OK question for you guys...I'm looking to get into a new longbow soon and am curious what bows are the bigest performers?
I am looking for a pure killing machine...being that I have a short draw 26 1/2" i need to maximize my energy produced. I have gotten into longbows over the last few months and enjoy them alot.
So which R/D bows should i be looking into??
Important things in order are smooth draw, hand shock, quietness. I can quiet down a loud bow but I can't help a rough draw with my bum shoulder.
Thunderstick MOAB...a hybrid, but fits all the qualifications to a T!
Tom I forget are you a righty or a lefty? I have four you can try out. If you are in fact a righty. Two Mohawks, a Lewis Hollow 3 piece takedown hybrid, and a Horne's Traditionalist. Let me know.
I have shot a good number of bows. Curves and longbows. And IMHO, considering speed, smoothness, stability and just shooting easy where your'e looking. You will be hard pressed to beat the Morrison's.. with a close second a Centaur. Lot's of good un's out there. But what might be the apple of your eye, might be a dud for the next fellow. Go to some shoot's and try as many as possible if you can. I still like trying those I haven't before, it's fun. I really believe you would certainly enjoy the Morrison's..... good luck !!!!!!
The blackswan hybrid may have the highest efficiency rating of the current top end bows not that there's really that much between them.
The ACS bows are right up there but I can't imagine any top end bow these days being so much differnt in performance as to hinder you from any of them.
Morrison,Shrew,Centaur I'm sure there are other's too :bigsmyl:
Depending on how quickly your looking to get one Denton hill offer's you the option to try many to see what "you" like...3rd weekend in July
Good luck
Of all of the longbows I've shot the best performing bow, with your short draw would be a Kabekona River bow. With zero handshock and all the speed you could want. It would be tough to beat. Mine was a 58" and was very impressive. Glenn
tom indeed i am a righty thank you for the offer!!! What are the poundages on your bows?
Swamp buck thanks bud! You named 4 on my list already LOL!!! I wish people shot some of these bows in my area!!
selfbowyer thanks bud never heard of them but that is something i am looking for. i am looking for a short bow that will still shoot well and not be so tempermental...just an all around killing machine.
Deadbolt, look at the Mohawk and Tradionial that Bentpole has. I have owned both of these and they are real shooters! Pick the one you like best and try it out. The last 30 longbows I have owned all shot about the same fps. with the same weight arrow, so shoot what you like best( fits,hits,and looks good to you). KEN
also let me add i am a fan of the more modern grips...something with a narrower top and a meaty palm...i dont really like the suitcase handle type grips i see on alot of longbows if that helps out at all.
Sent you PM Tom....check out the pics...
replied bud!
Sounds like you would like the ACS CX go look at acsbows.com great bow and folks too.
You have another PM>....more pics
I am partial to a Fedora Xtreme.
I bet I know what Joe Skipp is showing you :) and by all accounts I would have to agree. He's surely one to know.
With that said, I had a Swan that I can honestly say was a scorcher. Also had a foam/carbon Morrison that would be hard to top. Can't discount the ACS if your considering three-piece bows. Centaur carbons have the same rep. but I wouldn't know personally. Speed demons IMHO and very smooth shooters too I might add. I know you've heard it before but there's more to performance than speed alone so choose wisely. Some of the others mentioned above really ring my bell as well. Personally, I'm currently highly interested in the Morrison ILF's with longbow limbs. Now back to Joe Skipp ...
joe replied again hehe
jedimaster thanks bud! i guess ill have to start shooting some of these bad boys!
Tom, my one piece Mohawk is 49#s @ 28"s, the two piece is 52#s @28"s, The Traditionalist is 53#s @28"s and the Lewis Hollow is 48#s@ 27"s.By the way I have a 27" draw Tom.
I've shot a bunch of them. Right now, I'm shooting an ACS. I just may have found my holy grail. Awfully tough to beat in terms of speed, smoothness and stability.
Deadbolt are you going to make it to Kalamazoo or Baltimore Bowmen? I believe our new SXT has all the qualities you are looking for,but then I am a little biased.The riser is based on our Extreme Recurve riser,but slimmed down and 14" long.It is available with longbow limbs 58"-64" or interchagable recurve limbs.The long bow limbs shoot right with the recurve limbs. You can get a look at them on our web-site.
Happy Hunting Bill
they will have carbon on the back at least. you will be picking at knats between them. They (there are probably half a dozen) tend to be expensive when you get to the top 3.
r
bill thank you sir but no i wont be able to make those events! ill look into the bow though!
tom awsome thanks for the info! can't wait to shoot some!
To throw another one at you, the Cari-bow Perigrine would be right in there for if you like a one piece....the other one's already named would be hard to beat also... :)
at your short draw, and if you don't mind a light in the hand bow, I would seriously look at a 54-56" Centaur carbon elite.
