Trad Gang

If you were on a budget and only got one shot at a nice, forgiving, and zippy bow at a mid range price around $500-$600 bucks, what would it be?

I've read everyone's posts for months now and everybody has their favorites, but I see some that continue to be favorites for many guys here. I don't have a whole lot of $$$ to work with, so I can't afford the high dollar custom jobs. Just looking for something that's forgiving, but not so terribly slow that you can reach out and correct the arrow before it gets to the target.
It doesn't have to "Smoke" an arrow either.
Know what I mean?

I like both recurves and longbows, but lean more toward a recurve RH @28" in the 50-55lb range.

Thanks for any tips, info, or suggestions.

Chris:

For the bucks I think I would go with a Bear.  Super K either new or if ya can find a good used one from 69 or so....  They are great bows but you likely already know that....

I would get a Big Jim Buffalo.  But that is a longbow.

SEMO-HUNTER, I think you can't go wrong entering
the ILF arena. 10% poundage adjustments,custom
tiller set-up,easy to switch from longbow to
recurve, and you can get fast speeds for your
$600 bucks.

One of the Howard Hill bows.

God bless,Mudd

Zipper Hunter model.

Another HH bow

Out of well over 100 bows that I have owned the bows I have enjoyed the most are the Great Northern Bushbow or Ghost (recurve). Both sell for 695.00. Stable, smooth, quiet, plenty fast enough, and very forgiving. Elegant, uncluttered, understated bows that will become like a friend.

You will hear a lot of opinions from a lot of guys so get ready to be throughly confused, but trust me, the Bushbow or Ghost is what you are looking for.

I should probably add that I make my own Osage longbows, which are nice and forgiving but slow.
I also have a Bear Grizzly 48# @28" and it's fairly slow, but somewhat forgiving.

With those 2 in mind, I'm looking to "Upgrade" and still stay within my price range.
I also don't mind the older, good/used bows if they are in nice shape. So I'm not above buying used.

That info may help?

After shooting a few at the expo. I'm voting either a Timber Hawk 62" Hunter, or a Predator 62" Hunter model (I think). I'd say the Predator won the speed race, but the Timberhawk was alot smoother.

I will give alot of credit to my current 120.00 mid-70's Kodiak hunter. There's nothing wrong with it.

I'm also on the lookout for either of the aforementioned bows used.


B

ROY HALL APACHE

Actually, for just fifty bucks over your stated price range you can afford a "high dollar custom jobs" or certainly the custom part! Dan Toelke will make you one of his Chinook 1 pc. recurves out of any woods you want, custom fit the grip to your hand from a tracing and get it to you in about 4 weeks, probably sooner. The bow will be beautiful, stable, forgiving, just plain QUIET and very fast. Check out Dan's site at  www.montanabows.com (http://www.montanabows.com)  and contact him, you won't be sorry.

Hybrid or Recurve ... Chad Holm , Sponsor Here, Holm-Made Traditional Bows !!

Used Black Widow early 90's.  In my opinion the clasic design and pointability of the Black Widow is second to none..........

I like the history of the Black Widow Bow Company and I admired Ken Beck's forsight to buy the buisness and his manufacturing can do attitude.

I must confess, I've never owned one, but I've shot a few.....I love em....It's just that I make my own bows.

If I didn't make bows I'd own a Black Widow.

It would have to be used.........I can't afford new...!!!....WOW!!!

I forgot to mention that Dan Toelke is a sponsor here.

In that price range look at a predator recurve.

Zipper

There are so many options for a used bow, and that is the way I would probably go most times.  For a new one in that range with a lean towards a recurve I would say Predator hunter hands down for me if a TD bows is what I wanted.  From my experience that is the most bang for the $ out there in a new TD recurve.  I don't know what the zipper hunter is going for, but it would be worth a look.  

For a one piece recurve base model there are quite a few options.  I would look at a base Hoots if you like short, quiet, and fast.  A Whisperstik is a great bow with a base of mod 5's and you can get a good range of lengths.

Find you a used Robertson Stykbow, recurve or longbow.  They are the best bow I have ever had.

It kinda sounds like a take down with interchangeable limbs would be the best bang for the buck? Instead of buying a whole different bow, a guy could try a different set of limbs and really how often does a riser shoot craps on ya?

I keep hearing about the Predator bows over and over again.

Short would be a factor for blind hunting, but I also love the looks of some of the R/D longbows. I guess that's why some of you all have so many bows?

All great info and suggestions guys, thanks and keep em coming.

I'd really like to try a Cari-bow R/D.

