I have a Martin ML-10 longbow. Shoots good, a little heavier in draw weight than the bows I normaly shoot though so I don't get it down as often as I would like.
Anyone else shoot one of these? I think there was a ML-15 as well, right? What is the difference?
I even considered having it made into a two-piece take-down with one of the various systems. Anyone tried this?
To me, it is a basic, no frills bow that shoots good.
OkKeith
I've had several ML-10's. It is a good, no frills bow. Don't know about the ML-15, but I have an ML-18 that's called a Bushmaster. Martin called the ML-10 the Mountaineer and they had another similar longbow that was the Pioneer. Maybe that one is the ML-15??
I sold all but the Bushmaster, it's my rainy day bow when I'm hunting.
Keith, my first was a ML-14, all Zebra wood, under clear glass. I bought it from Eastside Archery, of Chicago, in 1985. Them and the Ole Ben, from Pearson, was the only factory longbows available at the time.
Steve
I agree with you guys, it is nothing fancy but is solid as a rock.
Was the Mountaineer the one with clear glass and zebrawood or the Pioneer? The one I have has maple lams, a darkish hard wood riser and brown glass.
I have never had a Howard Hill in hand but the MLs seem to be along the same lines. I wonder why you don't hear more about them? I doubt they are rare, probably thousands of them out there.
Maybe it's because they just aren't as sexy as a lot of other bows. They sure aren't sports cars, maybe 4-wheel drive trucks with just a coat of primer.
OkKeith
I have still got a ML-10. I shot my first deer with it.
I've owned an ML-10 (many moons ago) and a Bushmaster. Bushmaster was OK, but I really disliked the ML- 10. For one thing, it was a full 5# heavier than rated, which I understand is common with Martins. Also kicked like a mule.
Yes, they weren't tillered the best, but at the time they were the only LBs you could get or handle without ordering a Hill, Zebra, Palmer, etc.
I just pulled out a Bowhunter mag from '83, it has a pull-out catalog for Martin, there was also a ML-12, pistol grip, model.
If you got'em, shoot 'em!
Steve
I bought an ML10 at a swap meet about 10 years ago and could not sell it fast enough. That was a gawd-awful kicker that hurt me more than the target.
Martin recurves are pretty good, but those older longbows were brutal. I believe Larry and the gang at Yakima saw the light and the new generation of longbows are far superior in all aspects.
Anyone ever tried cutting one of these in half and putting a take-down system in?
OkKeith
I have a ML 100 (newer model) and it's a really nice bow. A little twangy but a good shooter. The Savannah is really nice. I guess the learned from the 10 and 15. I had a Vision once and did not like it. Nice looking bow but an odd handle and a hard draw. The Savannah and the ML100 are smooth.
Sam
i havea savannah and its a sweet shooting bow!!!
Sam,
My ML-10 is very picky about brace height. It has some string noise until the sweet spot is found.
Mine likes a lower brace height than you might figure. Somewhere in the 6 and 3/4 to 7 and 1/4 range. Might try that, could get it shooting quieter. I also shoot an 18 strand, B-50 string. A thicker string can also help tame a noisy bow.
OkKeith
i have a ML14 that i love, shoot it all the time #65@28, will be hinting with it often this year. a good friend gave it to me and it means a lot. no frills, solid bow!
Ken what are you hinting at? :bigsmyl:
Keith, personally, I would, if I still had one, swap the string for a High performance material of your choice. Yes, I know these bows don't have overlays.
Just pad the loops real well, I think you would enjoy it more!
18 strands of dacron is overkill IMO!
Steve,
I have a few bows with the FF type strings on them (2 recurves, 1 longbow), but that is what they had when I got them. I don't really know much about the material. Do you really think I would see much increase in performance from the bow if I switch from B-50 to FF?
The bow is AMO 68" and is 65# at 28". My drawlength is around 31". It's pretty quiet and mostly dead in the hand. I don't know enough about the FF material to understand what it would do for me.
OkKeith
Keith
I have a continuous loop string on mine with silencers. I think it's FF. Green string. May be the factory string. I've seen these strings on Martins before.
I'm thinking of getting a Flemish string which are usually quieter.
I don't mind just shooting or 3D but it's too noisy to hunt. My brace is 7" now. I can try to lower a bit and see if it helps.
Thanks
sam
That could help Sam.
The string on mine I made myself. It is a Flem. twist string. Two 9 strand bundles of B-50. I have two modest wool silencers on the string about 16" down from the tips.
How heavy are your arrows? I shoot a fairly heavy arrow at around 600 grains. I shoot the Goldtip Traditionals with 5 and 1/2 inch tall shield cuts and 150 grain points. A heavier arrow would quiet it down a lot. Maybe more than a new string and softball size silencers.
OkKeith
ummmm i'm hinting that i want to be hunting and not working soooo much!! my typibg is about as good as my dancin!!!!
Keith, yes, I think it would help. These bows are not built with alot of induced stress/ reflex. Like straight limbed selfbows, it should milk all of the performance to shoot a heavy arrow. And be quiet, too!
Let me know the string length, and your address, I will send something special for you to try.
You be the judge!
Steve
I had a ML 17 or 18? for years--wish I still had it. It was a straight bow, 68" with a fairly deep dished grip. The 65# got to be a little to much for me as I got older. It was a bow that was easy to get on target, very stable, and I took a ton of game with it. I haven't seen one in many years.
i wish i could find a old martin takedown. i have only seen one for sale on here. i wish i bought it!
I killed about 15 deer with mine in the early 90s. It kicked pretty bad until I put a flastflight string on it and then it was really nice to shoot. Quiet and accurate. I got it out and shot some with it a few weeks ago and although it's a little stiff for me now it didn't take long to get good groups going again. I like how rugged it feels and looks. Good bow and good memories.
I'm shooting a 2016 aluminum with 125 gr points and 5 1/2 shield feathers.
The bow is braced at 7" now. I went to the Martin site and they recommend 7 1/4 to 7 3/4 for the ML 100. This is what they say about noise:
"A higher brace height helps reduce bow vibration and noise and also minimizes
the effects of shooting errors. A lower brace height provides increased arrow velocity.
Increased noise and poor arrow flight can be the result of a brace height that is too low."
I'll send you an email Frank, but don't know the length. The bow is 62" and the string measures 59" which makes sense. It's 18 strand continuous loop, green, and I think it's a fast flight string but I can't tell.
The silencers are kind of different. Strips of felt tied around the string in a bunch. Not your normal whiskers or woolies.
Thanks
sam