So, I've read in a few places that people tend to shoot recurves better than longbows. Is this a fact, or does it just depend on what you're used to and what you practice with?
Thanks,
You will get mixed responses, really depends on the shooters likes and dislikes.
For me I like the grip better on a curve, so I am more accurate with it. That being said if I were to devote as much shooting time to a traditional style longbow as I have to my recurves, I know my accuracy would vastly improve.
I have had 1 recurve out of a couple dozen that I was absolutely impressed with my accuracy. Also 1 longbow out of a dozen or so that I feel the same. I think the accuracy comes with the bow you are most comfortable with and shoot the most.
Each has its strengths and weaknesses. I don't think one style of bow is necessarily more accurate than another.
If you tend to torque the string, a longbow will generally be more forgiving.
At one point in time, one could say recurves offered more grip options, but that really isn't the case anymore.
Before it delaminated, I was most accurate with my Kanati. Now, I can't see much difference between my Bama r/d longbow and my Orion recurve. For me, if the grip fits my hand, the bow will be accurate, the shape of the limbs make little difference.
I think the one you shoot the most will be the most accurate, all things being equal.
I had a long bow that at times I could be very accurate with. I had trouble repeating my grip so I was inconsistant from shot to shot. I don't if I could have mastered it or not- maybe if I had stuck with it soley.
My recurves are easy to grip the same repeatedly. I think that is why I shoot 'curves better, and have confidence with it.
I am equally accurate with either! :bigsmyl:
it makes no difference to me on which I shoot or type of grip usually if I shoot it enough I can hit what I want.. have only had maybe 2 bows out of a couple hundred that I actually couldn't hit with..all bows are accurate.
There are a number of factors that figure into this, however, the recurve ends up on top. There will be the "special" longbow shooter who will outscore the recurve, but most likely that shooter would have won shooting either.
Note: the above is stated with no scientific fact to back it up and is strictly the opinion of a below average recurve/longbow shooter.
...and of course there are those like Bjorn that can shoot anything well.
Not a big difference, but if you track the scores of most of the big shoots, you'll notice that the highest scores are usually shot with recurves.
I shoot mine about equally well, but prefer the longbow for hunting.
I think heavier risers are easier to shoot groups with, but a good recurve or longbow can place 1 arrow in and through the heart/lungs of a game animal.
No doubt, there may be aspects of a shooter's form that lends itself to one style or another, which is what I believe makes the difference.
Howard Hill was pretty good with a longbow?
I think it all depends on who is holding the bow, and what he prefers!
Bisch
I'm just as bad with either one!
I am equally Inaccurate with either. :bigsmyl:
It certainly depends on the individual. And also which recurve and which longbow. With many it's just a choice of which limbs to bolt on today. There is no appreciable difference.
I shoot any of my recurves better (more consistantly) over a mix of ranges than I did a Hill-style recurve, The grip killed me in poundages that allowed what I considered a proper arrow trajectory.
But I know there are guys here who can walk all over me with theirs.
For myself, when I shot target style with target bows, I could shoot targets better with a longer recurve and their heavier and shorter copies. Some modern methods are mostly a higher anchor non bow sight version of pure target form. The problem I had was that deer, rabbits and pheasants were not as obliging as a target and my target form failed me. The successful game shots that I commonly take with a Hill style longbow and Hill style form are for the most part impossible with that target form. Target scores may prove that an individual can shoot, but they do not prove that the same individual can shoot at varied animals, with varied timing, with varied movement, and in varied shooting positions. I am always tempted to get a good target bow, I get a kick out of shooting olympic style at targets, especially at longer ranges, but I already shoot way more arrows every week than I should. For those that shoot with a straighter more static shooting style, I think they will almost always shoot a bow better that has a deeper grip and deeper sight window.
Long bow or recurve limb design has no effect on accuracy. I think you hear better reports on recurves associated with accuracy because of the grip shape is typically more repeatable.
I can shoot a long bow just as well as a recurve if i have a good locater grip with a flat spot to settle my thumb pad into the same every time.
The long bows with rounded grips are tougher for me to keep the pressure point in the same spot on the grip every shot, unless I shoot with an open hand.
Well seasoned archers can shoot both very accurately with no problems at all, but most everyone has a preference..... in any case a repeatable grip location is a key factor.
to me I think if you have rock solid form and concentration any bow you shoot will work you will always shoot the one bow you like and the one that fits just right the best
I shoot both. Just have to remember how the one bow shoots. All bows shoot strait.
Byron Ferguson does pretty good with a longbow.
I shoot both equally. Find the grip on either has a lot to do with my consistency. Big grips on recurves are not to my liking.
one of the best ways to do this is to check out scores from tourneys, imo. A lot of tourneys allow you to shoot the course more than once with a different bow, etc.
From my experience, I am about the same with both, but have won more tourneys with my longbow. I think others shoot their recurve better.
this past year at the Howards Hill, I won the longbow with a 238/250, and the recurve score was 248/250. Yes, you read that right. Sam Sandifer is no joke if anyone is wondering! :)
At all of out state shoots the recurve scores are usually higher. I do think that is because most people start off with a recurve and think they are faster, so more shooters shoot them.