I might say a Big Jim Buffalo Bow but with your leaning a bite toward a recurve then the ThunderChild is the perfect blend of both worlds for me...IMHO

I'm going to throw another name in the hat.  I love my R.E.R. LXR (take down longbow/recurve combo), but you can get either the LX (longbow) or XR (recurve) for $625 for the base model, but it is so hard to stick with the base when the more you add the better it looks.

Your right Mike, add ons always get ya.

I keep seeing Big Jims bows brought up quite often too. Those Thunderchilds are very nice looking bows! I need to find a trad only bow shop to shoot some bows to get an idea I guess?

Anybody know where I could find one close to my area? I'm about 60 miles straight south of St. Louis, Mo. if that helps.

It's just a little out of your $500-$600 price range, but for $675, my vote would be for a Wes Wallace one piece Mentor recurve.

I'd wait for a used BW PLX to come around at that price and keep my fingers crossed.

Black widow PMAX in osage orange.

I'm with Mudd, treat yourself to a Howard Hill!   These bows shoot where you look.   They don't chrono with my widows but they're accurate and just plain enjoyable to shoot!   As a bowhunter picking my shots, accuracy has always killed... Speed is nice but it is secondary!

QuoteOriginally posted by Cookus:
I'm with Mudd, treat yourself to a Howard Hill!   These bows shoot where you look.   They don't chrono with my widows but they're accurate and just plain enjoyable to shoot!   As a bowhunter picking my shots, accuracy has always killed... Speed is nice but it is secondary!

So very true.

Did I mention Zipper Hunter $600. T/D, great performing limbs. Could upgrade the limbs at a later date....Longbows-one piece Longwalker by TwoTracks or Osprey from Chad Holms both Sponsors.

I would also recommend a Holm-Made bow for the best bargain in a fast, smooth custom bow. Call Chad and see what he may have available already that he would be willing to sell for his best price. Or you can custom order either a longbow or a recurve with nice woods of your choice. If you only need a one piece, the price of the bow will be well within your range. Or Chad can add a BowBolt for $200 and make it a takedown.

Allan

I would find a used Black Widow. I had a 05 pma for sale for 500 not long ago.

QuoteOriginally posted by owlbait:
Did I mention Zipper Hunter $600. T/D, great performing limbs. Could upgrade the limbs at a later date....Longbows-one piece Longwalker by TwoTracks or Osprey from Chad Holms both Sponsors.

I can't find those on their website? I've looked and everything I've seen is $800 or above, that's well out of my class.
Please post a link if you have one. Thanks.

Also I just got done looking at the slide show on Big Jim's website......Wow!
I really, really, like the looks of those TC's!
Are they PDQ?? (pretty dang quick)
And hit where your lookin? That's what I'm after right there.   :thumbsup:

The zipper hunter is new.  Give Bill a call or e-mail about it.  Just how long do you want to wait for a bow?  It will be a good while for a thunder child.

I say spend the extra money and get a big jim, zipper, bob morrison or one of the other bowyers and shoot a realy nice work of art.

Bruin Woodsmaster. $550 for a one-piece, $575 for a T/D. Mike Steliga has been building these fine bows since 1982.

If you want a hybrid check out the Hill Country Harvest Master.  Base price under $500 and that is clear glass.  Check out what Pete Ward had to say about it. This is a great hunting bow that is accurate, very quiet, good performance and with top notch craftsmanship for a great price.

I don't mind waiting for something that I know will be worth it. I wish I knew someone who had a few of these bows so I could shoot them and feel the difference before making a committment.
I do know one guy who's also a member on here and we are kinda friends, but he lives in KY.
Quite a ways from me.

That's the problem with a custom bow, you can't just walk into a bow shop and shoot one.

Got to vote for the RER - quiet, quick, and shoots well for me.  I recommend shooting as many as you can before you buy.  Not always easy to do.  Good luck.

I own a bunch of widows, don't get me wrong they are fast, accurate bows. But...  My new desire is a Toelke Lynx.  Sweet bow.

For that money, either a lost Creek, or the new Zipper Hunter model. Already got a lost creek, so....

One of Dan Toelke's bows, great bows even better man to deal with. First class all the way!

QuoteOriginally posted by DWT:
In that price range look at a predator recurve.

Ditto. You can get a great used Predator in your price range or you can buy a new Hunter version for $549.00.

Get one, you won't be sorry.

I think you broke the $600 bank with either the Lynx or a Widow.

The only new bow I've bought in the last 20 years was my Martin (Howatt) Dream Catcher and she is a smooth and quiet hunting tool.  Worth a look and only a bit over your $600 cap.  

