Just looking into all sorts of long bows because that is going to be the next purchase. I love the montana shot it recently (kinda a bear fan boy), love the look of the maddog long bows, but has anyone shot the Ragim bows???? I cannot find much on the wolf other than great entry level. Design seems simple and quite attractive and so is the price point for a no frills long bow which is what I want. Anybody who has shot them I would love your opinion on them.
Thanks
Dave
Dave,
You might want to have a look at Bamabows. I just got a used Exposition Hunter III, and I'm really liking it thus far. Nate's finish is excellent and the bow is smooth drawing, incredibly quiet, fast, and likes heavy hunting arrows. Mine is plain black glass with a bubinga riser, tips, and an ash and bubinga riser overlay. At $499 for a new one, they are a bargain. He's a sponsor here so go up top and pull down to Bamabows and have a look. He also builds Hill style longbows if that's more to your liking. The Expi is a mild reflex/deflex bow. Mine is 60", but you can also get it in 62". For about a hundred bucks more than a Montana, you can have something custom made for you. Otherwise, if you are just wanting to try a longbow, watch the classifieds for a good used bow. Not knocking the Bear at all, and Mike's (Mad Dog) bows are supposed to be great as well. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot one yet.
Ragim bows are made in Italy I believe. That's about all I can tell you about them. Nothing against Italy, but I'll stick with American made bows.
Second vote for Bamabows.
Just picked up one of his Expedition III's after hunting with his Hunter (hill) bow for a couple years. The Hunter is the smoothest drawing bow I own, but the Expedition III is close behind it.
Picked up my Expedition new from Nate on **** for $400. He also has a lifetime guarantee.
I shot my first longbow yesterday. I never imagined I would be a fan of longbows but man was I wrong. It was a 50 lb bear monatana and I loved how light it felt in my hand and I was really surprised how little feedback I got while shooting it. I fear there is a longbow purchase in my future as well.
I own a maddog and loved it. It was my first longbow as well. Was my only bow for many months before I picked up my new thunder child. Mike makes a hell of a bow for relatively cheap. It's probably the lightest bow I've ever held, seriously weighs next to nothing.
All the other bows mentioned I have not shot so I can't comment on them. I will say we live in an age where there are great bows made by many different people and you can't really go wrong with any of them. It seems like this sport attracts the highest caliber of individual, so naturally our bow makers are top notch as well.
Check the in stock list on the Howard Hill Archery site.
I've shot mad dog bow and I was really impressed with it.... Mike makes a dandy!
Good luck,
Rodd
Check out Omega longbows. Great bows, great warranty, great $
I shoot a Leon Stewart r/d longbow. Very impressive in quality, speed, and quietness.
I would try as many bows as I could before purchasing one. They definitely aren't all created equal. Some have hand shock that nearly dislocates your elbow. That is exactly what kept me away for many years. I finally found my current Toelke Super D longbow and love it. Smooth as silk. I am sure there are several good ones out there, just try and compare.
Dwyer are very nice and perform well too.
Don't forget to search the product reviews forum - a lot of the Gang have posted pretty detailed write-ups on a whole lot of bows there.
Dave,
it depends on what you mean by longbow too. If by longbow, you mean a hill style, then bama bows would be a good choice, but I think they're all around $500 or so(not sure). If by longbow you mean a r/d model, then maddog or an Omega Imperial is a great starter bow. The omega would be less than $400 tyd. Not exactly sure of the price of the maddog.
It looks to me like you need to go to one of the trad shows to get a feel for just the right bow. you can handle and shoot a lot of the different bows at these events.
Thanks for all the advice was really just curious if anyone has shot the ragim lol I guess the answer is no.