I 'm requesting some feed back on Howard Hill Longbows. I 've got  (and had) recurves, a self-bow, a R/D longbows and a hybrid longbows.

I'm considering ordering a 64", 55 lbs. @28 "Big Five Wesly Special". Will there be much hand shock with this type H.H bow?
What kind of arrow speed would I expect with a 500 to 550 grain arrow. How forgiving  would it be compared to some the above bows I've mentioned.
I would appreciate your comments!
Thanks

Craig Akin makes the finest example of the Classic American longbow, the Wesly may well his best, PERIOD. Hand shock? not if you learn to shoot it correctly. Which means your bow hand placed to the outside of the bow handle. Invisin the proximal knuckle of your thumb rolled towards the center of the handle.
As to speed, Craig claims to get 115 fps plus the poundage weight in arrow speed, which in your case is 170 fps. My experience has shown this to be a bit ambitious. Truth be told speed doesn't kill, momentum and shot placement do. However if you are looking for a fps screamer you'll be disappointed.


John

I will second what John said...  HH is all I shoot/ own after I have shot/ owned most of the others. Craig makes a fine bow.

You either Love them or hate them.I love them and find no hand shock.I have a few,but like them 68" for my 29" draw.Most comments I get are how smooth the bow is to draw concidering the weight.Check out this site.
http://www.howardhillshooters.com/

You did not say what kind of draw length you have but if it is 28" or longer a longer bow would be better.A 68" or 70" would better suit a 28"+ draw.Speed would be dependant on your draw length and how good of a release you have.jmo

I have two big fives both are 66" 48# @28" my draw length is 26.5. Both are very smooth and like stated if they are held properly there is no hand shock
If your hand is small i would make sure that you tell Craig not to make the grip too large i have heard that the Wesley's have a bigger grip than the big five and the ones i have are all the grip i want i have relatively small hands. Just a heads up they are great bows mine seem quick and it is feather light, smooth and the quality is high.

Thanks for your responses. I draw 28". (My Wes Wallace longbow is 66" and 56lbs @ 28".

If you are shoot a 66" Wallace now you certainly need to go longer on the Hill or you will not enjoy shooting it.Don't expect to get the same performance from the Hill as you do the Wallace and you won't be as disapointed. jmo

I'll second what James says go 68- 70", 550+ on arras.

Gene

Craig at HH will tell you what Bow length will get the best performance at your draw length....
   A 500 - 550 weight arrow will be fine.
Hill bows like heavy arrows....
   As mentioned above, grip it right and use a heavy arrow and you'll love the HH bow....
   I think they are the best for Hunting moving game....

3under:
I've shot Hills for over 30 years, they are a great bow. However I too would suggest a longer bow nothing under 66". I disagree with the speed someone mentioned. I have bows in the mid-60# range and with 650grs arrows have never gotten more the 165 fps, but you don't need more than that. I've shot completely through Water Buck and Gemsbok. The are as big or bigger than any Elk. The Key is keeping your arrow weight up, 10 grains per pound is minimum. And if your screen name means you shoot three under, tell Craig so he can tiller it correctly.
Bob

Hey Bob is Craig your neighbor?

I love the thought of a Hill bow but I tried one Big 5 and handshock was an issue. Now don't get mad at me because I am sure I wasn't holding it right and it wasn't tuned properly. 70lb draw with a 630grn arrow hurt bad.It felt like catching a line drive baseball without a glove. My palm was red after about 10 shots. I would love to try one properly set up with some help on form. I am not trying to bash a bow MANY people love, just saying it might be wise to try one with some help from the owner before spending your money. Good luck.

I believe Howard Hill, for his own longbows, recommended 68" AMO for a 28" draw & he said only go down to a 66" AMO for a 26" draw. My sources are books written by Hill and John Schulz. The trend for short Hill longbows came long after Mr. Hill.

Thanks Trad Gangers,I really appreciate your helpful comments. I'm not looking for blistering speed, since I've got a Morrison recurve @60lbs plus a Thunderhorn for a Hybrid, but would like a good shooting Hill type bow!
Thanks again!

MAC:
Yes, they live about 2 miles from me.
Bob

If you are having problems with hand shock give Craig a call and try a fast flight string. I would say that mine went from minimal vibration to completely dead in your hand. Without increasing bow noise

I am going to shoot the technohunt with a Howard Hill I just bought from Bob & will let you know about velosity as the technohunt chronographs each arrow. I have only shot about 30 arrows through mine, & haven't found any handshock. Frank

Hill bows are lighter and livelier in the hand than many other 'longbows' ...and some folks (me included) kinda' like that 'thump' feel.  Each person is different but in most cases those who feel 'handshock' simply aren't holding the bow properly.  Thats not a slam on those who feel handshock, its just a bit of advice for getting the bow to shoot comfortably.  When it comes to having a good or bad experience with Hill longbows the truth is the same as with any good bow... it's not the bow as much as it is the shooter.  

I'll second the suggestion for a 68" bow rather than 66" for a true 28" draw, but from what I've seen a 28" draw is unusual with Hills because the shooter needs to use more of a side-of-handle grip and more of a bent elbow.  Your draw, if 28" with most trad bows and especially with recurves, will likely shrink a little with a Hill longbow.