What would you say is the best short bow for hunting. I am looking for smooth non-stack draw, quick and accurate. I am looking for all of this in a bow of 60" or less and my draw is 28.5".
If you can let me know why you shoot the bow you shoot and what you like best about that bow it will be a big help. What is the longest shot you can make with that bow and be accurate?
I just shot a widow kb yesterday. it was only 54". it was a great drawing bow and smooth but not quite to 28.5". I think that bow in a 56"er would be awesome. I have a Black Forest longbow thats 54" and I just got done shooting it. It draws smooth to 28.5". Im sure there are several others out there as well.
I think Bob Morrison can fix you up. I have a set of his MAX I limbs that make a 56" bow on my 17" DAS riser. He can make MAX I limbs for DAS, ILF or for his regular take down bows. Really nice shooters and very easy to quiet down. Oh, did I mention how fast and accurate they are?
Under ^60, goodness I think your choices ar endless. I have 58" takedown recurve that is smooth and fast. I have a 58" R&D longbow that is the same. I just sold a 56" Thunderchild that was smooth and quick. My longest bow is a 60" Horne takedown, also smooth and stable. I think your biggest challenge will be finding the grip and wood combo you like the best. It is my belief that any bow from one of the many reputable bowyers out there will provide you with the smooth draw and arrow speed you want.
50" Ambush recurve by Two Tracks. I love my longbows, but in the thick tangles we will be hunting for rabbits tomorrow, my Ambush gets the nod for ease of use in tight areas. I draw 3 under, and pull to about 28 1/4". Love shooting the bow, and I have seen a good friend draw and shoot this bow out to 31 1/2".
I wish I could find someone to make me a 50" R/D longbow that comes in at 50# @ 28" with a 3/16" past center cut riser. Anybody out there have any leads on someone who has done this, or atleast willing to talk to me about it? I think it would be a superb turkey bow when combined with a rancho safari ghillie suit.
For a Recurve:
RER Arroyo 54" or 58"
RER XR 58"
Both static tips and awesome.
For a longbow: 56" Treadway
I'm actually going back to longer bows...and mainly longbows...(back on my Howard Hill kick :) LOL!) but...I've enjoyed learning to shoot "short bows". The two recurve makes that I was/am most impressed with that I've owned/shot are the Cascade Golden Hawk 52" and Two Tracks Ambush..I think mine was 50" or 52"...these are not only great looking superbly crafted bows, but great shooters as well!!
I owned and just sold a real shooter...a Cascade Brush Hawk Longbow 56"...that shot with great authority...and again was a beautiful bow!!
These bows really work great in blinds or if you are tucked backed into some brush along a game trail.
I still have a Fred Bear A riser and limbs that makes a 56" recurve and it darn sure shoots great!! I've taken a lot of fish with that bow, plus my first "Trad" Whitetail :)
I 2nd Bill about the Morrison. I've never considered a bow shorter than 56" and I have a 26" draw. I'm' shooting a couple of Morrisons that are 52" and 54". Both are the ILF's mentioned above.
I'll second Mike on the Two Tracks Ambush Recurve. It's an awesome little bow and Chuck's work is top-notch.
If you like a longbow, Nate at BamaBows builds a beauty called the Expedition as short as 58 inches. His carbon fiber sleeve is flawless if you want a 2pc.
Lee Hoots just north of you in North Carolina makes one of the nicest short bows you will find anywhere.
To me 60" is long at my 29"!
Other than Lee, I agree with Bob Morrison. I am a little bias though since I have a Morrison Phoenix with the Max1 limbs.
Jason Kendall's "Kanati" hybrid.... great shooter and points great ! Also a dream to tune....
QuoteOriginally posted by kestimator:
I'm actually going back to longer bows...and mainly longbows...(back on my Howard Hill kick :) LOL!) but...I've enjoyed learning to shoot "short bows". The two recurve makes that I was/am most impressed with that I've owned/shot are the Cascade Golden Hawk 52" and Two Tracks Ambush..I think mine was 50" or 52"...these are not only great looking superbly crafted bows, but great shooters as well!!
I owned and just sold a real shooter...a Cascade Brush Hawk Longbow 56"...that shot with great authority...and again was a beautiful bow!!
These bows really work great in blinds or if you are tucked backed into some brush along a game trail.
I still have a Fred Bear A riser and limbs that makes a 56" recurve and it darn sure shoots great!! I've taken a lot of fish with that bow, plus my first "Trad" Whitetail :)
It is funny you mention your return to the longer bows and in particular the longbow. I am going through this right now. I really like the idea of a shorter bow for close quarters, but I am really leaning toward a Hill style as well. I know they are different animals maybe I need both.
I use a 48" Hwarang Korean Bow with EFA bowquiver. Works well and this bow draws to 31" by design. I will build an improved version in 46" for draws up to 26".
I am shooting a 58 inch Dwyer Endeavor at 28 inch draw. Very smooth draw and seems to launch an arrow pretty fast.
S.C. Hunter,
If you are "Bow Sick" like me...you never will really "know" what you need/want LOL!!!! On the bright side...whatever trend I tend to follow at the moment.....always teaches me stuff and provides enjoyment :) LOL!!
