HH BUG GOT ME - Part Two!

December 27, 2013, 08:04:00 PM

No does tonight, I shot at a squirrel, missed his little head by that much. I don't photograph well, so I don't take pictures often of myself or my game taken. I wanted to post a pic of my wife's buck, but she would have no part of that.

Green · December 27, 2013, 08:15:00 PM

Sounds like you've got your time planned well Brian! Good luck on Monday.

far rider · December 27, 2013, 09:08:00 PM

Well, cut away for a couple of hours this evening, and once again mother nature proved that I am only an intruder amongst its inhabitants. Sitting in my blind reading one of my Christmas presents,"Longbows In The North", when the witching hour came. I glance up to my left and slowly realize that I'm looking at a mature doe standing at the edge of the woodlot I'm in. She's about 75 yards away, but has clear line of sight on me.
I have no idea how long she has been there or if she has been preceded by others that I am yet unaware of. I do my best impression of a tree for the moment and she seems satisfied enough to continue her stroll into the wood lot on a path that I hope will bring her within crock pot range.

My Redman is across my lap, my arrows close enough, so I quickly pluck a Zwickey tipped cedar, nock it and resume my vigil. There are more now, seven in total that I know of, milling around and nibbling on grass.

Did I mention that I quickly grabbed my arrow? Well, maybe a little too quickly. As I'm watching them graze, one or possibly more have been watching me. I wasn't hid nearly as well as I thought, and they let me know it by waving bye, bye as they returned from whence they came.

Oh well, it was still an awesome day, and an appreciated departure after more than two weeks hiatus, the holiday rush, working on Christmas day, and a bad cold. Woo hoo!

By the way, for those that have not E. Donnall Thomas Jr.'s book, it is an excellent read.

Tim

katman · December 28, 2013, 03:04:00 PM

"Well I'm hear to say he nailed it" very good to hear Brian, thanks for the info. Tough decision but if I don't get rid of this 'infection' I will probably end up with both.

Keep at it Pavan and good luck to you.

Farrider, Love Mr. Thomas's writing also. The deer get quite skiddish at season s end. At least you saw deer during daylight. Keep at it and make some meat with that Northstar.

Swamp Yankee · December 28, 2013, 03:52:00 PM

After an almost 2 year hiatus from shooting I'm finally back to it with a new Northern Mist Superior that's been collecting dust. Nice shooter! Birdseye Maple handle and tips over bamboo lams with green glass.

Brianlocal3 · December 28, 2013, 03:58:00 PM

Pretty bow there!!! Jump right back in

threeunder · December 28, 2013, 04:09:00 PM

Question for Howard Hill Archery gurus.

I know this is purely subjective, but was wondering how different the draw feels between a HH Big 5 and the Wesley Special.

Is there a gain in smoothness with that 5th lamination?

I've got a 66" Big 5 and am thinking about ordering a 68" Wesley Special in hopes of getting a bit smoother draw. I draw 27 1/2" and realize I probably need a 68" bow.

I own 2 68" NM bows (Classic and Shelton) and the draw on the Shelton will spoil a fellow...LOL

I really, REALLY like the Big 5 I have, but the draw just isn't hardly as smooth as I'd like.

Thanks
Ken

Brianlocal3 · December 28, 2013, 04:25:00 PM

Personally I think the biggest difference you are feeling is from the backset (big5) vs the stringfollow ( shelton)

I have a misty dawn (stringfollow) and vixen (backset) and the stringfollow is smoother on draw

threeunder · December 28, 2013, 04:57:00 PM

Will Craig build a string follow Wesley Special?

Rossco7002 · December 28, 2013, 05:02:00 PM

Sure will!

Gordon Jabben · December 28, 2013, 05:27:00 PM

Swamp Yankee, I just traded for a Northern Mist Superior like yours with the green glass. To me, it's the most beautiful bow I have ever seen. With the bamboo core, it is light as a feather. Haven't got to shoot it much yet.

Brianlocal3 · December 28, 2013, 05:59:00 PM

Gordon,
What's the specs on your new superior (which is an r/d bow)?
I had one, bocote riser and tips. 56@28 wondering if its my old one

Gordon Jabben · December 28, 2013, 06:04:00 PM

Brian, I think I have your old bow. It is so pretty, a couple of buddies want it if I decide to get rid of it. Any information on this bow would be appreciated.

Brianlocal3 · December 28, 2013, 06:13:00 PM

Ill PM ya.
If you search it you will see some pics I posted.

Gordon Jabben · December 28, 2013, 06:23:00 PM

Thanks Brian

far rider · December 28, 2013, 07:56:00 PM

threeunder,
As Rossco stated, Craig will build any of his bows with up to 1" of string follow, or swing it the other way with 1" of backset.

Tim

far rider · December 29, 2013, 07:33:00 PM

Well, after a really busy week....I finally had a chance this evening to run a few arrows through my new to me North Star.
One thing I noticed immediately was how narrow the limbs and tips are as compared to other ASLs I've owned. The tips are so small that I had trouble using my stringer, as it was stretched to fit my Hills.
Deep, thin, straight grip, that took a little getting used to. Not in a bad way, just different than my HHAs.
I'm gonna need some new cedars though as these are a little light in spine. The accuracy was better with the 55/75 GTs with the same 145 up front, but created a bit more noise. Not sure how the total weight compares on the two, but I would guess the cedars to be a bit heavier overall.

Very smooth on the draw which I would expect from a forward riser string follow bow, but the different grip was causing me some torquing issues until I figured it out. Its marked 56@29, but draws like a 50#.

I definitely need to spend more time with it and get it tuned properly, and probably need to go up one spine on a set of woodies.

It has a B-50 the previous owner made up, but I feel like it would respond a little better to a FF.
I think I'm going to get along with it just fine when I get it tuned up.

Tim

December 29, 2013, 11:39:00 PM

For my Morningstar James agreed to try to duplicate my favorite grip, an asymetrical straight. That is, a straight oval grip that is slightly soft to the bowhand, but feels slightly sharp when it is in the wrong hand. For me, it puts the bow into the palm without adding torque or sliding and the thumb does not have to reach around any kind of a bulge. The slightly sharper part of the grip, lands on the meaty of the thumb, causes no discomfort, but does help with grip consistancy. It is easy to explain, but difficult to blue print off of another bow, the difference is very subtle. I may make one from styrofoam for him to copy.

far rider · December 30, 2013, 02:08:00 AM

Pavan,
That sounds very much like the grip on my North Star. Very thin, and just felt very different than the Hill grips I'm used to. Not in a bad way, just different. I did like it though, but it took me a little while to "come to grips" with it....uh, yeah? I couldn't believe how much narrower the limbs and tips are beside my Hills.

I'm not ready to jump ship from my Hills yet, but it definitely has my attention.

Tim

Rossco7002 · December 30, 2013, 10:15:00 AM

Limb tips from HHA seem to be consistently larger than the offerings of other Hill style bowyers - I'm unsure why or what (if any) difference it makes. I do know that one of my fastest bows is a John Schulz American longbow that has tips so small you'd swear they should just sheer right off. On the lower limb it is about the size of a knitting needle head - crazy small....