If all the bow variables, e.g length, draw weight and length, string type etc. are equal, can one bow shoot faster than another?
With two different individuals shooting, yes. One person can have a much cleaner release than the other and pickup a few extra fps as a result.
EVen beyond the shooter, some bows are just better at stored energy and imparting that to the arrow.
I have even had two bows, same bowyer, same model, same draw weight, but one shot faster than the other by seven feet a second.
I think limb design has a lot to do with it also. How a limb loads up and release that energy has to do with a draw lenght. That's why you'll see bowyers recommending bow lenght's according to your draw length. Like Scott, I have had the same model/weight bow by the same bowyer that performed differently. My advise, after going down the elusive speed road, find a bow that you shoot well, reguardless of how fast it shoots. Speed is a consideration in my book but individual overall shooting abilty trumps everything else.
JL
ask the A&H archery guys, they can give you stacks of testimonials and info
Because glass and wood vari in weight and stiffness if you build 10 bows on the same form with the same materials I doubt if any two would shoot exactly the same speed.Add a varity of woods into the mix and the results would be even farther apart.