Bow Too short ?

DoubleJ1929 · January 09, 2013, 12:59:00 PM

Anyone shooting a 56" or shorter recurve with a 28" or longer draw? Keep looking at a 56" bow but worried it will be too short causing pinch and accuracy issues?

Any thoughts or personal experience will be appreciated.

PrarrieDog · January 09, 2013, 01:05:00 PM

I had a 56" reflex/deflex and I pull 26". I had no problems, I let it go to a fella that pulled 28" and he seemed happy with it.

Greg Szalewski · January 09, 2013, 01:07:00 PM

I am shooting a 52" K-mag right now. I pull 30 plus but do shoot two under. no problem

hedgerowhuntr · January 09, 2013, 01:11:00 PM

I shoot a shakespeare wonderbow super necedah model x-30 54" and I have a 29" draw and it's one of my favorite bows to shoot

January 09, 2013, 01:13:00 PM

Shorter bows hurt my accuracy! I won't go shorter than 62" any more. My DL is 29.5".

Bisch

KAZ · January 09, 2013, 01:26:00 PM

I shoot a 54" Black Widow KB @27.5" draw and love it!!! Very nimble in the Treestand & Ground Blinds. I shoot 3-Under and it's smooth as silk! It's a fairly short riser with long working limbs which I think helps in this regard... My buddy has shot mine @28.5" draw and found it to be smooth, plus he shoots a 56" Black Widow PTF for his go-to bow...

All this being said, this will still come down to a "preference" on your part and what your priorities are in feel and function. I "needed" a short bow to gain me the necessary mobility in the treestand and ground blinds. On close range shots, or steep angles from the treestand I was having string or bottom limb interference with my leg &/or chest. I went through all kinds of gyrations with my 60" bow to resolve this without success. The 54" bow has resolved the issue completely! My 60" bow works great if mobility is not an issue :-)

Blaino · January 09, 2013, 01:27:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
Shorter bows hurt my accuracy! I won't go shorter than 62" any more. My DL is 29.5".

Bisch

X2 but with my fat fingers 62" will wear my fingers out if I shoot for extended periods. 70" Hill and I can shoot all day!

DoubleJ1929 · January 09, 2013, 01:38:00 PM

Thanks for the responses guys!! Not sure why I am worried as I am shooting all 58" and 60" bows now. Guess because it is a higher poundage as well. Might just have to give it a try.

Arwin · January 09, 2013, 01:44:00 PM

Ron,
Come to Kzoo Trad Expo at the Kzoo Fairgraounds and give the St. Joe's a try. They have a 54 inch recurve that will take a long draw smoothly.

I will be there on Saturday at the SJR booth.

DoubleJ1929 · January 09, 2013, 02:02:00 PM

Arwin - I will be down there on Friday. Will take a look for sure. Are you just going Saturday?

Rifle River Scout · January 09, 2013, 02:48:00 PM

I just received my 54" Don Dow R&D longbow and am having no problems, I have owned and hunted with short bows most of my life. (just turned 61)

Jesse Minish · January 09, 2013, 03:09:00 PM

I have a 56" Cascade Brush Hawk and 52" Nighthawk and have a little over 29" draw. Shoot both with no problem. A lot depends on the design of the bow in my opinion.

Blackhawk · January 09, 2013, 03:45:00 PM

I second the Cascade line of bows. They are designed very well for the person wanting a short bow and has a draw of over 28". The phenolic riser of the Nighthawk provides the ideal weight and stability for accurate shooting.

LV2HUNT · January 09, 2013, 06:24:00 PM

Try before you buy. Short bows require a very steady hand.

Orion · January 09, 2013, 07:58:00 PM

I have a 28-inch draw and shoot a 56-inch Bear T/D for turkeys out of a blind. Works good for that purpose, but when I'm not hunting turkeys, or practicing for hunting turkeys, I shoot 60-inch recurves and 64-inch hybrids. The Bear is a solid shooter, and I don't think its short length affects my accuracy much, but I do feel finger pinch with it. Long story short, if I had to limit myself to only one bow, it would be longer than 56 inches. Good luck in your choice.

bruinman · January 09, 2013, 11:19:00 PM

56" Bruin HR, is the smoothest bow I own. I draw 28.

Gen273 · January 09, 2013, 11:24:00 PM

I draw 27.75 and I love 56 inch bows. I have had a bunch but the best in my book is the Cascade, thunder child, TimberGhost, Zipper. But I am sure there is a bunch of good ones out there.

Bow man · January 10, 2013, 06:44:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Arwin:
Ron,
Come to Kzoo Trad Expo at the Kzoo Fairgraounds and give the St. Joe's a try. They have a 54 inch recurve that will take a long draw smoothly.

I will be there on Saturday at the SJR booth.

Coming to Kalamazoo like Arwin suggested will be you best bet to be sure you are happy with what you are buying. We will be set up next to one of the ranges you can shoot one of our 56" all day if you like

Rick Richard · January 10, 2013, 07:05:00 AM

Lee Hoots makes a great short bow, but like most have said "try one first".

JMR · January 10, 2013, 12:20:00 PM

I have a 56" Hoots recurve and draw just a touch over 28" and I love it. Smoothest bow I have ever had. I don't know where you're at in Michigan but you're welcome to shoot mine if you like. As others have said Kzoo is a great place to shoot a ton of bows.