I shoot 70lbs on my compound and I have a 62 inch 54lb longbow and a 43lb recurve. I shoot a 28" draw, if you have a longer draw, you may go up to a 66" longbow. In the same poundage, the recurve will get you more speed, but many saylongbows are easier to shoot (i.e., more forgiving). However, I'm a little more consistant with my recurve, and after shooting a compound for many years the recurve feels a little more comfortable to me. But, I've only shot the longbow for a little over a year and I'm getting more comfortable with it.Mylongbow spits arrows out at 181 fps, it's got carbon laminations in the limbs, which helps the speed a little, soI hunt withtheit, but I think the 43lb recurve would kill one just as dead. Generally, trad shooters will use a two blade cut-on-contact broadhead for increased penetration...I shoot Magnus Stingers (with the small bleeder blades). You may post this same question attradgang.com......the site for the hardcore trad. shooters. You'll be happy with either, it just take some adjusting, and I guarantee the first kill will be more sastisfying than a compound! Good luck.