I am planning on ordering a new Wesley special in the 90 pound range, just wondering is there is and advantage in going with a 70 inch bow versus 66 or 68? I am thinking the longer bow would be smoother and easier to shoot? I know the extra length could be a disadvantage in hunting situations, just wanted any thoughts or experiences others have encountered.. thanks for the input!

What draw length are you ? I will agree that the longer bow will be smoother on draw and more stable ( easier to shoot )

My draw length is 26.5..

Most of my hill longbows are 70" long. My bow draw weight is high. I did find a 100# hill bow at 72" on auction sight it's very smooth pulling.

Longer OAL will help with a smooth draw because of string angle,but at 26.5 draw i think it would be redundant I draw 27" and im 5'8",,,for me personaly anything over 68" is not really changing string angle to point of an advantage I prefer 66" at my size not only for pointabilty and string angle but i can still push pull bracing the bow Anything over 66" i have to use a stringer on heavyer weight bows

Do you normally shoot heavy ASL bows? Is there a reason you want 90#? Thats quite a heavy weight if i was you id ask Craig what length he would recommend in the weight with your draw and over all height Craigs real good guy and i know he'd be more then happy to talk to you about it And hes the expert,,,not only bowyer but Hill style shooter and good people all the way round

Mountain Man X 2

Mountain man x3

Ditto on Mountain Man, couldn't said it better myself.

Length of bow shouldn't be a disadvantage, my shortest bow is AMO 68" My bow I used for hunting was a 70" Howard Hill.

I think Mr. Hill recommended 68" bow length for standard 28" draw. 70" for longer draw & 66" for shorter draw. I don't think he factored draw weight into it.

68” or 70”

68” or 70”

Some tidbits I have picked up. I hope they are right. Bowyers have a recommended length according to the draw lengths for a reason. If the bow is too long and you have a short draw you are not reaching the peak working part of the limbs. In the case of a recurve you may not even be getting the recurves into action. If the bow is too short you may be getting in to the stack. The string angle is severe and may be pinching messing up the release. That one is more easily recognized. Too long will give a smoother lighter feeling because you are not getting into the meat of the limbs. The bow will underperform. Most bowyers will suggest that but may not contradict you and risk a sale.BIG JIM once stated he hated for a customer to order a bow too long then gripe because the bow underperformed. Pretty sure I got that right. Hope it helps in some way. >>>----> Ken

I appreciate the information, so many valid points... I have always shot the heavier weight bows.. I am currently hunting with a 75' pound hill badger that is 62 long.. just love trying different bows..

tell the guy making it your actual draw length and let the bowyer advise

I have a short 26" draw (little less) and in a Hill style 64-66" feel better to

if longer loose preformance and get increased limb vibration

thats been my experience

Howard Hill himself drew no further than you do and he shot 68 and 70" bows. I have a light Hill 70" bow and it shoots just fine in the hands of women and youths with short draw lengths and with my long one.

My advice is that no one need buy a Hill style bow of less than 68 inches.

Another observation: in many old hunting pictures I note that longbowmen have often posed with their bows on the toe of a boot and their palms other end of the bow. Their palms generally were as high as their eyebrows. Hardly any straight limb longbows were shorter than that. That measurement works just fine for me. - lbg

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