62" or 64" bow?

Karl Kortemeier · January 31, 2011, 04:17:00 PM

I am on a waiting list for a new bow. I currently shoot a 60" Bear Kodiak Recurve. My question is what length I should go with, 62" or 64"? The new bow will be a longbow. Any thoughts?

Thank you

Hermon · January 31, 2011, 04:25:00 PM

What is your draw length? What kind of longbow? Classic Hill style, mild reflex/deflex or hybrid?
All these things will factor into your decision. Personally I have a 27.5-28" draw and like 62" in a mild r/d longbow and 60-62" in a hybrid. YMMV.

xtrema312 · January 31, 2011, 04:27:00 PM

What kind of long bow? How long is your draw? How and where do you hunt? Have you talked this all over with the boyer?

In the end it is mostly personal preference as long as you are not maxing out the bow draw length so you have to shoot them if you can.

Crash · January 31, 2011, 05:07:00 PM

Ask the bowyer, no one else will know that bow better than them.

Stumpkiller · January 31, 2011, 05:10:00 PM

Agree. Ask your bowyer. I have 62" recurves and my longbow is 72" You want one suited to your drawlength.

bentpole · January 31, 2011, 05:11:00 PM

WHAT LONGBOW!!?? :confused:

Bowwild · January 31, 2011, 05:16:00 PM

As soon as I read "longbow" I have to move on because it's a foreign language to this recurver.

Swiftspeed10 · January 31, 2011, 05:27:00 PM

If it is a r/d styled bow and you have an average drawlength I'd go for the 62"

David Bartholomew · January 31, 2011, 05:55:00 PM

I see many folks buy short bows, and then they seem to sell them just as quick. I guess I just look at key words... such as "long".

sawtoothscream · January 31, 2011, 06:50:00 PM

my draw is 26.5" and my new bow i got is a 66" hybrid. works for me and pretty fast. the bow i shot before that is a 60" kodiak also.

next bow i order will be a 60" or 62" r/d style bow just so its a little more compact for the type of stands i hunt from.

YORNOC · January 31, 2011, 07:07:00 PM

It would be the 64" all the way for me.

Johnny UMAA · January 31, 2011, 07:11:00 PM

I'm 6'1" and have a draw length of 29 inches...

Paul Schafer recommended that I make my SilverTip a 62 incher so I did.

Later Dick Robertson recommended that I make my longbow he built for me a 66 incher, so I did that too.

I have not regretted either decision...both are smooth on the draw and neither bow is a "finger-pincher".

ronp · January 31, 2011, 07:17:00 PM

Lately, I have been thinking longer is better regardless of draw length. Maybe I have been reading too much Witchery of Archery, though. Nope, longer is better... :p

Karl Kortemeier · January 31, 2011, 08:29:00 PM

Thanks for the info. It is a reflex/deflex style. I will talk to my bowyer, and get his recomendation. I was just curious if there is a big difference between 62" and 64". Another words, in the world of long bows, does a 2" difference in bow length make a huge change in the way the bow feels, or is it a subtle change?

I am 6'1" and have a 29" draw length.

Thanks

Crash · January 31, 2011, 08:38:00 PM

Depending on the bow, it will probably be a subtle change. 2" on a bow is usually not huge unless you are on the very edge of being too short, then going up a couple of inches would probably be more noticeable.

Lee Robinson . · January 31, 2011, 08:38:00 PM

Ask the bowyer indeed! It depends on the style, riser length, core depth/limb width, draw length, etc.

Sixby · January 31, 2011, 08:42:00 PM

Yes ask the bowyer. Then get at least 64 inches. LOL God bless you, steve

Stumpkiller · January 31, 2011, 08:56:00 PM

Seems we need three categories:

Recurve.

Flatbow.

Longbow.

raghorns · January 31, 2011, 09:57:00 PM

I shoot a 58" r/d longbow...when I shoot from my knees I have plenty of room for additional length...I definitely think longer is much more accurate...one day I will trade for a 64".

YORNOC · February 01, 2011, 07:14:00 AM

You've got to be careful asking bowyers too. This sounds crazy, but a lot of bowyers have never experienced shooting longer bows. They build what the biggest demand asks.
I had a great local bowyer who only made up to a 60" bow try and explain to me that I dont know my butt from my elbow, and his 60" would be just as smooth and accurate as anything longer.Refused to build me a 64". Come to find out, he never even SHOT a bow over 60"!!!!!!
And his bows are of incredible quality. He has since shot some of my 64 and longer recurves, and just smirks at me when his "old" opinion is brought up.
I'm not saying all longer bows are better, just make sure the guy who you are asking knows what he's talking about. Even some of the pros out there can learn a thing or two sometimes.