grip of a bow mean a lot to some guys like myself... If I find it (un-attractive) I won't shoot her well...        ...

[masterj]

Peter, welcome. You will find this to be a very good site for a beginner to get help from some very experienced people. I am in pretty much the same situation as you, just want to learn to shoot first, then maybe hunt. Went to a shop near me and shot a couple of bows, settled on a 40# Samick Journey, a 64" version of the Sage, $140.00, plus arrows, target and stringer. Very happy with my choice.

[Stump73]

welcome!

[nineworlds9]

6'3" with your arms, if you're a muscular guy and not a stick LOL then 40-45 at YOUR draw length range should give you plenty of choices...you'll likely be wanting a bow marked around 35-40@28".  At your size if you are a fit person I wouldn't be afraid of 45# at your draw length.  For sure longer is better in regard to smoothness and accuracy.  My DL is also a whisker above 29" and for comfort I prefer a bow 62"+.  Once you've gotten comfortable shooting and have some reasonable accuracy you can try some shorter bows for fun or if you intend on hunting in tight spots.  My shortest bow is 56", my longest 69".  A $129 Samick Sage or cheapo ILF rig is all you need to get going.  Or find a nice used bow either cheap or fancy...you can get great deals on used fancy stuff 50,60,70% of the original price.  Good luck and enjoy!!  It's addictive once you get the hang of it.  And it's one of those sports you can always improve at no matter how well you shoot.

[Ssamac]

Nice thing with the Sage is you can get limbs at 35 or 40# and then after a while when you want a little more pop buy new limbs up to 60# I think.
That will keep you going for a while. At some point you'll want to step up a bit in quality but for now the Sage will work fine.
the bow is cut beyond center which really helps with arrow choices and accuracy. You can add a fast flight string later too. So you have options.
I'd try to shoot off the shelf and not the rest it comes with so you'll need some shelf material. Your call. If you get with some trad shooters they can probably set you up just fine, help you pick the right arrows and al.

sam

[LB_hntr]

welcome aboard.
 if it was me in your shoes knowing what I know now I would recommend a used bow from the classifieds. then if you want to change to a different bow and want to sell your first one you could probably sell it for the same price you paid.

I like that you are asking the right questions and have the right attitude about not hunting until you are ready. have fun and enjoy everything there is about trad archery and hunting.

I have a podcast that has a ton of info that will help you along the way. click link below.

There is a ton of info on tradgang, and lots of good genuine people. you will love it here.

[petersont]

Thanks to all for the kind welcomes & advice, much appreciated.
Now to look into your suggestions.. later I'll no doubt ask for some more advice as I hone in on some choices.

cheers-

peter

[njloco]

What mc said x 2, see you at whittingham, if you can make it.

[Tav]

Call Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear 1-877-843-5559. You can check out their selection of bows on their website rmsgear.com They can lead you in the right direction and put a good bow in your hands. The last few times I have been in there they had Samicks, but they are not on their website. Do yourself a favor and call these guys.

[Rustic]

Hi Pete... Welcome from Michigan    
I think you are on the right course for choosing a bow.
Starting out with a light draw weight worked for me. Over time you will probably own more than one bow. Just take a look at my signature.

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Welcome!  The journey you just started on will be a great one.  I an always amazed how something as seemingly simplr as a stick and string can be so nuanced, complex to master, challenging and rewarding.  Oh, I forgot addictive!

The comments above are correct.  Check out the best books and videos to start learning but friend some other shooters who are experience, go to some events, and shoot at least 5 or 6 brand bows before you buy new. Your looking for the bow that speaks to you and fits you. It does not matter what others like rather what fits you.  Since that is going to take time finding a good used on is where I would start.
When buying new you pay for quality, speed and quietness.

RMS Gear, Tradbow forum here, or E -ay the online auction giant are all good for used. Stay uner 40 to45 lbs for sure.  

A shooting clinic by Ferguson, Jenkins, Asbell or others would also be worth it.  

Traditional archery is a community and others are always willing to help!  Welcome.

[Jack Hoyt 75]

Big Jim's Bow Company has selection of used also. Forgot him above.

[petersont]

Well, after a lot of bow-porning on the used bow sites mentioned above, I'm back to report not many candidates so far - at least not in my estimated category: 64-66" / 30-35# draw weight.

However MANY 2nd hand choices in the 45-65# draw weight category.
Also I have to admit I'm a sucker for beautiful things so I'd really like to love looking at & holding the bow while I'm learning; and right now the simpler one piece longbows (or 'ever so slight' recurve longbow...) have caught my eye.
I came across this on **** :
 http://www.****.com/itm/Youth-or-Womens-Maddog-Long-bow-64-29-28-/131148902586?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e891570baa

Anyway, not one to be easily unmanned by the description, it looks like a possibility / if only a few pounds light in draw weight.

Question 1: if its 29# at 28", at my estimated draw length of 29-30, how much more draw weight might I expect? Or is this one just going to be plain & simply too light for even a year of form development & target practice?

Question 2: Maddog - opinions on the bowyer?

Off to work-

thanks ahead of time.

[damascusdave]

I have a bow coming from Mike at Maddog...he is a great guy to work with...give him a call and he will come up with something you will like

DDave

I hesitate to ever tell people that they can start out with a heavier bow, but I have seen broad shouldered guys with good hand eye coordination blow through their beginner bow in a week and precede to look for something stiffer.  The beginner bow that I let people shoot is marked forty pounds at 28".  I have never seen anyone that had some good basic strength with less than a thirty inch draw not be able to draw it and be taught how to shoot with it.  A 37 at 28" bow will put you at 40@29", you can hunt deer and turkey's with that for years.  They don't come more honorable and honest than Mike. You really do not need to look further than Maddog to get a well built bow that will serve your needs for years.  The Prairie Predator in its longer version for you or his r/d longbow are silent and deadly weapons. I used to tell people to look for a used Grizzly for their first bow, while I preferred giving them Ben Pearson Ponies and Colt semi recurves for starter bows.  Then I bought a kid a Maddog Prairie Predator, it is no mystery why there is a three to four month waiting period for them.

[Bobaru]

I'm 6'4" with a 30" draw.  I like the longer bows.  62" (Sage, Martin Howett Hunter) can be good.  Some 62" can stack at 30".  

I just bought a Samick Journey, 64", as a back up take down bow.  I can say it shoots as nicely as my other much more expensive bows.  I paid only $ 140, and if I want different limbs, they are only $ 75.00  

If I were starting, I would start with that.  

Shoot lots and lots.  And experiment.  Then read these boards, and the meaning of the conversations people are having here will make more sense to you.  And, if you figure that your preferences are different, you have learned cheaply what you really want.

Good luck and have fun.

[damascusdave]

Knowing your actual draw length would be valuable no matter which way you go...if you cannot find another way look for a school offering the NASP...if you sign up as a volunteer you might also get some coaching

DDave