I think they changed the riser woods in the last few years.

I wouldn't wait or buy a new bow if I had not shot and loved first.

Isn't there another trad expo in the mid west planned this year?  How about a big shoot?  That is the best way to go so you can shoot a pile of stuff.

One consideration would be to call Brian Wessel at Tall Tines. Rumor has it that he is coming out in the very near future with a hunter-type model that may be well within your price range. This bow is to have maintained the Tall TInes shooting characteristics but w/o all the bells and whistles.

The EAgleWing onepices longbow with actionboo cores is a top performance bow in all aspects and is 550. base. That is pretty hard to beat. It is built exactly the same as the ones I build that run over a thousand. Absolutely no difference in shootability or quality of workmanship.

God Bless you , Steve

Howard Hill, MOAB, or BamaBow.

Matt

You can drive over to my place and shoot a cople of Widows if ya want to get the feel of em....

MA and PL

The next one...

Get a Dwyer they start in the upper 400 hundred and you can get a completely pimped out bow for a good price.

Hear great things about the Original Longbow and the Dauntless, My endeavor is GREAT  ;)

I picked up a used Crow Creek and a Firefly both well under 600.00. Both are fine bows.

For that kind of money.....Holm-Made Osprey or River Runner........My Osprey got glued up this weekend, should have it in a few weeks!! I'm excited!!!!!It will be a good match to my River Runner which was my go to bow this past season!The bid difference is my Osprey is going to be real pretty!

I haven't shot one yet, but I would buy a Pronghorn. They look and sound awesome...

QuoteOriginally posted by Night Wing:
It's just a little out of your $500-$600 price range, but for $675, my vote would be for a Wes Wallace one piece Mentor recurve.

I agree with Night Wing, it would be EXTREMELY hard to beat Wes' craftsmanship and fit. It is a bit out of your price range, but his bows are top of the line.

Winterhawk1960

Morrison ILF. I'd go with a simple phenolic riser & Black Maxx carbon/wood limbs. It'll set you back under $500 & you can upgrade or change limbs as and when funds allow.

You get a super fast, ultra smooth, infinately adjustable awesome hunting bow made by the best in the business, admittedly no frills, but if you want a shooter more than a looker, look no further.

I would buy a Morrison or Tradtech Tian ILf 17" riser, and Black Max long recurve carbon limbs, that way if I wanted a different length/type of limb, there are a vast array fo different manufacturers of ILF limbs that would fit. The riser would be bombproof, has adjustability of tiller, about #5 of weight adustment and a plunger button for more adjustability of spine, arrow deflection. I bought a slightlly used Titan with rest and plunger button, for $275 and a new set of Black Max limbs, for $220 for $495 total. The bow shoots great, quiet and if I ever get where I can shoot better than this set up does, I will be shooting as a professional for a living. It just makes good sense to me, and makes me consider selling most of my other bows now.

I would take a serious look at Holm Made recurves or the Osprey longbow.They have been mentioned a few times here.  

Also Maddog has a sleek 50s style 60 inch recurve with static tips for 375$.

They look nice and nostoligic.The price point is exceptional.

You might try and hit the Cloverdale shoot in central IN. this June and test out a bunch of bows if you have not bought one by then.

If I could only have the one bow, I'm glad I all ready own it. 70" 55#@28" yew Mahantango long bow. Just under your given price range.

MOAB or a GRFFIN.

With a budget of around $500.00????

Easy... a Bear Grizzly recurve (appx. $329.00) and 2 dozen arrows. For a bit more, say about $500.00 for the bow alone, (a little more for the nicer old school wood), the Bear Super Kodiak is top of the line, and shoots better than many custom bows costing 2 to 3 times as much.

Can't go wrong with ILF.

Thunderchild

QuoteOriginally posted by SEMO_HUNTER:
If you were on a budget and only got one shot at a nice, forgiving, and zippy bow at a mid range price around $500-$600 bucks, what would it be?

Describes me and my HH Halfbreed perfectly!

(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/20110205_dc_d04.jpg)

A Hill.

Lots of good suggestions in this thread,and not a bad one in the bunch.
There have been suggestions of our new hunter model.You will not yet find it on our website.Here is the thread from the introduction of this new model.IF you would like to try one of these new models feel free to give us a shout.
Bill

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=099614

A Toelke Whip.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and all I can say is Wow!
I had no idea I would get so many replies?

I've sure got plenty of info to chose from and I've been looking at sponsors I didn't even know TG had, looking at bow pics, reading all the  specs and price lists for hours on end. I love it, and it really gets me excited.
Some are way out of my price range, while others are completely doable.

