time for an upgrade - advice appreciated

[Squirrelbane]

I currently use a bear Kodiak magnum 55#@28" 52" recurve using full length ash arrows 55-65# spine with 125gr points. My draw length is 32" so needless to say I'm stacking like a mofo. I want to get a longer recurve that fits me better. I'm thinking in the 65#-70# range. I also want to shoot heavier broad heads just... because.
(I'm debating between grizzly 165gr or kodiak 200gr).
So my two questions would be:
1. What length bow should I get?
2. Any suggestions between 165gr or 200gr points?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated

[ChuckC]

I personally wouldn't use anything less than 62" and 66" might be even better.  But, that's just me.

I myself am finding that heavier heads are not so easy to tune with full length shafts, especially with heavier draw weights.  Others may disagree.

Why not wait on the broadheads till you get the bow and use what it wants.
ChuckC

[stagetek]

Nothing shorter than 60" with your draw length. 64-66" would be better. I have a 30.5" draw, and usually use a 64" bow.

[Looper]

If you are using 55-65 spine arrows out of that bow and pulling 32", you are seriously underspined. By a lot. I have, in the past used some r/d longbows that were 55@28, and I pulled them over 31"(to 65# or so). I needed around a 90# spine for use with 125 grain heads, and over 100# if I wanted to go up in head weight.

In chosing a bow, start with looking at what the manufacturers themselves recommend. Most will have a chart on their websites for the recommended bow lengths in regards to draw length. I'd recommend going the used route, so you can figure out what you like and not be out a lot of money.

Second, your 55@28" bow, pulled to 32" is probably pulling close to 65-70#, maybe more if it's really stacking.

Like I stated earlier, your draw is about 1/2" longer than mine, so I can give you some direction in bow length. You'll want to stay within the manufacturers' recommendations, and watch for the string angle at full draw if you choose to go with a straight-limbed bow.

-For takedown recurves, 64"
-For takedown r/d longbows, 66"
-For straight-limbed longbows, 70".
-For one or 2 piece r/d longbows, 62" (due to the short riser)

Of course there may be some variations on that due to bow design, but it's a good rule of thumb.

Regarding arrows, finding wood arrows at the length and spine you will require is going to be difficult. I now only shoot wood out of my Hill style bows, where my draw length is slightly shorter than with my recurves or r/d bows.

With the other bows, I shoot carbon and settled on using Arrow Dynamics Hammerheads full-length, with the stock insert. They are a very tough, spine tolerant shaft that lets me use anywhere from a 125 to 200 grain point. The fletched shaft and stock insert without a point weigh right at 500 grains, so my finished arrows weigh right at 700 grains (with the 200 grain heads).

I've also used Goldtip 7595. I think they ended up weighing 625 or so with 200 grain heads.

At any rate, a long draw has some serious advantages. Your long draw adds at least 20 feet per second over someone with a 28" draw pulling the same weight. You can drop way down in weight, if you choose, and still fling an arrow with authority. Right now, my chosen hunting bow is a 50@30.5 Hill. I shoot 65-70 spine wood shafts with 145 grain heads. It's as fast as a bow 10 pounds heavier but only pulled to 28".

The downside is that we don't have nearly the flexibility in arrow choices and combinations. Wood arrows require custom lengths and really high spines. Bamboo arrows are a viable option, but require a little more effort to get them just right. I do use them out of my self bows and bamboo backed bows, though.

Lastly, go to the A&H archery site for some very helpful information on tuning your bow.  http://www.acsbows.com/bowtuning.html  Whatever setup you choose, following the procedures described will help you find the right arrow combination.

[Squirrelbane]

All very helpful thank you very much. I think I'm leaning towards a Schafer silvertip TD recurve 64"OAL  w/ 19" riser

[damascusdave]

Those Kodiak Magnums are an amazing bow...mine is a 1962 that I draw to about 30 inches...it is 45 pounds at 28 inches and a full 55 pounds on the scale at 30 inches...I cannot imagine what yours is pulling at 32 inches as even at 30 mine pulls virtually all of the recurve out of the limbs...you might want to consider a static tip bow as they tend to work well with a longer draw...I had a 64 inch Blacktail that worked well for me too and Norm will build you a 66 inch one

DDave

[kennyb]

Looper-what great advice. This website is so awesome and this is a perfect example! The ability of these bowmen sharing their knowledge instead of keeping it to themselves and wanting other bowmen to be successful is just great! I'm sorry, don't mean to hijack. Thanks and good luck Squirrelbane!

Kenny          

[damascusdave]

Since you will be talking to Dave or Beth at Schafer anyway why not consider one of their longbows...I had an odd length one at 62 inches and it worked well to 30 inches...Dave says his 66 inch longbow is good to 33 inches...it will be fast and quiet with a grip that is much like a recurve in many ways

DDave

[KentuckyTJ]

Shuwee, I thought you were talking about your wife.

The Grizzly 185 are thicker metal than the rest. Check them out, I think you will like them.

[tom cunningham]

RMSG has a big inventory right now......

[Looper]

Originally posted by KentuckyTJ:
Shuwee, I thought you were talking about your wife.

The Grizzly 185 are thicker metal than the rest. Check them out, I think you will like them.

What the heck are you talking about?

[Diamond Paul]

It depends on who makes the bow, but you are probably in 64" recurve territory, or longer.  If you got a model that has different riser lengths matched to longer limbs, you might come out with a shorter bow that way, or shoot a static tip recurve, which people claim retains a less acute string angle at full draw than a normal recurve (actually, this is true, not a claim).  I barely hit 28", and don't like anything shorter than 60".  Unless you shoot three under, finger pinch is going to be a real problem for you without a long recurve.