I have finally decided to take the plunge and start shooting traditional. I have been mulling this over for some time now and have decided to just do it. I am looking at a Martin Mamba, but I am open to suggestions. I have bow hunted for 16 yrs. now with a compound and the thought of hunting with a traditional bow has really got me excited. I owned a Bear Kodiak years ago when I was 14. No one in family bow hunted, so I just played around with it in the yard. I got to where I could hit with it fairly well and I had alot of fun with it. That is why I am leaning towards a recurve. I am 6'1" and shoot a 29"/70# compound. I am thinking the recurve should be 60# at 28". Does that sound close? Any suggestions on arrows/accessories would be appreciated. I would like to stay with carbon arrows. Thanks in advance for your help!

60lb to start is alot. Take look at 40 to 45 lb to start.70lb with 65% let off is only 24.5 lb . Learn how to shoot first then work your way up.Take a look at used bows, With a used bow you can start low and when you are ready to move up inweightyou can sell it and get your money back.
I've been shooting since 1972, I sarted with a 45lb pearson then when I was 16or 17 (a young buck)moved up to 90 and 100lb bows now I'm down to 45 to 50lb bows( growing old sucks[:@])

I shot a 70lb compound also and took the switch to a longbow recently. 50lbs is about max for learning. 55lbs might be too much. Your shots will be hurried and fatigued.

I agree with the others, stay in the mid to upper 40's for the first year. Learn good archery form... Then work your way up.... I can guarantee you will be over bowed with 60lbs.... The bow will control you instead of you controlling the bow.

I'd start with 35-40# max. Being over bowed is one of the most common, and IMO worst mistakes you can make. It leads to bad habits that are very difficult to break. It has nothing to do with size--I've seen some really big guys that couldn't comfortably shoot 50#, and some pretty scrawny guys yank back heavy weights like it was nothing. You have to get a set of muscles trained that most folks seldom use, except when pulling a trad bow.

A lighter bow will be much easier to learn with, more fun to shoot, and you will be able to shoot it longer and more comfortably--all pluses when you are getting started. Don't handicap yourself starting out--you will regret it if you do.

Chad

Same opinion here. Start lighter. What I always suggest doing is checking with State laws on minimum drawing weight for big game. Here it is 40 pounds. That's a great place to start. Don't overbow yourself.

Thanks for the replies everyone, please keep them coming! I am going to take the advise that has been given and start with a lighter poundage. It is great to have people with so much knowledge willing to help others out.

If I were you I get me a cheap bow off ebay like 45 to 50 Lbs and work on form and build the muscles necessary for trad shoooting, some of those muscles you don't use with compound bows, no matter how strong you are ,you will feel the arm build up when you start shooting trads.

I started with a 45# for 1 year, then moved to a 50#. I now shoot 58# Bighorn...love it . Starting out low helps build good form, good muscles, & Good groups!

All good opinions so far.

I would not get a recurve shorter than 60" with 64" being preferred
I would not go shorter than 64" on a longbow with 68" being preferred.

You need a good forgiving bow to start with. The longer the better. As for what bow to buy, I would only buy a good quality bow. If you spend $500 on a good used bow in 1 year when you are ready to step up you can sell it for close to what you have in it.

This forum is a great place to ask questions and get answers. I would still try to find someone local to shoot with. The knowledge needed to become good is alot. Also it is much more fun to shoot with fellow stickbow shooters. They can also help you find a bow and the right arrows and accesories.