I don't think I would know how to act if I actually got my hands on a brand new custom bow? I'd probably pee on myself?   :laughing:  

At any rate, I can see that it's apparent that I need to go to some of these gatherings where there are lots of bows I can actually touch, draw, and possibly shoot. I'd hate to spend the kind of money for something I had never even touched before. It's a blind leap of faith I'm not sure that I could make?

One that don't miss...

If new the first thing that comes to my mind would be a Predator Hunter model.

Next new would be the 2011 Bear Super K.

However, I'd buy used from the classified section here. In that case I'd be looking for:

1. Bear A or B Mag--My buddy just bought a terrific one for $450. He's tickeled pink.

2. Predator Custom Classic.

3. The Checkmate's are surprisingly nice to me, and short.

I agree with the very first response that you got from Huntschool. IMO, the new Super K shoots as good as anything out there.

apex predator, timberhawk, assenheimer, or toelke

I don't doubt the new Bears are probably great bows, but I've already got a late 60's Grizzly and I think I'd like to try one of the custom bows.

I'm leaning hard toward a Thunderchild or the Predator. Not sure yet, so much info here to investigate. I'll be looking at bow manufacturer's websites for a month!   :D

I would buy $500 worth of osage and bamboo slats and make 12-15 bows I love! Honeslty, I would look for a used Fatal Styk if I wasnt into building bows.

I just saw the Predator Hunter at Cabelas, and they are in stock for crying out loud!
I never thought I'd find them that easy?

Oh yeah, I will definitely shop the classifieds for awhile before I buy a brand new one.
I don't mind used at all if it's in real good shape.

Whisperstik, top of the line bow qualities in performance at a great price.

I think I would go for a used Robertson OR the Hoyt Buffalo. Both might be 100 over budget, but well worth the money!

I would beg, borrow or steal another $75 and get a 60" Super Shrew Deluxe. The perfect go anywhere do anything bow!

Eric

My list is:

Bob Lee Takedown Recurve
Fedora 560 Hunter
Hornes Ridge Runner
Samick Stringray (this bow will really surprise you)
Checkmate Hunter
Hoyt Gamemaster

Jeff

Just keep tweaking your osage design till you make a fast selfbow. I've got a widow and a few other custom glass jobs that all sit and collect dust because I'm shooting my selfbows. Having said that, if you really want a custom, wait a year, save another hundred and in the meantime shoot as many bows as you can first. I'd recommend the classifieds here too.

striker

If I could only have one it would be my Kanati, hands down. It is short, fast, quiet, forgiving, accurate, and great looking. The price for a brand new, custom-made Kanati is well within your range. Shoot one and you will forget about recurves! Jason is also great to work with. He will make sure you are happy with your bow.

There are alot of nice bows floating around new and used.For that one shot,personaly I would opt for a new one.If a recurve will fit the bill,I strongly urge you to check out Don Assenheimer's bows.For years they have been the most modest priced customs around.They are known for their smoothness,quickness,and their QUIETNESS!I own two Aseenheimers and they are superb.I think just recently the price has gone up some,still priced below most customs.

Predator.

Dale Dye takedown.

RER BOW HANDS DOWN, I OWN 40 BOWS, RER IS MY FIRST PICK.

It was mentioned above, but you can stay in that price range and buy a used bow. I have bought bows that were 800- 1000 new and got them for less than half of that.....just have to shop a bit and pay attention to the classifieds!

bama bows has the new r/d hunter in stock, you can have recurve speed and longbow beauty with a great bow, its 389 bucks, 65#'s though.

68"/ 60# Howard Hill Wesley Special with a straight grip. I wish I could just stick to one bow I think I'd be a much better shot rather than changing up all the time.

one bow just seems silly. but shrew for me

Well, it wouldn't exactly be my "Only" bow cause I've got a Grizzly and several Osage selfbows that I love to shoot.
I should specify that this would be my first and only "Custom" outfit. I don't think many people wouldn't want a few extra toys to play with in between gettin' serious.  :saywhat:

Their are so many nice bows. Still, a Dan Toelke Super D is really tough to beat. I've got a few bows I string up in rotation, and that one blows my mind every time it comes up. Bought it used, here on  the classifieds, and it's a beauty.

I vote for a Jim Jones Firefly.  Great bow for the money.

I'd have to "settle" for the $500.00 basic model Edge or Lonestar by 21st Century Longbows. It would be nice, forgiving and zippy. It would also shoot with any other longbow on the market at any price.