Other than longer bows being more forivable....which is not an issue today as longbows are very short and you can get a recurve over 64" if you want.
I think the biggest factor for me is it is generally more repeatable to get the same grip each and every time with a standard recurve styled pistol grip.
On the longbow over the years I have worked to find consistent hand placement based on my "life line" and thumb positions...then strive to repeat until automatic. Slight depressions on longbow grips have helped some but not to extend of a recurve in my opinion.
The bow you shoot the most is generally the one you are most comfortable and will shoot the best.
Well, the most accurate archers worldwide are probably those who compete in the Olympics, but I don't see any longbows there.
gotta throw my two cents in...
shot both extensively and agree with most of what is said....both are very accurate
recurve ...generally are flatter shooting because they are faster ( yes I know there are some faster longbows out there because of there design)
longbow...NARROW limbs are more forgiving of string pluck and torque..sometimes in extreme cold I personally will use a longbow as I tend to pluck the string more in cold...just my preference...
Howard Hill once said a recurve is too hard to shoot for him because his form was not consistent enough to shoot it accurately. I think he was right. because when I pluck my recurves I miss more from my spot....
BUT ....when shooting past 25 yards I generally find a recurve a little more accurate for me
I hunt with both and never give it too much thought. I practice till I feel accurate with whatever bow I choose to hunt with and go out and enjoy!!!
I know there is a saying...be aware of the man who carries only one gun....I am sure it is the same with a bow.....but I enjoy them too much to worry about an inch or two of accuracy....as long as I can find the kill zone..
QuoteOriginally posted by BAK:
Well, the most accurate archers worldwide are probably those who compete in the Olympics, but I don't see any longbows there.
This is true enough, but neither are they using suitable weights, shafts or points for hunting. Their stabilizers alone weigh more than a one-piece longbow. I have a 66" target recurve but it would be my last bow out the door for hunting . . . except small game.
QuoteHoward Hill once said a recurve is too hard to shoot for him because his form was not consistent enough to shoot it accurately. I think he was right. because when I pluck my recurves I miss more from my spot....
Hill's comment should also take into consideration that Hill sold longbows. ;) I think with a little work he could have learned to manage a working tip recurve just fine. I hunted with a Hill style longbow for several years and I shot over and under more deer that a person should have to and retain some sanity. Went to a recurve and started connecting. Mostly grip (I favor a high grip) and arrow speed. And I shoot 580 to 620 grain arrows so they're still not zippy fast. Just fast enough that my brain can work around them.
One more thing...I feel the LONGERr recurves and longbows are more accurate than the shorter bows...
I now will only go to 56" at the short end and generally 60 " with recurves... although I have a 63 " St. Charles thunderbird ( very accurate)...
My longbows are generally 62" but have one 64" selfbow ....
Stumpkiller I don't beleive it was a "marketing tool" statement by Howard Hill...with his name and fame ..he could have put his name on recurves and doubled his sales...IMHO
Of course, there are some people who shoot better with longbows, and some who shoot better with recurves. But we still find that 3D tournaments have separate longbow and recurve classifications. So the average person must shoot better with a recurve. When they remove those separate classifications, I'll start believing otherwise.
Nobody keeps score on hunting, so we don't really know. But we do know that a lot of things other than 3D accuracy matter in hunting, as has been pointed out above. For an all around sharpshooter, give me a r/d 3 piece longbow with a contoured grip. And if you make me shoot in the recurve class, it wouldn't bother me a bit.
I shoot both, but I tend to shoot my recurve better. It is also quite a bit faster. Shoot both, it's fun!
The proper arrow will make either shoot better.
the trad bow type is the least consideration. first and foremost it's the archer, then the arrow, then the entire bow.
Most if not all trick shooters use a Longbow....!!
Quite often I read of references to 3d scores and the bow and shooting styles of 3d shooters. 3d courses are a variable that is hard to gauge. Now if an olympic shooter could hit a perfect round on the long targets and then use that same bow to go shoot skeet, it would really get my attention. However, I believe that would come into the category of different tool for a different job. There are at least two types of forgiveness in a bow side torque and forward motion variables. I am not so sure that limb shape is always the deciding factor, I have shot recurves that, as far as I could tell, had no sensitivity issues. Balance, grip and feel is a personal thing, a bow has to match the shooter. However, as a shooter with a less than 28" draw and I have seen the same with other short draw shooters, there are some bows, regardless of the final limb shape, where if one already has a draw that barely gets the limb working, and then if a shorter than normal draw is pulled the arrow will be much slower than a draw closer to the bow's design. In hunting situations, it is quite easy to get a shorter than normal draw. A bow that is designed so that a shooter's draw length lands in the pocket of the bow's tiller would be an advantage, especially in hunting situations.
Equipment makes some different,but it's the shooter and the quality of time invested into becoming the best shot. That's what makes the different
As anyone with an RER LXR that question and we would likely tell you there is no difference
DDave