wind fall bow

[quiverfull]

#5265

thought I’d share my good fortune with you folks. Yesterday a good friend of mine gave me a Black Widow longbow, 66″, 56# @ 31″. The date on the bow is 1995, and it appears to be in perfect condition. I’ve shot it with some old 2117 Eastons I had laying around, but I intend to get some carbon arrows. I’ve been looking at Beeman MFX, and stumbled on ABS Grizzly Sticks. Is that much technology (ie Griz. Sticks) necessary for Georgia white tails? They’re almost 2X as much $$. Whatever I use, I’m planning on using a good 2 edge broadhead per Dr Ashby’s research. Any recommendations there? Again, is single bevel needed for this class of game? I’d definitely go with something like Griz. Sticks and heavy duty single bevel heads for elk, bear, moose, etc IF I ever hunt for them, but for now I just need good deer medicine. What about finished arrow weight? I draw 29 1/2, so figure a finished arrow length of 30 1/2.
Any help much appreciated. Things are a lot more complicated since I last shot traditional! Jim

[David Petersen]

#39553

Hi Jim, you lucky dog! Even an older BW in good shape is worth an economy ticket to AK and back … that’s either a really good friend, or one who knows nothing about the trad bow market!:lol:

So at your draw, you’re looking at about 50# bow weight, more or less. There are others here who know more than me about minimal adequate3 whitetail setups, but to get things rolling, my 2 cents says that no, you don’t need an Ashby setup to kill deer and none of us Ashby disciples has ever claimed you do. Yet, it offers advantages, esp. in lower draw weights and if you hit a shoulder or spine. Nor do you need expensive carbon arrows. Carbon’s advantages include precise straightness and uniform spine and weight from shaft to shaft, very forgiving across a wide range of head weight, ability to switch heads in seconds, and ease in getting high FoC. If you want to go that route as cheaply as possible, I suggest you pick up half a dozen Carbon Express 4560 shafts, which are the cheapest I”ve found and yet quite excellent. Try to find them without the aluminum inserts already glued in, as you’ll want to use a brass insert, 75-125 grains (100 is a good starting place). Right now, in my opinion, the best single-bevel head for the least money is the Tusker Concord, which as of last week were on back-order but you may be able to find some if you shop around. That should give you mid-20% FoC — “extreme” — and good arrow flight. Or you could always just buy wood shafts and any good two-blade head and go hunting! Best luck, dave

[quiverfull]

#40030

Hey, David, thanks a lot. The deal with my buddy is he teaches me guitar and I take care of his dogs (I’m a vet), sort of a trade services thing. We got to talking bows the other day and he made the offer; kind of a bonus, I guess! He has a couple of Horn(sp)
bows, too so he’s not stranded sans bow. I’m thinking carbon for all the reasons you listed; I like trad. shooting, but not trad. arrow maintenance! I’ll probably amp up the old arrow factory after a while, fletching my own, etc., but just want a dozen or 2 good arrows for now. I don’t necessarily need cheap, I just won’t be hunting grizzly bear any time soon. Most places you can order fletched shafts w/o inserts installed, which I will. I see your point about imperfect shots; you never can anticipate when one of these critters will zig when he should have, well, kept still! A little too much arrow is better than not enough. Knowing that price isn’t all that big a deal (after all, I don’t have to buy a bow now!), how would you go on arrows, brand/model wise? I’l definitely check out the Tusker Concord. I’m a sharp freak, so I don’t anticipate any problems w/ getting an edge on ’em. I just got back from Dicks Sporting Goods with a bag target and a layered foam cube, which I’m anxious to perforate. Thanks again

Jim B.

[Danny Klee]

#42199

I use the Carbon Express 4560’s carbons when I’m not using the wood and they are indeed excellent arrows. When I am practicing at 60 yards for elevation practice they fly much better than my wood arrows but I still love wood and I plan on using them next year to harvest some venison God willing.

Dan

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