I picked up a previously owned J.D. Berry Argos longbow(64" 56#@28)back in the summer. This bow has caused me to rethink my ideas about longbows. The bow draws very smoothly, points well, has no hand shock, is whisper quiet, and it throws a fast arrow.
My question for the guys who have shot different J.D. Berry bows is do the other bows perform as well or is this unique to the reflex/deflex design of the Argos? Also would the Argos with shorter limbs(say 60 inches with my 27 inch draw)draw and shoot as smoothly as the 64 limbs? Christmas is around the corner and I need to give Santa a heads up :)
You could ask Arne Moe (if it's ok with him). He shoots some Berry bows. Actually, if he's shooting them, they are probably pretty darn good!
I have a 64" 54# @ 27" Taipan and it is all you describe and more.
Call James!
Last I heard JB was not making any duoflex (D/R) bows.They are a mild d/r and 60" sounds short for one of his bows. He is the man to ask.
Give James a call and be prepared to be entertained. His bows are awesome, and he is a great guy. His ASL style bows are smooth, free of hand shock, and hard hitting. My other bows have collected a good bit of dust since I picked up my first Berry a few years ago.
Some bowyers just have a gift, Mr Berry is one. If you want a short R&D bow lots of bowyers offer those. But the ASL style in my personnel opinion does not make as good a shooting short bow. Hope you were thinking of next Christmas I was on the list for 8 months and worth every day.
Definitely be prepared to be entertained with a call to JD, if you get off the phone in 30 minutes it will be a record. Great fellow and bowyer.
Sorry to hear that J.D. Berry may no longer be making the reflex/deflex type longbows. I am going to hold on tight to my Argos! I was hoping to get another one just a little shorter.
Basically, JD Berry's Bows are all going to shoot silent and fast. I know that I prefer the 66 - 68 in ASL models... but only because I am an ASL guy at this point. My first bow was an Argos and I still own it. I have only one small 62" bow (North-star) and it is a quiet and smooth as they come.
James makes and exceptional bow after 35 years of building, innovating and mastering the craft. At this point he is an American master craftsman.
Good luck.