Planning to switch from compound. Need advice!

[Justin Cotter]

#133642

Hello everybody, I’m Justin. I’ve been hunting and shooting with a compound bow for 3-4 years, and have been successful so far. I’ve gotten to around 6″ groups at 40 yards with near 100% consistency and many are smaller than that. I’ve decided to switch to a recurve bow to bring in more difficulty and have to “restart” back at 10 yards in my training. I would love anybody’s advice on helping me formulate a plan. Here is my information and goals:

• I’m 18 and in shape/fairly strong.
• My compound bow is set at 55 lbs and I could draw a lot more, but I prefer to keep it lower for more accurate shots
• I was taught to shoot with proper back tension and form from the moment I started.
• I am looking to build an ILF rig and shoot completely barebow
• My budget is around $350, and I would very much prefer to buy only new stuff
• I would prefer to be way under that budget since this is my first time with recurve and I’m not sure what I’ll like, so $250 or under is preferable.
• I have a 29 in draw

What draw weight should I start at? 25? 35? What would everyone suggest I get for my limbs/string/riser? Carbon or aluminum arrows, and what spine/measurements for my suggested draw weight. I’m trying to formulate a complete purchasing plan and research plenty and would love the advice of all those here who know far more than me. This might be opening a can of worms, but if anybody has answers to questions I haven’t asked but should ask, please tell me.

[Raymond Coffman]

#133661

Good morning

Welcome to tradbow forums Justin. Looks like you have thought about this extensively and have a good plan.

You could go ahead and find an ilf compatible bow in 35-40lb ( and in your price range) and have at it —– or

The best bet would be to find an archery shop / club / or shoot ( near you preferably ) that would allow  you to try out some of the different tackle, before purchase. This would give you a better idea of what would best suit you.

Maybe one of the other forum members with current knowledge of the different ilf options will chime in with their preferences—

Glad to have you with us Justin

Scout

[Stephen Graf]

#133690

Scout’s advice to seek out a traditional shop is good advice, but may be hard to follow.  Traditional shops are few and far between.  Still, if you can find one, take advantage of the experience stored there and support it by buying your gear from it.

I am always glad to see young folks such as yourself excited about archery!  Before you decide what direction to take in your archery adventure, I would encourage you to explore some options…

Shooting an ILF recurve is a natural progression from shooting a compound,  but not a lot different.  The biggest difference between the two is that there is no let-off with the recurve.

One of the great advantages of being young is that you haven’t had time to develop bad habits or attitudes yet.  Form, ingrained by spending a few decades shooting compounds and recurves, is hard to undo if you ever decide to shoot straight limbed longbows or selfbows.

What is most important to you?  Hunting? Tournament? Roving?  Before deciding what to buy, I would recommend watching some old Howard Hill and Fred Bear video’s.  Look at John Schulz’s 4 part shooting series on YouTube.  Read Hunting the Hard Way by Howard Hill, Hunting the Osage Bow by Dean Torges,  A Treasury of Archery by Fred Anderson.

Shooting an arrow is a simple act that takes a lifetime to master.  It is about the journey.  The best journeys begin with  questions.  You have started to ask those questions.  Keep asking, even if the answers don’t come right away.

Whatever you decide to buy, make it low poundage and cheap.  Say 40 lbs and less than 100 dollars if you can.  With experience, you will know what to do next.

[Moe Saramad]

#155097

I agree  Great Discussion.

[Raymond Coffman]

#155103

Hi Moe

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you with us….this is an older post should be some more current issues showing up as we start into the hunting season…

Are you an old trad shooter or recently started on the trad quest?
Scout aka Ray

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