short bow vs. longerbow

[buckracks7]

58" is my favorite, and I don't like to go over that.

[raideranch]

58" is also my favorite.  More maneuverable for hunting and a 58'' bow usually wont stack at my draw.   For me there's no need to shoot anything longer.

[Rob DiStefano]

for me, longer is always better - 66" to 68" longbows @ 29" draw length.  string feels better on the fingers due to the reduced angle, bow pulls and releases smoother, with better 'pointability' and overall shot stability - and that adds up to increased consistency and accuracy.

that said, the hunt comfort of a shorter bow length has its merits and my number one hunting longbow is 62".

[BWD]

I like 58"-64" bows, but then again the longer the bow, the more bow you are getting for your money.

[Shinken]

Like many things:

It is dependent upon the OPERATOR behind the equipment....

Better equipment just makes it that more enjoyable.

Shoot the bow that you have *confidence* in and enjoy shooting - under the conditions that you intend to use it!

Stick and string, baby, stick and string....

Shoot straight, Shinken

[ranger42]

My best shooting bow is 63".

[mcgroundstalker]

Don't want to throw a monkey wrench into the works but... Maybe this might be too much information for a "new guy", but here it goes...

Just because a bow is longer in overall length doesn't make it easier to shoot, or more accurate. I like to shoot a (long for me) bow myself. What I look for is a short riser with long limbs. Some bows can be 62", with a long riser and short, stiff limbs. Others may be heavier in poundage, short in overall length but a compact riser with narrow limbs make them shoot like a dream.

Hope this helps....

... mike ...    ...

I tried a Bear Super Mag one day.  I found that my garage was a lot easier to hit than my target. I have never seen anything so touchy to release errors.

i think it has a lot more to do with the wieght of the bow than length , smoothness is different on different bows, lighter weight meens easier shooting and more acurracy. my 21/2 cents....

[hightop_hunter]

I have switched back and forth between  long and sort for a few years now. for my experience Its the relation ship between the bow and the shooter I have long bows I shoot well and long bows that wont for the life of me fling an arrow straight. and I have 2 recurves but they have never given me a problem. so with enough practice and a well engineered bow I don't think the length makes that big of a difference.

Look for instance at the Mongolians who still to this day shoot hundreds of yards with their recurve bows at compositions.

[eric-thor]

i like my 64 inch longbow . for my 30 inch draw.smoooth but good speed. and shhhh quiet as a church mouse  

[Track]

Shorter bows are a lot more sensitive to mistakes like a poor release. I'd stick with a longer bow, more forgiving.

[Rackman]

I prefer longer bows , easier to shoot, shorter bows were designed for tree stand hunting, and ground blinds, but less stable I think.

[Shifting Shadow]

I can only offer my observations. For me, the shortest I like to go is a 62" recurve and a 64" longbow. My shortest longbow was 58" and recurve 48". They were not easy for me to shoot. The longer bows seem easier to draw.

[ishoot4thrills]

I had a 56" Beeler bow and it shot great for me. I have a 60" Pittsley Predator now and it shoots great too. I couldn't tell any difference between the two as far as ease of shooting. I also had a 64" Bear Montana LB and it shot great too. Oh yeah, and a 54" Shrew recurve that shot very well also.

I believe that if you spend enough time with any bow, you can learn to shoot it well, if you really want to and you have it well tuned and matched to your arrows.