Home Forums Bows and Equipment Longow recomendation

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    • 1145
        Post count: 1

        I am an old guy with a bad shoulder. I still want to shoot a longbow but can only pill 45 to 50 pounds comfortably. Thinking of an elk hunt. Do you have any recommendations for a good longbow that will maximize performance at that draw weight?

      • Col Mike
        Member
          Post count: 911

          1145

          Well not sure how old you are–I’m 67 with two bad shoulders, back,neck and so forth injuries. And you will likely get more info then you think–but my 2 cents: I have two “elk/deer long bows” one at 46lbs and the other at 49lbs at my draw length. However most will tell you that the launching machine is only that–the killer is finding a bow you can shoot with consistency–with a heavy arrow that penetrates at ethical ranges. Lots of good info on that in the Ashby forum on the home page. Find a bow that you handle with confidence and then match the heaviest point forward weight arrow you can.

          Having said all that above–welcome aboard and enjoy the adventure.

          No advertisement but check out http://www.javamanarchery.com Greg is a pleasure to work with and nice to talk to.

          Semper Fi

          Mike

        • Col Mike
          Member
            Post count: 911

            1145

            Forgot to mention before I hit the send key–visit a good trad bow shop or one of the rendezvous listed on the calendar page and shoot as many of the long bows you can before making a decision:D

            Mike

          • Stix
            Member
              Post count: 175

              Mike,

              Where is the calendar page you speak of?…… That is a more appropriate place for the CTAS shoot I posted about.

            • Robin Conrads
              Admin
                Post count: 916

                I agree that attending shoots and shows is a great way to try out many different bows and see which ones shoot well for you. Here is a tip we ran some time back. Traditional Events

                The article includes a link to our calendar (which is on the main page, lower left column) and a form to submit your shoot for others to see. Please be sure to include in the comments whether the shoot is traditional only or mixed.

              • David Coulter
                Member
                  Post count: 2293

                  1145, let us know what part of the country you’re in and maybe that’ll help with a recommendation if you can’t get to a big shoot. All the best, dwc

                • jpc
                  Member
                    Post count: 170

                    If you can afford it here is your solution with FULL CARBON LIMBS

                    http://www.borderbows.com/griffon-gl-p549.html

                    I have one of these bows = with 42 Lbs and 12 grains / Lbs I have more speed than with a 50 Lbs BW

                    Lot of bowhunters all around the world send their riser to have Border Carbon Limbs

                    The most amazing is the option BB2 the last 10 inches are becoming more flexible It gives unique comfort

                    Border is not American not French but he makes most fantastic bows we can imagine

                    There are lot of youtube about Borderbows specially from US bowhunters 🙄

                  • Stephen Graf
                    Moderator
                      Post count: 2429

                      You are wise to go lighter.

                      As for which particular bow to get, I can’t help. I’ve never shot a bow that was more than just a bow. No magic, despite what the bowyers claim, or those that have bought into their narrative.

                    • David Coulter
                      Member
                        Post count: 2293

                        If I may piggy-back off Steve’s post about there not being any magic bow, I think it’s a sound suggestion. I have only really shot two bows, my old Browning Wasp and my newer Leon Stewart longbow. I think it’s worth taking a look at the Jeff Kavanagh, Moebow and George Stout videos. These guys all shoot amazingly and yet, at least for the most part, they all shoot production/factory bows. Kavanagh shoots Bear bows and Arne and George shoot whatever they pull off the rack and shoot them really well. I’m really happy with my custom longbow, but if I’m not shooting well the arrows ain’t flying well, same as it was with my 48 year old Browning Wasp. Best of luck to you, dwc

                      • jpc
                        Member
                          Post count: 170

                          Steve Graf wrote: You are wise to go lighter.

                          As for which particular bow to get, I can’t help. I’ve never shot a bow that was more than just a bow. No magic, despite what the bowyers claim, or those that have bought into their narrative.

