Trad Gang

I currently shoot a 66" Omega Imperial and am interested in getting a shorter bow. I considering either a 56" Elkheart or a 52" magnum.

Please feel free to comment your opinions or experiences with either.

I own some classic 56" Elkhearts but I am really interested about the Magnum so I will follow this thread.

I have a 56" Elkheart and love it. It was my first short bow and soon after I bought a 54" Pika. Love it too. I now have a 52" Elkheart Magnum on order, due sometime in September. Needless to say, I'm hooked on short bows. I still have more traditional length longbows, 62", 64" & 66", but these short bows are so nimble and shoot so well. If you have even the slightest intrest in these amazing little bows, do yourself a favor and get one, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

I've owned an Elkheart . Gregg makes a great bow, but that one was too light for me. A shame because it was a top of the line with carbon.

The one I should have kept was a Shrew Classic Hunter. 56" and 51#@28". Carbon as well, made by Gregg Coffee. I personally really like the 56" length.  I currently shoot another bow that is 47# but i have another set of 52# limbs for it. That one is 58" so I guess I like that range. 56 or 58 inches.

so what is actually the difference between the regular Elkheart and the magnum? riser length? I've just started eyeing them, and I'm not sure I know the difference.

Quote from: johnnyk71 on November 27, 2024, 10:58:43 PM
so what is actually the difference between the regular Elkheart and the magnum? riser length? I've just started eyeing them, and I'm not sure I know the difference.

The Magnum has a more extreme forward handle with more deflex in the riser. The limbs have more reflex in them to the point where there is just a bit of string contact at the nock ends in the 52" and 54" versions. No string contact on the 50". It's also a bit faster than the standard Elkheart.

Thanks for the info! if anyone has shot both, how would a 52" of each compare to the other (in addition to the extra bit of speed in the Magnum)? Would a 50" Magnum stack much on a 29" draw?

Quote from: johnnyk71 on December 02, 2024, 12:16:57 PM
Thanks for the info! if anyone has shot both, how would a 52" of each compare to the other (in addition to the extra bit of speed in the Magnum)? Would a 50" Magnum stack much on a 29" draw?

I haven't shot the 52" standard Elkheart, but comparing my 56" standard to my 52" magnum, I prefer the magnum. Both bows are within 1# draw weight of each other. I shoot the magnum better and love the compactness of the bow. I ordered the magnum with a G10 I-beam in the riser for the extra weight and stability at the shot. Highly recommended.

The 50" magnum will stack at your DL, but the 52" will take you to 30" without stacking. I have a 28.5" DL and Gregg put me into a 52". Finger pinch is a non-issue with this bow design if you get the right length for your draw.

Quote from: Maclean on December 02, 2024, 01:11:23 PM

Quote from: johnnyk71 on December 02, 2024, 12:16:57 PM
Thanks for the info! if anyone has shot both, how would a 52" of each compare to the other (in addition to the extra bit of speed in the Magnum)? Would a 50" Magnum stack much on a 29" draw?

I haven't shot the 52" standard Elkheart, but comparing my 56" standard to my 52" magnum, I prefer the magnum. Both bows are within 1# draw weight of each other. I shoot the magnum better and love the compactness of the bow. I ordered the magnum with a G10 I-beam in the riser for the extra weight and stability at the shot. Highly recommended.

The 50" magnum will stack at your DL, but the 52" will take you to 30" without stacking. I have a 28.5" DL and Gregg put me into a 52". Finger pinch is a non-issue with this bow design if you get the right length for your draw.

great info. thank you! my Retro is 56", and I really kinda want to get something even shorter. the 52" Magnum sounds great. also, any chance you could share a couple of pics of yours?

I'm currently out of town and only have a couple of pics in my phone. When I get back home I'll take some more showing it braced and unbraced to see the overall profile of the bow.
Bocote limbs and bolivian rosewood/G10 riser with elk antler overlays on the tips. [attachment=1][attachment=2][attachment=3][attachment=4][attachment=5]

[attachment=1]
Sorry for the double pic.

Here's a better pic showing the G10 I-beam in the riser.

[attachment=1]

Maclean, that's awesome. thank you!

got the email/text from Gregg today that my Elkheart Magnum is ready to be built. excited! you guys still liking and hunting with yours?

Quote from: johnnyk71 on January 14, 2026, 12:33:41 PMgot the email/text from Gregg today that my Elkheart Magnum is ready to be built. excited! you guys still liking and hunting with yours?

I got the call from Gregg today as well!

Wow it must be Magnum time at Gregg's🤣I have one for myself and 2 for my buddies on the UPS truck, to be delivered tomorrow 😋

Quote from: Maclean on January 14, 2026, 11:26:56 PM

Quote from: johnnyk71 on January 14, 2026, 12:33:41 PMgot the email/text from Gregg today that my Elkheart Magnum is ready to be built. excited! you guys still liking and hunting with yours?

I got the call from Gregg today as well!

awesome! what did you go with this time?

Quote from: cacciatore on January 15, 2026, 01:04:16 PMWow it must be Magnum time at Gregg's🤣I have one for myself and 2 for my buddies on the UPS truck, to be delivered tomorrow 😋

awesome! post pics!

Quote from: johnnyk71 on January 15, 2026, 01:59:42 PM

Quote from: Maclean on January 14, 2026, 11:26:56 PM

Quote from: johnnyk71 on January 14, 2026, 12:33:41 PMgot the email/text from Gregg today that my Elkheart Magnum is ready to be built. excited! you guys still liking and hunting with yours?

I got the call from Gregg today as well!

awesome! what did you go with this time?

This time it's a 56" Elkheart and a 60" T/D Assyrian.

got some pics from Gregg of my almost-finished Elkheart Magnum 52". hoo boy! he's shipping it either Thursday or Friday.  :bigsmyl:

myrtle burl and G-10 riser, stained olive ash limb veneers, moose antler overlays and tips. 51# at 28".

does anyone know how many strands of FF Gregg typically uses in his strings? just playing around with 3 Rivers spine calculator. @Maclean ?

Quote from: johnnyk71 on February 03, 2026, 11:13:20 AMdoes anyone know how many strands of FF Gregg typically uses in his strings? just playing around with 3 Rivers spine calculator. @Maclean ?

Gregg supplies his bows with a string made from 12 strands of D97, plus 2 of B55. I'm not sure if the B55 is throughout the entire string,  or just padding the loops.

Quote from: Maclean on February 04, 2026, 08:29:35 AM

Quote from: johnnyk71 on February 03, 2026, 11:13:20 AMdoes anyone know how many strands of FF Gregg typically uses in his strings? just playing around with 3 Rivers spine calculator. @Maclean ?

Gregg supplies his bows with a string made from 12 strands of D97, plus 2 of B55. I'm not sure if the B55 is throughout the entire string,  or just padding the loops.

thanks!!!

Same smoothness, accuracy and quiteness maybe a little faster. You can't love the Magnum