Thought I'd share this in reference to bows built back then and today. All the hype on speed today and the search for the perfect bow.
Bowyers today are building great looking bows that shoot as good as they look. I personally have never chronographed any of the bows I own that are hanging in my shop. My naked eye tells me they shoot quick enough for me, even out to 40 yds.
However, back in 1986 when I was writing for Doug Walker, I did chronograph my Rocky Miller Heritage T/D for an article on Bow Tests. My buddy set up his chrono for me. The bow was 60" 57# at 27". Dacron string, shooting glove, 125 gr field points on a 2117 that weighed 530 grains.
From the 2 pics you can see the arrow right before it hits the target, then the results. My 5 shot average proved that a good bow built back then shot quick enough for me. Nothing fancy, just performance. When Rocky quit building bows, I sold both my Heritage and Predator T/D.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/001_zps1558b7f5.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/001_zps1558b7f5.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/002_zps20fb0acb.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/002_zps20fb0acb.jpg.html)
Nice Joe. Thanks for the pics.
I was talking to a friend day before yesterday on this same subject about bows from 1985 - 87.
Illustrates one of the things I like about trad bows. The technology race has been over for a long time.
Coming from the compound world to this world has opened my eyes to many things, one being, the more advanced we become, the dependent we become. 180 fps sounds quite alright with me after chasing 300 fps for many years to no avail.
As I recall, late 70's, early 80's the quest was to have a 200 fps bow. Most bows (stick or compound) did not make it, till soon afterward.
As I recall, deer and bear and other things were killed back then, probably not as dead as now, but killed none the less.
ChuckC
That's really neat. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
I love looking at those older pics!
Oh...and I wasnt born until 1986. Lol
As I recall, deer and bear and other things were killed back then, probably not as dead as now, but killed none the less.
ChuckC [/QB][/QUOTE]
:biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Neat stuff......I had a 55# Kodiak Hunter from the mid 70's. With a 30" 2216 125gr up front It chron'd 175 fps.....which is pretty darn good launching those tent poles down range. I guess some parts of the good old days never left.....lol!
Cool stuff.
Yeah Joe, only so many ways to bend a bow limb.
I had a Kittredge Signature back then that would shoot a 650 gr. 2219 203 fps. The bow was almost 80# at 30.5 inches.
Oh and I remember your articles from Western Bowhunter. I had a couple in it myself, but I wasn't a regular.
Charlie Lamb got me thinking...I found an OLD Kittredge Bow Hut catalog...not the best photos but they will do...hard to keep those old pages open and from falling apart....
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/003_zpsa8de5985.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/003_zpsa8de5985.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/001_zps43ca499e.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/001_zps43ca499e.jpg.html)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/002_zps0e048935.jpg) (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/sf1oak/media/002_zps0e048935.jpg.html)
Man I used to drool over those catalogs. They were more than a mere catalog for sure.
Hey Joe. What's all that black stuff hanging out the back of your hat and over your neck?
Hey Joe. What's all that black stuff hanging out the back of your hat and over your neck?
I've always thought that if a guy took an old Kittredge catalog and reproduced all the little accessories he'd make a fortune.
I was proud to have my picture in the Kittredge catalog. Doug and his crew were heroes of mine back in the day.
Thanks for sharing Skipper! Good stuff right here! :thumbsup: :jumper:
And what is that contraption hanging off the side of your bow?
It can't be a bow quiver can it :scared:
Joe thanks for the pic of the catalog. I always had trouble keeping The Bow Hut and Herters catalogs. I always ruined them by drooling on them!
That was a Delta bow quiver and it lasted all of one week ;)
Never on a longbow..... :laughing:
No no never on a longbow.
thanks for posting!
That is a fun walk down memory lane!