SHORT DRAW HOW LONG SHOULD I GO?

GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN · April 26, 2010, 05:59:00 PM

Iam new to trad archery just started shootin a custom long bow in jan of this year after 16 years of trainingwheels. Iam lovin it and will never go back!! my ? is i have a draw of 24 and a half inches my bow is 47lbs at 25 and is 60in long. my bow is a BIG RIVER BOW! its awesome and shoots like a dream.iam having another one made and was wondering how long i could go without sacrificing the limbs performance with my short draw working against me or should i just have another 60incher made? thanks for any help?

kadbow · April 26, 2010, 06:14:00 PM

Ask the bowyer what he thinks would be the best length for you. I don't know the Big River Bows but I am personally a fan of the short longbow (56" and 58" with a 27" draw).

Dick in Seattle · April 26, 2010, 06:19:00 PM

just a thought to discuss with your bowyer. I have 25" draw and make my own longbows. I like a 66" bow (straight, not RD) but I use an extended riser to move the working limb up a couple of inches so that I have the benefit of a longer bow I like the feel and draw of but also of a shorter working section for better speed.

MSwickard · April 26, 2010, 06:20:00 PM

You actually can go shorter. No sense in going longer than 60" in my opinion.

OkKeith · April 26, 2010, 06:23:00 PM

Rafael,

I know you will have a bunch of guys weigh-in on this.

Let me test my understanding here, you are wanting a bow LONGER than 60"? From all I have read and through my experience you would get "optimum" performance from a bow that is 2X your draw length plus 5-10%. That would put a bow for your draw length between 52" and 54". Now, that's a pretty short bow in my book. I think the formula may be more effective for folks looking at how short they can go.

All that being said, my wife has a draw length similar to yours and she shoots bows from 54" all the way up to 62". The shorter bows (even at the same poundages) do shoot faster, more efficiently may be a better word.

You can tinker with the brace height to get better performance with any bow.

What I really think it comes down to is, what is the most fun for you. I don't think you can damage a bow under-drawing it. If you want to speak softly and shoot a big stick, go for it.

OkKeith

April 26, 2010, 06:35:00 PM

If you have the Hill model Big River you are right on the button, if it is the reflex/deflex you could go to the 58". John made a 58" flat limb model that I shot that was fairly smooth at 26", I went for a 64" Hill design for my self.

GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN · April 26, 2010, 09:04:00 PM

The Big River i am shooting now is an R/D i was wondering if going longer would be more forgiving but didn't want to loose the efficiency. never thought about going shorter? so really there is nothing to gain going longer? the 60incher i have now is a shooter for sure!! probably just stick with another 60. thanks everyone for the incite and welcoming me into the family.

Lost Creek Bows · April 26, 2010, 11:59:00 PM

I would go with a Heavy R/D 54" or 56" just my thoughts.

Bowwild · April 27, 2010, 04:52:00 PM

I'm a recurve fan. My draw length is 26 inches. All my bows are 58-62 inches. Like others have said, the Bowyer is your best advisor. They want you to have a great experience and will steer you right. Some Bowyers tell me certain bows (I'm talking recurves here) don't unwind well for a short draw while others do just great. All of my bows perform very well at my shorter draw. The most important feature of any bow to me is smooth draw. I'd like to have a 56" bow but I'm afraid it might not be smooth. I'll have one pretty soon when an A riser Bear TD is finished in a couple of weeks.

BowHuntingFool · April 28, 2010, 11:13:00 PM

If I were you, I would get a 62" bow then if you don't like it give it to Dominic and then order another 60 incher, can't hurt! Lol!

Bjorn · April 28, 2010, 11:28:00 PM

You won't notice the difference between 60 and 62" so you could get the same length and use the same length strings.

Mint · April 29, 2010, 10:38:00 AM

I would try shorter since the bows will be virtually the same at 60" or 62" unless you are changing the draw weight.

GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN · April 30, 2010, 08:58:00 AM

its great gettin feed back from everyone but dont think id want to go shorter than 60 without 1st shooting a shorter bow made by my bowyer of choice. And dont think ill go longer just for the sake of maybe not liking it and havin to give it up to Dominic!! Nice try BAZOOKA!!

GREATBROWNKNOCKEMDOWN · April 30, 2010, 08:59:00 AM

its great gettin feed back from everyone but dont think id want to go shorter than 60 without 1st shooting a shorter bow made by my bowyer of choice. And dont think ill go longer just for the sake of maybe not liking it and havin to give it up to Dominic!! Nice try BAZOOKA!!

James Wrenn · April 30, 2010, 10:11:00 AM

Well I like longbows about as tall as I am.My draw length is not factored in.I just like longbows to be long.