Who shoots an older Martin longbow?

[OkKeith]

I have a Martin ML-10 longbow. Shoots good, a little heavier in draw weight than the bows I normaly shoot though so I don't get it down as often as I would like.

Anyone else shoot one of these? I think there was a ML-15 as well, right? What is the difference?

I even considered having it made into a two-piece take-down with one of the various systems. Anyone tried this?

To me, it is a basic, no frills bow that shoots good.

OkKeith

[arrowslinger22]

I've had several ML-10's.  It is a good, no frills bow.  Don't know about the ML-15, but I have an ML-18 that's called a Bushmaster.  Martin called the ML-10 the Mountaineer and they had another similar longbow that was the Pioneer.  Maybe that one is the ML-15??

I sold all but the Bushmaster, it's my rainy day bow when I'm hunting.

[frank bullitt]

Keith, my first was a ML-14, all Zebra wood, under clear glass. I bought it from Eastside Archery, of Chicago, in 1985. Them and the Ole Ben, from Pearson, was the only factory longbows available at the time.

Steve

[OkKeith]

I agree with you guys, it is nothing fancy but is solid as a rock.

Was the Mountaineer the one with clear glass and zebrawood or the Pioneer? The one I have has maple lams, a darkish hard wood riser and brown glass.

I have never had a Howard Hill in hand but the MLs seem to be along the same lines. I wonder why you don't hear more about them? I doubt they are rare, probably thousands of them out there.

Maybe it's because they just aren't as sexy as a lot of other bows. They sure aren't sports cars, maybe 4-wheel drive trucks with just a coat of primer.

OkKeith

[Jesse Minish]

I have still got a ML-10. I shot my first deer with it.

I've owned an ML-10 (many moons ago) and a Bushmaster. Bushmaster was OK, but I really disliked the ML- 10. For one thing, it was a full 5# heavier than rated, which I understand is common with Martins. Also kicked like a mule.

[frank bullitt]

Yes, they weren't tillered the best, but at the time they were the only LBs you could get or handle without ordering a Hill, Zebra, Palmer, etc.

I just pulled out a Bowhunter mag from '83, it has a pull-out catalog for Martin, there was also a ML-12, pistol grip, model.

If you got'em, shoot 'em!

Steve

[Blackhawk]

I bought an ML10 at a swap meet about 10 years ago and could not sell it fast enough. That was a gawd-awful kicker that hurt me more than the target.  

Martin recurves are pretty good, but those older longbows were brutal.  I believe Larry and the gang at Yakima saw the light and the new generation of longbows are far superior in all aspects.

[OkKeith]

Anyone ever tried cutting one of these in half and putting a take-down system in?

OkKeith

[Ssamac]

I have a ML 100 (newer model) and it's a really nice bow. A little twangy but a good shooter. The Savannah is really nice. I guess the learned from the 10 and 15. I had a Vision once and did not like it. Nice looking bow but an odd handle and a hard draw. The Savannah and the ML100 are smooth.

Sam

[turtle927]

i havea savannah and its a sweet shooting bow!!!

[OkKeith]

Sam,

My ML-10 is very picky about brace height. It has some string noise until the sweet spot is found.

Mine likes a lower brace height than you might figure. Somewhere in the 6 and 3/4 to 7 and 1/4 range. Might try that, could get it shooting quieter. I also shoot an 18 strand, B-50 string. A thicker string can also help tame a noisy bow.

OkKeith

[adkmountainken]

i have a ML14 that i love, shoot it all the time #65@28, will be hinting with it often this year. a good friend gave it to me and it means a lot. no frills, solid bow!

Ken what are you hinting at?  

[frank bullitt]

Keith, personally, I would, if I still had one, swap the string for a High performance material of your choice. Yes, I know these bows don't have overlays.
Just pad the loops real well, I think you would enjoy it more!

18 strands of dacron is overkill IMO!

[OkKeith]

Steve,

I have a few bows with the FF type strings on them (2 recurves, 1 longbow), but that is what they had when I got them. I don't really know much about the material. Do you really think I would see much increase in performance from the bow if I switch from B-50 to FF?

The bow is AMO 68" and is 65# at 28". My drawlength is around 31". It's pretty quiet and mostly dead in the hand. I don't know enough about the FF material to understand what it would do for me.

OkKeith

[Ssamac]

Keith
I have a continuous loop string on mine with silencers. I think it's FF. Green string. May be the factory string. I've seen these strings on Martins before.
I'm thinking of getting a Flemish string which are usually quieter.

I don't mind just shooting or 3D but it's too noisy to hunt. My brace is 7" now. I can try to lower a bit and see if it helps.

Thanks
sam

[OkKeith]

That could help Sam.

The string on mine I made myself. It is a Flem. twist string. Two 9 strand bundles of B-50. I have two modest wool silencers on the string about 16" down from the tips.

How heavy are your arrows? I shoot a fairly heavy arrow at around 600 grains. I shoot the Goldtip Traditionals with 5 and 1/2 inch tall shield cuts and 150 grain points. A heavier arrow would quiet it down a lot. Maybe more than a new string and softball size silencers.

OkKeith

[adkmountainken]

ummmm i'm hinting that i want to be hunting and not working soooo much!! my typibg is about as good as my dancin!!!!

[frank bullitt]

Keith, yes, I think it would help. These bows are not built with alot of induced stress/ reflex. Like straight limbed selfbows, it should milk all of the performance to shoot a heavy arrow. And be quiet, too!

Let me know the string length, and your address, I will send something special for you to try.

You be the judge!

Steve