Axle to axle length is meaningless when it comes to using a release.What really determines if you can get decent arrow flight depends on the degree of centershot. Can centershot be adjusted far enough to bring the arrow in-line with the string for a proper tune? Bows that cannot be adjusted that far are best shot with fingers. Not saying they CAN'T be shot with release... they're just best shot with fingers.

I've shot release with flipper plunger combinations and with springie rests and have found them to be just as accurate as using a prong rest. The type of rest makes little difference in the bow's 'shootability' as long as it's tuned properly.

Frankly, I'd rather use a $10 springie than most of the new-fangled, way overpricedcontraptions that are hanging on bows these days. Just my opinion, of course.

Do you know of anyone who uses a release with a long or recurve? Just curious, I only see people with those bows using finger releases.

On the flip side, I don't recall seeing anyone with a compound bow use the finger release.

You dont get out much do you?

Go to any 3d shoot and you will see guys using fingers with compound bows

I have been known to use a release with my recurve and fingers on my compounds. I even carry a glove or tab with me when I am hunting or at a 3d shoot just in case something happens to my releases.

Big Art only uses his fingers no matter what the bow is

Honestly, no I don't. At least not with my bow. I shoot alot in my backyard and at an indoor range at a local Gander Mountain. Each time I go there is 4 or 5 other people there shooting. I've never seen any of them use a release on a long/recurve, nor have I seen anyone use a finger release on a compound.

I've never done any 3D shoots either but my first will be this Sunday, providing we have decent weather.

Leathal, that just goes to show how much archery has changed over the past 50 years. When I was a kid, practically everyone shot fingers but there were a few people were using non-mechanical release aids, like the ledge and bowlock, with their recurves. A whole bunch of guys even used SIGHTS on their recurves! (Stinkin' freestylers![:'(]) When compounds hit the scene, practically everyone still shot fingers and only a few used releases. And even more guys used sights on those contraptions.

ThenBear made a huge splash when they came out with a short, 44" axle to axle compound! That started thetrend to shorter and shorter bows. Combined with ever higher letoffs, bows got a bit more difficult to shoot well with fingers so people began using releases more. It was around 1990 that the release class at our club's 3D shoots passed the fingers class in numbers.Today, guys shooting fingers are even more rare than the guys who shot releaseseven 20years ago.

Most of the old fingers shooters have gone traditional (most new fingers shooters as well, come to think of it) and everyone knows you ain't "trad" if you don't shoot fingers. Some even consider you to be of dubious ancestry if you dare to shoot 3-under. The guys at our club freaked when I carved myself a bowlock, showed them how to use it and told them how long it'd been since I'd seen one.

The sport used to be a lot more diversified. Needs to be that way again.