The Black Swan 56" Hybrid
(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Brushfire001.jpg)
The A&H, Centaur, Morrison, Shrew, etc. all great bows and all matters of personal taste. Some are easier to get quiet, some are more spine tolerant, the grips vary greatly, it's the little differences between them that makes one right for you and another right for the next guy. Man is it fun finding out which is which though.
tnx vermonster
A&H ACS-CX. I shot one, 42#@28" 62" long. Very fast shooting 625 grain arrows and quiet, nearly as quiet as straight limb bows. Definitely a shocker for me.
Jason
Deadbolt
I've shot a few long bows and have found that the three piece take downs seem to shoot a littel nicer, no hand shock. I have had a couple of A&H's hard to beat, but they only offered one type of grip, it didn't fit me that well, so I tryed a Morrison, low grip and that worked for me.
I now own two Morrison's low grips (A) riser and (B) both 64" carbon foam core. I have not shot a Centaur or Shrew, but I'll bet they shoot good as well. It's a hard call with so many good bow's out there.
Tom, try and get to PVA before the end of the Year. They have some nice bows that you can look/shoot to fine the best for You.
ACS is hard to beat.
Unable to get my hands on any of the top performers my similar search lead me to purchase a Centaur Longbow. Talking with Jim Neaves made the purchase a little easier. Been very happy with it.
Hopefully some local archers can put some of the named bows in your hands.
MOAB 60 inch killing machine.
if you are talking only performance, bamboo limbs with carbon is hard to beat. additional pretty veneers typically just add weight which lowers performance.high density risers (heavy) are good for stability. I just can't resist some eye candy though.
Robertson Fusion, and Thunderstick111 have all the fine qualities you are looking for!
JK bows Kanati!
http://www.jkbows.com/
Zero hand shock, high efficiency, and the type of handle you like at a great price. You owe it to yourself to check them out.
1 piece Morrison Dakota with foam core limbs & carbon backed
Morrison Shawnee with Dakota foam core and carbon backed limbs
A&H 3 PEICE
Mike Treadway Black Swamp
Check out the Dryad. They have the grip you are looking for and the price is right. If you want a D shaped bow there is no better than the Mohawk, imho. It seems you prefer a recurve grio though. Good luck on your quest.
Check out the reviews at WWW.peteward.com (http://www.peteward.com) Pete has reviewed a lot of these bows and while you are there check the comparisons bwteen the Titon BF carbon recurve limbs and some of these bows are as fast or faster.
All good stuff. Check out the Border Griffon GL while you are there. This bow is a mild reflex deflex for those looking for a classically styled longbow with serious punch
I've tried them all, my new Morrison Shawnee Dakota with foam and carbon is hard to beat with anything. It's my sixth Morrison and Bob keeps building them better every year. How he's going to top this one I'm not sure, but I know he'll never stop trying. Try one you'll love it.
I'm shooting a new longbow just this year, it's made by Ernie McKenzie out of MT it's called the Sapphire Hawk, it has double carbon on the limbs & a carbon I beam in the riser, this bow is smooth as silk & very quick & very lightweight with zero handshock. It's a T/D at 61"
It was in the "Walk The Talk" test, some may have heard of this test. This longbow shot a 550grn arrow at 189.8 out of a 60# @ 28" I can attest that they're fairly quick as I'm shooting that exact bow according to Ernie. I've personally not chronoed the bow but it's a sight quicker than my BearsPaw at the same weight & draw
I do know that I've taken several elk with a longbow & this year I had my first pass through with a longbow. My arrow setup was a 2018 with a SnuferrSS 125 3-blade with a 52grn insert up front for a head wt. of 177grns & total arrow wt of 550grn the shot was 18yds slightly quartering away & walking slowly away from me. That's some serious speed & penetration to boot. It's worth your consideration for sure!
ElkNut1
The ACS-CX flat rocks as far as arrow speed and efficiency, I was looking into buying one but the grip just did not suit me. Centaur Double Carbon, Morrison and one that I really like the Brackenbury Non-Typical.
A&H offers something that is fairly unique, that is an aluminum riser which adds a lot of mass weight to the bow. Makes it very stable and shock free.. I have 4 of them.
Good luck,
Pat
LOL I remember asking this ? a long long time ago hahahahahaha ain't ya glad ya asked :biglaugh:
Just remember whats right for me or the next guy may or may not be the one for you.Their all good but which grip style do ya like and that can be differnt within the same bower...Bob Morrison offer's several grip option's I guess that would be the main differance between bows is how they feel in each of our hands if at all possible try some differnt grips styles to see what you like I prefer a lower grip some like a higher grip
good luck
I've owned 2 Morrison Shawnee with Dakota limbs and 4 ACS CX's. I prefer the ACS and it is my go to bow. Having said that, I will have a new Centaur in March. The Morrison was a very good bow, but not nearly as fast as the ACS. The Centaur interested me due to the custom grip. Hope it is as good as everyone says it is. Good luck in your search, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the bows these guys have mentioned.
first thanks everyone for the info i appreciate it greatly!!!
swampbuck...man its like pandoras box...i figured there would be a handfull LOL not this many great bows!! ive been researching non stop since this and its only making my list grow LOL!
