Well, despite trying really hard at Bowaholics Anonymous, I fell off the wagon just over five weeks ago. Of course, I have excuses: "I spent too much time hanging around Tony and his D longbow..." or, "I've always wanted to try this particular model..." Anyway, with the funds from a bowhunting story burning a hole in my pocket, a few e-mails to Craig Ekin at Howard Hill Archery, and the deal was done. In the process I discovered that FedEx does deliver to Katherine, as long as you give them the residential postcode and not the PO Box postcode. I missed the delivery yesterday as we went to Darwin to drop the Grandmother-in-law off at the airport, and was excited to see the note on the door when I got back. I popped in to collect the longbow this morning, and soon set it up for some shooting, with Gabby supervising. The cool thing about this one is that it's the first bow I've had where the wooden arrows are made by myself right from the start; and they flew nicely, too (I'm a strong believer in The Formula). Anyway, here are some pictures:











Oh, and it is 70", 75lb @ 28", tillered for 3-under. The riser is bocote, and being a Wesley Special it has five laminations of bamboo. The arrows are 30" long Douglas fir, spined 95/100lb, and wearing 160 grain tips, for a total weight of 701 grains (which surprised this beginner arrow-maker a little, as the arrows that Joe made for the Silvertip, same specifications except spined 105/110lb and with a painted cap / crown [I think that's the term], weigh 775 grains).

Good shooting to All,

Ben

Congrats.... always a thrill to get a new Hill!

Fine Bow Ben.I have hunted with a Wesley some and I loved it.You`ll probably be sport`n some pork or maybe one of them goats before long.RC

Looks like you and the bow are gettin' on fine, Ben.  We will be looking forward to the adventures that you take.

The Formula?

I enjoyed your article about Geoff Arnold.  It must be a grand time to sit and hear his stories and advice.

Ray

Howdy Ben,

realy nice Bow    

Markus

Ben, good looking combination.  I wish you well with it.......................Shick

Thanks, fellows! This bow has arrived just in time to, hopefully, help make some adventures.

Ray G: I'm glad you liked it! Thanks! The Formula helps a fellow select wooden arrows to suit, especially usefull when one is new to the game. Danny Rowan let me know about it. It's pretty simple:

"Draw weight plus five pounds. Then add five pounds for every inch of arrow over 28" (subtract five for each inch under). Then add five pounds if the shelf is cut to or past centre. Then add five pounds if you're using a low-stretch string. Then add five pounds if shooting 160 to 190 grains of broadhead."

I know, it's not bare-shaft tuning, but I swear that it works! Some good animals have bitten the dust from arrows selected this way! Of course, you can use it to get a ball-park figure, and then play around if you like.

Cheers,

Ben

gotta love them hills - that's a beauty, ben!            

good huntin' 'n' shootin' mate!

Ben Thats a great looking bow mate. How does she shoot?. I gave 3 of them. Hopefully 4 real soon. Marlon

Classic! I love to see people buying and shooting real longbows!      

ben, is that wesley handle dished?

G'day Rob, the handle is the locator style.

Good wagon to fall off of! Nice looking bow Ben.

thanx for the handle scoop, ben.  just bought a used wesley and it'll go direct to craig for mods and a refinish - think i'll get the locator grip, too.

Sweet looking bow  I have an "OWL"  osage and bamboo with a Bocote handle,streight of course and no leather hiding the pretty wood,just two coats of super glue and then clear varnish.

70" is very smooth!! Hope to find one 76-80# & I'm done for life. Beautiful w/clear glass. Nice arrows too. Well done!

Very nice Ben.

Nice looking bow Ben!  That's a lot of weight, more than I can handle right now.

So does that kind of bow have a lot of recoil or kick?  Do you find the speed of the arrow to be on par with your BW? I expect with it being a R/D bow it's a bit quicker.

Good story in TBH !

if you grip a hill bow properly, use at least a 10gpp weight arrow, you'll hardly feel any release recoil/shock.