I draw pretty much 26" on my longbows.  Most of the game I've shot has been with bows over 60# at my draw.  I used to think bow weight mattered.  Now that I've been shooting lighter weight, there's really not much difference at all.  I've shot my last 6 deer with 48@26" and all were pass thru or had exit holes.  I wouldn't worry about your draw length or your bow weight.  Pay attention to proper tuning, your arrow design, sharpening technique, and hunting skills and you will have no problems at all.

I shoot a 1 piece 54" Shrew Classic Hunter with bamboo cores. I draw 46#'s@25.5", MFX 600's @ 9.5gpp....... flings em good.

26" is not short. John Schulz had a 26" draw, no problems with his 66" straightlimb'ers, dacron, and cedar too. Ha Ha. Look up "Mederteranian anchor" you might get a 26.5-27" if you think you need the speed for 20yd shooting.

I have a 26" draw and use a 62" Garrison LB around 55#, so far I killed eight Whitetail bucks and have had passthrough shots on all of them.I also used Goldtip shafts and Woodsman broadheads.

glad i made this thread. made me alot more confident about hunting with my beeler. bow just shoots so good with the new arrows. cant wait until may so i can try a arrow a turkey!!!!  

thanks everyone for the responses. thats why i love this site. ask a question and get fast to the point responses.

I got a shrew classic hunter 47# @27" that has already proven itself. Don't think I'm ready for rhinos or elephants with it but it will kill anything I plan to hunt.
 Larry

I have a Centaur Chimera 60" 50#@28 and I draw close to 30" it is a hard hitter for sure. Take a look at Jim Neaves Centaur site he also is a sponsor.  If you click on the video of him testing his new Centaur broad heads you'll see him shooting through a chronograph at his 25-26 inch draw at around 180 something..the bows are for real and the fit and finish are second to none..

In the real world, a 26" draw is not that big of a deal. Sure you are going to lose some speed and power to gorilla armed guys, but it is what it is.
I have a 26.5" draw and shoot bows from 56" to 62", and prefer something in the 60" to 62" range. I guess what I am trying to say is having a short draw doesn't limit you to short bows.
My legs are fairly short too, but they still reach the ground.

QuoteOriginally posted by BWD:
In the real world, a 26" draw is not that big of a deal. Sure you are going to lose some speed and power to gorilla armed guys, but it is what it is.
I have a 26.5" draw and shoot bows from 56" to 62", and prefer something in the 60" to 62" range. I guess what I am trying to say is having a short draw doesn't limit you to short bows.
My legs are fairly short too, but they still reach the ground.

bow length isnt what im worried about just how much penetration i can get with my little draw length and a longbow. i have a 56" hybrid and a 66" hybrid and both are nice shooters. just wasnt sure the 56" one would have the power needed to get good penetration on whitetails. after hearing some guys using the same bow i have at lighter weights and shorter draw lengths i dont think ill have a issue.

now i have to figure what bow to buy and find a way to save up some cash haha. tax returns come soon so thats good

Keeping within the bounds of a common sense approach to equipment vs. intended game, a sharp cut on contact broadhead, on the business end of a well tuned arrow, poked in the right spot trumps everything else. Lol on that tax return.

I will second Mike Ballinger at 7-Lakes longbow.  Fast bows with great cast and little or no hand shock.  Secondly, I would consider a Mike Treadway "Black Swamp."  He rarely makes a bow over 62" long.  They're great bows (he's the guy who invented the black widow take-down system).  

Rick

Looking at the specs on your bows, and the weight of your arrows, I can see why you are wanting more speed. The Beeler and the Polar will be around 45# at your draw, plenty for most anything you will probably be hunting.

However, while using 560 to 600 grain arrows will give you plenty of penetration, you're giving-up considerable speed too. Those arrows run 12.4 gpp and 13.3 gpp respectively. You will find a good compromise if you can tune some arrows to around 500 grains. You should see a nice increase in speed, and still have just over 10 gpp for good penetration.

The heavy arrows would be nice if you go for Hogs with those bows.


Some new arrows are cheaper than a new bow, and the bows you have will seem like new ones with lighter arrows.

I have a 56" Beeler that draws 46# at my 26" draw and she spits arrows with authority. She likes those 500 grain arrows best too.