Do these bows have hand shock, if so to what degree.

Thanks Ben

If you have been shooting a heavy risered recurve you may experience more recoil when you first shoot a Hill style longbow. Given the bow/arrows is properly matched, after some shooting this will soon go un-noticed. IMO.

What LD said. And realize also that handshock is a subjective thing just like finger pinch. Some folks are more sensitive to it then others.

Hand shock on Hill bows is also affected by how you grip the bow. The propper grip is more heel down low wrist not high wrist resting on the web of thumb and first finger.

Some feel handshock more then others.I've started out shooting longbows.I didn't feel the handshock that others have talked about with Hill's or similar type bows.I didn't feel the handshock that I've heard about.I did notice handshock on a Hill with a dacron string,but that went away when I shoot a modern low stretch string.I don't even notice any with a low stretch string.There is just something about shooting my Hill,love the D-shape and the way it shoots that is so enjoyable to me.

I have two Wesleys. One came with a low stretch skinny string. It did have a little shock. The one I just got came with a Dacron string. No hand shock at all. The less stretch, the more shock. Also with the proper brace, and well matched arrows/heads, most shock will not be noticeable with any current string material. This has been my observation.

I have been wondering also about Hill bows and handshock . Thought about buying one several times but would love go shoot one first. All bows have some shock , just some more than others. I have a Martin L-100 that was my first longbow and it will give you a headache ! Still have it but don't shoot it.

Yes they have more vibration "Hand Shock"

Its just the nature of the animal, they are light in mass

griping correctly and using heavier arrows , most will soon not notice it

If I shoot my recurves for a while and then go back to my longbow I again feel it, but back to the longbow for awhile its not noticed

As stated above, grip seems to have the most influence on perceived "shock". I like Hill type bows and even have a Jerry Hill longbow. If you listen to some folks, I should have no teeth left after shooting the Jerry Hill. That is not the case.

I don't know where you are in TN, Barber. I am in West TN. I have several types and weights of bows. If you are close we might get a chance to shoot. You could go to the Spring Fling in AL. You could shoot several bows there. PM me if you want.

The Howard Hill longbows are physically light in the bow hand compared to most recurves..

BUT they are well designed and well tillered so the limbs recover well in unison with one another..

The Wesley Special is one of HH Archery's top of the line bows..

I don't use a death grip on any of my bows..AND spend the time to tune brace height, arrow weight and don't use any skinny strings.

There's a difference between hand shock..and recoil..

Hand shock is the result of perhaps too light an arrow, too skinny of a string, to tight of a grip on the bow..poor form..

AND perhaps a bow that simply wasn't designed and tillered well so the limbs bend in unison and recover in unison( or close to it)

IF you tune the HH longbow properly and use an 8-10 GPP arrow?..and get your back into the full draw and loose? You'll not be getting elbow replacement of new teeth due to the bow's recoil..:)

AND you can always call HH Archery and talk with Craig Ekin and see what he says..They WANT you to be happy and successful in archery-hunting with every bow they make and sell..Jim

As stated, string material will make a difference. I use B-50 on mine and I don't notice hand shock.

I find over 60# they can give more shock. Under 60# its there but not enough to blog about. I don't notice it unless I switch from a heavy riser bow.

Forget the kntting needles. Howard Hill bows were designed for wooden arrows of significant weight - think 8-10gr. per pound of draw weight. Low wrist grip - forget the recurve pistol grip stuff. Bend your bow elbow more than you would with a recurve ot a machine bow.

STUDY what Howard Hill taught us - it is really good stuff. Also, study John Schulz' video Hitting 'Em Like Howard HILL for excellent instruction. Study Bob Wesley's short book Traditional Archery Adventures and Tips for Better Shooting. Also look at the Youtube slow motion video of David Wallace shooting.

If you put together the right tackle and learn to shoot it in the Howard Hill style, you might develop the addiction that many of us have. If not, go back to something else.

The real test is away from the indoor and outdoor ranges. The real test and enjoyment is out in the field where you load from your backquiver and shoot smoothly and accurately in less than 5 seconds.

