Recurve to Longbow

[Joe03]

I presently shoot a 45" recurve with no troubles drawing and holding. Been shooting it for awhile and do well with it.
Have my eye on a longbow and was thinking of going up 5 lbs to a 50#. Now I'm in the mid 50's which I guess shouldn't matter and never shot a Longbow. Was wondering jumping up 5# what should I expect? Allot of difference? In a long bow is 50# better for deer size game or are there no benefits over a 45# long bow other than the obvious?
I do hunt with my bow and would be doing so with the longbow.
Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

[nineworlds9]

It will depend on what the definition of a longbow is.  If you mean a Hill style straight limbed longbow then 5# "might" be a good idea to keep your sight picture/ trajectory more similar to the recurve you shoot now, especially if you are in good shape and have the time to condition to the extra weight.  If you are talking a reflex-deflex more 'high performance' longbow or a 'hybrid' radical r/d longbow then the difference in shooting quality for the same given poundage won't be as big and you'll likely do just fine sticking with 45#.  Draw-wise you can expect a longbow to build weight with a more steady 'linear' feel and perhaps not have as much early string tension as a recurve.  The extra 5# you speak of will also 'feel' like less of an increase if the longbow you choose is many inches longer than the recurve you currently have, for example if you have a 58" 45# recurve if you switch to a 62" or 64" or even longer longbow that's 50# the perceived draw effort won't be radical as you have longer limbs to spread out the force as well as more string on the fingers/less pinch at full draw.  Again, some will depend on what 'kind' of longbow you intend on shooting.

[Boomerang]

If it is a R/D longbow they are about as fast as a recurve. Nothing wrong with 45# for most American game and there isn't a huge difference going up 5#. It depends on the design of the bow on how smooth it feels.  

[Joe03]

Yes, looking at a R/D longbow and heard (in a longbow in general) you have to climb up 5# to keep "basicly" the same arrow speed.      
Right now I shoot a 64" recurve and the longbow i'm looking at 62"

[Boomerang]

I would say your R/D longbow at the same weight as your recurve will be within 5 fps. Try to shoot a heavier arrow out of the longbow. Longbows in general seem to prefer heavier arrows and that makes them even more quiet.

[beachbowhunter]

I doubt the weight of the draw will be an issue. When I first started shooting a LB after starting with a RC, I had some accuracy issues because of the difference in mass weight between the bows. A heavier draw combined with a lighter bow, had me hitting all over the place until I sorted it out. I hope it doesnt happen to you, but dont give up if it does.

[M60gunner]

I guess I am the opposite of the rest. Maybe it is is my sight picture from one bow to the next. I find when I go from my Wes Wallace R/D longbow to my Bear recurve I have to add distance to my sight picture. That said 5# more bow weight won't hurt. You are still young why at your age I was still shooting a 69# Black Widow recurve. Now I am down to 55#'s on my recurve and long bow.

[Joe03]

Thanks gents.  Its time to add one to the arsenal..

[Frank V]

Joe, I shoot both recurves & longbows, the way I grip them is entirely different. I draw 29" with a recurve because I extend my wrist. I draw 28" with a longbow because I grip it straight up & down.

Shooting both is fun & I switch back & forth as I want to on a given day.
Longbows are a lot of fun & most of them especially the Hill type are very quiet. I don't even have string silencers on my Hill bow.

[Rob DiStefano]

as mentioned already, longbow performance is dependent on it's style of longbow. there are THREE basic types ... american flat longbow (straight or with reflexed or deflexed limb ends, "howard hill style"), mild r/d (they brace to a "D" shape), and hybrid r/d (they all show some flip curve at the tips).

some of the hybrids run neck 'n' neck with the best of recurves = little to no performance difference.

[lbshooter]

The feel of moving up 5# in poundage will depend largely on your shooting style and the ease of which you currently draw your recurve.  Generally, this difference in weight should only result in a fewer number of arrows being shot before tiring.  As mentioned by others, the design of the longbow you choose will make a difference in feel, and can even induce a change in shooting style, particularly in the case of the Hill style longbow.  Some of the shorter, pistol gripped R/D designs will feel no different to your recurve.

[Rob DiStefano]

i'll add ...

if yer current recurve truly scales at 45# at your draw length, then moving on to a true 50# (at yer draw length) hybrid longbow will be a relatively easy transition.  

some of the possible problems might be ...

the holding weights of the recurve and longbow are off by more than 5-6#, and it's really easy for that to happen and become a 7-8# difference.  a good bow scale don't lie, i use an easton calibrated digital bow scale.  going from a true 44# recurve to a 51# hybrid might not be all that easy, but doable if you work at it.

limb length versus draw length is typically much more critical with longbows - a bit less critical with hybrids and much more with hill styles.  lots depends on yer draw length.  i go into this at length in this article -  www.tradgang.com/docs/trad.html

[Joe03]

Thinking on staying at the 45# area. For my first longbow, hey may be my last    , I want an inexpensive R/D long bow and I think I have settled on the Kustom King Black Forest. Some good reviews and a great price. If, I really enjoy the longbow then may look to climb the mountain a bit or may just be happy with the KK Black Forest.
I also looked at the Omegas which, another good price for a great bow. At this point for the first, I like the under $300 tag on the KK.
Keep you all posted and thanks for the tips. Joe

[Rob DiStefano]

that's an excellent bow for the dollars.  it's not a full hybrid, but somewhere between mild and aggressive r/d limbs - you can see that in the tip flip. the 64" length is a good thing.  you never mentioned your draw length, as that will influence whatever the bow is capable of delivering, and what yer capable of holding at full draw for a few seconds.

[Joe03]

Originally posted by Rob DiStefano:
that's an excellent bow for the dollars.  it's not a full hybrid, but somewhere between mild and aggressive r/d limbs - you can see that in the tip flip. the 64" length is a good thing.  you never mentioned your draw length, as that will influence whatever the bow is capable of delivering, and what yer capable of holding at full draw for a few seconds.

On my recurve I draw 28"

[Joe03]

OH NO, I just went to order a Kustom King Black Forest in 45# RH and they won't have them instock for 6 weeks.....  :(

[Boomerang]

Do they have 50# in stock? If so you could make the jump.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by Boomerang:
Do they have 50# in stock? If so you could make the jump.

i agree.  and if they do have a 50# in stock, you could also call kk and ask if they can check the weight to make sure it's 50# (or less, it happens) @ 28".

[Duncan]

Definitely have it checked before buying. I have the KK in 45# and it feels closer to 50. Have not scaled it though.

[Rob DiStefano]

the perception of holding weight, as compared to what's on the bow's spex label, can be deceiving due to the bow's efficiency, or lack thereof.  

iow, you can scale two different stickbows, and though they both scale at 48#, one can feel Much smoother on the draw, smoother on the release, and appears to be lighter in holding weight.  

this is all about design and materials and construction, and part of the reason why some stickbows can cost Lots more than others.