My fav Hill, the "Cheetah", that went belly up 4th of July, was replaced by Craig with a "Wesley Special" built to same specs. Came in a couple days back but didn't get a chance for a test run until today.
Craig sent it well packaged in a fairly bomb proof triple wall HDPE tube.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/9574681420_0bb4726f04.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574681420/)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/9571882533_a89df01d3e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571882533/)
Took her out the packaging, strung up a 14 strand B-50 string braced 6 1/4", tied on a nock point Hill style, up 1/8" for nocking over, and gave her a spin. Darned thing came out the gate shooting like I'd owned her for years. What a pleasure, butter smooth with great cast. Might pull out the chrono tomorrow to compare speed with the old "Cheetah".
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/9571872605_2f720762bb.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571872605/)
Also thought I'd try out a new glove. Been using the same basic Hill, but because I have big hands and like a deep hook, felt I needed more stall on the fingers. Made the stalls a bit longer on the new glove with the tips open to get my fingers in deeper. Hope this does the trick.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5323/9574660410_b333c37212.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574660410/)
Best :)
While the camera was out, thought I'd share some of the different targets/backstops I use in the back 40. Years past, I've shown my 3D trail course, my running target system, and how I repair all the 3D targets. But I recently dressed up my simple nock around trail walk and practice range that my kids enjoy to use. Was thinking some pics might be helpful to someone looking for ideas.
Pretty simple stuff, but versatile and lots of fun. I have a lane shooting on this target butt with marked yardage out to 50yds. Straight forward with multiple set-ups for target arrows on scoring targets, blunts and bludgeons on reactive targets, and broadheads on blocks and animal silhouettes.
The most basic I use, which is the most fun, is a strung ball hung in front of the bale. Used tennis balls for years, but recently came into a supply of old Safety T-Balls, which are basically reinforced rubber baseballs. I poke a hole through them with a leather awl and string them with some inexpensive 7-pound test cordage. The one in this pic has a 6-foot cord, so it is very lively with much movement when struck. Always moving and a fun challenge, about the size of hitting a squirrel. I also have a bunch of small white fiberglass washers, leftover from tub/shower faucet cutouts. Bigger than a lifesaver, but smaller than the balls. They take numerous hits before breaking up.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/9571879407_2ea55d11b7.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571879407/)
For hitting the balls, I like to use my favorite rabbit/roving head. I take an old Tiger claw small game head, remove the threaded screw and attached claw, and use this as a blunt. Over top this blunt, I press on a Saunders Bludgeon. I then use a razor knife to cut out V-notches between the ribs on the face. They fly same as a 160-Hill and 160 to 200-Grizzly. Will kill a rabbit, and can be used to hit about anything when roving.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/9574671112_e29f110477.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574671112/)
I can also stick a block target on the bale for shooting broadheads. My favorite is a big Rinehart block. Thing lasts forever and then some. For practice, we also hang animal silhouettes using closepins. Kids often make nutty looking alien bad guy targets from scrap cardboard and shoot them in some imaginary battle.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9574647390_7817c1e088.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574647390/)
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9574644342_8c26fa6418.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574644342/)
For plain target shooting, I like to use a good old fashion grass matt. Shoot straight into the matt, or pin a scoring target over the matt. Can be set at numerous heights, to include a proper target height for scoring.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/9574656754_bfc2d0fd5d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574656754/)
This shows the Matt set low with the hanging ball strung out in front.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9571857897_ea72a9c22c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571857897/)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9574649706_abb4891e4e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574649706/)
Next is the woods course, with no marks for yardage. In some spots, you could stretch it out to about 50yds, but most shooting lanes limit the shots to no more than 30-35 yards. I try not to let my kids walk off yardage on this course and they tend to mix the shots all up to keep things at unknown distances.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/9571837223_510fa2636b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571837223/)
My favorite target in the woods is another take on the Safety T-Ball. I mount them on a fiberglass rod which is sunk solidly into the ground. The ball tends to stay mounted when struck while the rod bends and whips back. Like the strung ball, I like using my modified Tiger Claw Bludgeon.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/9571842317_da5bb1b9ab.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571842317/)
I place a bunch of the fiberglass rod mounted balls in the woods with numerous shooting angles on each. Shooting between trees and over/under limbs add to the fun. Helps the kids hone their accuracy for squirrel hunting.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/9574640994_8c561b7d74.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574640994/)
Long post, but coming full circle, here's my old fav "Cheetah" some years back out enjoying a nice woods walk.
(http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1369/5109555816_deed3c4fce.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/5109555816/)
Sure miss that bow, but this new "Wesley" has me feeling good again!
Best :)
Thank you for the post. Absolutely beautiful bow, and nice target tour too.
I had a 60lb Wesely that was very very nice.
Great post! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you for sharing!
Your post gave us a tremendous amount of helpful information.
I really appreciate you pointing out how helpful Craig and his gang at Hill Archery were.
Great bowyer(s), great sponsor and great people!
Thank you again!
God bless,Mudd
PS: Congratulations on your beautiful bow!
Tell us about your new Wesley.. What are the core materials and the riser ??
I'm jealous, you certainly have a nice course laid out !
Craig made this Wesley to duplicate the hunting specs of my Cheetah. I draw 27 1/2 inches and prefer 66" length with Hill spec backset for my hunting bow. He matched the draw weight of my Cheetah, 65-pounds @ 27". It uses a small sleeve takedown handle with the Wesley spec limbs, 5-lams of bamboo. Craig used his limited caramelized bamboo, which goes well with the cocobolo riser and limb tips. He also added a sterling silver elk inlay.
My old Cheetah was a great looker with the Juniper lams and was on the fast end of the scale for a Hill. This Wesley appears near as fast, but feels a bit smoother. I'll try to add some more pics of the bow today.
Congrats on the new Hill! I was sorry to read about your Cheetah over the 4th. Glad this one is perking you back up. Take care, shoot straight and good luck with her this season. :thumbsup: :clapper:
Thanks for the ideas. What a great time for you and your kids.
Great looking bow Congrats!!!!
Here's the bow unstrung to show the backset.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9579094928_d0bdcf0eef.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9579094928/)
Small sleeve takedown handle.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/9579089886_f0a3c26927.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9579089886/)
Profile of the bow strung.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/9576295101_ec5f6590a3.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9576295101/)
View of the overall caramelized bamboo color. I think it goes well with the cocobolo.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9579082280_4f38b6c0eb.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9579082280/)
Cannot say enough good about Craig and his family. Great people!
Best :)
I have been transported to "Sherwood"
Daddy Bear those pictures show me the archery that I love.
God bless,Mudd
very nice.
Nice thread, thanks for sharing.
Beautiful bow. I hope you enjoy your Wesley as much as I have mine.
looks great!! :archer2: