totman

Hi, im new to the forums and i have a few questions on youth bows (im only 14). im looking for a simple bow for target paractive and possibly small game. My budget is pretty low, its around $30-$50. I like the Fred Bear youth bows but are they any good? The bows i've looked into are the Scout bow, Titan bow, and the Cherokee Bow Set. Between those three wich is the best. Heres a link to were the bows can be found - http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/youth/

Thanks for your help!

totman

totman

another question- on thecompound bows the draw weight is significantly less then the recurve bows, does that mean the compond bows are not as powerful as the recurve?

Roskoe

In that price range, the Fred Bear youth bows are pretty good. You also might be able to pick up a good used bow for a real good price. Garage sales, pawn shops, thrift stores, etc.

totman

but what about this question?

davepjr71

Compound bows store and transfer energy through the limbs and wheels. Recurves just through the limbs. So, typically, you would have to shoot a heavier recurve to equal the speed of a compound.

Also, recurves have no let-off at full draw while a compound typically will have 65% to 85% depending on manufacturer, make and model.

mobow

The Browning Rage is a good one. It's got lots of draw length adjustment and comes in.....50 and 60 pounders I believe. We sell them as a package at the shop for under 4 bills.

totman

what do you mean by "let-off at full draw"? and what do you mean by "a compound will have 65% to 85%"?

davepjr71

A compound bow has a draw curve. The drawweight of thebow increases from the start of the draw until a point where the cams turn over. When the cams turn over the draw weight starts to decrease into a valley. The let-off of a bow is determined by where in the valley you are holding the bow at full draw. If a 60# bow is 65% let-off you are holding 35% of the draw weight when you are at full draw.Therefore, you are holding (60# X 35%) = 21 lb at full draw. The higher the let-off the less weight you are holding at full draw. The offset of that is that the higher the let-off the slower the bow will be at the same draw weight.

A traditional (recurve or long) bow on the other had is totally different. There is no valley inthe draw cycle and the weight increases as you draw the bow further back to your draw length.

Here's a simple guide.

http://www.victoriabowmen.com/aboutarchery/equipment.htm

Here's a more technical guide that shows draw cycles of a compound and a recurve.
http://www.oldbasingarchers.co.uk/compound/tbww.htm