Hey Guys. Ive been getting stronger and am soon planning on getting a new bow. I currently have a vintage 43 pound Grizzly. I think I'm interested in a Pittsley Predator, Bob Lee TD longbow or td recurve, or a Howard Hill longbow. I was wondering what the pros  and cons of each bow were. Who has shot what? Which is faster? Smoother? More stable? In the end, which will I get the best accuracy from? Thanks. By the way, I dont have infinite money.

Also, how would i get a good guess at what I can draw. I can shoot the grizzly for hours and hold it back comfortably for a while.

I can't speak for the Pittsley or Bob Lee, but I'd be hard pressed to beat a Hill-style bow for forgiveness and accuracy. See if anyone around you has these bows and try them out.

Willow, sent you a PM

John

Is a Hill style longbow really the most accurate? While I really want a take down, what I want the most is accuracy. Whatever is best for accuracy for the instinctive shooter that is. NO sights. Speed is just extra.

A hill style will loosen your fillings and is hard to shoot accuratly one of the worst bows you could buy  try a recurve and you will not be sorry long bows are a bit harder to master so start with a recurve then add a reflex deflex long bow and you will be happy      

Like all things, everyone has an opinion, and that's just what they are, opinions. I like Hill-style longbows and shoot them a lot better than most any recurve I've yet to try. But that's just me, the best thing is to try to find one you can shoot and see if you like it. Check with your local shops and see if they're having a shoot. Those are great places to talk bows and try some different designs out. Also check and see if there are any TG'ers around your area, these folks here are the best and you might have someone right down the road and not even know it.

Any TG'ers in Oklahoma?

How far are you from Nixa MO,bet the guys at Widder would let you shoot what they got. No Hill style there tho I'll bet. But you could try recurves and r/d longbows. I've never been there but bet they have a few shooters layin round!
Heck, if you wanna drive to N MO you can shoot what I've got layin round!(mostly junk I've made)

Three very differently gripped bows there. How do you like what you shoot now? Does the grip fit you well? If you switch to a Hill style prepare to go through a new learning curve changing to a longbow with a much smaller site window and grip. If someone near you has one then certainly try it and the others if you can.

I agree with all of the above, except maybe one.
I have friends that shoot nothing but recurves, and some old wheeler buddies around. And they all shoot what they like well. As for myself, the longbow type riser and grip just seem more natural. I've never taken the time to learn what is required to become a master of the bow. I shoot daily and enjoy it immensely. You just have to find what fits. Heres to good times and a joyful journey with bow in hand.
Fred

I shoot a 43# vintage Bear Grizzly. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Anyhow, I'm hooked on archery ( have been for years just didn't get to shoot bows much). If I score high on ACT's my parents will help get a new bow. The grip is ok, but not perfect. Thats why im interested in what kind of bows there are. I dont know anywhere around me where I can try them out, so Im left to opinions. As to the longbow, I have a 30# red oak longbow I used to shoot.

I shoot a 43# vintage Bear Grizzly. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Anyhow, I'm hooked on archery ( have been for years just didn't get to shoot bows much). If I score high on ACT's my parents will help get a new bow. The grip is ok, but not perfect. Thats why im interested in what kind of bows there are. I dont know anywhere around me where I can try them out, so Im left to opinions. As to the longbow, I have a 30# red oak longbow I used to shoot.
  I plan on shooting my bow all summer, so I want one that I can get great accuracy with. I also need a higher draw weight (I can shoot my 43 for hours). All opinions are apreaciated. By the way, any Okies around?

Vermonster pretty much nailed it.  You're considering quite different bows.  The recurves will be faster.  They will also be a lot heavier in the hand.  Some people find Hills difficult to shoot accurately because they are so physically light in the hand.  Really important that you try to find a few bows to shoot before you make your decision.  If you're easily handling the weight you're shooting now, you could probably move up 5#-10#.  Really no need to go above the mid-50S for deer size game.  Good luck.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!!!!!!!
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!!!!!!!
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!!!!!!!

It really can't be said enough.Lord knows that mistake has cost me enough to buy every bow you listed.

Personally I would go with a Bob Lee of the bows you listed though the grip may be a little thick.Lots of folks like the Hill bows but I would rather play catcher without a glove.It would be less painfull to me.

I'm in Muskogee, I don't have any of the makes  you listed but I have friends that do. I've got Dale Dye, Blacktail, Morrison, Wes Wallace, Rick Welch Dakota, to name a few. If your close your more than welcome to come and shoot them.
There is a big 3-d shoot in McAlester in the summer that has a dozen or so venders and they have a range set up to try out bows. Rob Lee is usually there, Black Widow, Navajo and several others along with some used bow venders. That may be an ideal event for you to attend. Good luck on the ACT.

Does the Hill longbow really cause a lot of wrist problems? I messed up both wrists last year and my left one (the one holding the bow) gets sore a lot. Would this be a problem?

You will hear a lot of different opinions about the Hill bows.I've heard guys say they have no hand shock and then hand me their bow to try.I'll shoot a few then hand it back and say,"Not too bad." All the time I'm thinking, I could never shoot that.

Some will tell you it is all in the way you hold it and not to lock your elbow.I have tried several at different times because their is something sort of romantic about shooting one.They are just not for me.

If you really want one just try one first.

Anyone from Oklahoma. I would love to try out some bows.