recurve/compound bow

josey wales

josey wales

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hi i am looking at getting a recurve/compound bow ,i am a beginner but do workout at home to so what poundage would be suitable for me ...any opinions or recommendations on a bow would be gratefuly received thanks ....just to add i am looking to join a club so would be for target shooting
 
This is a bit of a 'piece of string' question...

Are there any clubs near you where you can pop in to have a look and chat with archers?

My suggestion, either way...
Do not chase draw weight in the beginning, rather go for a lower draw weight and focus on form and technique and get that right.
Too high draw weight will really screw up form and technique and it becomes difficult to unlearn that again.
I would start as low as 40 pounds for a compound, not more than 60 to start off with for sure.
It is not about strength.
 
If you are a total novice to the sport, as above, do not chase a heavy draw weight, as this could well be detrimental to the #1 most important thing in archery - technique.
As with shooting, success is all about "The art of repetition" and attempting to learn your craft on a heavy bow is not the right way to go, and that includes both Recurve & Compound.
 
I started recurve target archery 10 years ago. The first bow I bought after thrre months of borrowed club bows the limbs were 26lb medium length. After several years and stepping up in poundage I got to 40 lb medium limbs and using these with ease when shooting 3 or 4 sessions a week.

When I was only once or twice a week I dropped back down to 36 lbs long limbs.

There are so many variables with archery. Drawlength of the archer dictates the optimal arrow length but this needs to be matched to the limb poundage as longer arrows and heavier limbs need a specific stiffness ( spine) in order to shoot effectively, then arrow tip weights, fletching style and size and technique all come into play. There is a trade off in every aspect and efficiency and consistency is the key.

The Book “The Art of Repetition” by Simon Needham was/is my bible for technique and equipment set up. A good coach and supportive club is vital too.

Medium limbs v’s long limbs. My draw length is on the cusp of medium or long limbs ( it’s only an inch each side of the bow) but the longer limbs gave me a softer shot compared to the mediums and my irregular sessions were more successful with that set up. Limb design and materials can make some average shooters look good but there is a cliff edge on limb draw weight where too heavy a limb will expose poor technique.

If you want to get complicated, there are more detailed equipment set up subjects to discuss, all of which affect the basic set ups that you start with. It is never ending but lots of fun and very rewarding.

Hope that helps
 
When I joined my first club after doing the beginners course I bought a mybo origin. It was a 60 lb compound bow, I had no trouble holding and drawing this as when you’re over the cams you’re actually holding very little poundage. You can literally hold it on aim all day! A recurve bow though is a bit different, you’re holding the full draw weight and the further you draw the more you’re holding as such. I’d definitely not go higher than 30 lb if you’re going the recurve route. The compound I’ve got for sale and replied to via your ad is set at around 54lb draw weight, it’s pretty easy to draw to be fair.
 
Go to a club and get some tuition/training /advice, recurve vs compound is a bit like PCP vs Springer! I've shot both in my younger years and would recommend starting with a recurve off fingers, Compounds when I used to shoot only had 20-30% let off "wheels" ! The modern stuff is beyond my comprehension 🤷🏼‍♂️, my Hoyt Pro Medalist recurve had 34lb limbs from memory and was the long riser version as I have a 31" draw, my last compound was mixture of bits my dad put together so I could accompany him to his club when I visited.... again shot off fingers "barebow"
 
Drifter2406 said:
I think 40-50 would be too much, 25-35 would be a good start, I have been shooting compound for the last 30 years and my Barebow is 35 and shoots nice.
Click to expand...
I started on a 60lb compound and I'm not the biggest guy, a compound is much easier to draw than a recurve so I don't think a 50-60lb compound will be a problem at all. Recurve I wouldn't start with more than 30 or so though.
 
Drake267 said:
I started on a 60lb compound and I'm not the biggest guy, a compound is much easier to draw than a recurve so I don't think a 50-60lb compound will be a problem at all. Recurve I wouldn't start with more than 30 or so though.
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That's a heavy bow for a novice IMO, but it obviously worked for you.
I liken it to a being similar to mentoring a novice shooter on a CF rifle, putting him/her behind a .300 Win. Mag. for eg. might not be a good choice, and could possibly have the wrong effect on the shooter.
 
2506sendero said:
That's a heavy bow for a novice IMO, but it obviously worked for you.
I liken it to a being similar to mentoring a novice shooter on a CF rifle, putting him/her behind a .300 Win. Mag. for eg. might not be a good choice, and could possibly have the wrong effect on the shooter.
Click to expand...

