Long Bow Information wanted

[Shadow]

G'day all, I'm new to the forum and would like to know a little about Welsh Long Bows, Who makes them? What should I pay? How good are they compared to other traditional style bows? Is 80# an excessive draw weight given that I stand at 6'1" and have a solid build and want to be able to hunt with it (After much practise)? Can you get them in 80# draw weight?
I currently use an early model Dartin compound that I was talked into buying by the dealer some years back, even though I really wanted a long bow at the time, I still want a long bow and should never have allowed myself to be talked into the compound purchase, but that is history. Now I will just have to own two bows! Anyway any help you can give on the topic will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance Blokes,

Mick

[adam]

Hi Shadow, welcome to the site.

80pounds is certainly plenty of push for hunting; I shot a 70pound longbow for 4 years and although a good number of game fell to the bow it was well over kill for me. I wish I had of started out with something lighter to gain better form and shooting style.

I now hunt with 55pound and a 60 pound longbow, these bows with a 500grain plus arrow will take pigs goats etc no worries.

If you can comfortable draw that bow (80pounds) in all the position you would in a hunting scenario then go for it, if not come down in the poundage department as you can hunt with a much lighter poundage for medium game, deer goats etc.

I won’t use a bow these days If I can’t draw it sitting down, crouching etc all the position you could need to take a shot in. And I have to be able to draw it back smooth as, like if a fox was approaching you and your movements need to be slow and steady.

Sorry I can’t help out on the make of longbow or price range.

But hope I helped somewhat.

Adam

[Shadow]

It's all helpful info, thanks Adam. I didn't think of being able to draw while sitting etc.

[Jimmy Alexander]

G'day shadow, as a fellow newbie and longbow shooter newbie also, i just bought a viper deluxe 68inch with a 60pound draw for $300 and its fantastic. I would highly reccomend getting something in a lower draw than 80# as you want to feel comfortable and hold her steady as you aim.
The manafacturer is Aim Internature if you wanter to know.
There are heaps of longbows out there though so find one that feels really good.


Jimmy

[hutcho]

I have an internature viper deluxe (only difference is viper is light wood and the deluxe is dark wood)

I have attached a link from the mob I bought mine from.

http://www.archeryshop.com.au/c/5133/1/bows---longbow.html

Mine is 55lb but as I draw over 28" the actual draw weight is higher, so if you are 6'1" and are broad across your shoulders you could draw closer to 30". From memory each inch over 28" adds roughly 3-5lb of draw weight (someone chime in here and set the 3-5lb per 1" bit if its wrong)

So if this is right and you bought a 55lb bow and drew 30 inches you could be drawing anywhere between 55 and 65lb.

My old man has knocked over heaps of pigs with a 50lb longbow but he only pulls about 45lb.

In my opinion, it would be better to draw 20-30lb lighter than what you are considering to get good form and to get good grouping. Once you have these if you want to kill a few dinosoars go the big poundage.

[Paul R]

G'day Shadow, you'll have a ball with a longbow mate, it's not easy but it is worth it. :D

Are you after an all wood long bow or a fibreglass laminated long bow?

I have to agree with everyone else Shadow, in my opinion an 80# bow is too much for the average bloke to start learning good, consistant form with. IMO 50 pounds at your draw length is a much better starting point for most and with a well made, efficient bow you won't have any problems harvesting most Aussie game with a well placed, straight shooting arrow.

[Glenn]

Mich as you have already been told, go for a lighter poundage to start off with. Some of those heavy bow limbs are so heavy they can defeat the purpose anyway especially in a selfbow. If the heavy poundage makes you shorten your draw a bit you will loose the advantage of the heavier bow as well. Cliff Turpin from Turbow in Brisbane makes all wood Welsh Longbows, no sure of prices though...Glenn...

[Shadow]

G'day Shadow, you'll have a ball with a longbow mate, it's not easy but it is worth it. :D

Are you after an all wood long bow or a fibreglass laminated long bow?

I have to agree with everyone else Shadow, in my opinion an 80# bow is too much for the average bloke to start learning good, consistant form with. IMO 50 pounds at your draw length is a much better starting point for most and with a well made, efficient bow you won't have any problems harvesting most Aussie game with a well placed, straight shooting arrow.

I'm pretty much into the traditional style but willing to make small compromises. My draw length is close enough to 30" to make little difference. So maybe a 55-60# stick would be a good compromise with regard to draw length? I really don't like doing things in half measures so I will probably have to get friendly with some stick bow people at my nearest range to see if I can try before I buy, so to speak. I am taking all this advice on board, I just have to wrestle my mind around to accepting the lighter weight bows.

Thanks all
Mick

[Jimmy Alexander]

It's not meant to be a he-man contest. Its grace and dexterety. Your no pussy, even with a 20# longbow. Get out and have a crack and remember, its not a contest of who's bows bigger :wink:

Jimmy

[Shadow]

It's not meant to be a he-man contest. Its grace and dexterety. Your no pussy, even with a 20# longbow. Get out and have a crack and remember, its not a contest of who's bows bigger :wink:

Jimmy

Would never have thought it was a contest and I certainly don't knock anyone elses' choices of bow or the draw weight. I can understand what you're saying though. I just want to stick with something that follows as close as possible to (Welsh/English) traditional and in that scope I'm trying to include poundage. From what I can gather 80# would be straight down the middle. This is also why I put up a request for information, so that I can learn as much as possible before I fully commit to purchasing something that may not be the best choice for me.

[Jimmy Alexander]

Yeah mate i understand. Not too many people wear plate or chainmail, but if your going traditional, your going traditional :lol: Yyou should check out the guy shooting a 90 pound warbow on youtube. This is as good as i can get. http://youtube.com/resultssearch_query=longbow+archery.

There are quite a few good warbow and medieval arrow shaping movies there too. Plus some wicked hunt vids.

Enjoy. Jimmy

[rory]

Shooting a 20# longbow.... yes you would be a pussy :lol: :lol: :wink:

I've always been told, and follow this myself, that (for hunting only) shoot as heavier poundage as you can comforatbly shoot. In my mind this means you gotta be able to ease back the draw after a full days walking/hunting, in all climates and terrain.

A 70# tradbow v's a 60# tradbow will simply allow you to shoot a heavier arrow with a flatter tradjectory.

A 50# tradbow will kill all the deer species in Australia no probs :D