Traditional bow with long draw

whoami-72

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 13, 2021
Messages
230
Hello,

I'm big into compound archery and have a recurve as well. However, the recurve doesn't fit my 32" draw. Anyone know of a commercially available recurve that hits 32" without stacking like crazy. Eventually I want to build my own long bow but don't have a lot of good materials locally and want to learn on something relatively easy and cost effective prior to investing the time to build my own. Needs to be relatively cost effective since it won't be a long term bow. Also, primary purpose is elk/mule deer hunting with the potential of trying to hunt upland game.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2019
Messages
397
Toelke SS is a good one. I don't have one but have shot one... I do have a 68" Super D that I like a lot. My draw is 31.5-ish...

Your draw will likely be different with trad gear - just as a heads up
 
Joined
Feb 8, 2017
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690
Location
Australia
Yeh, it's hard to say for sure but if you're drawing 32'' with a compound, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be drawing the same with a trad bow. Having said that, it's probably safe to say you'll be drawing close to about 30.5-31 inches.

If you're looking into recurve bows you'll want to find something around 64 inches long if possible. My suggestion would be to find an ILF riser and get some long limbs for it. ILF is a big rabbit hole and not all things are created equal, but it's a good place for you to start as you can get components fairly easily.

This riser is affordable and gives you lots of options with length as it's 21 inches long.

Then you could look at some affordable limbs from Tradtech. Keep in mind, limbs may be marked a particular 'poundage' but the length of the riser will determine their true poundage.


For example, these Tradtech limbs have specs on the website that say how long a bow would be with the limbs if the riser is 17 inches. Medium limbs on a 17 inch riser makes a 60 inch bow, which would be too short for you most likely, but with a 21 inch riser the bow would be 64 inches with the same Medium limbs, which is where you might need to start looking.

At the same time, limbs that might be 40# @ 28 inches on a 17 inch riser would actually be closer to about 36# @ 28 in a 21 inch riser - don't quote me on this but for every inch you gain with the riser, you lose a pound of draw weight, and it also works backwards when you talk about shorter risers.

Obviously with your long draw you'll pull more poundage than what is marked anyway, so a good place to start for you might be to get the 21 inch Win and Win black Elk riser, with some Medium Tradtech limbs that are marked at either 35# or 40#. That way, after you lose some poundage with the longer riser you'll get it back with your long draw, so you should be pulling somewhere between 35# and 40# on your fingers, which is a good place to start.

That's the extent of what I know about ILF as I only have one ILF rig myself.
 

bisblue

WKR
Joined
Aug 22, 2016
Messages
443
Location
Cascade Idaho
I pull 30+ and found a 62" heartland custom felt better for me than my 64", ILF bows (19" riser long limbs). Belly mounted 15" riser, so long working limbs...

ILF is a great way to get started and then shoot as much as you can get your hands on to see what you actually like.

Tradtalk, archery talk and Facebook groups like ilf bow hunters are great places to look. Limbs like black max are good starters.

Also John Mosier at Johns custom archery, carries everything designs his own risers and help me so much learning about traditional and tuning ILF bows. He's also a tall guy I would hesitate to look him up on Facebook or email him he could help you build a really great budget bow.
 
Joined
Jan 15, 2022
Messages
33
At one time i shot a 31" draw on Compound. I shoot 27.5 to 28 on my Widows. My bows are 58". Your recurve draw will definitely be different than compound. Dont get caught up on draw kength. Shoot some bows and find a good anchoring point. Who knows what draw you may shoot.
 
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whoami-72

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 13, 2021
Messages
230
Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to do some more research on how trad archery works. I figured my DL would be different but after using a few "normal" recurves I realized I wasn't fitting the mold.

Where does everyone buy their arrows? The local shops pretty much cater only to compounds
 

Hawkeye29

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 29, 2021
Messages
194
Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to do some more research on how trad archery works. I figured my DL would be different but after using a few "normal" recurves I realized I wasn't fitting the mold.

Where does everyone buy their arrows? The local shops pretty much cater only to compounds
RMS gear has everything and they ship fast! As well as Lancaster and 3 rivers archery
 

Rob5589

WKR
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
6,243
Location
N CA
Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to do some more research on how trad archery works. I figured my DL would be different but after using a few "normal" recurves I realized I wasn't fitting the mold.

