What is better for hunting? A longbow or a recurve?
Whichever one you can hit with. As far as hunting goes, there isn't enough difference between the two to talk about.
Personal prefrence is the rule on this one. We are generally seekers of uniqueness.
However, I love my Robertson Vision Falcon recurve, but am trying to find a longbow I like.
longbows (now that is something we have to re-think cause they are getting pretty short now - tee hee) are lighter and I would say quieter although there are getting to be less differences unless you start looking at the older models.
With the new reflex deflex in the limbs of the longbows their efficiency is really improving. In the past the longbow was LONGER and alot slower.
Recently they are getting vary similar in looks and performance. I still like the longbow but darn it with the new PCHX I am torn and it looks like I will have and ACS and a PCHX at home soon.
Try them and see for yourself but unless you are going with a onepiece they really are getting similar IMO
Jer Bear
Twice now I have shot game lying on my belly with one of my longbows. I have trouble shooting my recurves that way, alway seem to hit my bottom limb. I hunt with both like this year where I was able to shoot deer with both one of my longbows and one of my recurves. This lying down type of hunting is the only advantige I have found one over the other. Outside of that I agree with Jeff if you can shoot it well, HUNT with it.
Currently longbows are the rule at our house, but we are open to change if we were find a recurve we liked better one day.
These days it is purely a preference thing.
It's a personal preference with me,I started out shooting longbows and prefer them.I have never really cared for a recurve type grip,I like a straight,dish or mild locator.Which is best for hunting,which one do you the and shoot the best,that would be the one.
I like longbows myself, but either one will work for hunting. Longbows are easier to quiet than recurves, but recurves can be quieted down too with a bit of work. Longbows are generally lighter in weight. My Kanatis are short, light, quiet, and fast...perfect. My Kota is longer, but still light, quiet and fairly fast. It has the advantage of being a takedown...great for travel.
My Badger is still fairly short at 58" or 60" depending on the limbs. It takes down for travel and is smooth and fast. It also shoots really well and I have it pretty quiet, not quite as quiet as a longbow, but close. It has a lot more mass. Some guys like that, but I am more used to the light weight of the longbow.
As has been said it is personal preference, but as you may have noticed, I have both :D
IMO you should use the bow that you are the better shot with. Do you shoot a recurve better than a longbow? Or do you shoot a longbow better?
This question comes up every month at least.
You have to decide for yourself what you want to shoot...and/or carry.
I like my recuves for treestands and blinds.....but I like my longbows when I'm roving on the ground. Spending a lot of time walking and stalking the longbow is much more of a pleasure in the hand.
Try and get to a shoot and see what you like.
QuoteOriginally posted by Bjorn:
Currently longbows are the rule at our house, but we are open to change if we were find a recurve we liked better one day.
These days it is purely a preference thing.
Try the Black Widow PSR III recurve... It has a longbow handle, but recurve limbs... for some reason, the thing shoots like butter, very
accurate butter , but feels quasi longbow like... funny thing is, I have never shot longbows too well, and this hybrid is amazing??
This is a real good source as well....
CLICK HERE (http://mynextbow.blogspot.com/)
Started out hunting with a recurve but made the switch in December. Never went back. I love the lighter weight of the longbow. They are great for spot and stalk, are very quiet, and are easy to shoot with ridiculous cants.
I can't hike with mine all day and not have any arm fatigue at the end from lugging it around.
There are recurves out there as light as any longbow, so weight isn't a consideration unless you opt for three piece recurves or big risers.
Nearly all 50's design recurves like the Ghost, Kohanna Kurve, and lots more have small risers and are very light weight. I like a little mass weight in the riser for all around accuracy and shootability.
There is no difference other than the feel, and ones personal bias. 8^). I love both, shoot both, and will tell you neither is better than the other in the field. That is all between the ears.
I'll bet you can get as many longbow votes as recurve votes. Literally differnet strokes for different folks.
Myself,I like the looks and light weight of a longbow beter. For whatever reason, I can't shoot a longbow as well as a recurve, regardless of the grip.
I have both, and have been succesful with both.
I would probably lean toward my longbow for all around, but my recurve sees service as well.
Your syle, and prefrence is what tells the tale.
The difference is really just in the grip.
If I'm hunting it's a confidence thing. I shoot my recurves better.
I have both as well--for me it is the low mass weight of my longbows that I like best--I think i'm getting lazier as I get older and carrying something that weighs on the order of ounces just feels better--I do have a 1955 dual shelf Kodiak recurve that is just as light as my longbows that is a joy to carry also...
rick
I kinda like the offspring of both...commonly called a hybrid.
QuoteOriginally posted by OS:
Twice now I have shot game lying on my belly with one of my longbows. I have trouble shooting my recurves that way, alway seem to hit my bottom limb...
Got any pictures? I'm pretty sure that I couldn't do that, but I may have to try it now,
If you keep the equation as simple as the question, "What is better for hunting?"
Longbow = lethal hunting implement
Recurve = lethal hunting implement
One lethal is no "better" than the other. Rick.
I've used both over the past few years. I pick one bow for the season and shoot it the most. I do seem to shoot a recurve a little better with less practice. The longbow has a certain appeal to me.
Here's my 2 cents. For most I think a recurve is easier to shoot accuratly. I personally prefer my GN Bushbow (longbow). Like others have said, the line between longbow and recurve is blurred with the hybreds. If you are going to go longbow go with the real deal, a straight grip type, I think you'll be glad you did.
It's not recurve vs longbow...more like recurve & longbow!
Seriously, just like everybody else has said, it's purely up to the individual.
i wish i can shoot as well in a regularity issue with a longbow than with a recurve ... unfortunatly i can't
I have five of each and like them all. Right now though my favorite is the Morrison Shawnee Dakota longbow.
Longbows are light and quiet. Very good for hunting.
If we all liked the same thing it would be pretty dull world, myself I always shot the recurve best and I always like the beauty of a custom built recurve, or the old factory built Wing Presentation II or the original Bear A and B wood TD, or the beauty of micarta riser Super Kodiak, of course thats my opinion,
I shoot both recurves and longbows equally well. But, I prefer recurves.
Hit the wrong thing for the edit. :mad: Made a double post. :(
One thing I find easier with the recurve is canting the bow. When I can't a recurve, the arrow stays in the same place. When I cant a longbow, the arrow moves right due to the difference in the grip. You get used to this and adjust after a while. I never realized this until I read one of Fred Asbell's books and he explains it very well. That helped me correct with the longbow. Just a little note.
I have a 52" Red Wing Hunter I use for deer hunting cause I always hunt deer in the woods. . I like it because of the short length which is easier to carry, get through brush and branches with, and shoot from a stand for me. I guess there are shorter longbows, but not many at 52" with the pop of my red wing hunter.
If I hunt rabbits etc I don't mind the longbow at all since I'm in open ground. I love the longbow for stumping.
This is a hard question really. I'd like to shoot them both at the same time if I could.
sam