Well im looking to finally bite the bullet and get into the trad game. Now im just looking to start up and see if i can pick it up. I've been shooting compound for about 4 years now and believe that i'm at a pretty good skill level in that and i want to try something new to challenge myself somemore. Now i've heard that longbows are more forgiving then recurves and if thats the case i guess i'm looking to get a longbow. So here is my question, what would be a good beginer bow to get me started? Also im guessing that im going to want to go the used route. Any advice, tips, or knowledge would be awesome to hear.......thanks, Isaac.
Bear Montana. BTW.....I disagree on LB's being easier to shoot. I shoot a recurve (I've owned and shot both). And, I find it to be more accurate for ME to shoot. I love the simplistic lines of the longbow. But, I shoot the recurve for 2 reasons: 1. It's grown on me.....and I now prefer it & 2. It's easier for me to be consistant with the recurve. Personal preference (IMO). Get a Bear Montana and you'll be pleased. You should be able ot find one, used, in the $200 range. Good luck.
I might have a bow you could buy man. I have a fleet of em now. Let me see how this one i am refinishing turns out. Ps I shoot recurves More consistantly than longbows
LB's are easier for some and harder for others. Personal preference like Jeff stated. Get something light In that 40 to 45 pound range. Most traditional bows are rated at a 28 Inch draw. Also If I was you I wouldn't get any kind of traditional bow shorter then 62 Inches. Too short makes It tougher to shoot, specially for a 1st timer. There are plenty of good used bows out there. Like Jeff said the Montana would be a great one. Bear makes plenty of good bows that will sell In that 200.00 range used. Best of luck!
Thanks everybody for the tips, im going to try and find a couple to shoot. But around here it seems like trad archery is a dieing art.
Been said before , but personal preference is essential . Try L/B and R/C and which suits you best , I went with L/B which for me felt more forgiving and also felt better balanced in hand . ONCE YOU TRY , YOU WILL BE HOOKED
I just need to get out there and shoot some bows but its been super busy around here and im not sure who to talk too.
Thoughts on this bow also for starters as I am kicking around the idea also to take up trad. http://cgi.ebay.com/Martin-Jaguar-T...179?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e5f5533a3 Thanks, T
Longbows and recurves are all personal preference. I make, shot and hunt with both. Recurves are going to be louder and have a little more hand shock but tend to be a quicker. A long bow draws a tad smoother, quieter (if the bower knows what he is doing when he makes it, and provided it is not a flat bow) with a little less hand shock.
If you have not ever shot trad bows, id suggest a lighter weight to learn. Some people can pick up a 50+ lb bow and learn, but not many. Id suggest at least a 45lb or less to learn with. That way you do not develope bad habbits while you strength up to hold the stack.
Peak: Your DL will have something to do with this. I'd expect (for a while, anyways) your trad. DL to be about 1" shorter than your compound DL. What this means is......let's say your compound DL is 28". The DW for most trad. bows is determined at 28". If you're only drawing 27" of that, you're not pulling what the #-age says on the bow. So, with that 50#'er, you'll be pulling 47-48#'s. I started with a 50# Montana LB. It took me probably 2 seasons (sporadic shooting) to get to where I felt comfortable shooting more than 20-30 arrows in a session. That's back when I was pulling 64#'s with my compounds. Food for thought.
Jeff so I should get a 30" DL to get 29 out of it? (Compound im 29") I'm figuring 45# will be more then enough for me especially starting out. Thanks, T
No. You should get a standard bow with an AMO DW that's determined at 28". IMO, that's all you'll be pulling for a while. So, you'll (if you pull 28") be pulling the stated DW on the bow. If the bow stacks OK, it will mean you'll pick up a couple #'s of DW, when and if your DL lengthens (due to getting more comfortable with the bow....and gaining strength). My bow was built 51#'s @ 28". I draw 29-1/4". So, I'm pulling about 53-54#'s. It stacks, beautifully. It took me a lot of trying diff. bows to know what I liked. Most everyone I know has a similar story. Good luck. I think you'll get hooked, as soon as you see the flight of the trad. arrow. It's awesome.
