I'm getting back into Traditional Archery after a few years off from shoulder surgeries and I'd like some recommendations on bows and arrows. I have three now that I can't use because of the pounds and ordering new limbs costs as much or more than most good used bows. If anyone out there has any thoughts on these bows that I've been looking at I'd greatly appreciate it.
I'm interested in recurves, takedown or one piece, such as the Blacktail Elite, Brackenbury(s), Great Plains, Assenheimer(s), Cascade(s) and the Black Widow lines. I've owned these in the past (still do) and am wondering what's out there.
Mostly for hunting and maybe some Traditional 3D and of course practice, practice and more practice. Quite, stable and smooth are more important than speed (of course). I'm looking at 62" in length at around 50# and 29 inches.
Any thoughts and recommendations?
Thanks!
Add ACS to the list and they are all winners.
Black Widow PSA X 62in its the best shooting bow i have ever shot, period.
Yep you can add a ACS to the list.
How about arrows available today?
Many good arrow choies available today, some may say too many!
Very abbreviated carbon list:
Arrow Dynamics
Carbon Express
Carbon Tech
Gold Tip
Easton
Beeman
All are good ones!
Dusty
My choice for consistency,quality and field hardness is Carbon Express Heritage Classic 90's or 150's.Ya just can't go wrong with them!
Your Bow choices look solid!
Thanks for the info on the arrows. I'll check the online selector(s) and see what pops up.
Robertson ?
Morrison is the best in my opinion
Add Dale Dye bows and ACS bows to your list.
Bruin!!
There are no "bests" that can fit everyone's idea of best. Don't get caught into, "the best is the most expensive" idea, because that is not so.
What you need to do is shoot some of the bows available nowadays, and there is a ton of them. Just look at the tradgang classifieds, and you can find a lot of high dollar bows for sale; if you just have to have one of them, that would be a place to start.
If you have an open mind, look at all the offerings out there....including lesser known, but well designed bows, and you will be better off in the end by getting a bow that works "best" for you.
I won't even tell you a brand name I would suggest.....it may lead to a bad marriage. Look around and shoot a bunch.
Being from MO. I'd talk to the guys at Black Widow. You can try out a few bows be for you buy one. Mike
Zippers would be a great choice.
Thanks Red, I did. I had a Black Widow. I shot it better than most any other I had at the time. My brother has it now collecting dust in his basement. If I can trade something else to him I'll do it and look for some other limbs. I'd order limbs for my Brack (2 year wait) or my Cascade but then for the same cost I could probably buy a great used bow. I just need something in the 50# range nowadays and any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Although one bow may "fit" a person better than another, the monkey behind it is what makes the difference. Any good archer can shoot most any bow well.
I agree that cost doesn't make a bow. I've shot (and owned) expensive bows that were very nice, and I've shot expensive bows that, to me, weren't worth $5. The adage "you get what you pay for" doesn't always apply to bows.
A friend of mine payed through the nose for a bow that had twisted limbs from the start, and the bowyer won't warranty it. One of the less expensive custom bows on the market has one of the better warranties, and the bowyer stands behind it 100%. 'Course these aren't always the case--point being is check each one out for yourself, and don't accept word of mouth as a guarantee (that's the mistake my friend made).
If you aren't sure, my bet is you'll do better buying used. Some bowyers warranty their bows after they change hands, some don't--you might take that into consideration. At least if you get a bow that doesn't suit you, chances are you can get your money back or close to it vs. taking a 25%-50% loss as is common when selling a bow you bought new.
Good luck,
Chad
You can also try to trade your limbs for something that you like most.It doesn't cost more than the shipping.
That's true and I've thought about that. However I can't make any posts for that yet pursuant to the new rules. I haven't been a member long enough.
Thanks.
If you get the chance check out the Fox High Sierra. That said, George and Chad are correct. Each of us has our likes and dislikes and the price you pay for a bow does not gauranty that you will like it. Try as many as you can before your purchase.
Thanks. That's basically what I did years ago when I settled on a Black Widow MA II, Cascade SBH and a Brackenbury Legend. I still have two and my brother has the third. Six shoulder surgeries later I just need lighter draw weights.
However, there are lots of nice bows out there that I didn't try back then that are available very reasonably now. Like I said before, extra limbs cost as much as a used top shelf bow and without the wait, sometimes up to two years. What I need now are general recommendations as to good, quite, and smooth hunting bows around 48 to 50#. I refuse to give up on traditional and will keep trying until I find what works for me.
