Foam question

[T.A.C.]

O.K.,
 I've never owned a bow with, but am considering one with foam cores. What is the consensus...good, bad, otherwise? Does it break down over time (unlike, say bamboo)? Smoother than the "usual" cores? Any comments would be welcome. Thanks, Terry

[Biathlonman]

My experience, a touch smoother and a touch louder. Pick your poison.

[Stumpkiller]

And, in the event of a landing on water, your bow will become a floatation device.

[JRY309]

I have a Zipper ZSR with carbon & foam longbow and recurve limbs.I find them smooth,fast and quiet.I haven't heard of them breaking down overtime.Olyimpic shooters have used foam core limbs for many years.They say yhey are less affected by temperature changes as one aspect of them.

I have only shot one bow with foam core limbs. It shot fine.....it just sounded funny (not loud, just different) and I could not get over that!

Bisch

[Brandywine]

Hello T. A. C:
Your question has been a topic here before with much comment.  Bottom line is foam is fine; even if older stuff.  For reasonable hunting and target purposes it has no downsides and respected builders using it like it.  One respected builder told me that he tried foam in hunting bows and suspected it was possibly a bit noisier but he's the only one that I could find with that opinion.  ALL others likes it. Trust a respected bowyer and you'll get a great bow regardless of the core.  I think that foam allows the boywer to craft with more draw weight certainty because it is more consistent for a given taper.  I have bows with bamboo, foam and other proprietary cores and all are wonderful.  For me,  with a decently tuned bow, the largest "noise" determinant is the HEIGHT of fletching.  Enjoy.
Regards,
Kevin

[buckracks7]

The foam I have tried has been smooth and quiet, unless you add carbon. I prefer foam limbs with something else instead of carbon.

[T.A.C.]

Hey Guys,
Thanks to all for your comments. I was just a little nervous about something "new" to me. I'll give it a try and put in my .02 worth after an honest comparison. Thanks again.