I agree, 60lb to start with is close to, or could be enough to start the archer off with bad habits and poor technique.
It might be OK, but it might not be.

I always start anyone new at 40 pounds on a compound.
Even then, for the tough guys out there, it draws easily, they soon change their mind after the first 50 arrows :ROFLMAO:
I also start any new person out with a low arrow count, focussing on technique, working up from there to higher arrow count and then to higher draw weight (high draw weight is really only required if you are going to get into hunting).
To add to that, the moment I see a new person drop off on technique, we back off on arrow count or stop for the day.

It is not a one day game, and it is fully worth it putting some time and patience into it.
 
Kola said:
I agree, 60lb to start with is close to, or could be enough to start the archer off with bad habits and poor technique.
It might be OK, but it might not be.

I always start anyone new at 40 pounds on a compound.
Even then, for the tough guys out there, it draws easily, they soon change their mind after the first 50 arrows :ROFLMAO:
I also start any new person out with a low arrow count, focussing on technique, working up from there to higher arrow count and then to higher draw weight (high draw weight is really only required if you are going to get into hunting).
To add to that, the moment I see a new person drop off on technique, we back off on arrow count or stop for the day.

It is not a one day game, and it is fully worth it putting some time and patience into it.
Click to expand...
Excellent post 👏
 
Oh perhaps I did't read it right I thought he was going for recurve which a 25-3lb would be ok to learn on. On a compound you can go higher. Probably be best to go to a shop and have a look and feel what's good for you, they will set it up too and show you how it all works.
 
2506sendero said:
That's a heavy bow for a novice IMO, but it obviously worked for you.
I liken it to a being similar to mentoring a novice shooter on a CF rifle, putting him/her behind a .300 Win. Mag. for eg. might not be a good choice, and could possibly have the wrong effect on the shooter.
Click to expand...
Yeah I get where you're coming from but with a compound once over the cams you're holding very little, I had mine set at around 54, as low as it would go. It was fine but I guess if you're shooting a hundred arrows plus at a time it will be wearing on the body. And totally agree, technique must come first, it's why I'd not advise above 30lb limbs on a recurve as a newby.
 
josey wales said:
hi i am looking at getting a recurve/compound bow ,i am a beginner but do workout at home to so what poundage would be suitable for me ...any opinions or recommendations on a bow would be gratefuly received thanks ....just to add i am looking to join a club so would be for target shooting
Click to expand...
Join the club first, then once you have done a beginner course have a think about getting a a bow.

The reasons being:
1) you wont be able to shoot well unless various parts of the bow are the right size for you (and I don't just mean how tall you are)
2) your strength may still improve over the duration of the course and initial practice, so you will get limbs that are too weak and then need to buy more new ones
3) you will have more of an idea as to what you actually want
4) If you try archery and decide you don't like it, you will not have to offload a bow that will be more difficult to sell than an air rifle (see reason 1) above)

Hope you enoy your new hobby!

.
 
Redboat01 said:
Join the club first, then once you have done a beginner course have a think about getting a a bow.

The reasons being:
1) you wont be able to shoot well unless various parts of the bow are the right size for you (and I don't just mean how tall you are)
2) your strength may still improve over the duration of the course and initial practice, so you will get limbs that are too weak and then need to buy more new ones
3) you will have more of an idea as to what you actually want
4) If you try archery and decide you don't like it, you will not have to offload a bow that will be more difficult to sell than an air rifle (see reason 1) above)

Hope you enoy your new hobby!

.
Click to expand...

Good advice.
 
Redboat01 said:
Join the club first, then once you have done a beginner course have a think about getting a a bow.

The reasons being:
1) you wont be able to shoot well unless various parts of the bow are the right size for you (and I don't just mean how tall you are)
2) your strength may still improve over the duration of the course and initial practice, so you will get limbs that are too weak and then need to buy more new ones
3) you will have more of an idea as to what you actually want
4) If you try archery and decide you don't like it, you will not have to offload a bow that will be more difficult to sell than an air rifle (see reason 1) above)

Hope you enoy your new hobby!

.
Click to expand...
That is very much the sensible route and great advice.
 
well lads i made a purchase on a "kg archery carbon osprey bow" it is 34lb pull also looking to join a club locally ,the old fella i bought it off had some great advice for me to and offered any further advice,apparently his wife was longbow champion some years ago ,anyway lads thanks for all the input it was much appreciated atb
 
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