Home › Forums › Bows and Equipment › Bob Lee Custom Bow question

Viewing 19 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • jpcarlson
      Member
        November 16, 2012 at 4:56 am
        Post count: 218
        #2440

        Hey guys, I have a Bob Lee Custom recurve and some questions. It is a 62″ take down, 65# @ 29″. I draw 29.5″. I have used it for some practice but haven’t hunted with it yet, bought it off a buddy for a good price. I did spend a day shooting carp with it last summer, and boy oh boy were my shoulders tired from pulling that thing all day! The bow shoots real smooth and quiet. Here is my question; is this bow worth keeping and training more to handle the weight? Or should I try and sell it to get something lighter?

        I currently shoot an old Bear take down at about 53# and it is real comfortable.

        I really like the longer Bob Lee. I called them down in Texas and found they would make a new set of limbs for about $350.

        So, not sure where to go with this one and curious for the feed back.

        I have been eyeballing the Predator recurves for years, any feedback on those?

        Thanks,

        Jans

      • handirifle
          November 16, 2012 at 8:54 am
          Post count: 409
          #9566

          Never owned a Bob Lee (or any other custom bow) but they have a great reputation. If it were me, I would have to save up for some time, but a nice set of 55lb limbs would be high on my list.

          Unless you can afford a new custom, and want to pass along a good deal to a friend who like a 65lb bow. I am sure there’s plenty here that do. Not me but I am sure there are.

        • ray montoya
            November 16, 2012 at 2:10 pm
            Post count: 40
            #9882

            Ive been shooting Bob Lee bows since the mid 90’s, and love em!! My last bow from Rob was a solid micarta riser that has the smallest thinnest grip youve ever seen or felt…Bob was one of the first ones to build a three piece longbow in the 80’s, and I should know cause I own 1 of 1, the first one Bob made.

            After shooting many custom bows, Widows, Morrisons, DAS, RER, Predator, Thunderhorns, Robertsons… I always come back to my Lee’s…

            A set of limbs from Rob aint that expensive compared to limbs from Widow or other custom bow maker…not sure what youre looking for, but I might have what you need…I’ve got a lot of longbow limbs, from 46# to 59#…and a few 55# recurve limb sets…

            As for the Predator, I never liked the grip…several guys I know say the same thing, it just doesnt feel right. Its hard to explain, but the grip doesnt fit a small hand very well at all…

          • jpcarlson
            Member
            Member
              November 17, 2012 at 2:42 am
              Post count: 218
              #10433

              Hey Ray,

              It’s good to hear some feedback on the bow, and kinda confirms what I thought after shooting it a bit. I can tell it’s a sweet shooting bow by how smooth and quiet it is, even with a fast flight flemmish twist string and just cat whiskers on it. Glad to hear the feed back on the predator’s too, having never shot one. The Bob Lee feels good in the hand so I will keep her and try different limbs. The 65 pounders I have for it are just a little beefy for comfort (and with my extra draw length it’s pulling about 66.5). I would be interested in a set of 55 pound recurve limbs if you have extra you are willing to part with. My riser has the double hex bolt attachment.

              Any idea what you would want for them, or would you want to just swap limbs?

              Jans

            • ray montoya
                November 17, 2012 at 8:12 pm
                Post count: 40
                #11207

                I shoot a endless loop string made by Winners Choice, 12 stand, and super fast. I use string leeches on my bows, 2 on each end. They weigh less then cat whiskers, and silence a string a lil better. Im still chasing elk, so give me a few days to see what I have. Are you shooting the old style riser, or the new short 15 inch riser? Let me know

              • jpcarlson
                Member
                Member
                  November 17, 2012 at 11:44 pm
                  Post count: 218
                  #11342

                  Ray,

                  I think it’s the old style riser, but not sure. I think the bow was made/purchased in the early 90’s it that helps. Double hex bolt mounts for the limbs. I’ll try to remember to take a pic and post it soon.

                  good luck with the wahpatti

                  jans

                • ray montoya
                    November 21, 2012 at 8:19 pm
                    Post count: 40
                    #15725

                    Ive got a set of 55# recurve limbs that will work, and several sets of 55# and 57# longbow limbs…let me know what you wanna do sir

                  • jpcarlson
                    Member
                    Member
                      November 24, 2012 at 5:14 am
                      Post count: 218
                      #18365

                      I sent you a PM Ray. Can a guy put longbow limbs on that riser? How will it look, shoot?

                      Jans

                    • ray montoya
                        November 24, 2012 at 5:25 am
                        Post count: 40
                        #18376

                        Putting longbow limbs on the riser is no problem at all, and the longbow limbs shoot perfect on the riser. I perfer the recurve riser over the longbow riser cause I just like how the recurve riser looks compared to the longbow riser. My first Bob Lee bow was his takedown longbow. Rob worked on the longbow limbs, slimmed them down, and now they really throw an arrow.

                      • jpcarlson
                        Member
                        Member
                          December 2, 2012 at 7:45 pm
                          Post count: 218
                          #27930

                          Thanks for getting back to me Ray. I would love to try both sets of limbs as I have mostly been a recurve shooter for years. My only experience with longbows was an old self bow long bow I picked up at a garage sale when I was a kid. I shot the snot out of that bow fishing for carp until I pulled it back on a final shot at a monster and the top limp snapped off. I hadn’t seen the crack which had formed in the limb as I was young and dumb:) I sure did like the look and feel of the bow though! What difference do you notice in how the long bow limbs shoot/cast the arrow vs. the recurve limbs? Will I be able to use the same arrows I have tuned for the bow? I guess it depends on how close the two sets of limbs are in poundage for my draw length. Are the longbow limbs tillered for split finger or three under? I don’t have all the funds rounded up yet but could send you half now and half with the set of limbs back I don’t want to use? Or we can just wait a bit until I have more in my toy kitty and I can send all of it at once. What ever you like. I just injured a ligament in my left elbow at work so it will be a few weeks before I can shoot again anyway.

