Bear Montana Bamboo

Rob DiStefano · April 03, 2024, 05:35:38 AM

Quote from: M60gunner on April 02, 2024, 08:31:39 PM
I must say that new bow is a vast improvement over the original. Is there anything saying one couldn't make that riser more center shot? Like we did with the original model modifying the grip and those God awful limb tips? Enjoy.

The riser is a solid hefty chunk of Dymondwood or micarta that should pose no problem rasping and sanding down past center shot ... dittos for modding the grip as well.

The limb tips on this bamboo version aren't as pronounced as the maple version, but any limb tip of most any bow can be bobbed down for sure ...

https://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=108895.0

M60gunner · April 03, 2024, 12:16:54 PM

That's the link I followed sort of when I reworked my Montana years ago. I was retired by then, taking wood shop classes at local JC. Took me only a few minutes using the sanding machines we had. Used good old Tru-Oil to seal it again. Lent that bow to a gentleman visiting here for the winter. He liked it so much he bought it. Your new bow is close to being a custom bow IMO. Materials used rival those from a custom bowyer. Enjoy.

Wudstix · April 04, 2024, 02:05:29 PM

Too bad this upgrade came along when it did, my stable is full. Actually starting to down size..

Rob DiStefano · April 04, 2024, 02:42:13 PM

Beware the archer who has only one bow!

Wudstix · April 04, 2024, 04:05:38 PM

Oh, I don't have just one!!!

Rob DiStefano · April 04, 2024, 06:01:58 PM

Quote from: Wudstix on April 04, 2024, 04:05:38 PM
Oh, I don't have just one!!!

Join the "too many bows" club!

Rob DiStefano · April 22, 2025, 07:32:04 PM

The NEW Boo Montana is working pretty well ... or rather, I'm learning to work well with it @ 22yds.

"New"? Yes, sold the first, a month or so ago bought another, silly me.

42lbs @ my draw length, 28" BloodSport 500 carbons w/200 grain field points, 4.2" burnt feathers.

Kelly · April 23, 2025, 02:24:20 PM

Nice shooting, Rob. Did you alter the grip-remove the square corners?

Terry Green · April 23, 2025, 04:03:55 PM

Never heard of teflon tape being use as a strike plate. Cool. Cool bow too.

Rob DiStefano · April 23, 2025, 04:11:37 PM

Quote from: Kelly on April 23, 2025, 02:24:20 PM
Nice shooting, Rob. Did you alter the grip-remove the square corners?

For whatever reason this one has slightly rounded corners that work well with how I grip this bow. Hockey tape double wrap for a solid grip.

Rob DiStefano · April 23, 2025, 04:14:05 PM

Quote from: Terry Green on April 23, 2025, 04:03:55 PM
Never heard of teflon tape being use as a strike plate. Cool. Cool bow too.

If there's some radius to the sight window then teflon tape makes for a more center shot riser. On this second Montana I laid down the teflon tape to protect the sight window and used a small piece of Velcro loop as the pressure point. It works well.

Rob DiStefano · May 02, 2025, 04:18:22 PM

Spun up a dual color B55 string and managed to plop some carbons (2 with feathers, 4 without) nicely into the butt @ 22yds. These are Big Jim's Dark Timber 600 shafts @ 28" and with 250 grain points for a total arrow weight of 505 grains out of a 42lb holding weight. Doing the math, that's a 12GPP arrow ... nice.

Kirkll · May 03, 2025, 12:08:52 AM

Looks like you have the arrow spine dead on there Rob... the bare shaft showing slightly weak, and the fletched arrows perfect....

Hud · May 03, 2025, 02:18:03 AM

Does Hockey tape leave any goo on your hand? Nice bow I like bamboo too. I remember reading when Howard Hill started making all bamboo LB, he was surprised by the lack of performance, compared to his Yew LB. That was pretty early in his carrier, but he contacted Winston Rod Co, in MT and they told him to temper the bamboo and apparently he like the results. It made me curious if Frank Eicholtz put fiberglass on one of Howard's early bamboo or later tempered bamboo bows.

Rob DiStefano · May 03, 2025, 06:04:44 AM

Quote from: Hud on May 03, 2025, 02:18:03 AM
Does Hockey tape leave any goo on your hand? ...

Nope, not at all. On the removable ILF Barebow grips I use a small piece of skateboard tape as a non-skid thumb meat locator. I need to try that with the longbows, too.

Burnsie · May 03, 2025, 10:38:14 AM

I almost bought one of these at Compton's last year - still on my hit list.

Rob DiStefano · May 03, 2025, 12:12:27 PM

Quote from: Burnsie on May 03, 2025, 10:38:14 AM
I almost bought one of these at Compton's last year - still on my hit list.

It's not a speed demon, but neither is it a slouch. It's stable and somewhat forgiving. It'll put critter meat in the freezer, no doubt.

RIVERWOLF · May 04, 2025, 11:19:55 AM

Great looking bow Rob !

Lots of ways to skina cat ...err tune a bow and arrows eh.....

On the speed thing...The Montana Longbow is plenty fast enough , and when using 11-13 gpp and a well made string...they are not only feather quiet..but very deadly weapons

Rob DiStefano · May 04, 2025, 11:44:38 AM

The Montana is a very good longbow for newbie or seasoned archer/bowhunter. I spun up a 32 strand BCY Mercury 100% SK99 Dyneema string and that upped the arrow speed a tad whilst still allowing good release and shot stability. I also moved the pressure point back a bit over the grip pressure point and replaced the hockey tape with a pinking shear cut of skateboard tape. Both changes are keepers. Next up will be to spin a 20 strand BCY 652 100% Spectra string, just outta curiosity.

RIVERWOLF · May 04, 2025, 04:57:48 PM

Good stuff Mr. Rob !
Twisting a good string for my bows I usually jump 1 or 2 spines on the chart

But as you know , lots plays into that...center cut--shelf/sight window material--shaft dia.---etc..etc..

..... but removing all the variables minus the string material (and string builder;) I usually am 2 blocks above recommended spines for a given bow weight/draw etc...so never underestimate the ability of a good string , or underestimate the ability of any bow with a BAD string , once it is fitted with a proper one . JMHO