Over bowed ??

[sharkhunter]

Just started back shooting with a recurve after about 20yrs of being over on the other side. I can shoot 3 under with an old compound i have and hold about a 4 to 5 inch group at 20yrds but when I swap over to the recurve ( Dream Catcher 60# at 28") things get a little shaky and its hit or miss. Hard to hold a group at all.

I usualy shoot my compounds about 60 to 65 lbs and do so very comfortable. What do ya'll think a good poundage would be to start off on with a recurve?? I was thinking 45#s or so.

[Ron Meloni]

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I recently purchased a recurve in the 47# range. Seemed really light to me since I'm very used to shooting all day long my compound bow bottomed out at 70#. I've since switched to my new recurve and everything seems okay, but I'm struggling with the "feel" of it. I've started a thread here with videos and pics and I've been getting great feedback from all of the seasoned traditionalists. I'm currently in the market for a nice 35# or so recurve so I can just concentrate on form. Once I get really comfortable, I'll go back to my regular bow.

[muzzlebrake]

40-45lb max on recurve if you are used to 60lb wheel bow. They ain't apples to apples on holding at anchor.

[Samiel2d]

sharkhunter 40-45# is the average starting draw weight for adult men shooting traditional bows. most of the bows i shoot are under 50#. look on 3riversarchery.com and look at the Samick Sage, its a cheap, good shooting starter bow that wont break the bank. i have one and can personally attest to how well this bow shoots. and im sure others will chime in and say the same. ron you might want to look at the same bow.. w/ the bow and a good flemish string will run you about $150ish shipped.

[Txnrog]

#45lb range will do the trick. I hopped over from a 70# compound to a 50# recurve, but I may have been a bit overbowed as evidenced by my DL stretching out a bit as I build strength and focus on setting my shoulders.

One word of advice - if you go light enough, really focus on setting your shoulders early on - you will be able to hold more weight at full draw once you get that down, and it helps your overall form and release.

[froghunter]

45lbs at 28".

[bountyhunter]

At least 20 pound under what you are shooting with a compound is a good starting point, but I wouldn't go under 40#.

[sharkhunter]

Yep thanks guys. I think I see a new bow in my future....

[Samiel2d]

sharkhunter thats a nice redfish in your avatar.. last one i caught that size was 33lbs i caught at roll over pass on my medium action spinning reel w/ 20# p-line (wont fish with anything else, ive personally seen it land 2 fish over 30lbs w/ out stretching, snapping, even if frayed)

[Ron]

I shoot my wheel bow at 70#, but my reurve is 45# and it's comfortable to me. Just my $0.02.

[Deb]

Yep, all the above.

[Draco]

I think some of the problem people have switching over from compounds to sticks is that they want to shoot it like a compound and hold it too long before they release. I think that is the reason they have to go to such light weights. I am always stunned by how light people have to go when they switch from compounds and I personally think it does as much harm as good. It is so light that they keep shooting by holding a long time before they shoot. You should be aiming as you draw the bow and release just a second after hitting your anchor.

Or maybe the way people shoot bows is changing and light weight bows is what they need now a days. Just my opinion.

[Deb]

I think some of the problem people have switching over from compounds to sticks is that they want to shoot it like a compound and hold it too long before they release. I think that is the reason they have to go to such light weights. I am always stunned by how light people have to go when they switch from compounds and I personally think it does as much harm as good. It is so light that they keep shooting by holding a long time before they shoot. You should be aiming as you draw the bow and release just a second after hitting your anchor.

Or maybe the way people shoot bows is changing and light weight bows is what they need now a days. Just my opinion.

I agree. Excessive holding is a hard habit to break and can really mess you up.

[huntinpool]

I started with a #41 bow for a full year . Started shooting #45 a month before hunting season. Swithed to #50 at the start of 3D the 2nd year. Form is everything with trad shooting . It is easy to pick up BAD habits and VERY HARD to cure them, START LIGHTER . If you buy a Take-down model you can always buy heavier limbs as your form and shooting abilities improve.

[Bisch]

I think some of the problem people have switching over from compounds to sticks is that they want to shoot it like a compound and hold it too long before they release. I think that is the reason they have to go to such light weights. I am always stunned by how light people have to go when they switch from compounds and I personally think it does as much harm as good. It is so light that they keep shooting by holding a long time before they shoot. You should be aiming as you draw the bow and release just a second after hitting your anchor.

Or maybe the way people shoot bows is changing and light weight bows is what they need now a days. Just my opinion.

Bob, you know girly bows kill stuff pretty regularly - in the right hands! (and I hold at anchor for a while too)

Bisch