most forgiving longbow specs & why

[Tradcat]

mine....64" Robertson Purist 58# @ 26". It's the hinge style takedown model so it has a dymondwood rser (heavier). It's a very mild R&D design...and its very quiet. The arrow just goes where you're looking and gives me lots of confidence. What say you ?               Tradcat

64" Sarrels Blueridge long riser takedown longbow, 50#@29.5", for me.

Bisch

I also have a 64" Robertson takedown that is about that draw weight, it is good, but my JD Berry Morningstar is simply remarkable and so is my Halfbreed from a blank.  My shooting flaw is that at times my release fingers get a little off balance, these two bows do not care about that.

[shag08]

Black Widow PL....64" 52#@29". It shoots for me like no other bow I've ever picked up. I was shooting three shot groups in a Copenhagen can at 40 yards today. Granted, I can't do that every day....some days I've got it, some days I don't. But it's the only bow I feel confident trying it with...just have to keep in mind to keep more pressure on my ring finger and less on my index finger. It doesn't like an extremely deep hook.

[Archie]

Another vote for the Black Widow longbow.  Shoots like a dream, and it's dead on every time I am.

[Scott E. Thomas]

I would have to say my 68" Northern Mist Shelton. It is 59lbs.@28" but I draw it to about 55 or 56lbs. I have a rack full now and have owned many more but when I want to get serious this is the bow you will find in my hand. God bless, Scott.

[TDHunter]

I have to pipe in on this one as I've shot more longbows then I can count and for me I get up kick on every bow. doesn't matter where the knock is either . I clearly torque the string funny or release weird or something. It's been very frustrating for many years. I can shoot great groups but get bad flight!!  Until finally a few months ago when I purchase a 64" 2 piece ACS 51'bs @28 (which I draw to 30")from a fellow trad ganger. ......and to my amazement  the first arrow I shot out of the bow was a bare shaft , which flew 18 yards to my target bag with no kick . the second arrow out of the bow was a feathered arrow which robbin hooded the first bare shaft. I shot two more robbin hoods in the next week of practice all because of great arrow flight.
so my vote   is the  64" ACS 2pc longbow........Awesome!

[overbo]

For me, no contest,

Habu Vyperkahn, D flex riser w/ rear mounted limbs and a very generous 9'' brace, makes this bow extremely easy to shoot accurately w/.

[SL]

Takedown pronghorn. A little more riser weight goes a long ways for me. It s an accurate bow that's built very well.

[LongStick64]

We are all built differently so there is no right answer here. But since you are asking, 58" Ed Scott Owl. The smoothest drawing bow I have owned. Draws so evenly that it makes for a a very smooth shot.

[Big Ed]

58" Shrew Classic Hunter and I am sure my 58" Elkheart(when it gets built)

[ranger 3]

Love my PLX

[Tradcat]

keep em coming guys... Another very forgiving bow is a Great Northern Bushbow. Wider limbs and a slight R/D design makes this bow very stable and quiet !

[nineworlds9]

One some wouldn't expect right off the bat, but its my current #1 lady and so easy to shoot well:

56" Java Man Elkheart, half phenolic bow-bolt 2pc, 52@29

She and I have become one.  I'm no Robin Hood by any means but I do ok on occasion          

Well I have always favored longer bows, but this bow in particular has proven beyond a doubt for me that a short bow can be forgiving if designed properly.  

Two days ago I took the Elkheart to its second 3D tournament and I got called out on a master stake shot that was downhill and had to be a good 50-55 yds or more.  I had my moment of zen and drew and released focusing on the 3D deer.  Me and the other folks gathered around all held our breath...wham!  I nailed that deer!  A cheer went up and when my friends and I walked down the hill to the deer we discovered it was a clean double lunger.  Talk about a great feeling!  I shot many more 8s and 10s that day, along with my share of 5s and occasional misses, but I know for a fact I wouldn't have shot that Elkheart so well if it had not had the thought and refinement put into it by Gregg Coffey, along with some LaClair mojo.  Thanks Gregg for your artistry, thanks Ron for pioneering the short bow!  I won't be taking any 50+ yd shots at deer in real life, heck even 25 is a stretch in real life, but I trust my Elkheart to do the job NO problem.  

Two other shorties that are in the same league for forgiveness that I have shot are the Big Jim Thunderchild and a short Centaur.  

As for longer bows, most tack driving 'long' longbow I have owned and shot is a 3pc Leon Stewart Slammer with either 66 or 68" limbs.  Sniper rifle.

If your question is specifically geared toward 1pc "long" longbows I would choose a 1pc Slammer or 1pc Fox Triple Crown any day of the week.  Both shoot 'lights out' and have craftsmanship to rival many others.

[Dmaxshawn]

I've had a bunch of the ones listed above.  I would have to say my 56"  elkheart is the most forgiving and easiest to shoot for my needs.

[ChetterB]

I have a Morrison Shawnee that I picked up 56" 47#@28" 7" brace height that throws a great arrow and is very quiet and accurate. It pleasantly surprised me how well it shoots!!!
I have shot two broadhead rounds with it so far 28 targets scoring 15,10,5,0 two scores were 345 & 340, all deer and bear targets, pretty good for me.

[Sam McMichael]

I have 4 Hills (1 Big Five, 1 Cheetah, 2 Wesley Specials) and 1 Northern Mist Shelton set up for hunting. The Hills run 50#, 55#, 2 at 65#, and the NM at 53#. All are 68" long, and I think this length lends itself to a very smooth draw, which, in my opinion, enhances accuracy. I'm no great archer, but every once in a while I can pull off a few good shots that actually look like I know what I'm doing.

[Brianlocal3]

Out of the 70 or so longbows I've owned , hands down it's my 62" 47@26 JD BERRY taipan. The forward handle , grip and build on this ow just makes it's deadly accurate and forgiving .
I'm having James build me a 64 or 66" model to see if the extra length adds any more forgiveness , but honestly it will be hard to do as this bow is perfect

[Zradix]

I'd say a forward handle longbow in an easy weight to manage that has a "perfect" grip for YOU.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

"The most forgiving long bow specs, & why"

The most forgiving long bow specs are going to be one having a smooth draw and a very flat string angle at full draw first of all....

secondly, you want a bow that fits your hand placement to a tee with no effort.

Third would be a bow that has zero hand shock and an excellent cast with hunting weight shafts....

i know someone who builds all that into one sleek looking long bow.