What is it about longer bows that makes them forgiving?

[Zradix]

Hi,
I did a search on this and was surprised.
All I found was "longer bows are more forgiving"

I know that riser shape has a lot to do with making a bow forgiving. as does the having a limb design that wants to stay straight even when you're trying to torque it. I guess these limbs are generally wider.

Lets just say you have a 3pc takedown.
Why would well designed limbs that make the bow 66" be a more forgiving set up than limbs to make it 58"?

Is it just the string angle..less pinch?
Or maybe that combined with the added wt of the longer limbs make the bow more stable just because it's heavier (inertia)?

Lets me say I'm not trying to argue a point here.
I shoot a longer bow better than shorter ones...at least with the ones I've tried anyway.
I'm just trying to figure out why.

Thank you
   

[bowhntr62]

I have always been partial to the longer bows myself . Most of my recurves are 62" and my longbows are 68"+ . I have hunted out of my climbing treestands with both and dont have problems with limb clearance.      :D

[bowhntr62]

I have always been partial to the longer bows myself . Most of my recurves are 62" and my longbows are 68"+ . I have hunted out of my climbing treestands with both and dont have problems with limb clearance.      :D

[bowhntr62]

I have always been partial to the longer bows myself . Most of my recurves are 62" and my longbows are 68"+ . I have hunted out of my climbing treestands with both and dont have problems with limb clearance.

[bowhntr62]

Sorry about that still trying to figure out your posting system !!!

[S.C. Hunter]

I think one big difference is a longer bow is more forgiving where the release is concerned. These bows tend to be just a little slower. This also helps a little as it allows the eye to become more aware of arrow flight.

[Friend]

If you torque the string the same amount, the longer limbs would experience less twist.

[BWD]

More stable, less finger pinch.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by Friend:
If you torque the string the same amount, the longer limbs would experience less twist.

Do you mean just more gradual twist?
Seems to me the longer limbs would be twisted just as much but that twist would be spread over a longer distance.

Also, I would think it would be easier to twist a longer limb.
For instance, grab a 12" ruler by the ends and twist it 90˚.
Then hold it with your fingers 1" apart and try to do the same thing.

Seems like a shorter limb would be less prone to twisting.

Or am I not following you?

This is the kind of stuff that is racking my brain. I'm missing something here. It seems a short stiff limb would "stay put"

Maybe the longer limb being easier to "deform" IS the reason it's more forgiving. It lets you mess things up but it gets back to normal more gently than a shorter limb thereby being more gentle on the arrow.

Then again..the short stiff limb might not twist at all in the first place...  

hhhmmm....

[Mike Schlegel]

I do not disagree, however I recently went from 64" and 62" longbows to a 58" and can honestly say I shoot the 58" better than the longer models. By the way all 3 length bows from the same bowyer.

[Gen273]

Zradix,

This is the type of question that I often ponder as well. However, I do not have many answers.

[Friend]

Zradix,

You have been emailed a power point sketch depicting increased limb twist associated with shorter bows vs longer bows.

I would have to believe that the sketch has some validity since considerable invests into R & D to reduce limb twist have been made.

[Hud]

In my opinion this is where the longbow excels.
Stability is the biggest advantage of a longbow, and a short traditional longbows will stack given the same draw length, whereas the longer bow will not. Consider the same bow design with a 28" draw length in a 68" bow vs a 66" bow or 64". The longer bow will have less finger pinch and will shoot the same arrow a bit further. At some point the shorter bow will not be comfortable to shoot.

[Bjorn]

The longer limb is smoother and more 'stable' whatever that means. Anyway it has proven more accurate for me. And the increased cast is welcome too.

[Zradix]

Thanks for the Sketch Friend.

So what do you all think?
Is it possibly the most forgiving bow has the longest working section of limb?

This bow might be slower, but shoots great.
This sounds like HH type bows that I hear are quite forgiving.

Thank you all.
Your thoughts are very welcome.

[greyghost]

The only difference I noticed between a 64" bow to a 70" bow is the shorter one stacks. I never really had a problem with finger pinch. Cast seemed a little better on the longer ones.

But then again I shoot the shorter bows it seems the best for hunting. I am just a stump shooter/hunter and not much on 3d or target shooting.


So far as an answer to your question, sorry I have not the clue what makes them more forgiving if they do at all.

Good question will keep an eye on this one and see what others may say.


Earl

[ncsaknech1ydh]

The longer bows shoot better for me, I have always understood it is less finger pinch, of coarse the longer your draw length the more this comes into play, I draw around 32 inches so there is more finger pinch then someone who draws 28 inches.

I also use a Cavalier Cordoven tab which uses a metal piece in the tab which insures the same placement on the string everytime and thus less torque on the bow string. DK.

[cyred4d]

I think it is a combination of less finger pinch and smoother draw. If your body is more relaxed holding the weight you are going to make a better shot.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Lower string angle and less pounds per inch of draw change make up the bulk of it.

[Cool Arrow]

I don't know, but I feel that ones sub consience is better at knowing where the bow tips are.Being further apart on a longer bow versus a shorter bow. Kinda like the diff. between shooting a hand gun or a rifle. Hope this makes sense. In my case I don't feel that I get efficiency from a really long bow because my draw length is short.
   Larry