With a budget of around $500.00????

Easy... a Bear Grizzly recurve (appx. $329.00) and 2 dozen arrows. For a bit more, say about $500.00 for the bow alone, (a little more for the nicer old school wood), the Bear Super Kodiak is top of the line, and shoots better than many custom bows costing 2 to 3 times as much.

Can't go wrong with ILF.

Thunderchild

QuoteOriginally posted by SEMO_HUNTER:
If you were on a budget and only got one shot at a nice, forgiving, and zippy bow at a mid range price around $500-$600 bucks, what would it be?

Describes me and my HH Halfbreed perfectly!

A Hill.

Lots of good suggestions in this thread,and not a bad one in the bunch.
There have been suggestions of our new hunter model.You will not yet find it on our website.Here is the thread from the introduction of this new model.IF you would like to try one of these new models feel free to give us a shout.
Bill

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=099614

A Toelke Whip.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and all I can say is Wow!
I had no idea I would get so many replies?

I've sure got plenty of info to chose from and I've been looking at sponsors I didn't even know TG had, looking at bow pics, reading all the  specs and price lists for hours on end. I love it, and it really gets me excited.
Some are way out of my price range, while others are completely doable.

I don't think I would know how to act if I actually got my hands on a brand new custom bow? I'd probably pee on myself?    

At any rate, I can see that it's apparent that I need to go to some of these gatherings where there are lots of bows I can actually touch, draw, and possibly shoot. I'd hate to spend the kind of money for something I had never even touched before. It's a blind leap of faith I'm not sure that I could make?

One that don't miss...

If new the first thing that comes to my mind would be a Predator Hunter model.

Next new would be the 2011 Bear Super K.

However, I'd buy used from the classified section here. In that case I'd be looking for:

1. Bear A or B Mag--My buddy just bought a terrific one for $450. He's tickeled pink.

2. Predator Custom Classic.

3. The Checkmate's are surprisingly nice to me, and short.

I agree with the very first response that you got from Huntschool. IMO, the new Super K shoots as good as anything out there.

apex predator, timberhawk, assenheimer, or toelke

I don't doubt the new Bears are probably great bows, but I've already got a late 60's Grizzly and I think I'd like to try one of the custom bows.

I'm leaning hard toward a Thunderchild or the Predator. Not sure yet, so much info here to investigate. I'll be looking at bow manufacturer's websites for a month!   :D

I would buy $500 worth of osage and bamboo slats and make 12-15 bows I love! Honeslty, I would look for a used Fatal Styk if I wasnt into building bows.

I just saw the Predator Hunter at Cabelas, and they are in stock for crying out loud!
I never thought I'd find them that easy?

Oh yeah, I will definitely shop the classifieds for awhile before I buy a brand new one.
I don't mind used at all if it's in real good shape.

Whisperstik, top of the line bow qualities in performance at a great price.

I think I would go for a used Robertson OR the Hoyt Buffalo. Both might be 100 over budget, but well worth the money!

I would beg, borrow or steal another $75 and get a 60" Super Shrew Deluxe. The perfect go anywhere do anything bow!

Eric

My list is:

Bob Lee Takedown Recurve
Fedora 560 Hunter
Hornes Ridge Runner
Samick Stringray (this bow will really surprise you)
Checkmate Hunter
Hoyt Gamemaster

Jeff

Just keep tweaking your osage design till you make a fast selfbow. I've got a widow and a few other custom glass jobs that all sit and collect dust because I'm shooting my selfbows. Having said that, if you really want a custom, wait a year, save another hundred and in the meantime shoot as many bows as you can first. I'd recommend the classifieds here too.