3 piece ACS CX......I think all the numbers put it as the fastest at their rated poundage than anything out there. I have one and it's real smooth...real smooth....Plus I dropped 10 pounds in draw weight for the same performance...that's always good.
I am still waiting for the arrows for my Shrew. Then I will have comments on it, but right now it's hard to rate it cause nothing I have to shoot has enough spine...drat
Jer Bear
I can't add much to the mix, I like the A&H ACS-CX, have two 64" with the aluminum risers (59# and 70# @ 29"). But when it comes to eye candy AND performance the Shawnee with Dakota carbon foams is hard to beat.
Actually have one Shawnee coming in the mail that has bamboo core but not hard on the eyes at all (62" A-riser, 58# @ 29") with Eastern Diamondbacks on limbs, and just this AM ordered another from Bob's Stock bow list (62", 64# @ 29") A-Riser with carbon foam Dakota limbs. Having it personalized a bit, with a low grip and 1/2 pinecones, also having copperheads applied to the limbs.
Pics of the riser from the one ordered this AM:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/Bowhunter4life/10067.jpg)
shawnee foam core low wrist grip
(http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m208/boxxer06/P4190001.jpg)
Tom, you know what I think. It's under my signature. He can make it the way you want it, and I'm telling you, these bows shoot.
Hey Tom, how much is in the new bow account first? There's alot of high end bows here Bud.
Tom you can shoot both of my bows they are listed below. I may be willing to part ways with one of them too. Send me a PM we can talk.
tom right now not sure...if it was just me like it use to be i have no problem spending the bucks...widow was a pretty penny so was my AS...im willing to sink money into something i will enjoy.
but now my girl is getting into archery so i may have to buy her a bow which means less money on me lol.
I believe that the grip can make or break your relationship with any bow. That said, I feel Morrison bows have the best grips in the industry. I shot high wrist grip for a while but after shooting his low grip I have changed my mind!
Brant
I would not buy a bow just based on recommendation...that's a good way to be disappointed. You better shoot the ones you are seriously thinking about....I see too many high dollar bows for sale in the classifieds by guys who were claiming them to be the last bow they would ever own.
You may find a small name just the ticket, so don't get real enamored by the name dropping; SHOOT THE BOW BEFORE YOU BUY IT. My personal opinion is the forward riser models are most friendly in the accuracy department and beautiful to point and shoot with in the field.
Did I mention...SHOOT THE BOW BEFORE YOU BUY IT?
Many of the suggestions listed are excellent choices. But, a lot of them are pretty high end ($$$). If you're looking for something less expensive a used Martin Vision is a great, high performance hybrid. I've owned two and they both shot right up with the fastest stuff out there. Nice thing is that you can find used ones for $250-300 and get all the performance, durability, and finish of a bow costing much more.
If money was no object, the Morrison and Adcocks are the cream of the crop, in my opinion. I had a Cougar that was extremely fast and extremely easy to shoot.
I went with a one piece longbow because i got tired of my left arm getting tired of carying a heavy bow around. Typically a 3 piece will weigh more than a one-piece and if i have been out hiking into a remote area with a heavy (mass weight) bow, no matter how good it performs, at the end of the day i will hate it! One of the reasons i got rid of training wheels. Also why i have a one-arrow bow quiver and a back/side quiver.
I have a 64" 53#@28" MASSIE Longhorn that is smooth,shockfree and spits an arrow out pretty quick.
I guess if they worked for Howard, they'll work for me.
Howard Hill Big Five: 50#@28" and 68" long.
21st Century Edge with a full moon grip. You can also get it with carbon limbs. This design with the carbon limbs will give you the maximium energy.
Darren
I like my Fedora xcellerator . I drove out there once to order it, and again to pick it up. I like the Man and the bow. I don't think you're much farther from Pennsylvania than I am.
blackwidow
I shot a Massie Longhorn, Morrison Dakota and Thunderstick TS III. Picked the Thunderstick for cost, becuase there was not much difference between the three as fas as performance. Replace the TS II with a MOAB when the TS III was stolen. That was a definite step up. Never shot a Centaur, but MAN is the MOAB nice. :thumbsup:
Deadbolt,
My choice for a pure killing machine is a St. Joe River longbow!
Very smooth draw, very quiet. Excellent shootability, very forgiving bow.
As for as for speed, they are not the fastest, but its a trad. bow, if you want "high performance" go to a "carparts" (compound) bow.
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