Where does everyone buy their arrows? The local shops pretty much cater only to compounds

With a true 32" draw you'll need some long shafts. Generally, "traditional" carbons are heavier per inch but a carbon arrow is a carbon arrow. Aluminum is still an option, too. I order mine from Eders, Lancaster, or a local shop.
 

oldgoat

WKR
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
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Arvada, CO
Depending on what kind of release you used with your compound and your form, there really shouldn't be much if any difference in your draw length, unless you over bow yourself or under total bow length and design yourself to the point you can't get in full extension/alignment because the bow is stacking. A good go to arrow for you will be the Black Eagle Instinct, 34"! There's a guy at our club that has a 32" draw, pretty sure he's shooting a 19" Satori with XL limbs. Buy a good riser, cheap light limbs and use the money you saved on the limbs to buy Tom Clums Solid Archery Mechanics online course. With your draw you are going to get performance from cheap limbs that guys with expensive limbs and normal draw lengths get! Get with rmsgear, they can hook you up with good stuff from end to end! I have a legitimate 31" draw, and it's problematic enough, glad I don't have 32", most guys just don't realize how much that dynamically changes arrow/gear needs!
 

bisblue

WKR
Joined
Aug 22, 2016
Messages
443
Location
Cascade Idaho
I have a legitimate 31" draw, and it's problematic enough, glad I don't have 32", most guys just don't realize how much that dynamically changes arrow/gear needs!
I got some great form advice this weekend and ended up moving my anchor back to allow better shoulder alignment and rotation. Went from 29.5(ish) to closer to 31" DL. Had to bump from a full length axis 340 to a full length axis 300 to get good bareshafts and keep 200 grains up front..
It also moved my gap from 33 yards to 40 with the 340s... Not complaining about having a long draw, I'm shooting better with a 630 grain 300 and close to my original 33 yard gap.
 
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oldgoat

WKR
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
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Location
Arvada, CO
I got some great form advice this weekend on form and ended up moving my anchor back to allow better shoulder alignment and rotation. Went from 29.5(ish) to closer to 31" DL. Had to bump from a full length axis 340 to a full length axis 300 to get good bareshafts and keep 200 grains up front..
It also moved my gap from 33 yards to 40 with the 340s... Not complaining about having a long draw, I'm shooting better with a 630 grain 300 and close to my original 33 yard gap.
Getting to hang out with Tom Clum and the gang at rmsgear over the years, I've seen that scenario play out more than once, seen it with Tom himself when me and him went through a level 1 instructor course years ago, think he gained 1.5" draw length, I'm pretty sure that was the catalyst that really started him down the trail to get his Level 4 coaching credentials, meanwhile here I am here just a step above(sometimes) average shooter, lol!
 

0815

FNG
Joined
Aug 9, 2022
Messages
41
Location
IN
Keith Chastain from Wapiti Archery builds long draw bows. Custom.
Commercial a 17" ILF riser and XL limbs should give you a very smooth 64" bow
 

Heat

FNG
Joined
Nov 3, 2014
Messages
38
Kinda pricey for starting out but Toelke and BigJim both make excellent bows that you can draw 32" without stacking.
 

TaterTot

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 31, 2020
Messages
260
I draw a legit 30.25" switching to 3 under got rid of my finger pinch problem on shorter bows. I strictly shoot bear takedown. I have enough limbs and risers to shoot anything from a 56" to 64" bow. I'll take the longer bow any day but if I'm stuck on the ground in a willow blind I'll grab my 56" setup in a heartbeat. I don't mind some stack at the end, let's me know I've hit the wall with my shoulders.
 
Joined
Feb 9, 2020
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Idaho Panhandle
I draw a legit 30.25" switching to 3 under got rid of my finger pinch problem on shorter bows. I strictly shoot bear takedown. I have enough limbs and risers to shoot anything from a 56" to 64" bow. I'll take the longer bow any day but if I'm stuck on the ground in a willow blind I'll grab my 56" setup in a heartbeat. I don't mind some stack at the end, let's me know I've hit the wall with my shoulders.
That’s funny, because I shoot the exact same setup as you with a 30” draw. I shoot the 56” bow 99% of the time and there’s no finger pinch issue with three under. It only stacks at the very tail end of my draw, which is fine because it’s just another cue to I know I’m there at full draw.
 
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