Bow Length

jvhunter · August 11, 2010, 09:18:00 PM

I am 6ft 3 inches tall and have a 29 inch draw. I shoot 3 under and every time I try to shoot a 60 inch bow they are very unforgiving. I shoot 62 inch bows and they shoot excellent. Is a 60 inch bow just to short for me?

Curtis Haden · August 11, 2010, 09:38:00 PM

I think it's totally an individual preference, jv. I only draw about 28" but find 60"+ bows are easiest for me to shoot. I let a bowyer talk me into a 58" once...won't make that mistake again. I hunted mostly out of a treestand last year with a 62" Schafer, and killed my first buck.

Some folks like shorter bows. I like em longer. Shoot what you shoot best!

4 point · August 11, 2010, 11:01:00 PM

At 6 foot 3" I think you should have a little longer draw than that. I'm right around that height and I draw a little over 31"s. Most 64" bows and a few 62" bows work well for me. I don't notice the extra length much when I'm hunting.

mrpenguin · August 12, 2010, 08:46:00 AM

A longer AMO bow will always be more forgiving. I'd be willing to bet hit has to do with the apex and angle of the string to reach draw. The less angle, the more straight the string is... for your height, 62" or 64" would be a happy place... I am 5 5 and shoot a 62" AMO longbow and a 56" recurve. My ideal recurve AMO is 58 with my 28" draw... bottom line, the fact that you are over drawing (29") and taller than 6 ft, I'd go with at least a 62" AMO. THe bottom, bottom line is shoot what is comfortable and accurate for you...

Good luck.

Whip · August 12, 2010, 09:12:00 AM

I'm also 6'3" and have a 29" draw. I like recurves of at least 62", and longbows 64". If I go any shorter than that they just don't seem as forgiving of my frequent form breakdowns.

I can miss with any length bow, but when I stick to the longer ones my misses aren't quite as bad. :rolleyes:

speedwalker · August 12, 2010, 09:13:00 AM

I'm 6'1" and draw 31". I have bows from 58" to 64". I do like shooting the 64" bows a little more but I just got a one-piece that is 60" and it's a blast to shoot. We call it "that new bow feel." I think "mrpenguin" was right when he said "shoot what is comfortable................."

Ragnarok Forge · August 12, 2010, 10:41:00 AM

I am 6'4" tall and draw 30 1/4 inches. I find that any of the shorter bows 62 inches and under tend to stack at my draw length and have some finger pinch. Those two things combined make them unforgiving for my shooting. I avoided that whole process and shoot 68 inch longbow. Sweet drawing, smooth firing, quiet, and incredibly forgiving.

brinkwolf · August 12, 2010, 11:09:00 AM

I'm 5'10 and shoot my best with 62" recurves or 64/66" longbows.

Eugene Slagle · August 12, 2010, 11:16:00 AM

I'm 5'7" & draw 27.5" AMO & a 60" Recurve seems to fit me the best but I can shoot a 58", 56" starts to get interesting to me tis why I don't shoot my Grand-dads 56" 69' Grizzly.

Northwest_Bowhunter · August 12, 2010, 11:24:00 AM

I am 6'5" with about a 30.5" draw and I shoot everything from a 70" Hill style to a 64" Thunderstick III and they shoot different for me but equally comfortable.

stevewills · August 12, 2010, 12:33:00 PM

im 6ft1.5 have a 29 inch draw and hunt with a 58 inch black widow pma2.i haveshot other 58in bows and cant shoot those.i think alot of it is bow design...

Night Wing · August 12, 2010, 01:00:00 PM

I'm 5'9", but I've got long arms and my draw length is 30". My favorite recurve bows to shoot are 66" in length.

Jerry Jeffer · August 12, 2010, 03:38:00 PM

Just pick up a 70" longbow and you'll be happy and never want a short bow again.

lpcjon2 · August 12, 2010, 03:53:00 PM

Sounds like your compensating for something else...LOL
I am also 6'3" with a 30+" draw and I like my 66" Hill

Bowwild · August 12, 2010, 06:24:00 PM

I am 5'6" and my knuckles are a long way from scraping the ground with my 25.5" draw. It would sure be pleasant walking behind some of you guys on a spider webbed infested woodland trail! My son is 6'2" and he hates walking behind me because of the limbs that hit him in the face.

I have 56"-62" bows. Mostly 60" ones. I sometimes wonder if I'm getting all the potential out of my two 62" bows. I just ordered a 58" Schafer they have recommended for my draw length.

August 12, 2010, 06:38:00 PM

i think its more how wide your shoulders are , than how tall you are, just my 2 cnts.

Ryan Rothhaar · August 12, 2010, 06:42:00 PM

Yep, shoulder width, shooting form, and bow grip style (high or low wrist) all contribute. I'm 5-6 and used to draw 28ish when I wore glasses, since my Lasik surgery 15 years ago my form and anchor have changed a bit, I stretch out a little more, and I pull a true 29+. My shooting has improved, I get more zip out of my bows too.....oh yeah, to the question at hand, as far as I'm concerned the longer the bow the better. I shoot recurves and have shot 64 inch bows for years, shooting a 66 inch recurve now.

Ryan

Margly · August 12, 2010, 07:13:00 PM

I have a drawlength of 30,5-31" and feel that the most comfortable recurve length is 64" +.
Except for my Black Widow PMA. This bow is 62" and no stack, so I guess it is different ways to make the limbs that does it.
( btw I`m 6`2")

Gary Sorensen · August 13, 2010, 12:21:00 AM

I am 6'1" with a 31.5" draw. Up until recently I have preferred 66" bows. However, currently I am shooting a 56" Shrew Classic Hunter and just love it. It is very smooth and I shoot it as well or better than my longer bows. I plan to take it hunting in a couple of weeks and look forward to carrying such a light weight and manuverable little bow.

buckeye_hunter · August 13, 2010, 12:29:00 AM

I am only 5'9 but draw 29 inches. I like bows NO LESSS than 60 inches and prefer 62-64in bows in most models. That is my preference and I suggest you shoot whatever fits you. Comfort is different for everyone.