My Traditional Questions

[Coca Cola]

First off I am coming more and more interested in hunting with traditional equipment. But I have some questions.

My current trad set up
I believe its an AMF bow, probably from the early 70's. Thats not a problem in itself but I believe it hasn't been unstrung since. Thats over 33 years of being strung. Is it still safe to shoot? Its 35#'s if that makes a difference. I could be wrong about how long its been strung but I know for a fact its been strung for over 6 years now.

Second will a 35 pound bow deliver enough energy to poke two holes in a white tailed deer out to 20 yards?

Third, my dad has a friend that is a bowyer, apparently pretty accomplised. He made us 12 cedar arrows 5 years ago. Thats what I currently shoot when I mess around. They are quite pretty. Should I shoot these or my 45/60# carbons?

Fourth If I make my own board bow ( red oak) say 40-45 pounds will that give me better speeds then the 35 pound recurve laminate. Could I use this bow for hunting? If not mention some 40-45 pound bows that come in lefty pretty cheap.

Also I think the laminate recurve is severly out of tune. The nock slipped this year so I got out my nock pliers and put it where there was less dirt on the string ( probably where it was before it slipped). I think it has slipped again. My arrows have a severe wag in flight. I am sure my release is not perfect but I think its not all me. So how I do I tune something that is probably half the shooters fault anyway.


Thanks for all the help.

[BT]

upthere said:

First off I am coming more and more interested in hunting with traditional equipment. But I have some questions.

My current trad set up
I believe its an AMF bow, probably from the early 70's. Thats not a problem in itself but I believe it hasn't been unstrung since. Thats over 33 years of being strung. Is it still safe to shoot? Its 35#'s if that makes a difference. I could be wrong about how long its been strung but I know for a fact its been strung for over 6 years now.

I would not only not hunt with it....I wouldn't even shoot it

Second will a 35 pound bow deliver enough energy to poke two holes in a white tailed deer out to 20 yards?

Anything is possible but probable?.....no

Third, my dad has a friend that is a bowyer, apparently pretty accomplished. He made us 12 cedar arrows 5 years ago. Thats what I currently shoot when I mess around. They are quite pretty. Should I shoot these or my 45/60# carbons?

I would go with the carbons because the cedar may not be the correct spine for you and they can get out warped.
You can straighten them but if your just starting out , I would suggest setting them aside.

Fourth If I make my own board bow ( red oak) say 40-45 pounds will that give me better speeds then the 35 pound recurve laminate. Could I use this bow for hunting? If not mention some 40-45 pound bows that come in lefty pretty cheap.

Yes you can use the board bow in the 40-45# range and yes it will be better than your 35# as it pertains to speed if for no other reason then the 35# has probably lost 10-15% of it's weight to being stored in the strung position.

I would suggest ebay for 70's left hand recurves in the $75. - $125. range.

These bows may only last a few years (or less) but they will have paid for themselves by then

Also I think the laminate recurve is severely out of tune. The nock slipped this year so I got out my nock pliers and put it where there was less dirt on the string ( probably where it was before it slipped). I think it has slipped again. My arrows have a severe wag in flight. I am sure my release is not perfect but I think its not all me. So how I do I tune something that is probably half the shooters fault anyway.

The cheapest and most important piece of equipment is the bow square.
a T type is the best and stay away from L shape or hinged types.

The starting point would be 1/4" above center to 5/16"

When you are set , shoot an arrow into a good non-directional target butt from 4' away and at level.

Look at where the nock end is.

Is it high?.....move the nock down 1/16" at a time until it ends up level.

Low?.....go up till the arrow is level after being shot.

Have someone stand behind you and off to an angle and watch the arrow leave the bow and adjust to their vision if possible.

Is the arrow waving side to side? ..... you need a different arrow.

Shoot three fingers under for better arrow control if you are to close on spine.
(at least try it and see if it helps)


I would also suggest judgment call if your just stating out

[Coca Cola]

I tried shooting 3 under yesterday, I didn't like how it felt.

The arrow is waving every where. But I have tuned my compound succesfully before so I can probably figure this out. I just didn't know if anything was extemely different.

Would shooting a 125 grn tip help when I am shooting the carbons?



Yeah, yeah BT you got me to look into this more. I think its going to be a long time before I can hunt with a recurve/board bow. I am the kinda person who won't shoot unless there is 99 percent chance I am going to recover deer. I feel I have a LONG way to go. Maybe not next year but year after that. Who knows I am really good at all things archery. maytbe I am a natural

Thanks for the help!!!

[BT]

upthere said:

I tried shooting 3 under yesterday, I didn't like how it felt.

well at least you tried.
Some people just don't like it and your bow really does need to be tillered for it.

The arrow is waving every where. But I have tuned my compound successfully before so I can probably figure this out. I just didn't know if anything was extremely different.

I would start by bare shaft tuning and then go from there.

Would shooting a 125 grn tip help when I am shooting the carbons?

A CX100 would be a little stiff for that recurve you have.

A 160 grain would be better for the carbons you have and that still might not be enough
Problem is that by the time you get enough you will be way over on FOC

Yeah, yeah BT you got me to look into this more. I think its going to be a long time before I can hunt with a recurve/board bow. I am the kinda person who won't shoot unless there is 99 percent chance I am going to recover deer. I feel I have a LONG way to go. Maybe not next year but year after that. Who knows I am really good at all things archery. maybe I am a natural

Good attitude

Don't tell yourself you wont be ready and don't tell yourself that you will.

Just stick with it and you'll know when the day comes

[Coca Cola]

I was just cleaning up my room and Fred Bear must have been looking down on me. I picked up the book Hunt with fred bear, lying there was a nock. I pulled on the nock and there was an arrow. I don't know if they will be long enough be I have some Easton 2114's. Half dozen first arrows I ever used. I got rid of them because I out grew them 2 years ago. Maybe they will still work for a traditional bow. I will need to refletch them though . Is this the right spine? I don't know but I used to shoot them when I had a 40 pound compound so I assume so.

[BT]

A little stiff for me but they should work alright considering your not looking to take a nationals trophy tomorrow

Thats great dude!

[ardon]

I shoot a Martin Rebel recurve 45lbs. I use Gold Tips 5575's with Shield Cut Feathers , 100gr. Bear Razor Head. My arrows fly like darts. I 184 fps from this bow with 29 1/2" draw length. I build my own arrows. I'm pretty much a perfectionist.

Traditional archery is so much more of a challenge
Like my Longbow , I build my own arrow for that bow . Cedars with Gateway Feathers and Simmon Land Sharks 125gr. glu-on's

[Coca Cola]

How heavy an arrow? Just asking because I was wonder how much KE an average recurve longbow gets at about that weight

[BT]

Nice grouping Ardon

[ardon]

admin said:

Nice grouping Ardon

Them cedars were shot from 18 yards ;D my max is 20 yards with longbow, recurve 25 yards max