I Just Got A New (To Me) Bow – A Couple Of Questions

[CrazyDave]

#5689

I have recently become a big fan of the magazine. After making and shooting a couple of mediocre self bows (from boards) I decided it was time to try a centershot glass laminated recurve bow. I’m fairly new to archery in general. With the help of a fellow member of the archery club that I recently joined, I got a Fred Bear Tigercat recurve bow. It has some great vintage character. The back is the classic Graying Green and the belly is mint green. To me it screams classic yet ageless. I believe it to be a 1966 bow because the serial number is 6U1800. Now here is where a couple of questions come in. It is rated at 45# @ 28″ however after getting it checked at the archery shop today, I found out that my draw length is actually 30″ (from the nock of the arrow to the back of the bow) which puts the draw weight at 52# @ 30″ My first question is does anybody think that pulling this bow to 30″ is too risky? My next question is that 500 spine carbon arrows seemed to be shooting well from there however when I look further it almost seems that I should be shooting 400s. Does anybody think that shooting 32″ 500 spine Beman ICS Hunter arrows with 125 grain field points will cause damage to the bow? Will these arrows be too light for this bow at that draw? So far 500 arrows seemed to fly straight off of there. Perhaps, some pics might follow because I’m excited about my new to me bow.

[Steve Sr.]

#44277

1966 Tigercat

Length: 62″

Weights: 20-50 lbs.

Draw Limit: None

Recommended brace height” Between 7 1/2″ and 8 1/2″

Source: 1966 Bear Archery Catalog.

This may offer you some useful information. The Tigercat is a bow a friend and I always have felt did not get the credit due. He has three and are his hunters.

While the draw length is within the realm of the mfg limits, always keep in mind that ANY bow, the vintage ones lead the pack, CAN come apart on you after time.

I’m assuming you have somewhere in the range of a 400-425 grain arrow (??) and ONLY in my opinion, that may be lighter than this fine bow can withstand for a LONG period of using such. Some feel 8grains per lb of bow weight is adequate and it very may well be for their uses, but not for me and mine, NOR out of a vintage Bear.

Others know more on this subject than I so I am only offering my opinion and it is one the same buddy and I have used on literally dozens of vintage bows but light weight is commonly the attribute of most common carbons and one of the reason lots like them.

I cannot offer “perfect” advice simply because all bows are not uniform in what they will take, least of all the vintage Bear bows.

At 47 years of age, I would not likely shoot very light arrows from it but then again light arrows have never been my preference.

Times have changed, and more shoot light arrows now than ever before and it is a choice the shooter makes for himself and for his preferred use and trajectory.

52lbs, 125gr head, 32 inch arrow on the arrow selector at Easton comes out 340 spine arrows BUT, proof is in the pudding even if I feel the 500s to be WAY too low in spine. It is you shooting and testing them, therefore only use this info as more data to consider. 😀

I would not yet decide on a shaft but test many with the help of your local club members.

God Bless

Steve Sr.

[James Harvey]

#44285

Gday Dave,

Sounds like Steve gave you some good advice there. I have no experience with older bows but I have a 62″ recurve that I draw to 30 inches and it’s fine.

Post pics asap! I love seeing other bows 😀

And welcome to the site. If you ignore idiots like me and listen to the wise old heads that share their knowledge here you’ll learn a heap 😉

[Rupe]

#50275

Congrates on the new bow! Hope it shoots straight and gives you many years of fun and adventure.

Rupe

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