Hi everyone. I am very new to the world of traditional archery and actually just got back into shooting bows again. I, just like everyone else, am trying to find the fastest and smoothest bow there is for around $650. Ive been looking at Abbott, Great Plains, Liberty, and Howard Hill Archery and was trying to decide between bamboo and yew as well for the limbs. I would really appreciate any input or suggestions.

Trying before you buy is priceless. If I could start all over again I would go to a big Trad event and shoot every bow in the place. Then I would try to find my favorite on the classifieds and shoot it awhile to make sure.

A hundred other people telling you what to buy doesn't make that bow fit any better.

Welcome to the gang!

Good luck and have fun finding the one.


Rob  

Thanks! Do you have any idea of any trad events where I could shoot some in Southern California? Ive been to a lot of the local archery shops and non of them let people try the bows before you buy them.

Just getting started in traditional archery is an adventure in itself... Finding the "right bow" will come in time, after you learn how to shoot a trad bow the right way... I think before you spend $650 on a bow you should shoot a lot of different stuff... Maybe buy a light-draw starter bow, just to learn the basics... Sell it later on Trad Gang... Then buy that custom jobbie!

Enjoy The Ride! I Did... And am having more fun buyin' used bows, at half price, and still on the learning curve for almost ten years!

... mike ...    ...

Rob W has it right, and I just did a quick search for CA events.
Evidently you Californornians are a tight-lipped bunch! But I know there are TG members out there who will chime in. Try Googling archery clubs in CA. Most shooters will be compounders, but each club will likely have a few of us in the fold.

Keep plugging away at it, and keep asking questions. We are here to help.
Killdeer

I just did a Google search of "traditional archery southern California" and got all sorts of promising hits.

Killdeer

Thank you! I also googled trad archery in Cali, and I found a lot of results but not really any that were available for anyone to go and try different types of bows.

Does anybody know if bamboo or yew makes a faster/smoother bow that will keep its strength the longest? I'm really trying to find information on that, and any suggestions on bow makers.

Buy and try from the classifieds here until you find the right bow. Them either keep the one that fits you or have one made to your exact specs. I probabaly went through more than 20 before I picked one. I learned a lot about bows doing it that way.

I think you should check out a Kanati. I don't even own one (used to), but its exactly what you describe and under $650. You can get one used for around $350.If you don't like it, people snatch em up when they go up for sale usually.

Shoot a PM to Grey Taylor (a sponsor here), he's in your neck of the woods I think and should be able to direct you to some local events and info.

Pretty much everyting is a compromise and fastest and smoothest are often on opposite ends of the spectrum.  Some bows are better at blending the two, but you will have to find the balance that works best for you.

If speed is important to you, a recurve or hybrid would be a good place to start.  Most of what you listed are longbows, so probably the hybrid or a good deflex/reflex.  A 62" length seems to work best for me in these styles.

How long or what is your draw length? This is asked for your question regarding limb wood for Howard Hill bows. I have a 32" draw and had to sell a Howard Hill 70" Redman which had Yew limbs do to a degenerating body and after 30" started stacking and hit the wall. The 66" Wesley having Bamboo draws to 32" smooth, shoots quick and has put many venison meals on the table although with my degeneration can not continually pull her back anymore.
All depending on the make of the bow this is a factor to give thought to also on your considerations. The folks posting above make a clear point if you can shoot any bow before to see if it is what you like is definitely a plan. Good luck and enjoy your journey.

My draw length is 28". I shoot a 70lb compound bow, but I was told that my first trad bow should be around 45lbs so that I could build up my strength and to learn the best shooting technique. I have also been looking at recurves, but I keep falling back into the longbow path.

Any suggestions on a good takedown recurve to try out though?

Ive tried the Hoyt Buffalo, and was wondering if there was a difference between that and the Dorado.

There's a lot of great bows, but no magic bows (or arrows, or strings, or broadheads, etc.).  The #1 variable is the monkey pulling the string--just something to keep in mind.

Chad

If you are in the market for a recurve, I can't say enough about the (Hunter's Niche) Predator bows.  Smoothest I've ever drawn, and one of the fastest out there.  Compared to my Black Widows, my Predator feels as if it draws 10 less pounds at the same weight.  Their base models (Hunter) run around $599.00.  You can get fancier wood, but the performance is the same.  All their limbs are now interchangeable also.  Great bows and great folks.  Do a search on them and you will find a LOT of positive reviews.
Good luck with your search and welcome to this awesome "lifestyle"!

QuoteOriginally posted by mcgroundstalker:
Just getting started in traditional archery is an adventure in itself... Finding the "right bow" will come in time, after you learn how to shoot a trad bow the right way... I think before you spend $650 on a bow you should shoot a lot of different stuff... Maybe buy a light-draw starter bow, just to learn the basics... Sell it later on Trad Gang... Then buy that custom jobbie!

Enjoy The Ride! I Did... And am having more fun buyin' used bows, at half price, and still on the learning curve for almost ten years!

... mike ...     ...

Good advice Mike  

My first bow cost me $150 on ***** and I shot 5 deer with that thing.  I don't have one but Martin Savannas are pretty nice and in that price range.