D longbows in lighter weight

Gregg S · March 03, 2013, 08:22:00 PM

My shoulders aren't what they used to be so I've been shooting about 42# these days. I've always wanted to get a Hill style D longbow but I'm concerned that at 42# it wouldn't cut the mustard on the 3D course. My recurve with 1916's does a good job at that weight. Also, it's usually suggested that you shoot a heavy arrow with a D longbow but that would slow it down even more so I'd like to stick with the 1916's. I may also look into a Mohawk longbow. It may give me a bit more for that poundage on the 3D course. What are your opinions?

awbowman · March 03, 2013, 08:28:00 PM

Check out the Toelke Super D

Brianlocal3 · March 03, 2013, 08:48:00 PM

I shoot 8.5 GPP regularly from my Vixen with no I'll side effects. Fast and shock free

ChrisM · March 03, 2013, 08:50:00 PM

I have found my hill to be well behaved down to 8GPP. Under that I can feel a little.

Shawn Rackley · March 03, 2013, 08:56:00 PM

Another vote for the vixen. By putting a dramatic trapazoid on the bows james really shaves down limb weight and it adds zip. Especially at a lower poundage the traps really help out on handshock and speed

Gregg S · March 03, 2013, 08:59:00 PM

Is the Vixen a D longbow or a r/d longbow?

swampthing · March 03, 2013, 09:14:00 PM

10-strand D-10 string padded to 12-14 in the loops and some 8-10gpp arrows, good stuff...

ron w · March 03, 2013, 09:28:00 PM

I shoot a 66 Bow D shaped bow [Northern Mist] 45#@29" and have no problems on a 3/D range or any place else for that matter. I shoot cedars at 575-600 gr. Works great for me. Now and then I shoot 2016's with 125 up front.

Bud B. · March 03, 2013, 09:33:00 PM

I'm shooting a Dave Johnson and 1916s. No issues at all. 66" 49@28. I have a Big 5 I need to reacquaint myself with....maybe some 1916s for it too

Bob B. · March 03, 2013, 09:38:00 PM

Gregg,

I sent you a PM.

Bob.

Shawn Rackley · March 03, 2013, 10:08:00 PM

Gregg the vixen is a straight end. No r/d

trad_in_cali · March 03, 2013, 11:11:00 PM

Hey Gregg S, I shoot exactly what you want. A JD Berry Vixen, backset with completely straight limbs, 68" 42#@28. I shoot 3 under and my point on is 34 yards with a 10.5gpp arrow.
Give JD Berry a call, he'll tell you all you want to know.
The bow is terrific for 3D.
Marco

Blackhawk · March 04, 2013, 11:11:00 AM

My 68" Big 5 Hill bow at 40# puts the 1916's close to my spot most of the time.

Jeff Strubberg · March 04, 2013, 11:16:00 AM

You won't have any trouble with the poundage, but in general D shaped bows are harsher to shoot than a recurve. Before you buy one, you may want to borrow one for a shooting sessions or two and make sure it's not going to aggravate your shoulder issues.

arrow flynn · March 04, 2013, 11:18:00 AM

For d bows jd berry's vixen would be hard to. Beat.

arrow flynn · March 04, 2013, 11:35:00 AM

The ability to pull heavy bows does not come easy. Howardhill had. The shulzt brothers pulling heavier bows with atraining system that works very well. In a short time john was pulling 120 lb bows. Its in johns book strait shooting.pulling a bow in the 40 to 50 lb range would have been effortless for him.

March 04, 2013, 11:57:00 AM

If I could, I would like to address your shoulder issue. I have found that the position of the shoulders in the shot process, how the bow is drawn and how long one hold can have a huge effect on the shoulders. After shooting upper 80s to 96 pound Hill style longbows for many years, my shoulders held up quite well. I did hurt myself a couple of times with work and weight training. I found that doing butterflies very slowly with rather light dumb bells on a reclining bench helps to keep my shoulders centered in the joints. Shooting left hand with a recurve that is about 44 pounds at my draw, I did manage to heat up my shoulders by doing all of the above while trying to adapt a more of a target style form with that bow. That is more of the draw was straight back, holding the bow arm straight, and holding for a longer period. I have since, even with the recurve, when shooting left handed, have gone to the Hill style shooting style, which a spreading swing draw, limiting my draw to 26", keeping the bow arm bent, trying to not top out any joint and keeping my shoulders low. The only issue that I would be concerned about is how far your shoulders have gone down hill and how much you would need to adjust to get used a Hill bow as far as hand shock, draw length and arm positions. With a light arrow a light Hill bow will put out a fast enough arrow, but to enjoy shooting a Hill, I would advise to not try to have as long a draw as you can muster to maintain arrow speed for the sake of your shoulders. My only issue with the lighter Hill bows and draws as short as mine is that it takes a vey light spined arrow to shoot well from them if one is going to try to shoot net length arrows because of the sight window depth. I shot a deer with 37 at 26" hill longbow with afast flight string using a 5/16" cedar shaft and a 140 grain file sharpened Hill head. The arrow passed through and the 160 pound doe went down in 80 yards, the shot was 9 feet uphill and 18 yards out. those arrows were 35 pound spine 27" bop and I took the sight window down to 1/8" including the leather pad to get that weight shaft to shoot. Without taking the arrow shelf down the bow would only shoot 30 pound spine arrows for me. I personally do not believe that a Hill style bow needs to be all that much side shot in the lighter weights to maintain its handle rigidity. Also, you will lose some of your draw length and your shoulders will thank you for that. I would be sure to order a bow that is fast flight ready to lessen vibration and shock in any case.

Gregg S · March 04, 2013, 04:10:00 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice. It certainly gives me a lot to think about. I will have to try to find either a vendor or someone shooting a light weight bow to try for a day.

BWD · March 04, 2013, 04:21:00 PM

I would take a close look at a few mild r/d longbows, that brace like a d bow...but that's just me.