PowDuck

OK, Guys. I'm finally about ready to get on the stick and seriously try to find a Crusader. Here's what I need help trying to decide.

1] What length bow should I get. (I draw 28" - 28.5". I don't mind a long length so that's not a consideration; after all, it IS called a LONGbow. I want the length that best suits me.)
2] What pound draw? (I shoot a 55# recurve now but want to be sure I have enough for elk, etc. I've always wanted 65# but got to thinking that I may not always be able to draw 65#.)
3] What is the speed difference between 55# and 65#?

I know I'm at the right place to get good info. So come on, give me your opinions.
Thanks in advance. <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Romans 8:28

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wallypedal

For what it's worth, a 66&quot; bow strung just fits in the back seat of an extended cab full size pickup........I wouldn't want a longer one.
Tom

stealthycat

PowDuck - My Adcock is 64&quot;, I don't know if I'd want a longer one and would like to shoot 62&quot;.

Next time you're up Little Rock way holler at me and I'll let you shoot my Adock and Brackenbury bows. I plan to come down and fish Millwood a bit this spring - you know it very well ??

Lilhunter

try and figure out a little closer what your draw length is. I wouldnt jump 10lbs like that right away! Maybe 5 or less but jumping in weight that far is going to lead to bad habits. Something you dont want to trying to fix later imo! If the bows are the same (same bow maker, same bow length, strings arra weights) the speed will be noticeably different. Being I dont have a lighter crusader (or heavier one) I couldnt tell you how much or even guess but I would bet 15-20fps. I did just see a used one on archery.net

Wahya

My Crusader is 66&quot; and 54# @ 28&quot; and I wouldn't hesitate to take on Elk with it. It's very capable of taking anything I'd care to hunt (excluding moose and big bear). With your draw, you could get away with the 62&quot; bow which would be more efficient than the longer bow. How much, I couldn't say. I know it'd be some faster but what would you have to give up for the speed. That's what I ask myself anyway. I like the smooth drawing and forgiving nature of the longer bow, but that's me.

Stick with a weight that you are comfortable with. If you're shooting 55 and want to up your weight, go to 60 at your draw. Personally, I think the weight you're shooting is perfect and would do very well on Elk.

All else being equal, the heavier bow will produce more speed and KE. However, shooting 10G per # of draw weight with each I think you'll find the speed about the same. However the KE would be greater on the heavier weight bow. Besides, if you use dynaflight97 string, the 55# bow will shoot about the same as a heavier weighted bow and your shoulders will last a heck of a lot longer.

pat daily

shoot diff lengths of the bow you want and then decide. my CM crusader is 62&quot; 65#@28 I draw 29.5. I have shot LBR's 68&quot; CM crusader approx same weight, it FEELS like pulling a childrens bow. I like the feel of the tension when shooting my bow. BUT I have a 64&quot; 60#@28 CM crusader takedown on order. It boils down to personal pref. as stated above once you reach the 55#@28 mark going any higher the benfits begin to diminish. At least that is what the formulas I have viewed by other more mathematically inclined individuals have shown.

Dick4bows

In my opinion, 66&quot;-67&quot; is the most efficient length for a standard longbow. A lot depends on the amount of reflex/deflex. I went hunting elk last year with a 49# longbow without any reservations. Using cut on impact 2 blade heads, shooting at a distance of no more than 20 yards,and proper shot placement it's a &quot;Done Deal&quot;. If you can effectively shoot your recurve at 55#'s, I would stay there. Anything in North America can be killed with that bow. I believe that the majority of archers that shoot traditional equipment are over bowed. These archers risk elbow and shoulder problems that could shorten their hunting years. Forget the &quot;Macho&quot; and shoot a bow that does the job and still takes it easy on your body. Dick
I can hear the arguments starting already, OUCH!

Wahya

I agree 100% about saving the old bod. Mine has undergone plenty of abuse from construction work I did for years so I keep my weight down anyway. I love this stuff too much to screw it up by going too heavy.

LBR

With your draw length and a Crusader longbow, the 62&quot; would work best. You won't experience any stack, and will get a little more speed. I've never hunted elk, but I have talked to and read about gobs of folks that have. A 55# Crusader, properly set up (right spine arrows, sharp broadhead, etc.) should be more than enough. I have a hunt planned for moose later this year and I will be using a Crusader, [email protected], and have no doubts it will do the job. In targets, it penetrates as well as a straight-limbed flatbow I have that I am pulling around 105# on. As has already been stated, with the same grain arrow per lb, there should be little to no speed differnce, but you will get more energy from the heavier bow.

Pat, my Crusader is 66&quot;, 60@28. I'm going to get a 64&quot; myself--I know it will handle my draw just fine.

Pow, if you are ever in/around Fulton, MS give me a holler and I'd be happy to let you shoot my bows to see if they suit you. I also plan on being at the Lofton Classic, Kentucky Klassic, several if not all of the ASTB shoots, Twin Oaks, and any others I can make it to. If you are going to be at any of these, let me know and we'll hook up. Gonna try to drag Pat and Blue Moose to at least of few of them--if you smack them upside the head just right, I bet they will let you shoot their bows too! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> (just be sure you are a mighty big feller and/or tote a big gun--ain't neither one of them runts)

Chad

Long Bows Rule!