I currently shoot a Herway Carnivore that is 60", I really like the way it feels and shoots. I do most of my hunting out of a treestand and have been considering trying a shorter bow after the season is over this year. I'm looking at one of Big Jims 54" Thunderchilds, for those that have went from a longer to shorter bow or anyone that has an opinion, do you think that 6" in bow length makes a noticeable difference? I have a 27" draw length.

Rodney

That string angle at the nock at full draw is the biggest thing with the shorties.....you can either deal with it or not.   Makes a bow touchy.   Longer bows shoot nicer 99% of the time I believe.  You could always go short but not quite that short.....say a 58 or 56?  I have a bow ordered from Big Jim myself.   I usually shoot a 62.   I tried a 56 Thunder Child at ETAR....Im going to go with a 58 when he gives me a ring and we talk specs.....cant wait.  58 is my short bow.  And yes,  my opinion anyway,  6 inches of bow is a huge deal.

Thanks Eric, yours and everyones opinion is greatly appreciated.

Rodney

Limb tip design is EVERYTHING in a short bow. My Shrew Armstrong Ghost is only 54", but being properly designed, there is no string pinch at all. I am by no means a "bow engineer", but  stiff tip helps soften the string angle.

the shorter bow can shoot as well as the longer ones if you get your working limb pushed out towards the tips and keep a good string angle.

check this one out. it's a 54" Yeti Hybrid long bow i built for a friend of mine. I'm drawing a full 29" in this film clip.


check out the string angle at full draw here. I've got this bow braced a wee bit low in this clip.

Just click on the photo to start the video../


 

I have a firm 30.5" + draw length and fairly large fingers. My go to buffalo is 64" and my go to thunder child is 56". I personally can't tell the difference between the two when I shoot them. Yes, with my drawlength, I would normally suggest 58", but what the heck. I know the boyer and he said I could shoot the 56". I like it and use it mostly in close quarters such as blinds, but could use it anywhere. If it was my only bow, I don't know that I would opt for the 58" or not.
thanks,bigjim

I shoot a 54" Lost Creek NAT. By far the best bow I have ever shot. I have a 27" draw so no issues with stacking and such. Very accurate.

I draw 27 3/4 and I prefer a 56 inch bow.

What Jim said ofcourse.He should know!

I shoot a 64 " buffalo bow and like the 62 inchers as well.I have a pretty long draw of 29.5 to 30" depending on the bow and grip style.

I had to sale my Thunderchild to raise some funds recently.It was a superb short bow and I will want another one when I get another short bow.I have tried all kinds of short bows and it was as comfortable to draw and shoot as it gets in a compact design.It was 56".I think a 54" would fit you fine at 27.You may want to try the 56" possibly.56" is still a very compact length .Either way its gonna work for you IMO.

For the record I have hunted alot with 64 and 62 inch bows and a few 60 inchers.One year a 58" Toelke Chinook recurve that was nice and was as short as I ever hunted with.I do like longer bows.But this little T-Child is one of the short bows that fit me well and shot well.The Shrew Classic Hunter is comfortable for me as well in a 56" length.The limb design and 12 inch risers work well on these bows.

Kirk....Great video

Quite nice to place a name to the face.

The string angle sure appeared quite comfortable and didn't look like it was coming from a 54" bow drawn to 29"s.

Nice job!!

i have/ had  52", 56", 58", 60", 64" and 66"

the best feeling one to me is the 58".  seems to be the perfect balance for me.

I love me a short bow,that being said I find I'm more accurate with my 58 inch bows.

I am shooting a 56 inch Redwing Hunter I don't notice the pinch at all. I was shooting an 60 incher before that but I prefer the Redwing. Finding I like the way the shorties feel and shoot more and more.

Oh and Kirk That looks like a smooth drawing bow!
Love your enthusiasm on the vid nice to see  

I have 54 inch Lil Hoot and I shoot it better than my longer BW.  I do not feel cramped for space when on the ground or up in a tree stand.  Like someone said earlier, it is in the design of the limbs...short does not necessarily mean less forgiving or accurate.

I just picked up a 52" Browning Nomad Stalker, 45#. I really don't notice any finger pinch. I normally shoot 60-64" bows.
DaveP

As you can see from my sig line I am a short bow nut. I have never owned a bow over 54" and probably never will. I have a 26" draw so pinch isn't an issue. Maddog's bows draw smooth out to my draw length and work very well for me. Plus I can get 2 or 3 bows for the price of what other boyers get for one.  :D

Thank you to everyone for all of  your comments and the great video. Lots of things to think about before I make the decision, but all of this will happen after this deer season is over. Thanks again to everyone.

Rodney

Have to agree with the string angle. I have pretty big fingers(size 17 plus ring)and I have a 54" itArroyo(RERBOWS) and I can shoot it as well as 60-64" bows. I shoot most bows that are 60"s or so better due to the design and a larger sight window. Shawn

I'm sure it is just me, but I do not like bows under 60 inches.  I shoot 3 under, so finger pinch can be somewhat of an issue, but mostly, I just cannot shoot them as well.  I prefer bows to be at least 60 inches.  62 or 64 inch bows are even better in my hands.  I have never had a problem shooting them out of treestands.