What dire wolf said. Any longbow with a small riser will have little mass to absorb any stray energy. They are not dead in the hand; you can feel them work. Some perceive this as 'shock', some don't. It seems to me more like 'feedback' as you get driving a stickshift sportscar. I like it. - lbg

Ihad a Wesley and maybe felt a small bump at the release nothing bad.I don't think its an issue with too light of an arrow you may feel it.

Thanks guys the input is just what I was looking for. I've been shooting R/D longbows and want to try a more strait limb H H style.

It depends on how you grip the bow. I ordered a new HIll Sirocco and never felt any handshock. But I don't grip the bow. Mine left the palm of my hand on release and was stopped by my fingers. Guess the shock hit while it was traveling from heel to fingers,lol. I had others shoot it that put a death grip on it and swore it kicked like a mule. You'll get answers to your question from one extreme to the other, but it comes down to how you hold/grip the bow.

I have owned one, and shot many Wesley Specials.

None of them had any hand shock. Quite possibly one of the smoothest longbows I have ever shot.

If I were to ever return to the longbow (American Flatbow style) I would very likely look to the Wesley as my choice.

Rick

try before you buy.

It is very subjective. I shot Hill bows for 30 years and my elbows and shoulders are a wreck. I don't shoot them anymore.

The above reply has given me pause. I shoot a RH Wesley and do not notice any hand shock to my left arm, elbow or hand However it is my right shoulder and lower neck that gives me problems over time. Nothing I can't live with but it does limit my archery practice from time to time.

As long as the limbs are in unison, you can grip it how you like. I think there is so much of this that is totally personal and doesn't apply to everyone. I have owned three Hills over the years and grip them just like most other bows, in the web of the thumb/hand/forefinger. For me, it actually gives more of a "giving" grip that dissipates that energy. Maybe I just had well- behaved Hills, but I found them pleasant, an most of all fun as hell to shoot. I do use heavier cedar arrows with them.

Sorry to butt in. Are there any wood arrows POC that weigh 450 gr. for a 45 lbs HH bow?? I thought about getting a test kit from Three Rivers- are they worth the money? I am triangulating the length of the arrow plus the weight of the point. An outside factor is the spine diameter (11/32" vs. 5/16".

A 45lb Hill bow with the classic Dacron string plus 28" arrow & 125 grain point seems at least on paper like a good combination. Outside factor is the weight of arrow where a 5/16" diameter shaft would be considerably lighter than the usual 11/16" which I normally use.

I have ordered in the past from Three Rivers & Custom King Arrows in the past and I have not been happy. It seems like the 5/16" are not heavy enough to be a reliable hunting arrow. So I have had to order 11/32" with a 50lb spine which does not shoot well from any of my bows. So either I get a heavier longbow in 50-60 lbs. weigh or use the lighter arrows strictly for target and roving(no problem there). I want to hunt however.

Finally does the bow length 64" vs. 66" influence the amount of hand shock?? I have fired the "Redman" bow (64" )with a fairly heavy metal arrow and experienced a "thump" on the release. Not unpleasant but tiring on my wrist after several shots (fatigue). Thanks for hearing me out.

Contact Kevin Forrester of Forrester Wood Shafts Google Forrester Wood Shafts, let him know exactly what you want... talk with him.. I don't believe you will be disappointed in the least.

10 gpp helps. I've made the mistake of shooting light arrow out of mine. I have both hill and bama. I prefer the bama. Little bit more wood in the riser.

All good info guys. Thanks

Take the silencers off, if you have them, and most of that thump turns to a buzz in the handle. I love my Hills. By most standards, the kinda blow. But I love the heck out of them, and they make meat very well.

All Hill Style bows require long limbs which makes for heavy limbs. The heavier the limb the greater the "thump". The Wesley Special doesn't thump as much as it's competitors, I don't know why.

7 Lakes Archery builds a Hill Style "Carolina Night" that thumps even less. I think it's because they use carbon for tip wedges instead of the heavier glass.

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