Hey guys, I've been lurking on the traditional forum alot and I just kinda wondered If I could pick your brain a bit. Right now I'm shooting a PSE Stinger with an upgraded string. Using 340 spined Easton Bloodlines with some nap killzones I'm grouping roughly 1 inch per ten yards or better out to 60 yrds. My current draw length is 30 inches, ( my reference point is index finger on trigger, knuckle under my earlobe) and I'm shooting 70 lbs. I would like to give a recurve a try, preferably a takedown of some sort so I can start with 40lb limbs and move up from there. The problem is, I'm essentially broke as hell and don't want to sell my current setup to fund something I may not like. I love the speed and penetration of a compound, but i feel a little disconnected from the bow. I also like the idea of being able to take the whole setup apart and store it in a backpack essentially. I also am from alaska, and would like to have a setup that would be as close as possible to the KE that I'm putting down now. I've killed caribou and moose with my stinger, and would like to be able to at least have the bow be that effective. Could you give me any reccomendations as to where I can mabye put a bow on layaway? Do you have anything personally you might be willing to sell or know of anyone? The area I'm in doesn't really offer anything like that, and I'm hoping I might get lucky after the christmas season with a sale or something. Mabye a craigslist ad will pan out. Also, it seems like alot of guys are reccomending the samick sage as a good starter bow and I agree, it seems like a decent rig for the price. So whats the difference between a samick sage or a bear and an 1100 dollar ILF bow from Sky archery? Anything else you can tell me? I know tuning the arrows to the rig is the second most important part of accuracy, right after repeatable form and releases and a torque free grip.
There's a lot you ask here. Although I have never shot a Samick bow I hear many good thing about them. For speed and accuracy I think the undisputed TD recurve is the Ron Pittsley Predator. I have one and it's INCREDIBLE! http://www.huntersniche.com Don't expect to get much further than 30 yards from a recurve without exceptional practice, 20 yards being the norm. You can use fingers or release with a recurve, your preference. Broadheads are your choice as long as they fly straight. As you probably know a 340 arrow wouldn't be correct for a 40# bow. With the fairly recent interest in traditional archery don't think you'll save any $.$$ on traditional tackle unless you buy used. Personally, for beginners I am a big fan of a Fred Bear Gizzly (58" one piece). They are very common, fairly in expensive (used) and a tried and true, shooter, workhorse of a bow. You could buy a 40# to train on (good to hunt whitetail deer) and a heavier bow later for the price of a new TD bow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I can tell you right now, you'll never get KE comparable to your compound from a traditional bow...it's just not gonna happen. With a 50# bow and the right arrow tuned perfectly, you'll kill any moose or caribou and any other animal you're most likely to hunt. With your long draw, I'd opt for at least a 62" bow. 40# limbs are a good place to start and the Sage is a great bow to start your journey. As for arrows...with your long draw(you might lose an inch), a 1916 would be tunable. You'll get over 10gpp with that set up. When you get heavier limbs, get a stiffer spine arrow. And you'll come to realize KE and speed really don't make a difference on the kill. A well-tuned bow with matched arrows that are heavy enough will put meat in the freezer. Check out Lancaster Archery Supply...they have a great selection of bows and accessories and are very knowledgeable about their products...and their customer service is top-notch
I want to thank you guys for your words of wisdom. Now, do either of you have any experience with a lever bow setup? I have a friend who shoots an ea archery bow and he claims its the middle ground between a compound and recurve. All the goodness of a recurve with speeds approaching 220 or 230 fps with non cammed bows. I'm probably just going to put things on the back burner for the moment so I can try and hide some money from my wife.
It looks like the old Oneida Eagle bows. From what I've heard from guys that have had them they were loud like a crack of thunder. To each their own but to my mind not an option. Modern recurves are around the 200fps +- range depending on manufacture. If you want something similar but still a recurve then I would go for: 1) Bear/Victor magnesium riser 2) 3 Rivers Das bow 3) Hoyt Buffalo 4) Hoyt Gamegetter 5) PSE Coyote Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great post so far. i too am looking into tradition archery and have been recommended the samick sage repeatedly, and for the price why not? i also had the fellows at Sportsmans warehouse let me shoot a Bear Grizzly, which is incredible and beautiful. Andrew at Precision archery in Fairbanks has the Vista Sage and Fuse Intrepids i believe.
When looking at recurve bows and longbows too (I'm not a longbow guy) you must be careful not to shop by price. The old adage "you get what you pay for" holds very true for recurves. There are some inexpensive bows out there that are trash. Buying one could give you a poor experience for what you could possibly do with a proper, good quality bow. If it is at all possible for you or anyone reading this, I would go to as many "Traditional Archery Rendezvous" as possible. There are many across the country and it an inexpensive and fun outing. The vendors and attendees will gladly let you shoot their bows. This way you can get a real feel for your particular likes or dislikes, draw weight, physical weight and grip styles. Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk Bows, Broadheads and Backstraps
i whole heartedly believe you get what you pay for, but for some one new to the sport, they will not know the difference between a $1000 bow and a $300 bow. the best case scenario is to have some one experienced with you to guide you in the right direction. so far i have had help from some great guys and will more than likely be getting the Bear Grizzly to start my Traditional voyage. if i do well my first year or so i would love a bear take down or a Black widow.
For the Grizzly I would whole heartedly suggest eBay. The older 1970's era bows are by far a better fit and finish, they shoot great and retain their value better. Shop carefully, look at the reviews and stars. Make sure it has no sight or quiver holes drilled in it that will decrease value. Of course no twisted limbs. As far as a Bear TD, the old ones are astronomical in price! The new ones are just as good and pretty. Before buying a Bear TD or Black Widow BE SURE TO SHOOT BOTH! They are like night and day. Both are great bows but I like the Bear much better but that's just me. Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk Bows, Broadheads and Backstraps
i am no where near ready for either of those bows. i had a chance to buy a 1954 bear kodiak, but i have no idea what i am looking at and my friends were out of town. i also have a friend who shoots a Lee Natural? i think it is and he loves it.
It has a compound riser with a flat shelf. You will either have to put an elevated rest on it or build the shelf to a radius and shim it out to center to shoot it off the shelf. I have not read any bad reviews on the bow. The weight is good and you can buy heavier limbs as needed. NOTE: if you go with the elevated rest you can shoot arrows with vanes or feathers. To shoot off a shelf you must use feathers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was in the same boat last year, short on cash but really wanting a practical recurve. I started with the samick sage, from 3rivers. No complaints, was easy to learn the basics of tuning and shooting, consistent and utilitarian. An amazing deal for the price, IMHO. I started with the 40# limbs, but upgraded to 50 when I decided to start hunting whitetail. I also upgraded the string, put on otter fur silencers, etc. I shot three squirrels with that bow...then I upgraded to a custom bow I found on ebay, it seemed too good to pass up, but I did do enough research on traditional archery forums to feel confident it would be a good shooter. It has a much more dynamic draw cycle, but otherwise is about the same in terms of accuracy, actually, it might be a little more challenging to aim, just because its a little shy of center shot . Anyway, I say jump right in with the sage, it should be all you need to get the basics down. GoodLuck!
well, at some point while lurking in the trad forum, someone posted up RMS gear and I researched them. There were two very helpful salesmen who guided me through the process and answered all of my compound to recurve crossover question. Long story short, I just put a down payment on a new samick sage with fast flight string, half dozen gold tip 3355's with 175 grain tips, feathered, and a medium shooting glove. tax, tag and title came out to 270.
Congratulations! now the addiction REALLY begins. Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk Bows, Broadheads and Backstraps
