Your thoughts on short bows

ron w · April 07, 2014, 09:15:00 AM

I have a 14" ILF riser on the way and just would like some thoughts on short bows. With short recurve limbs I can make a 54" bow. I draw 29" and also have med. and long limbs. I hunt from the ground 90% of the time and I'm thinking maybe short is good.......any thoughts! I don't shoot heavy weights.....40-48 pounds.

wingnut · April 07, 2014, 09:23:00 AM

The riser and short limbs will max out at 27" draw. With your draw Longs would be recommended to get the best performance.

With the right limbs you could shoot mediums with out stacking but shorts are not in the book for you.

I have the same issue with a 30 1/2" draw.

Mike

ChuckC · April 07, 2014, 09:27:00 AM

I am not a short bow fan, and have done well, even from the ground, with 64" and 66" bows. That said, I can think of a couple areas where a short bow might excel. In a blind and in a kayak.

If you think you may like them, go for it, we all like different things.

ChuckC

nineworlds9 · April 07, 2014, 09:35:00 AM

Ron, meds or longs for sure depending on the maker. At your draw weight you'll get a nice quick hard hitting bow I'm sure. Turn the bolts out almost to the max to get the highest smoothness potential. If you want some extra stability throw a 6-8oz weight on the stab bushing if the riser has one. There's no reason a short bow can't shoot great if setup right and of a good design. My 56" Dark Matter Centaur has been a revelation. I think you remember I had a 13" Zipper ILF riser with some 'long' Border LB limbs and it was a great shooting 58" LB at my 29ish draw.

ron w · April 07, 2014, 09:41:00 AM

I have 2 sets of Dryad long static recurve limbs, maybe I should lean towards them.

dbd870 · April 07, 2014, 09:50:00 AM

I'm in a similar situation as well; I too draw 29" and I've been debating with myself on picking up a KMag. 58" Grizzly works fine for me but 52" - I wish I knew someone with one I could try first. I will be curious to see what other replies you get.

Bladepeek · April 07, 2014, 10:07:00 AM

Just my $.02 worth. I shortened my draw a bit when I switched to lefty. I think I may have opened my stance a bit?

Whatever, I was drawing 29" right handed and now draw 28" lefty. I just picked up a 50# KMag lefty. I can shoot it reasonably well, which pretty much sums up my shooting with my longer bows too. I hate to think about adding another 1" of draw to that KMag, though. I don't know if I would hit a solid wall, but it sure is getting stiff at 28". If I ran into someone with a 45# KMag lefty that wanted to move up a bit, I'd trade in a heartbeat, or New York minute - whicher is shorter.

Having said that, I had a 54" Super Necadah 45# right-hander that drew smooth as butter all the way back to 29".

ron w · April 07, 2014, 02:26:00 PM

Thanks for the input.......

April 07, 2014, 04:10:00 PM

I draw 29 1/2" and have never found a bow shorter than 60" that I can shoot well. So, I just stick with 62" and every bow I own, except one (and that is my 60" Stalker which was the Hope passaround) is 62".

Bisch

JEFF B · April 07, 2014, 04:16:00 PM

Ron if you like short Bows why don't you try a Horse Bow they are short and man can they fling an arrow

ron w · April 07, 2014, 04:21:00 PM

Jeff, not sure I like'm short.......just thinking I may give it go to see if I do.

kestimator · April 07, 2014, 05:20:00 PM

For fun I think you should try some yourself

But it is so much fun to speculate, talk, and dream of new bow possibilities with others.
I've owned a couple of real short Cascade Recurves and a Two Tracks Ambush Recurve. All were superbly crafted and I shot them okay. I sold my last Cascade to a very experienced hunter that simply loves them! I've also owned a couple of short longbows...a BrushHawk and a Shrew come to mind. Again...very well built bows.
After "playing" with short bows...I've decided for now that I prefer shooting longer bows...with that said...I may change my mind again

LOL!!!
Like I suggested...I'd still try to experience some short bows for myself.

ron w · April 07, 2014, 05:29:00 PM

I had a 52" Cascade Golden Hawk Magnum years ago. I shot that bow well but it was a bit heavy and made my target panic raise it's ugly head. Funny thing.......I'm asking about short bows and was out shooting my 70" Hill today.

Gen273 · April 07, 2014, 05:45:00 PM

I love them, I am shooting a 52 inch static tip TimberGhost at the moment.

jcp161 · April 07, 2014, 06:44:00 PM

I like them. I have been through a bunch over the last ten years. They included Shrews, Stingers, K-Mag, Supermag, and even a GN Ghost and CG that were all of 56" long. All the others were 56" long as well.

That said, the only two I have now are a 52" Lil Hoots and an old Bear K-Mag. The Lil Hoots works with my 29" draw with no finger pinch and it shoots better (for me) than many of my longer bows, all of which are 62" or better.

I didn't even know I wanted the Hoots until I picked it up on a trade here. I would never get rid of it. Wish they made one with osage limbs.

John

Jasper2 · April 07, 2014, 06:53:00 PM

I am probably in the minority on this but I don't shoot longer bows any better than I do short bows so I don't own a bow over 60". I have even thought about selling or trading my 60's for something shorter.

Granted I only draw around 27" but I prefer 56" and 58" bows. However, this may be because I just haven't shot anything shorter than 56" yet.

I'm hooked on 1 piece R/D longbows so I enjoy the maneuverability and flexibility of a short bow as it allows me to adapt to any hunting situation more easily in my opinion.

Plus, they fit better in my truck :D

joe skipp · April 07, 2014, 07:08:00 PM

At my 27" draw, I find 56" is the shortest I would go. My Groves is forgiving, even if my release is a tad off. Now my 50" Browning Cobra....I need to be perfect on every shot or my arrows wander.

My longbow is 58", no problem and my other 2 hunting recurves are 60" and very forgiving.

katman · April 07, 2014, 07:13:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
I have 2 sets of Dryad long static recurve limbs, maybe I should lean towards them.

Yep.

JEFF B · April 07, 2014, 08:13:00 PM

ron i think you will like it. i know i do

Sam McMichael · April 07, 2014, 09:31:00 PM

I am just drawn to the longbow. I like 68" long and have no problems with the length whether shooting from a tree stand or on the ground. I used to shoot a recurve at 56" length, but it is just not as smooth as my Hill bows. Nor does it seem to be as forgiving of my bad form.