BW Longbows

[Weasel]

I have a 62", 49# Firefly that I shoot extremely well.  However, I need 50# minimum to hunt elk here in Oregon.  A good friend is telling me that the BW longbow is the way to go.  I could order a set of 53# limbs for the Firefly, but to be honest with you I still have a bit of a problem with the TD recurve handle/longbow limb set-up aesthetically .  Maybe it's the romantic in me, but I like the looks/lines of standard recurves and longbows.

So, that said, any real life opinions/comparisons of BW longbows would be greatly appreciated.  Please, no BW bashing.

Thanks!

Jerry

[bowfiend]

Take this with a grain of salt because I've only had a PLG for about a month. For my shooting style and my money I think you can get something else that would be less expensive and shoot just as well. Just one of many examples - I think Jim Neaves is charging $800 for a Centaur Carbon Elite, which you'd have to wait for but is an awesome bow. My feeling thus far is that the widow is kind of "high strung" - it shoots hard but you feel it in both the draw and the shot. Like I said, though, I've only been shooting it about a month.

[Weasel]

"My feeling thus far is that the widow is kind of "high strung" - it shoots hard but you feel it in both the draw and the shot."

Thanks Bowfiend.  That's the kind of info I'm seeking.

[Biggie Hoffman]

I don't know Weasie, I just got ANOTHER BW longbow cause they seem so smooth to me. This one is Juniper, 66", 54#@32". I'm shooting 700gr carbons w/125gr Muzzy Phantoms.

Different guys have different feel but the only longbow I have that is smoother is my Great Northern Traditional Longbow. That may be because it's a 70"er.

[Pegen]

I am shooting my 2nd PL V. I used to have a 64" 63#, and swapped it for a 62" 57#@28" that is absolutely perfect for me. IMO, It is a hard hitting, super smooth bow that is also built like a tank, to withstand the harshest environment, be it weather or terrain related, as well as the harshest treatment from its owners, or at least one of them, ME! I also think the bamboo in the PL V adds to the smooth draw.

[Jim Wright]

Do yourself a favor and look at Dan Toelke "Whips"
(www.montanabows.com), as well mannered a bow as you will ever shoot. They are $700.00, superbly crafted of beautiful woods and the longest I've waited for delivery on a number of them has been 29 days. In addition you will find Dan the best guy in the world to deal with.

[David McLendon]

I have a PLX 62" 83#@29 which is very smooth provided you are used to pulling something like that. For most things I shoot what would be considered a light 8.1gpp arrow for the bow weighing in at 675 gr and is very fast and flat. Shooting something more in the 10gpp range is really quiet, smooth and hard hitting, which would likely be the case with any weight BW longbow with a 10 gpp arrow.

[George D. Stout]

Weasel, Jay St.Charles can make you one that has all kinds of romantic appeal, and it will shoot great too.   Is the BW even a D-bow?

[md126]

what jim wright said x2

[mooseman76]

I third Jim's comment.  Dan is the best, IMO...Mike

[Bowhunter4life]

Well, my Mom always said, "If you can't say anything nice..."

I've owned a few with a mix of the older LAG and the newer PL models, don't own one now, and won't in the future.  I know there are a lot of folks who love them, great for them, just not my cup of tea...  I do like the Widow recurve design, but don't happen to own any right now as I'm more of a longbow shooter.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Having had two, I think they are a fine bow. They are fast and forgiving. I really cut my teeth as a bowhunter with them, taking my first goats, pigs and a camel. However, these days, the romantic in me prefers to shoot Hills when the longbow bug bites.

[RPolk]

I've owned BW Longbows in the past. There is no doubt they are a sweet shooting bow. However, for me, they are just a little on the heavy side.

My current favorite is a Mississippi Lake Longbow made by Jim Godden. He takes the time to listen to what you want and makes a great Longbow with little weight time. Also for less that any of the bows mentioned so far.

[Spike]

I have been through 24 trad bows in the last 8 years or so,trying lots of different designs. The PL is not the fastest or prettiest depending on the model, but I am down to 1 bow and that is a PLV T/D 62" that I draw to 29" nicely. The PLV has the right combination of grip, performance, decent brace height to clear heavy jackets etc and is very forgiving and easy to setup/tune. It is also one of the best built/durable bows I have owned. You need to find one to shoot or do their "TEST DRIVE" to see if it is the bow for you. Used ones a couple of years old can be had also for a reasonable cost on teh classifieds and sold for what you paid if you determine you don't care for it.

[Lefty]

After all the bows that I have owned and tried over the last 10 years I have finally gotten out of the buying, selling and trading.  There are a few that I have owned that thinking back I maybe should have kept, (MOAB, Massie, to name two) but the two bows that I ended up keeping are my ACS CX and my PLGA.  My ACS is hands down the best shooting bow I have ever shot and my Black Widow PLGA is not only a looker, but fast, smooth, forgiving and built to last.  Not only are both of these bows great to shoot, but the customer service of both companies is outstanding.
 Best advise would be to find one to shoot and see if it is for you.  If not, there are many other great bow makers out there producing bows.  If you have the time and the means, Kalamazoo is coming up in January and you could try out alot of bows from different bowyers.

[Curveman]

I agree completely with you on the "looks/lines" comment Weasel. I like the BW's but I prefer the Border GL. Pete Ward did a review on  www.peteward.com  if you'd like to check it out.

[happy1]

I agree with Lefty as I have both too. And have another A&H ACS CX on order.

[gregk]

I think BW still offers the test drive, where you can try out the model that you want. If your still leaning towards one you might try that.

[artifaker1]

I can't imagine a PL not being smooth. I do know that you want to get one made after they started putting carbon in the back of the limb. I have a 64" 60lb PLII and it is one of the best longbows I have ever shot. Light as a feather too. It feels like I'm drawing about a fifty pond bow.

[joe ashton]

I've had two B/W longbows.  My b/w is my go to bow------right now....  I really do like it.  Quiet fast very pointalbe (is that a word?) Killed two deer with it this year both pass throughs.... Joe