I Guess I’m Just a Recurve Guy??? Struggling

leatherneck · February 09, 2013, 09:39:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Ibow:

QuoteOriginally posted by C.Cannon:
Have you tried canting your bow more? It sounds like you are used to shooting your recurves straight up and down and the longbow isn't cooperating.
I think I am actually canting a little bit more in order to get that arrow lined up right under my eye. The sight window is pretty big with that Widow and I maybe unconsciously canting a little more with that ACS in order to open it up a bit??? [/b]

I'm sorry but canting more does not fix your problem. You should be able to shoot the bow the same no matter what angle it is at. I shoot recurves and have the same issue wi longbows. It takes time and adjusting to shoot them the same.

Scott Smith · February 09, 2013, 09:55:00 PM

Just curious what is your string material? How many strands? Is the serving tight on the nocks?
Loose? Have you changed strings?

Overspined · February 10, 2013, 12:14:00 AM

There are a lot of longbows that are really recurve a with straight limbs (GFA's description). Shouldn't aim any different just because it has straight tips. Those grips are designed with a certain grip, heel down, high wrist, etc I think. Make sure it's being shot right.

sheephunter · February 10, 2013, 01:39:00 AM

X2 what Larry said. Some bows just don't shoot where you look. The bow may be perfectly tuned but unless you shoot it exclusively for years like you have the Widow, it won't be ingrained on that is where you need to hold. I figured that out thru trades on the classifieds. Shot a lot of great bows, with nothing wrong with the bow, just didn't shoot where I looked. Nothing wrong with being a recurve guy either....

Cecil · February 10, 2013, 06:57:00 AM

Mine is 62" 39# my brace is 7and 1/4" my nocking point is 7/8" d10 6 strand string from A&H. my arrows are 2013 they are 30and 3/4" from end of the nock to end of arrow with a 150grn point. I shoot three under.and I draw about 28.5" If you can back up alittle and shoot your bare shaft.

Ibow · February 10, 2013, 07:44:00 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. I'll keep messing with it for a while yet. Thanks again!

Steve O · February 10, 2013, 08:05:00 AM

Well, those are two VERY different bows...kinda like a Corvette and a 3500 pickup; both have 350 engine but don't handle the same.

I'd set your video camera up and shoot a few shots with both and compare what you see. I'd bet there is something there.

I'd also see how both bows shoot arrows thru paper and compare.

Ibow · February 10, 2013, 11:31:00 AM

That's a good analogy Steve. :D

February 10, 2013, 01:27:00 PM

How far above level is your nocking point?

C.Cannon · February 10, 2013, 02:52:00 PM

[/QUOTE]I'm sorry but canting more does not fix your problem. You should be able to shoot the bow the same no matter what angle it is at. I shoot recurves and have the same issue wi longbows. It takes time and adjusting to shoot them the same. [/QB][/QUOTE]

I don't know about that. It's my limited experience that certain bows don't shoot right without the right canting of the limbs especially shooting at an angle. I've heard others say similar things. (The difference is very apparent with shooting between Hill styles and extreme R/D bows, they shoot the same accuracy but the canting is diffrent... for me at least)

Any idea why the change if not the canting of the bow?

Ibow · February 10, 2013, 04:12:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Tooner:
How far above level is your nocking point?

5/8"

BTW, we just went past your house on the way to Great Wolf w/ the kids. We have 3 times the snow you do. :p

February 10, 2013, 06:36:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Ibow:
BTW, we just went past your house on the way to Great Wolf w/ the kids. We have 3 times the snow you do. :p

Do you know me?

Is there a Great Wolf in Dearborn?

Anyway, try another eighth or quarter higher...it might just take care of your elevation problem. As to the windage problem, I'm guessing your arrows are too weak.

Try a 500 carbon and that ACS will sing. It will make you say Black who? Widow what?

Retnuh Wob · February 10, 2013, 09:28:00 PM

What is your draw length, your arrow length, and your point weight.

I have a Dryad Orion ACS RC recurve rated at 40#. I did a force draw curve on it and at 28" it only registers 39#. It out shoots two other bows I have that test out 48# at 28", and requires a heavier spined arrow.

After reading this thread I grabbed a 2016 32" length with a 145rg. point and shot it through my bow. The the tail kicks out to the left so far it was clearly visible in flight.

You cannot spine arrows for ACS bows based on standard spine charts. They shoot like a bow 10 lbs heavier.

dfrois · February 12, 2013, 12:11:00 PM

In my very limited experience, I`ve had a similar issue. I have built two bows,a longbow and a recurve. Both are around 30#. When I finished the longbow, I had a hell of a time tuning it to shoot straight. It is cut 1/8" past center. I had good grouping, with the occasional flyer, but it just didn`t shoot straight. Tried many things with arrows and arrow rest: sometimes it was better, sometimes worse, but never good. I decided to make another bow, this time a recurve. What do you know? Same issues! That clued me in: the arrows were waaayyy too stiff and were hitting the shelf: XX75 2016 w/ 100gr field points, cut to 28". I then purchased a few weaker arrows (1816 and 1616), and several different point weigths, and found a good working setup. I solved the issue on both bows, but my recurve still needs softer arrows than the recurve, even being 2# stronger (31# vs 29#). So, it really depends on the bow, and probably shooter`s form...but, if your groups are good, you CAN get there...it is just a matter of trying farther away from your usual arrow parameters, and testing methodically. Just my opinion, of course, and, being the newbie that I am, it is probably not worth much anyway, but, if you like the bow, keep thinking about what you can do, and keep testing, and you will get there.

Good luck.

DF

dfrois · February 12, 2013, 12:14:00 PM

ERRATA: I should have written "...my longbow still needs softer arrows than the recurve..."

Sorry for the mess-up. Fingers too quick for the brain...

DF

Ibow · February 12, 2013, 05:32:00 PM

Retnuh, dfrois, others,

Thanks for your suggestions and advice. I've got a little work to do in sorting things out. From what I'm gathering, I may well be a little under spined and overall, it may just plain take a little work to get there.

After a rotator surgery on 12-12-12, my goal was to be shooting and out there the last week of April for turkey season. Between strengthening that arm/shoulder and trying to "get it" with a new bow, I may be running out of time a little bit. My plan for now is just to stick with the tried and true - the ol' Widow MA for this spring (which I am shooting very well) and then once turkey season is done and the weather breaks a bit here in MI and I've got some time on my side, I'll start over with that ACS. I'm certainly not going to give up.

Thanks to all who offered insight/suggestions - very much appreciated!

reddogge · February 12, 2013, 10:57:00 PM

No one has suggested having someone else shoot your bow, someone who is a good shot. If it shoots the same for him you have a tuning, arrow, or set up problem.