Bow length question

[Echo62]

I have a 62" longbow and a 60" recurve. My question is, should I look at a longer bow for 3d shooting. I'm getting ready to start at some local shoots next month and I'm wondering if I would gain any real advantage by shooting a longer bow. By the way I'm 5'10" and I draw 28.5". Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

[Flatshooter]

A 64" might be a tad smoother but I doubt you will feel much of a difference. Personally I feel 62" is the perfect longbow length for my 28.25 draw length in the field and on the course. I'm 6'1. Of course that may have a lot to do with the fact that it is the bow I shoot most.

[Tomas]

A shorter bow is faster (at the same draw weight) which is what you want when shooting at longer unknown distances in 3D. But I like the smoother draw of a 64" bow.

[reddogge]

The 64" bow will draw so much smoother and will be an advantage on a 3-D course. I have the identical set of limbs on two risers, one 17" which makes a 60" bow and the other on a 19" riser for a 62" bow. Everyone who shoots both comments on how smooth the 62" bow draws.

[JRY309]

When I shot 3D I always shot with the same bows I hunted with.But these days everything has changed with all the different bows out there.Alot of new classes,ILF bows,3-piece T/D bows.Shoot whichever one you feel like would be my choice,some guys like longer bows because they are generally smoother and more forgiving.Alot depends on where you shoot at,some Traditional 3D shoots can be as tight as hunting situations.

[xtrema312]

I assume we are talking hybrid bows.  Longer is usually smoother, but a lot depends on the bow design as to how much benefit you will get. I draw 29". There are bows that work better at 64", but there are others that I can't see much difference when shooting them.

[Deeter]

I have only been shooting trad for a little more than a month.  I just made the switch from shooting compounds for 20 years.  I have shot 3D compititions for years with the compounds.  My compitition bow was always longer than the one I hunted with.  The longer bows seem more forgiving and smoother.

[Echo62]

Thanks for all the input so far! I'm thinking about a 65" longbow. But how about recurves? Anyone have any input on those as well?

[ISP 5353]

Over my years of shooting traditional bows, I have slowly moved toward longer bows.  I draw 30".  My favorite longbow is a 70" 21st Century, that I hunt and shoot 3D with.  My favorite recuves are 64".  I like the smooth draw and stable feel I get with the longer limbs.

Shoot a lot of bows and I am sure you will find what feels best to you.  The search is half the fun!

[joe skipp]

I don't shoot 3D, draw 27"...if I did shoot 3D, I would shoot a 62" or 64" recurve around 50#. A bow weight I can shoot all day without fatigue and a real smooth shooting bow, which the longer lengths offer.

There's a few bowyers out there offering static limb tip bows, 56" and 58" which pull super smooth to 29/30". Getting back to my first statement, same with a longbow, longer and lighter. Just my opinion after dealing years with customers who shoot 3D and bowhunt.

[LittleBen]

I'm a wood bow guy, so anything under 60" starts getting tricky to make. I tend to prefer the 62" length for all around hunting/shooting, recurves and flatbows alike (26" draw maybe).

with that said I have a few longbows in the 65-72" range, and they're ridiculously nice to draw in comparison. Seem more stable to shoot. Like a longer shotgun barrel on the sporting clays course for any clay shooters out there.

[Echo62]

TTT

[Kris]

"should I look at a longer bow for 3d shooting..."  Echo62

Maybe...and it depends.  Shoot some longer bows and see how it feels.  Not all bows are created equal, meaning a 64" longbow of one brand may feel and shoot like a 66" longbow of another brand.  Straight limbed bows tend to need to be "longer"(66 -70) whereas longbows with R&D tend to be as smooth several inches shorter (62 -66).  Then...define smooth?  Typically it means a consistent number of pounds of draw weight per inch, i.e. 3 lbs./inch, out to full draw.

To answer your question though, longer bows tend to be more "stable", smoother drawing and more accurate...but there are exceptions for sure.  Will a longer bow make you a more accurate 3D shot, not necessarily but it wouldn't necessarily hurt either.  Only you can decide.

You mileage may vary.

Good Luck -

Kris

[Bill Turner]

I hunt with a 64" TD Howard Hill "Red Man" with an extra lam of yew. At my 28" draw and above, I would not recommend anything shorter. I normally shoot 66" Hill bows, but Craig Eakin convinced me that the 64" would outperform the 66", all things being equal at my draw length-. There is no doubt in my mind that Craig was right. As for 3-D shooting, where you will be shooting lots of arrows, the longer bows will be smoother and much easier to shoot for longer periods of time. I prefer my 66" Hill's or even 68" Hill's over my 64" hunting bow for 3-D competition, especially two day events. This is a very personal decision and like Kris said, "Shoot some longer bows" and determine what is best for you. Most 3-D shooters, if asked properly, will be happy to let you shoot their bows on the practice range during 3-D shoots. Have fun and good luck in your quest.  

[Bob4st]

...I also prefer longer longbows in the vicinity of 68"... My current favorite lengths are Sky 69" and a HHill 70"... Much easier on my fingers shooting split... I would advise buy, trade, borrow, and test drive as many bows as possible until you find the ones with which you feel most comfortable... Good luck..

[Friend]

Individual Bowyer designs should not be eliminated from the equation.

Ex. Where it is possible for a 70" Hill style american flat longbow to perform quite similar at your 28 1/2" draw(excluding speed) to a 62" aggressive r/d longbow.