AND loved it. My buddy had bought one and I finally got to try it out tonight. He's just getting into archery and bought the bow pictured below (65lb model). I was a little surprised he bought the 65lb model. I shot it a dozen or so times at about 11 yards and did GREAT. One time I had 2 of the 3 arrows touching and the 3rd was only a inch or so away from the others. I really impressed him and I haven't even shot a recurve much (besides bowfishing). Anyway, I'm thinking about getting the 65lb model. I know you guys said I shouldn't start out that big but just hear me out. When I drew his bow back, I don't think I was coming back all the way to 28" but does this really matter. Especially since I was shooting so well? It didn't feel natural. Other times, I consciously drew back as much as I could and still did okay as far as hitting the target where I wanted. What do you guys think?
You're going to be making a mistake and regret buying your first trad bow that heavy. If you're not hitting your anchor point and full draw you'll develop all sorts of form problems that you'll have difficulty breaking later. Unless you plan on hunting dangerous game with that bow (which I doubt you'll do) you don't need a bow that heavy. Fred Eichler completed the "North American Grand Slam" using a 54# Palmer TD recurve, including Grizzly Bear. Although 11yds is a good starting point moving back will magnify flaws in your shooting. I've been shooting recurves for 45+ years. When you practice you need to shoot multiple rounds without becoming tired or developing pain in fingers, hand, arm and shoulders. When I practice I generally shoot between 50 and 100 arrows per session. You've asked for advice from people here please take it to hart. I'm sure other will agree with me.
I'm mostly with Rob. I think it varies from person to person....how much is REQUIRED to practice. But, I agree it would be a big mistake to get a 65# bow. I shot 70# compounds (and 60#). Hardly relevant. Your DL in trad. archery determines your elevation. Inconsistant anchor....and you're shooting yourself in the foot (in the accuracy dept.). I could go on......but it's just a piss poor idea. It's like taking a bazooka to a knife fight (and you can't hold the bazooka up).
Jeff, You're absolutely right about how much to shoot at practice. I would never ask or expect a beginner to shoot as much as you or I do. I just like to see arrows fly well and a lot!
i recently got my first recurve. i had shot my dads for years and wanted my own. listen to what your being told, it is good advice. they aren't telling you this so you can't be in the super cool guys club that shoot high poundage bows . they are speaking the truth and trying to save you form mistakes in the future. this isn't to say for sure that starting out with a 65# bow will 100% lead to problems, however starting out lower really has no draw backs. with the bow you want you can always purchase heavier limbs down the road. you don't need 65#'s to kill most big game, only like 45#, some guys shoot less. like i said i shot my dads 45# bow for awhile, and went with a 50# bow for my first one, and like you was leaning twards 55#,60#,65# bow to start with. and mine is a one piece recurve, but i know i made the right choice. in the end it's your decision, but remember even with compounds you don't start at 70#, you build up. good luck
VABowbender you post on AT dont you? I posted under Junker there. The bank i worked for blocked that site. I agree with VA. I'm not saying you couldn't handle the 65# bow, finch.....but in the longrun; starting with lower poundage bow with help you develop and consistently repeat the same form during each shot. Now that being said, my first bow was a 63# recurve. I bought it and just started shooting. Luckily i found Archertalk.com and got some good advice that helped me overcome some of the issues of starting with a heavy bow.
I'm glad you liked the bow! Drawing your bow back to your anchor point is everything! The beauty of my 50/52# bows, I can litteraly shoot them all day long and enjoy doing it! Good luck!
Talk about a buzzkill....just kidding. Thats the reason I posted, so I could get feedback. I appreciate all of it! Just remember, one of the main reasons I was wanting this new bow was for the heavier poundage for deepwater bowfishing. BUT I'll have to admit after shooting last night; I've got the itch to not only bowfish with this new bow but also hunt larger game (eventually). What about a 55# or should I go lower, 50#? I really don't think I need to go lower than #50. Tell me what you think!