                          A guy that does not know that some bows are much more efficient than other… I have not met for 30 years . News are slow to reach some remote corners

                          There are also those who cannot acquire the very best and who console themselves ( and others ) by trying to make others believe that it does not exist

                          Results of the world championships are unavoidable

                          Many bowhunters around the world cannot all be wrong and only one archer in the depths of his country be alone to hold the truth

                          I do not make any pub for any bowmaker but I know that a good fly rod does not take more fish than a $ 50 one, but of high quality 10 or 20 times more expensive makes many things impossible with one at a small price

                          Since Border introduced the carbon in its hunting bows all bowmakers are trying to copy specially big US brands:):D

                          2000 years old citation but still up to date 😀

                          The ignorant says, The learned doubt, The wise reflects

                        • Bruce Smithhammer
                            Post count: 2514

                            jpc wrote:

                            A guy that does not know that some bows are much more efficient than other… I have not met for 30 years . News are slow to reach some remote corners

                            There are also those who cannot acquire the very best and who console themselves ( and others ) by trying to make others believe that it does not exist

                            Results of the world championships are unavoidable

                            Many bowhunters around the world cannot all be wrong and only one archer in the depths of his country be alone to hold the truth

                            I do not make any pub for any bowmaker but I know that a good fly rod does not take more fish than a $ 50 one, but of high quality 10 or 20 times more expensive makes many things impossible with one at a small price

                            Since Border introduced the carbon in its hunting bows all bowmakers are trying to copy specially big US brands:):D

                            2000 years old citation but still up to date 😀

                            The ignorant says, The learned doubt, The wise reflects

                            A word of advice – it’s all well and good to have different opinions on this, or any other topic, and to express them constructively. But condescencion is completely unecessary. Not to mention, your contributions might be better received. It’s easy – just be nice.

                            1145 – an efficient #50 bow, paired with the right arrow (which I personally think is at least, if not more, important) will get the job done on an elk. There are so many excellent options to choose from these days that it’s hard to make a recommendation, but I would suggest looking at a deflex-reflex longbow that will generally have increased speed and efficiency over a straight-limbed longbow, and will usually also have less (if any) felt handshock, which can be tough on folks who already have shoulder problems. There are D/R longbows being made these days that have speeds approaching, if not equal to, recurves. Beyond that, it’s really going to be a matter of finding the bow that “feels” right for you, particularly in terms of grip, which is why it can be so hard to recommend a particular bow. But a good bow maker should be willing to work with you to deliver a bow that fits your hand and your needs.

                            A few examples of D/R bows that I have shot and been impressed with:

                            Toelke “Whip”

                            Big Jim’s “Buffalo Bow”

                            Jim Reynold’s “Thunderstick III”

                            Martin/Howatt “Savannah”

                            The Whip and the Buffalo are my “go to” bows these days, largely due to their speed, smoothness, and for lack of a better word, “pointability.” I hope that is at least somewhat helpful, and please ask more questions if you have them.

                          • David Coulter
                            Member
                              Post count: 2293

                              Smithhammer, well put advice and advice. 1145, keep those questions coming and let us know how you make out.

                              Thank you, dwc

                            • jpc
                              Member
                                Post count: 170

                                A word of advice – it’s all well and good to have different opinions on this, or any other topic, and to express them constructively. But condescencion is completely unecessary. Not to mention, your contributions might be better received. It’s easy – just be nice.

                                Not wanted to hurt anyone if I did I regret it

                                Remember that I think in French and once translated it can strike

                                There are lot of bowmaker and less very good hunters ( I do not speak for myself )

                                One of my friend killed two african buff with a 65 Lbs L.B. Dwyer , a very classic bow, I killed a 175 Lbs wild board with my 42 Lbs recurve my arrow passed through completely

                                I killed a lot with this bow but the 175Lbs was the bigger

                                With my Cover Hunter Border bow 42 Lbs recurve at my 28 ‘’ draw length I shoot 550 grains arrow more than 190 Fps . With 10 grains / Lbs I’m well above 200 Pfs

                                That what I call an exceptional bow ( price is also exceptional but it deserve it )

                                Hope this will be as sporting and friendly I wish, nothing more nothing less

                              • David Coulter
                                Member
                                  Post count: 2293

                                  Jpc, thanks for the clarification. Your initial post came off a bit harsh, quite unlike posts of yours in the past. Best wishes, dwc

                                • jpc
                                  Member
                                    Post count: 170

                                    :):D

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