QuoteOriginally posted by kestimator:
S.C. Hunter,
If you are "Bow Sick" like me...you never will really "know" what you need/want LOL!!!! On the bright side...whatever trend I tend to follow at the moment.....always teaches me stuff and provides enjoyment :) LOL!!
Tell me something I don't know. I see bows that look fantastic but they just don't work for me. I hear all the comments of others who have picked up their most recent treasure, and the wheels start to turn. I do know that I am mostly a longbow shooter but I will give a recurve a try if it just looks to good to let it pass.
One note about recurves. I will say I have never really been blown away with the look of the BW recurves. But I tried one at a shoot one day and wow first time I shot one I was hitting my spot and it was fast. So I guess your right that search never stops.
I have a 29" draw and have yet to find a hybrid LB less than 58" I really enjoy shooting split finger. I keep looking but have settled on a 60" for my short LB for now. Three under makes shooting shorter bows a little more comfortable.Recurves are a different story. I have found more than a couple that were nice shooting at 56 & 58". Whisperstik, Hoots, and Black Widow PCH have been good experiences for me so far. I only got to shot some Hoots bows once a few years ago, but I ready liked the recurve say lot. I don't know if you can beat a Black Widow PCH for a short stable hard hitting 3 piece bow. The site window is workable for split high anchor and fairly vertical bow. The 56" bow I shot recently were very smooth a far as I could stretch one out at around 30" even though the recommended draw length range stops at 28.
Hoots recurve 54"
Big Jim Thunderchild or Jason Kendall Kanati get my vote. Both are great short bows that are comfortable to shoot and launch an arrow quick to boot .
I have a pair of 58" Red Wing Hunters I am drawing to 29-3/4" and they are working out very well. Not as consistantly accurate as my 62" Browning Explorer but much lighter and handier and the trade-off is worth it. Shorter & lighter bows are less forgiving to hold & release errors.
I limit my big game shots to 25 yards, but stumps the limit is as far as I can find an offering. My point on with these bows & the 600 gr D.fir arrows I am using is about 60 yards, and I am one minute-of-stump at that distance.
Shrew Classic Hunter 56".
Allan
Two Tracks Ambush or Hoots recurve
Thiers gonna be alot of bows that will work well for you at 27 inches draw and 60 inches or under no doubt.
cascade archery, brushawk,nighthawk,goldenhawk, take your pick.
QuoteOriginally posted by Rick Richard:
Lee Hoots just north of you in North Carolina makes one of the nicest short bows you will find anywhere.
X2 Lee is just around the corner and makes a fine little bow...Smooth as butter and easy on the fingers..
Lots of bows as mentioned and a lifetime to find the "ONE". And then you'll keep looking...!
Shot distance and accuracy will be up to you.
Leon Stewart Slammer special 58"-62" I have been shooting a 58 incher 55#@27" for a couple of years. Accurate shooth fast and no hand shock. Leons bows are works of art. As a friend once told me about his Stewart it make you a hero.
My light weight 56" Java Man Inferno just arrived and it draws really smooth and really zips an arrow.
Hill Country's Cree or TD Bobcat
When it comes to short bows I can't think of any other company that has been making/perfecting them for as long as Cascade Archery, give Steve a call you won't regret it.
I have a lot of short bows but the Shrew Classic Hunter in 54-56" by Javaman is at the top of my short bow pack. Unless you can get PV to custom make one his :)
I really only shoot short bows and currently a 2 piece Toelke 52" Kestral does the job....smooth to 28", quiet and great performance.
Good bless, Pierre
A widow PCH or a KB 56" give one a test drive. I draw 28.5" and I actually like the 54"ers I have. Best short bow I have found.
It's really tough to generalize bows. There are a lot of excellent smooth drawing, hard hitting bows out there in the 60" and under range that will fit your draw length requirements.
Here are some things to consider:
Most archers that prefer long bows in general like the ease of stringing and unstring the bow without the use of a stringer. They also like the shape of the bow for it's sleek ability to slide right through the brush. a long bow also has a slightly different feel to the draw in most cases that has been described to me as an "In the shot" feel. this shows on a DFC chart as a more steady increase on the pounds per inch all the way through the draw cycle. w
Due to the narrow width profile and deep core of the long bow limb, combined with the string coming right off the tips with no contact, makes the bow very quiet..... unfortunately the length dictates the string angle....
Getting long bows to draw past 28" without stacking, in a 60" or less length require going to an R/D limb design. or a hybrid limb that comes very close to being a recurve, and still has the narrow profile, deep core limb shape.
The hybrid is my personal favorite.
The advantages to a recurve bow is they store more energy in a shorter working limb, and they are very desirable to guys that like to savor the draw every inch of the way. A good recurve design will feel like the bow has a let off in weight half way through the draw giving the feel it's a lighter draw weight bow....
unfortunately there a lot of recurve bows out there that have issues with limb slap, and noise, and by the time you've managed to quiet them down, you've lost a lot of your performance. but....there are exceptions to this rule.
i believe having the bow fit your grip and shooting style is one of the most important things to consider..... you can buy and sell bows until you find your perfect match... or have a custom bow built to match your style.
Food for thought brutha...