Help me out guys

[OKbowhunter20]

Im looking to get into the traditional world, and Im shopping for a recurve.

I dont know alot about the traditional side of things, I just know I want to try it. And hopefully hunt a little with it.

I would like to have something around 50#-55# at say 28". I plan on buying one in the near future.

I am open to any suggestions or tips. Im about to dive in head first into this deal!

[Schultzy]

First of all If I was you I would start out in that 40 to 45lb range. Start out on the light side and learn good form and consistant anchor points. To often people make the mistake of getting to heavy of a recurve, longbow, and start out on the wrong foot right away. Bad habits are easy to form when starting out to heavy, I'm one of them who did it and it was a pain getting rid of my old habits. Build your muscles up and learn the Traditional ways of shooting and then bump yourself up In weight if you would like to in the future.

As for recurves there's many good ones out there, If I was you I wouldn't spend to much on your 1st recurve not knowing if its what you want to do anyway in the future.

[Wingbone]

Good advise.
In addition, I'd say that shooting a bow instinctively is more like shooting a shotgun than a rifle. Your goal is to hit where you point. Like a shotgun, you'll shoot better if the bow fits you. The shape and height of the grip, the location of the arrow rest in relation to your bow hand are all factors in shooting well. If the bow doesn't fit you, you will struggle to shoot it well.
Point is. Try several bows before you choose. You'll be surprised at the difference.

[txjourneyman]

I bought the cheapest bow I could find on e-bay. For less than $100 I got my Darton recurve. I wouldn't go that route again. Mostly because it is a short bow. It is only 54" and not very forgiving. Start with a longer bow, you'll be glad you did. That said, I've had mine for a couple of years now and do pretty good with it. I've killed a hog with it and I'm looking forward to getting my first deer with it this year.

[Centaur 1]

I agree with Shultzy, 40 -45# is plenty and56-60" long is a good starting length also. Check out e-bay for Shakespeare Archery. They made good bows that are reasonably priced. Keep your eyes open and you should be able to get a good bow for under $50, a little more will get you a great bow. I picked up a Shakespeare Sierra 45# bow for only $43 recently. It's the same bow that I shot my first two deer with back in the 70's.

[BobCo19-65]

Yup, start with 40-45#'s at your draw length. Probably figure you'll loose about an inch of draw moving to traditional. Most bows are measured at 28" draw length. To determine a draw weight at your draw lenght do this: Take the poundage of a bow and divide by twenty to get an estimate on how much to add or subtract at yourdraw. Let's say you draw 27" and you are looking at a bow that is 50# at 28". 50#'s divided by 20#'s =2.5#'s. 50#'s at 28"-2.5#'s=47.5#'s at 27". Clear as mud???

Anyway don't get too short of a bow either. Personally, I still will not go shorter then 60" for a recurve and 66" for a longbow.