Thinking of Getting into Traditional Bows Please help

SaroorHai · 08-22-2004, 01:51 AM

I am seriously considering buying a recurve bow. I have shot compound bows a little in the past. The bow I was considering was the Martin X-200. I am not sure how draw length works but i believe I had a compund bow set up for me at 29. Is this martin bow going to work for me? I can't finy any info on draw length about the bow. I don't think weight will be a problem for as I had no problems with the compound bow set at 70lbs and am a pretty big guy, though I understand there is no let off in traditional bows. Also, is this bow worth getting in the first place? Should I use cedar arrows or the aluminium ones I already have? If not I would really appreciate any advice I can get on other bows and arrows. Price is a bit of a limitation for me. Any help you guys can give a newb would be appreciated. thanks

CherokeeWarrior · 08-22-2004, 11:22 AM

I just bought an X-200 and I am very pleased with it, it is very smooth, no handshock...a great bow for the money, a great bow flat out.

I would go with a 50 or 55 pound bow. With sharp broadheads and good shot placement, you could cleanly harvest all but the largest animals in North America.

The Martin recurves are set at a 28 inch draw so at 29 inches you would be pulling two or three pounds more than the listed draw weight.

Your aluminium arrows will shoot fine, provided the are the correct spine.
(Note- Make sure you shoot feathers instead of vanes if you shoot off the shelf)

Good luck! Keep us posted

SaroorHai · 08-22-2004, 01:33 PM

cool, ty. I'm not sure about what is the correct spine. Does that just mean that the arrow is able to withstand the strenght of the bow? and if so will aluminium arrows used in a compound at 70lbs work in a 50lbs or 55 lbs recurve? maybe stupid questions but I just wanna make sure before I do anything. thaks again.

LBR · 08-22-2004, 04:41 PM

Martin makes a good bow--probably the best "over the counter" bow available, as long as you don't have a long draw. I would avoid the "Stick" and "Twig", but that's not an issue on this one.

Even though you are shooting 70# on a compound, I'd start with 40-45 at your draw. Most likely you will loose a little bit of draw lenght when switching over due to holding more weight and most change their form some from one to the other. You might look around and find a good used bow for quite a bit less money, and go with that until you know more about what you are comfortable with. 40#, with the right arrow and shot placement, will shoot clean through a whitetail.

Spine can get kinda complicated, but basically it's the stiffness of the arrow. You need to get the right arrow to get good arrow flight. Too weak or too stiff and your arrow will wobble in flight, which robs you of penetration and accuracy.

Chad

CherokeeWarrior · 08-23-2004, 07:26 AM

I went to Eastons website...they recommend a 2117 or 2216 shaft for a 50 pound bow, a 30 inch arrow (One inch longer than your draw), and a 100 grain tip.

You can do your own search if you would like to change any variables. Go to www.eastonarchery.com, go to "products" and you will see "shaft selection"...then just go ahead!
Good luck!

lcoast · 08-23-2004, 09:17 AM

I am no arrow guru but I have 2 aluminum arrows I shoot from a 55 pound bow and they are 2016's and fly extremly well. I have read that Easton's spine chart tends to be on the stiff side.

=keith=

SaroorHai · 08-25-2004, 03:54 PM

well I just got me a Martin X-200 today. I did not know to buy a stringer so I gotta get one of those before I shoot. Thank you all for you advice. I still have to cut off some arrows to shoot. Any advice on how to get started? should I shoot of the shelf or from the rest that came with the bow?

LBR · 08-26-2004, 02:52 PM

That's one thing that bugs me about catalog purchases, and some dealers. You pay the money, get your bow, and you are on your own.

Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow" is a good book to get you started--note that some of it is just his opinion (like most any other help you may get), but the basics are the same. See if there is a local club you can shoot at--folks are usually more than willing to help out.

You can use the flipper rest, or shoot off the shelf. I prefer to shoot off the shelf myself.

Good luck!

Chad

CherokeeWarrior · 08-26-2004, 07:58 PM

Congrats!

"Become the Arrow" is a great book, as is "Instinctive Archery" by G. Fred Asbell.
I also prefer to shoot off the shelf.

Have fun, and shoot straight

Chimo! · 08-27-2004, 11:55 AM

sorry but im actually new to this site and I belive strong heartedly that trad is the only way to go its just been something I've been raised with although all the new bells whistles and toys are quite fun to play with nothing beats the pure joy of knowing you can draw and hold 60lbs of curved wood and string to launch a projectile at a target animal or otherwise
I'd say go for the recurve but if you could go for a long bow (sorry my personal biased)think about it but i have many compound friends and there nice guys (i guess lol)
chimo!