i am interested in stepping up to a custom bow, and i really want a longbow. my draw length is 30.5" anchored 3 fingers under, with my thumb under my jaw, index finger 2 teeth back from "corner of the mouth". i read a bowbuilding book and the author said a longbow can be damaged in drawn much over 28". should i move into a shorter anchor or is this information wrong? this anchor i am using really locks everything down and is great for my gap shooting style. will i damage a good bow or am i safe? thanks for any help!
i draw 30 inches and you got nothing to be concerned about.i would lean toward a longer bow for your draw.64 inches or longer and 66 might be ideal for performance and smoothness.If you were shooting a self bow you might have something to think about as far as a bow failure if you were shooting a selfbow tillered for say a 28 inch bow.An all glass bow is nothing to be concerned with.Especially one thats custom made for you and your longer draw.Also you wont have to worry about stack on that bow so it should be smooth all the waay back.
A bow would be damaged if it isn't intended for that length of draw. There are a number of bows out there that will work fine for you and cover a wide spectrum of cost. I draw 32", and have 2 longbows, and a recurve.
If you are looking, start contacting bowyers. They know what their bows can do. Lots of choices for you. - 30.5 isn't really "long".
Best bet is to get to one of the gatherings where vendors have bows. You should try them to find what you like.
have fun!
BobW
One of my bows is a 70" 21st Century longbow. It would be fine at your draw length as will many others. Good luck.
"can be damaged in drawn much over 28"."
that doesnt make any sence.
its all a question of design.
you can make a longbow 66" long that stacks at 28".
on the other hand i dont need more then a 62"longbow to get a butter smooth draw up to 30".
talk to the bowyer if you have all ready have one in your mind or even better try as many bows as possible.
shantam
I'll add that I have bows of 56", 62", and 68". Just don't assume though that all bows will draw long. Some will, some will stack, and some will explode. Do your research.
I draw 30.5" on my longbow, and it's been my #1 bow for tournaments, playing, hunting, etc. for over 10 years now. It's a 66", although I did play around with a 64" version for a while. It's never had a dacron string on it (Dynaflight 97% of the time), and I don't shoot super heavy arrows (avg. 9.5 gpp).
Chad
I would not go any shorter than 62".