I am ready to get a new longbow and I been thinking of getting a custom this time. Not wanting to break the bank but about $500 is going to be my limit.  A used bow is fine.  I prefer a bow that has been shot by someone more experienced than I am to help me with shooting it. So I need some suggestions on what bow to get. I have been hunting with a Martin savanna and it a great bow but I have a few issues with tight shots in the Bush.  So I think I want a shorter longbow that still shoots smooth.

Maddog will fill the bill and be under your budget.

Maddog is your ticket.

Prairie Drifter is the authority.

 

Dwyer

QuoteOriginally posted by johnnyk71:
Maddog is your ticket.

Prairie Drifter is the authority.

   

Yea, I have a couple.....  

If you could raise your limit $50-$100 or so I highly recommend a big Jim buffalo or thunder child. I just got one 2 weeks ago and absolutely love it.

Don Dow

Another for Mad Dog.

But take a peek at 7 Lakes also. You can't beat his guarantee on his bows. I have had him make me three. One for me. One for my Dad. One for my grandson.

But honestly you have many options with lots of good bows and bowyers out there.

I am old school, so Hill bows are my choice. I have 5 Hills and am also looking closely at the Northern Mist Shelton. However, there are many, many bows of varying design, so you should shoot as many as you can to decide what works best for you. Check out the sponsors and the classifieds, and, if you don't mind buying used, you should be able to find pretty much whatever you prefer and stay within your budget. This could be a really fun adventure.

Kanati! Great bow and comes in 56".....

There are a lot of bows I can't recommend simply because I haven't had the opportunity to shoot them. Of the ones I have shot, there hasn't been a bad one - only some that don't fit me well.

You definitely need to include Chad Holms' bows in your list of bows to try.

In that price range a new Thunder Stick Mag comes to mind, I liked the one I had. I should have kept that bow.

I started in Alphabetical order.

If you have not made a decision yet, I recommend you look over newwoodbows.com before you make a final decision. JM

QuoteOriginally posted by mcgroundstalker:
Kanati! Great bow and comes in 56".....

X2!

$525.00 for a brand new one.....A lot less for a used one(but used ones are on the rise, if you can find one. People tend to hang on to Jason's bows for a long time).

In a perfect world, I'd try to shoot before buying. Not that I follow my own advice, of course. I've happily purchased used bows on this site, my favorites being a Holm longbow and a Toelke Super-D.

I would highly recommend taking a look at the classified and look for a good deal on a used custom bow.  I recently picked up an RER LX longbow for right at about the price you are looking to spend.  I picked it up at a very nice discount price and it is an awesome bow from a highly rated bowyer.  Some great deals out there to be had.

A couple of my buddies recently got Bama Bows. These bows look great and shoot even better! Look into them.

A couple of my buddies recently got Bama Bows. These bows look great and shoot even better! Look into them.

Keep your eyes open in the classifieds for a McCullough "Griffin".  I'm a recurve guy but that is the one longbow that I wish I'd kept.  It's a hybrid so not what you want if you are looking for the classic D-shape, but what a great shooting bow.  Mine was a 64" model.