Morning, Am helping my stepdad find a bow for his nephew. Looking to spend between 3-4 hundred for it and would like it to be a new bow. Am looking for advice from you all here. Thanks for any and all reply! Jason

Either recurve or longbow.

Don't know you well, so pardon me if I'm covering too much basic stuff....

How old is the Nephew in question? Size and strength are big issues, and the craziest thing is that you can get a younger kid into a higher-poundage bow that they can handle at their very short draw length, but then the kid has a growth spurt and the muscles don't keep up with the bones. My 14-year-old has his own #42@28" recurve, but he can just about shoot my RER longbow (#55@28")... because his DL is so short.

Another serious question is how much time you have to work with; there are a few really good, affordable bowyers out there doing fantastic work, and they have the waiting lists to prove it. Mike Mecredy at Maddog is certainly one of them, and he builds both styles (RC/LB). Last I checked, his waiting list was about 10 weeks, but it wouldn't surprise me if you're already SOL for Christmas this year. You might check with Nemah (R. K. Korte); he does beautiful work, but I have no idea how many bows he builds or what his prices look like

You also need to decide if you want to go 1-piece or takedown. 3-piece takedowns can be very affordable (and from some of the large manufacturers are the least expensive option); and of course they do allow you to add or trade up to limbs with a higher draw weight as desired. JMO, there are NO affordable 2-piece T/D bows out there... So if you discover one, make sure you let me know.

You've kind of picked a tough price bracket, because the imported "factory" bows (like the very well-regarded Samick Sage) go for quite a bit less, while US-built bows generally run quite a bit higher.... Looks like there are a couple of Bear recurves out there that might fit the bill, and the Bearpaw Hopi 60" RC. Bearpaw also makes the Slick Stick (at the top of your range).

But for a takedown in the $400 range, you might be able to get him into an ILF which (IMO) is no less "traditional" than any other 3-piece T/D in appearance, but they do allow some very interesting tuning to the specific shooter.

I think the Bear Montana falls in that range for a longbow, and a Grizzly for recurve. Some of the custom bowyers may also have offerings in that range...Maddog?

Check out MAD DOG Bows

If his nephew is new, why not check out something like the Samick Sage.

Lancaster archery may have something what you want in your price range for new or go to RMSGear for use.

New bow, 3-4 bills? Grizzly all the way.

Thanks for the info. Nephew is late in his late 20s. Hunts with a compound now.

Well then... I expect he's done growing!

This guy.... Not-so-much! Still can't believe he got anchored on a #55, though....

I would go with an ILF system. It is the easiest to get set-up and you can change limb weights for around 50. Getting the right draw weight is the single most important thing in your success, and compound success is not usually predictive.

Doing ILF for 400 is tough. There are risers for under 400, and good limbs for 50. Maybe a compromise would be a new riser and either cheap or second hand limbs.

Avoid ILF. Get a real bow for the kid and replace it as necessary.

Draw weight can mean a lot. I started with 48lb when I was young and had to raise the bow up then pull the bow down to get it back until I had some lessons. The bow draw weight was 60 percent of my body weight. Bought a low draw weight target bow within a year after competing against other young shooters at archery events who used bows with draw weights in the mid to low thirties. Things are different now, but not that much.

A 35lb bow is plenty to start with if the person is young. Many states allow a 35lb bow to be used for deer hunting, but some require 40lb, so check your state. If deer hunting may be in the future for the nephew, then look for a bow that meets the minimum draw weight. Many young shooters have started with a 40# bow too, but 35lb sure is a lot easier to draw back. I have seen a lot of my friends' sons start with those two draw weights (35 or 40lb), and keep shooting or hunting for a long time.

Like the suggestions above about a Bear Grizzly. A fine shooting bow for the money. Also like the suggestion to call Lancaster. 3-Rivers is a great sponsor and supporter here who can also help. I spend my own money at both places.

Tellin ya, Griz. Just sayin.

Yankee x2

X2 on the MADDOG. I've never owned one, but they are a VERY reasonable price. I'd check them out.

What Legato said. For $150 you can get the Samick Sage and move up in poundage later for $75.

I shoot a Sage and it is a clean,quiet solid shooting bow, actually shoots better than some custom bows I've owned.

With a BCYX string it's a great shooter.

Another option is the Hig Rock Black Hunter for $200, also a good shooter.

Griz be my pick as well. I own two.

Grizzly is a fine bow. I have 2 70s models, 45 and a 50 lb.

The 50lb I bought brand new in 1978. Still shoots good. The 45 lb was given to my son by one of his buddies, it was his buddie's grand dad's bow.

Thing I like about the Sage is a new archer can progress in poundage by changing limbs.

Just received my new longbow from Mike at Maddog, a string follow bow, my bathroom scale say's I put on a pound when holding it, so it's light in the hand and well made. Less than $450 shipped with an extra string, already have a Prairie Predator from him, so it was a no brainer where I was getting another bow, can't shoot it till Monday if it don't rain, but I'll keep you posted. GOOD LUCK

Forgot, it's 68"and 42# @ 28"

Guys, he is in his late 20's. Not a kid that will grow out of it.

Lancaster has a lot of options, if called and talked to someone there...

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