I recently won a custom longbow. Until then I have been shooting my 55lb Howatt Hunter recurve for about 4 yrs and really am used to it. Its not a speed demon but its ok. I draw 27 1/2" and shooting a 510gr arrow I am getting around 165fps.

The longbow I won is a 50lb bow. This bow shoots extremely smooth and quiet but I am having trouble at distances longer than 20 yds. The bow just doesn't shoot as flat as my hunter and I am really struggling with the trajectory. I recently chronoed the longbow and it is shooting the same 510gr arrow 145fps. I know its only 20fps slower but it is just so noticeable how much more it drops than my recurve. Does this slow for the specs given and do I just need to keep shooting it to get my brain to recalculate to the slower arrow?

After a bit, you'll adjust your inner sight. Stick with it!

You went from 9.27gpp to 10.2gpp. Take about 50 grains off the arrow and they'll get much closer in trajectory I bet. Less of reprogramming curve that way.

Predator:
From your post the longbow is 5# lighter, can't expect it to be as fast!!!
Bob

QuoteOriginally posted by Predator1:


This bow shoots extremely smooth and quiet but I am having trouble at distances longer than 20 yds.  

Quiet kills. Don't shoot at game over 20 yards. Problem solved!

That said, neither bow sounds especially fast. I'm not expert on that though. I don't own a chrono nor have I ever shot a bow over one. Where I hunt the brush is so thick 20 yards is about maximum anyway.

Martin rounds their poundages to the nearest 5# increment.  They are notorious for being heavy too.  It's possible your recurve may be 7-8 pounds heavier than your longbow.  Chad

That hunter is a speed demon.  What other recurve have you compared it to?

Go with a faster string and lighter arrows if it is too slow for you.It should be no problem getting it up to what that hunter is shooting and still have an arrow heavy enough for most things.jmo

"I know its only 20fps slower but it is just so noticeable how much more it drops than my recurve."

Apex and James are right on the money. The Howatt's were and are some of the fastest recurves out there. If the draw weights are correct you dropped 10% in draw weight but lost 20% in horsepower which is about typical between the better recurves and decent longbows. If trajectory being the same is your goal, shoot a lighter arrow from the longbow. Otherwise you'll adapt to it with time......O.L.

OL knows, I had a Howatt Hunter at 55#s and it flst out smoked. Shawn

I agree - DH Hunters are fast bows.

Thank you all for responding. I may try to go to a lighter arrow for the LB but how light? The largest game it will shoot will be deer and maybe a hog or two. Also, maybe I wasn't clear with my question but, are the speeds about right for my specs? One more thing, I shoot the Hunter better than the LB. With the hunter, it just seems like the bow shoots where you point it. With the LB, even when I see a good sight picture and release I sometimes get that shot where you ask, "why did it go there?" With the hunter, I don't get that. I have been told that the hunters have very good cast, is this what they mean?? Thank you all again.