QuoteI use a loop, and release. My compound bow is marked and measure 29in draw length.

I am starting to think that I will be drawing a recurve at 30in.

Utilizing a D-loop doesn't affect your DL.  It only affects your anchor point(s), IF you're fitted, correctly.

I have never heard of a compound shooter switching to trad and lengthening his DL (initially or otherwise).....IF (again) he was properly fitted with his compound.

My compound set-up fits like a glove at 29in.

It is looking like I will need a 30in draw on a recurve, anything less and I can't get my shoulder back and arm straight.  
I'm not an expert, but it is looking like I will need to draw between 29.75 to 30.25....

I would take Jason R.Wesbrocks advise. With a longer than average draw length 45# will do the trick but if the law states 50# for your quarry then 50# at your draw length it is.

Greg,
You might need that length but maybe not.  Are you still going to use the release with the recurve?  Fingers?  Where do you anchor your fingers with the recurve?

At 6'2 255lbs, I'm almost exactly the same size but I've got really long arms and pull around 32".  I've pulled back martin bows in the store but never shot one.  Never noticed the stack but when not actually shooting sometimes you don't pay attention to that. I know Jason Westbrock has a pretty long draw and I'd listen to him.

Have you looked at the Martin Savanah bows?  I think they are really well made and pull very smooth for me. But again, I've never shot one.

If you're a younger fella in pretty good shape the 50# at 28 inches shouldn't be much trouble at all.  The first longbow I ever shot was 53# at 28 inches so about mid 60's at my draw and I shot it for two hours straight with no trouble.  However, I will warn you that my first one I bought was 59# at 28 inches and started to stack at about  29 inches and in the end it led to a bout of short drawing/target panic that took years to overcome.

Find a bow with a weight that is comfortable to shoot for an hour or more and that pulls smoothly to a good inch or more PAST your normal anchor and you've got a good "fit" in my opinion.  For me, that was a 66" heavily reflex deflexed longbow weighing 60# at 30 inches.  My first bow was the same weight but 64" and less R/D.  The extra 2" of bow length and more R/D really made my current bow smooth and easy to shoot.

QuoteMy compound set-up fits like a glove at 29in.

It is looking like I will need a 30in draw on a recurve,

I'm sorry.  But, this just don't add up.

Either you're not anchoring correctly with your compound, or you're mistaken on your assertion (IMO).  When these guys tell you your DL will probably SHORTEN, they're not making this stuff uo.  It's a "more" than general rule.

I didn't read every single post on this thread but when I got to whips post thats what I was thinking too. 50#'s should be just fine. and take a good look in the classifieds. Should be a nice bow there for you,,JB

The best thing for you to do is buy a used bow in the 45# range, it's tough to beat a 70's vintage bear Grizzly or similar to get you started. The first bow I bought was a Martin Savannah longbow, it was 50# I learned in a hurry that I made a mistake and should have gone with a 45# bow, remember that the farther you draw it back the harder it gets, there is no let off on a recurve. That is why you should consider buying used and inexpensive then when you build up your muscles get what you want, or you may discover what many have, that those old Bears are as good or better than the new bows. Good luck.

50. You want to legally hunt those other animals right? I started with a 50 and actually jumped to a 60 for the same reason.(60# was the legal requirement for NH moose).  Took a little work but now that bow feels like my 50 did. Any average, healthy male in America should be able to quickly adjust to a 50# bow.

I went from longbow to recurve to compound and back to longbow and recurve. My draw length with a compound was 30". With a recurve it's 28, and with a straight grip longbow it's closer to 27. Mount Sweetness, you need to shoot some bows and find out for yourself.

QuoteThey advertise smooth draw with no stack out to 30in.....?  

Listen to JRW - they can advertise anything they want.

Most coming over from compound would be well served to start at 45 or even lower - regardless of what your cpd wght was. Much easier to learn good form and accuracy at a lower wght and move up. That same journey can take much longer or never going heavier.

The best thing to do is go to a trad bow shop or a shoot.  Maybe find a bowyer in your area.  Get measured with proper form by someone who knows what that is.  Then you know what you should be drawing when it is done correctly.  That is good to know.  A good 45# used starter bow would be a great way to start out and figure out draw length and correct form.

I would find a 45 to 50# bow in the classifieds at a good price and buy that. Even if it is not exactly what you want. Shoot it for a while to determine if it is the weight,length that you need. You can sell it and get most if not all of your money back, and have a better idea of what you need in a trad bow. I agree also that maybe some of the Martin bows are heavier than marked the one I have for sale marked 55 feels like more. I dont have a scale to measure it but I also have a 53# widow that feels much lighter.
Good luck...Mike

as far as stacking and such the older recurves seem not to stack much....i have an old pearson hunter i got from a gentlemen on here. It is 58" i am 6'2" with a long draw...i can barely shoot full length shafts. the older bear recurves are good shooters (had an older bear grizzly at 55# and loved it) but my wife's newer bear grizzly 45# 58" stacks to way more than my 50# 58" pearson. best way to find what you want is to shoot around with several. some will stack like no tomorrow and some will be sooo smooth to draw to your full draw it will seem lighter.

Dave Bulla and all...Thanks for the advice

"pulls smoothly to a good inch or more PAST your normal anchor and you've got a good "fit" in my opinion"

this is what I was thinking and I haven't found that bow yet...no pro shops anywhere near me

I have a new 60" predator classic for sale 50lb @28", I draw 29 1/2" with no stacking at all. I also have a new set of extra limbs that are heavier if you are interested. Predator bows are very fast and very easy to shoot.  If you are interest please let me know.

Thanks

Dirk

Long limbs are smooth limbs.  Long risers and short limbs can be found in a 66" recurve and can stack at 29 or 30 inches.  The Martin Hunter limbs are not much longer (if at all) than limbs on a 52" Kodiak Magnum.

Jason Westbrock is correct about the Hunter stacking at his draw.   Look for a nice 58 to 62 inch recurve with medium riser and longer limbs.

bow suggestions?
I am chasing my tail...

How much $$$ you got?  

I just got a used Ben Pearson. My friend got it at a yard sale and gave it to me.It's 58" 45#@28", if you want to pay for the shipping I'll send it to to try for a week, month the hunting season or what ever you need! Hows that...

Sounds like a good deal...I will let you know, thanks!

I am heading over to Cabelas on the weekend to get my hands on a few and see how they fit.  Would like to shoot a Martin Hunter, Predator Hunter a couple others as well as a longbow or two.