I have been shooting a Bear Patriot longbow for 10 years or so. This is a Byron Fergusion design 64″ R/D, 50 lbs @ 28″. It is a very smooth shooter with no hand shock that I can detect, and hits where I am looking.                                  I know that many shoot higher draw weight bows, but I have never seen a need for anything above  50#. I use the tapered Surewood Doug Fir shafts with a total arrow weight around 650 grains which makes the bow very quite. There are many bows out there that are similar in performance so not promoting this particular one, but am completely sold on the R/D design.

I can’t help you with your question.  I have only shot one factory made longbow.  One of the guys in our club had a Hill style longbow, 70#@28.  I shot it maybe a half dozen times.  It shot well but that was 40 years ago and I don’t remember much about it.

I have several longbows that I made myself, all D/R design from 30# to 55#, and love them.

Hi JLJanes

I Havn’t had a real longbow since my John Shultz got ” lost” in a move ( wish I still had it), 30 yrs ago. So, can’t comment on current manufactures. I shoot R / D longbows and am very pleased with the ones made for me by Centaur Archery in Montana.

Scout

I’ll put a plug in for Leon Stewart, http://stewartsarchery.com/ .   Leon built my R/D longbow several years ago and I just love it. East to shoot, nice looking. It’s a Slammer model.  I’m shooting a fairly heavy arrow in it and it works well. Leon shoots a much light arrow so it can handle a wide range.  If you’re handy, pick up Steve Graf’s The American Longbow: How to Make One, and Its Place in a Good Life.  Steve and his son are out on the Appalachian Trail now, trying to get the most of the March winter storms, but I’m sure he’ll chime in at some point if you have any questions.  He makes and shoots a Hill style bow and eats a lot of venison. best, dwc

DWC

I forgot that Stephen and his son were hitting the trail this year. Wish them the best of luck and fun times hiking and camping.  Looks like they are going to get plenty of “Cold Weather Training ” judging from the weather your getting back there.

Scout

Hello I shoot a 60# Ausable (bear), no hand shock or vibration. I use Beman Center shot arrows 500 spine with a 250gr field tip. This set up shoots very well for me and is extremely forgiving.

Hi Jacob

Welcome to the site , thanks for the info. That’s a new bear archery longbow I believe. I am glad it is a good bow ? Bear got a lot us started on the tradbow journey –

Scout aka Ray

I also shoot a Bear, the 50# Montana, and it does well for me.  I think it all depends on how much you are able to afford.

~Kees~

Kees

You bet – the Bear Montana has always been a good bow. I am glad it is working well for you

Scout aka Ray

We tend to put a lot of importance on our bows. I know I do. I love my Stewart Slammer. Pretty to look at, comfy to hold, shoots better than me. That said, I think it was Byron Ferguson said, put you effort into the arrow. That’s where the rubber meets the road. A properly tuned arrow will make any half decent bow look good. And, a half decent archer look okay, too.