                          Hope your season is finishing well. I started the season with three tags and filled one of my two doe tags on a nice white tail. We have almost eaten her up so it is time to get back out for the late season and fill the other two. Rifle season just got over here so now it is nice and quiet on the prairies again and I will start going back out. Smoke pole season just opened too:), and my bird dog keeps bugging me to get her back out after late season roosters and mallards. Gosh, a guy shouldn’t have to work from about September through January:)

                          Regards,

                          Jans

                        • ray montoya
                            December 2, 2012 at 9:14 pm
                            Post count: 40
                            #27997

                            Of couse the recurve limbs will be faster, but not much faster. All of my bows are tillered for split finger, but what several; bowyers told me, the difference in tiller between the two is very miminal.

                            Just send me your address, and I will get them in the mail. I have to be out of town on Wednesday and Thursady, my daughter has surgery.

                          • jpcarlson
                            Member
                            Member
                              December 14, 2012 at 11:18 pm
                              Post count: 218
                              #42340

                              Sent you a couple PMs Ray, Hope all is well,

                              J

                            • ray montoya
                                December 15, 2012 at 5:45 pm
                                Post count: 40
                                #43202

                                Things are fine here, just watching the snow…I’ll get things boxed to you later today.

                                I think you’ll enjoy shooting the longbow limbs, not as harsh as a recurve limb, still very quick and quiet. You’ll enjoy both sets, plus it will be nice on your shoulder shooting a liter draw weight bow…like I said, my 46# limbs are brand new, Rob sent them to me to try and to see how I liked the newer slimmed down profile of the limbs. I still feel that Rob builds one of the better bows on the market today, and one that is bomb proof and as tough as they get…

                              • jpcarlson
                                Member
                                Member
                                  December 20, 2012 at 10:58 pm
                                  Post count: 218
                                  #49175

                                  Ray,

                                  What are you using for brace height with the longbow limbs? Same as what Bob Lee recommends for their recurves?

                                  I’ll keep an eye on the mail for the limbs and strings, thanks a ton. I’ll make sure they fit on the riser then try to make a decision and send money and two of the three sets back:) Thanks for the trust and good will towards fellow bowhunting man 😀

                                  Happy Holidays,

                                  Jans

                                • jpcarlson
                                  Member
                                  Member
                                    December 23, 2012 at 1:43 am
                                    Post count: 218
                                    #51478

                                    Well its confirmed, my wife is giving me part of the funds for a set of limbs from you for a Christmas present:D

                                    I have a feeling I am going to like the #55 longbow limbs! I can’t wait to shoot them all and get a feel for a pair!

                                    Have a good holiday Ray, talk soon,

                                    J

                                  • doug krueger
                                      December 23, 2012 at 7:32 pm
                                      Post count: 55
                                      #52285

                                      Hello,

                                      I have a bob lee signature. I it is 64″ and it was 64lbs @30. I shoot 32inches so it was really heavy. IT was too heavy for me so I sent it back and they took 7lbs off the limbs for around $125.00 and it is great now. Just another option. Let me know if you have any other questions. Merry christmas.

                                      Doug K

                                    • jpcarlson
                                      Member
                                      Member
                                        December 23, 2012 at 10:48 pm
                                        Post count: 218
                                        #52446

                                        Thanks for the info Doug. I am going to try some of Rays limbs first and see if I can find a combo which works for me right now. I want to keep the 65# limbs for the future, I plan on training up the muscle necessary to shoot that weight comfortably. I would like the heavier limbs for elk/moose/bear hunting. It is great to know they can take some weight off of those limbs though and I might do that after a bit if I can’t train up.

                                        Merry Christmas,

                                        J

                                      • jpcarlson
                                        Member
                                        Member
                                          January 16, 2013 at 10:29 pm
                                          Post count: 218
                                          #22815

                                          Hey Ray,

                                          You around? Haven’t heard from you in a bit. Drop me a line when you can,

                                          J

                                        • Stumpkiller
                                          Member
                                            January 20, 2013 at 5:24 am
                                            Post count: 193
                                            #26521

                                            Ray Montoya wrote: Bob was one of the first ones to build a three piece longbow in the 80’s, and I should know cause I own 1 of 1, the first one Bob made.

                                            Bob Lee made the Wing Presentation-II, the first three piece laminated glass recurve, in the 60’s. I have a 1965 (#470). 😉

                                            Back to the original question – I have come down in draw weight from 65-70# bows to 50-55# bows and do much better. If you can work up to it that is great. But if not then being overbowed will cause all kinds of form problems. It’s a decision only you can make.

                                          • jpcarlson
                                            Member
                                            Member
                                              January 24, 2013 at 10:51 pm
                                              Post count: 218
                                              #31651

                                              That’s just a down right pretty bow! I love the lines of the oldies, they weren’t afraid to spice it up a little back in the day. My favorite being the Bear Tamerlane of my grandpa, beautiful bow which I hope to inherit someday when my father passes on.

                                              I too am finding it much more comfortable to come down in poundage and find bows in the 50-55# range to be of a great weight for hunting and staying in shooting shape with. I am currently drawing about 52.5# on my old Bear take down. Seems to be very comfortable and throw an arrow nice.

                                              Has anyone heard from Ray recently? I have been trying to get ahold of him through the chat and PM but haven’t heard hide nor hair from him since before Christmas.

                                              J

                                          • Author
                                            Posts
                                          Viewing 19 reply threads
                                          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.