Chad has a great point in that some bowyers' stand behind their products 110% no matter what. I don't want this topic to turn into a pro and con forum about bowyers and their practices, however, I would very greatly appreciate it if those who have had good warranty experiences with those bowyers could let me know by private message who those makers were. Like I said, I don't need the names of those that do not stand behind their products, just the names of those that do.
Thanks to all and as usual your help is very greatly appreciated.
I have seen limbs for all three of the bows you mentioned owning, right here in the classifieds for sale, and alot of the times, for trade.
In your position, where you already have some very nice bows, I would post your limbs and their specs. and try and trade for limbs with the specs. that you are looking for.
I think it could be very doable and save you some $$$.
Personally, I'm very satisified with Bob Morrison's bows.... :wavey:
RER makes a great bow!
Gotta second RER. One of the smoothest drawing bows out there and plenty of speed. As far as arrows are concerned, I can only speak to cedar, that's all I shoot.
i agree with ACS but would look at Sarrels as well, i have both and like them.
Thanks Gene. As soon as I get to the minimum number of posts I will start posting wanteds for those bows. However, I'm still going to keep an open mind as to what else is out there. I wish TradGang would add a dedicated "wanted" section in the classified areas. It would sure make things easier. I'm just lucky I found this site. Now I'm hooked and already reeled in.
Nick
QuoteOriginally posted by Nick559:
Thanks Gene. As soon as I get to the minimum number of posts I will start posting wanteds for those bows. However, I'm still going to keep an open mind as to what else is out there. I wish TradGang would add a dedicated "wanted" section in the classified areas. It would sure make things easier. I'm just lucky I found this site. Now I'm hooked and already reeled in.
Nick
just preface your trad bow topic title with "WTB:". :wavey:
Rumor has it that George just ordered one of these (http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss115/earljeff/libertybow.gif)
looks like a good boat anchor...
I just wish the bows I liked the most weren't on the "expensive" side.....lol.
Good luck. You've picked some winners.
Don't forget Bob Lee. You can find good deals on their 'inventory' page. You can also usually find them used at reasonable prices.
lookup chek mate on the sponsors site. lots of good bows out there. take look at em all
I would say if you like the Assenheimer....stay with it in a lighter weight...if that's what you need for your shoulder. He still makes one of the best bows around for the money. I would put a Zipper recurve in the same category as the Assenheimer. Love em both- they feel similar to me.
-Charlie
Assenheimers are wonderful, I really like Schafers and think they are one the finest bow around. Look at TallTines also that is what I am using now.
I'm hearing so much about all these great bows that I'm going as crazy as a kid in the proverbial candy store. I read that there's a traditional shoot in my area on Saturday's at Summit Archery in Washington, Missouri. I'm going to check it out and see what's there.
The problem I've found locally is that no shops stock any quality recurves since the money in sales is in compounds and mostly their related accessories. I'm just going to have to pick up some used bows here and try them out, then keep what's right for me.
I guess I'll start at the top of the alphabet with an Assenheimer in the 40 to 50 pound range at around 29 inches. If anyone has one to part with please PM me.
Thanks again to everyone for their help and suggestions and please keep them coming.
Nick
Another A & H ACS Fan Please!
I've been through several in the past few years looking for 'the one that works for me.' I've shot White Wolf's, Morrison's, Robertson's, Cascade's, Bear's, Browning's, Martin's, Hoyt's, etc.. etc.. looking for the 'right'one... What I learned is that there is no specific 'best' as George said. All the bows you (and I) listed are good bows. You just got to shoot them and see what works. If your shoulder is an issue, I am willing to bet a longbow 64+ AMO and 50# at your draw will work best. I think Martin has a nice, smooth drawing hybrid longbow with the Savannah. Its 62 AMO, but a beauty! PSR makes a Sequoia Longbow that draws like butter. Its long at 70 AMO (I think), but it throws arrows well and is easy on the draw, regardless of weight. Cascades also tend to feel lighter than they actually are...
Just my 2 cents from experience!
OH... I finally found that the Black Widow PSR III, 56 AMO, 57@28 hit where I looked every time.
Good luck!
No offense, Bonecracker, but the cheapest A&H is $1200.00. :scared: You can just about buy two Assenheimers for that, and you can buy two Pittsley Predators for that, and the Pittsley performed better by Blacky's test. If it fits, then so be it, but to spend that kind of money, sight unseen....without shooting the bow would be borderline crazy. Unless, of course $1200.00 is pocket change to you. :saywhat: :thumbsup: