I just traded my Union Jack back for my Northern Mist Superior. Reason being I prefer the size of Steves grip over that of the Belcher UJ. Even with the slight locator on the Superior (i prefer straight) the overall size just fits better.

The Superior is definitely the classic LB design of very little reflex in the limbs and shapes up  a perfect "D". So when braced the grip, riser, limb width and depth, and shape all look to be an AFB. And also in my shooting of the two bows, almost identical specs of 66" 56 and 57@28"" I personally can not discern any differences in stability, smoothness of draw, handshock, pointability etc. The Superior has a slight edge in speed of delivery and that is about all.

so all that rambling to ask this simple question......... Can you honestly (no romance or bow infatuation answers) tell a difference (overall shoot ability)  between the Very Mild D/R bows that shape up "D" to the AFL style bows? I can not between these two fine bows from master Bowers.

Nope!  I have a 62" Baraga, I agree with your description.  I shoot Hill bows for the other reasons you asked no comments on.

Over,
I love the AFB for the reasons I asked no comments on also. Which is why I added that stipulation to the ?

I don't claim to have tons of experience with them, but I do have plain hh style bows and mild r/d bows, and I think that they shoot noticably different as far as when preload starts and when the bow starts to stack if you use the same length bow if the hh style bow is at the lower limits of what should be shot for your draw length.  Just my opinion, but I like to shoot them both anyway.

If of equal length and poundage I find it hard to tell the difference! My String follow Hill is maybe a bit smoother....maybe!

I think the slight R/D may have slightly better cast.  A good straight bow has little to no hand shock, so the difference in feel on the release is negligible - just my opinion.

Bob.

I found my hill style to
Be quieter and my r/d slightly fater

So my findings are on par with most of the individual's then. I often hear of the advantages to the AFB like stability and shooter friendliness in hunting situations , and I too see that compared to my recurve, but when dealing with the mild D/R "d" bow I could see no advantage to either one.

My Superior limb width at the fade is 1 1/16" , and deep cored.  Now my Huron is of the flat bow design and is 1 1/2 " at the fades, but even still I can not tell a shooting difference but it is noticabley louder.

Brian, pretty minor differences in the two. I shoot NM Superior 66" and 68"-70" straight limb. The Superior is 3# heavier but a pretty noticable advantage in cast, that thing is a rocket launcher. With no silencers the straight bows are quieter, handhock is pretty much nill with either.

The R/D advantage is it gets me a 2-3" shorter bow, 66" straight bows are not made for a 29.5" draw, where my Superior is just kickin into hi gear!

I still primarilly shoot the straight bows, my R/D is my heaviest so I shoot it regularly for my workout.

Eric

Thanks Westbrook . I have noticed ( the guys at the range too) that the Superior does smoke an arrow

OK folks, gotta ask!  AFL ???? (American Football League??)  AFB ????  American Flat bow????

Really just want to know.  I've only been at this 50 or so years and the only Initials I've seen associated with a Hill bow is ASL + American Semi Longbow.  Please educate an old SC.  (Senior Citizen).  Thanks

Arne

Moebow, it' was supposed to read "AFB" which is what I was told "Hill style" bows are. From reading "Hunting the Hard way" I always thought they where American Semi-longbows.

Brian ... I think that my AFB is a tad more forgiving of when I goose a shot than my mild R/D'S ... Don't really notice a difference in speed but do notice less 'recoil' at the shot with the R/D's ...
Standing at a target square on , flat footed no doubt the D/R is better behaved ... when stumping and roving and hunting "practice" I think the nod goes to my straight limbs ... but that may also just be that I shot them a heck of a lot more than my mild r/d's ...

i do lose a bunch of cool factor and as such have to wear  a disguise when not using my AFB's though .......
sheesh ... you should the reaction with my metal handled ILF rig !

Thank you.  I, too, think of Hill bows as American Semi longbows.  I would suggest that an AFB is an American Flat Bow (or Air Force Base  :D )  which I perceive as a St. Charles design (among others) and different than a Hill style.  Sets of initials without explanation makes it really hard to follow posts.  I know it is easier in this day of "tappa talk" etc. BUT...

Arne

I can tell a difference and I prefer the Hill style (American Semi-Longbow) to the slight R/D. I do better in hunting situations with the lower brace height and low wrist grip with a bent bow arm. I also prefer the lower preload, smooth draw and quietness of this type bow.

Shooting a R/D with a locator type grip with this style just does not work as well. Harder to control and noisier. On the other hand shooting a Hill style bow at a 7in brace height with a straight bow arm is probably not going to be a good experience, at least not the same as at a 6in brace. Guess it depends some on how you prefer to shoot.

Just what are the benifits of shooting a HIll style bow at a 6" brace instead of a 7" brace?

I realize there's a bit longer power stroke and perhaps a tad more arrow velocity but other than that where does the low brace excel ?

Thanks for any comments.

"Just what are the benifits of shooting a HIll style bow at a 6" brace instead of a 7" brace?"

These bows usually shoot better (quieter, much less vibration, smoother draw) at about the 6in brace height. When I first started shooting the Hill style bows I "setup" bows with string silencers at the "recommended brace height" and since either these bows or slight R/D are fairly quiet and smooth even when a bit out of optimal tune I was happy. Then following advice of more experienced Hill style shooter I tried tuning the bows without silencers. I should have known better than to shortcut, I started shooting when the standard method with any bow was to start low and work your way up in brace until the vibration/noise was minimal. This has to be done without silencers to appreciate the difference and you have to have good form and proper fitting nocks. With a good Hill style bow tuned correctly vibration is so low that silencers will not be needed.

I get great performance out of my tom deputy longbow hybrid. I went to a hybrid when I was forced to shoot lefty after an injury on top of repetitive motion abuse of 4 decades of roofing. I can pull withe my left but I am limited on the weight.

I get great performance out of my tom deputy longbow hybrid. I went to a hybrid when I was forced to shoot lefty after an injury on top of repetitive motion abuse of 4 decades of roofing. I can pull withe my left but I am limited on the weight.