Finch: MANY guys would tell you to start with a 30# bow. I'll give most archers (especially ones I know) the benefit of the doubt.....and acknowledge that their compound backgrounds have prepared them for a 15# - 20# decrease in DW (switching to trad.). You'll undoubtedly get stronger as you go. This will appear in your DL getting longer with your stick bow. Unless the archer is the size of Brock Lesnar, I would NEVER suggest them starting with that kind of weight. Hell, I still wouldn't. Get a 45-50# model.....and your shoulders will thank me in 20yrs.
finch like i said, i started with a 63# bow and everything worked out fine for me. I don't recommend it; but i didn't have the money to buy a starter bow and then buy a hunting bow. from what i can tell, you already bowhunt....don't you? if so, you already have some sort of form or technique. when i first got my bow; i shot probably 100 arrows a day. i was addicted and i got to where i could hold that 63# recurve at full draw for over a minute.....and i had to on several occassions when hunting. Like GMMAT said, most people would recommend 30#s to start. If i were you; i would look for one around 50#s. its still more than i would recommend for starters but its a heck of a lot better than 65#s
Finch, I'm a prime example of starting out too heavy. I've been shooting traditional bows since I was 3 years old (I'm 35 now) and at 21 years old or so I decided to put the compound down and start hunting with a recurve. My 1st hunting recurve which Is the one I'm still hunting with now was 72lbs at 28 Inches. I developed so many bad habits that I didn't even realize It till about 5 year Into It and when I went to change them bad habits It took allot of work to get back on track. Still to this day I catch myself doing some of them old bad habits yet. It's something I'm sure I'll deal with forever. This Is coming from a guy Finch who shot traditional bows as a kid, you'd think If anyone could get away with starting heavy It would be someone such as myself being I shot these bows all my life. Not the case at all my friend. If I was you I'd get something In that 40 to 45 pound range. Go out and buy a cheap bow and get some good form going and get your muscles In tune. Go ahead and buy the heavy bow you want but don't start using It till you've got your **** together and your 100 percent ready.
Ok....let me ask a question. Is there some sort of "test" I can do with my current 45lb recurve to prove to myself I should stick to that weight or go lighter...or heavier?
I don't know of any "test" you can do. Go shoot 50, 75 or a 100 arrows with your bow then try and go shoot 50 using your buddies 65# bow. See how tired you get and how far from your anchor point you are. For me this is an accuracy thing, not how much weight I can pull. I am much happier putting my arrow exactly where I look everytime then try and struggle to do so with a bow that's too much for me. At the end of the day I'm a happier man putting my arrows in the pocket all day long! Why do you want to go to such a heavy bow?
Ignorance. I guess I thought I could handle a heavier bow. I'm really not one of these guys that has to shoot the heaviest bow out there (I know it doesn't seem that way ) The reason I'm wanting a new bow is mainly for bowfishing purposes and because the PSE Kingfisher isn't much fun to shoot unless I'm shooting carp. Other than that....I think it stinks. Now, I'm wanting this new bow to be a dual purpose bow. As soon as I sell my Kingfisher...I'm gonna go with a 50lb model.
I like this guy Finch. He asks good questions and actually reads what we're telling him. Finch, is your PSE tuned correctly and do you have the proper spined arrows and points?
Really couldn't tell ya...lol. :D Its been used as a bowfishing rig 99.9% of the time. I have shot some of my hunting arrows thru it which are Gold Tips 5575's but not sure if they are the correct spine or not. Really didn't care at the time but now that I'm getting a new one...I want everything to be right.
Good choice Finch. Once you start shooting you see how much fun it actually is, and will continue to do so. Shooting with accuracy is what makes it fun and doing so with the right bow is what makes it happen. Don't worry though, if you do enjoy this, you will most likely have a few different bows, I've bought 6 in the past couple years! Lol!
Ya know Finch that PSE probably will shoot just as well as the bow you're looking into if you take the time to set it up right. If you're just looking for an excuse to buy a new bow then I say go for it, I've got 17 right now.
