For shooters with 26-28" of draw length using bow lengths of 66-68" I have found that through a speed trap, the arrows out of similar weight but different lengths shoot very very similar in terms of fps. I used to shoot a 75#@28" Big 5, that was 68" . Running out of leverage during the draw, I pulled it 26.5" all the time. It shot 180fps with fast flight and 500g shafts.  I had a 66" 50#@28 W.Special that even when over drawn by me to 28" would only kiss 158fps.  What I am realizing is that even though I drop down considerably in draw weight and "can" draw 29.5", I don't shoot a bow like that for very long, I'll get in to a groove and "just shoot." When that happens, and as an athlete I will tell you it ain't cause I'm tired, 26.5" draw and accuracy is the result. Just letting natural reaction dictate what is needed for the shot scenario at hand, 26.5" no matter the draw weight, bow length, gpp, foc, etc..
The only thing I have ever noticed is that when directly comparing bows long and short, is that once that string angle has approached 90deg you have gone to far. Getting the string angle to be appropriate to your draw length, regardless of bow length, is a  big part of this system.
 Do you think Howard's heavy bow pulled 2-3# per inch in the last few inches of draw?? I doubt it on an 115#'er  more like 5-7# per  inch. Was it stacking? was it "smooth?" Nope, how else would you fit 115# of tension within 22" of power-stroke? I seriously doubt there was much, or ANY for that matter, "preload" in a string-follow wood bow.
Man, looking at my 500g arrows come off 47# makes me want to go back to 70#. I know, I know, not needed, overkill, you'll get hurt, but wait a second, you mean to tell me that a 500g cedar coming out at 150fps is gonna blow through the brisket on a frontal shot, of a relaxed, looking the other way, rut minded, 220#er, 10 point?? I know for a fact that 705g tuned efoc carbons will not penetrate a 300# shielded hog from close range, no matter how many times you try to, it ends up looking like a pincushion, your better off with a spear anyway with big hogs.
  I want no surprise's, no nonsense, reliable, boringly so, set-up that I can count on for the hunting shot that I wait all year for. Not me running through the woods tracking the thing down with "follow ups."  Is that 150fps for you? or is 180 a little more confidence inspiring??

Here's a bow I picked up rigth befor the GLLI, It's a 1950's Hill bow, Been told by a few guys, It's one of Howard's. But Still am unsure.. It's all bamboo with green glass on the back, and yellow on the belly side.. Maple riser (unsure if it really maple looks like it) Has brown glass riser over lays down the fade outs... Norrow limb bow and nice form fitting riser...

Cody













May your arrows fly true....

Cody

Cody-

Bring that bow to the Hill hog hunt, Bob Burton will be there. Bob has traveled the country looking at Hill bows when he was doing research for his book, he should know the maker and year.

To bad the tip was busted on that one Cody, It would be cool to be able to shoot it if it is made by Howard. Somebody sure did skinny it up on them tips though.
Thanks for letting me look at it at GLLI.
Be sure to bring it to the hog hunt and see what you can find out about it.
CTT

We know Mr. Hill taught Errol flynn, roy rogers, anyone else in hollywood?

Cody, nice looking Hill bow, I sent you a email. Ron.

Guys, Here are a Few pics of a Hill longbow Ron, Wanted me to post for him... I'll let Ron tell you about his bow (;

All I know is my first and second trad bows had green glass, then a clear over boo, but I will say I'm a green glass fan and when I order a bow it will have green glass again. Those are nice looking bows Cody

Thanks Cody for posting the photos, I thought I would share the photos and story of the Hill  longbow in the above photos, it is a 1950s production longbow built by Howard Hill Archery co in the late 1950s or early 1960s and was sold by Shawnee Archery, probably built by Wayne Stotler according to Bob Burton and David Miller. It has golden yellow woven glass on the radiused back and dark green lineal glass on the belly. It had several coats of camo paimt on it so I stripped it and restored it close to original condition the best I could, I was able to save the serial numbers and Howard Hill signature on the bottom limb. It turned out decent. I figured its a piece of Howard Hill history and why not bring the back to life. Its a brute at 66" and 75 lbs at 28". The bow is solid and has three tapered laminations of bamboo under the glass, also has about an 1 1/4" of backset in the limbs. Ron.

QuoteOriginally posted by toddster:
We know Mr. Hill taught Errol flynn, roy rogers, anyone else in hollywood?

Rory Calhoun and Guy Madison

Louie Lucido with his new Shrew Hill

 

 

What is the string length for a 68" hill bow?

I am thinking 65" for a 68" bow but I just want to verify before I make new strings..

Hey Gang,
this is what Elk season in Germany looks like......

No Bowhunting legal over here.
Location: Northern Germany, 3D Shoot
Elevation: about 200 ft    
Gear: Jerry Hill Longbow, Woodies and my new Sunset Hill Backquiver

That's a beautiful bow Ron.

Hey Ron,

Just curious, what area the numbers and types of materials used on  Louie Lucido's Shrew Hill?

Bob.

Berliner,You need to paint that target to look like a red stag. One of my dream trips is to go to Germany and go hunting with and austringer and German goshawk after hares.

Vincent-

You're a very brave man holding the up Elk while the others shoot.  

QuoteHey Ron, Just curious, what area the numbers and types of materials used on Louie Lucido's Shrew Hill? Bob.  

66" 46#@ 27" yew veneers over bamboo core, curly Myrtle wood riser.

Ron, thanks for sharin' the pics - Louie has great form and I have enjoyed talking with him on the phone!  Maybe one day I will get to cross paths with Louie.

Thanks for sharin' the pic Herr Minta!  I hope that one day that you will get to archery hunt for elk - elk were created for longbow shooters!

Keep the wind in your face!

Shoot straight, Shinken