Seriously thinking about a Pronghorn 3-pc t/d appreciate any input. Pros and cons. thanks!

excellent bows made by a super bowyer. rcl

They are the best. L Hunt

I bought one a year ago, I really like it. I wished I would have inquired about a different handle, I hear that he will make a recurve type handle for it instead of the locator grip. I am used to it now and its no big deal, It is a very quiet bow and seems to ahve plenty of speed, It dosn't appear that it smokes and arrow, but shoots it very nice.

You might find some as good but you wont find any better...PR

I have one and like it, speedwise it is right in the ballpark with my griffin, shawnee dakota and cougar. It is quiet and smooth.

I have sat with Herb while he made bows and I can say he is a master of the craft and very informative. I just sold mine and already miss her.

It's my favorite all time

Love mine

I have two Pronghorns, both 60" long, one 55lbs and the other 63lbs. Both bows have red elm limbs and exhibit impressive workmanship. Each is easy to shoot and very quiet. The new limb design is very efficient albeit slightly slower than my best recurves. I'm a western hunter and most of my shots are 20 to 30 yards, some even longer. I've owned the best custom recurve that money can buy and I prefer shooting and hunting with my Pronghorns. . .go figure. I don't think you can go wrong. Also, it's fun to get to know Herb Meland. We became good friends and talked often during the waiting/building period. Like all of us, Herb isn't getting any younger so it may be better to order a pronghorn sooner than later.

I have a 3-pieceTD Recurve, Herb built for me in '96. I wouldn't sell it for 3 times the price I paid for it. It's like fine wine, gets better with age. I love mine, no desire for any other bow, and I know there are many good ones out there but I'm a Pronghorn & Herb Meland Fan!

I have a 64" 3-pc. and I've never shot a bow better. Check my trophy photos for a pic or two. Can't imagine you'd be sorry for a Pronghorn purchase.

there is not one single reason NOT to order a pronghorn. great bows!!!

I am thrilled with mine and it was easy to tune and I am new to trad archery.2 years

One of the best out there. Extremely quiet, excellent speed, just a great bow.

I like them so well I have 11 of them!

Rusty

Here is a picture of a couple. Get one, you will love it.

9 bows on right side are Pronghorns

I bought quite a few bows and once I bought my 3 piece pronghorn I quit looking to buy any other bows. Absolutely my favorite. Have not shot any of my other bows since I bought the pronghorn. Very smooth and quiet and plenty fast. Herb was great to work with. You can't go wrong with the pronghorn.

I've shoot them and they are smooth, quiet and fairly fast. On my short list for the next bow. They like heavy arrows. 600+ grains for a 60+# bow. Herb is a neat guy to talk to.

We all have different tastes, but I consider my Pronghorns to be the finest bows I've shot.

I have one that I will never sell. They are smooth as silk, beautiful workmanship, and the grip fits me like an old glove. I really don't think you can do any better. You may find fancier bows, or faster bows, but you won't find anything better.

I love the one's that I have. You won't find a better shooter.

I have two. A 62" 51# that I shoot better than any other bow I have ever shot. I also have a 60" 47# that I just picked up and is for sale. It was made in July for a guy in the military. I love the bow and in fact shot a buck the first night out. But, I just ordered a new Toelke Whip 47# and I must say goodbye. If you are interested I haven't listed it yet. Send me a PM if interested. You won't be sorry if you buy a Pronghorn and Herb is the best.

I have a 56" 48#@26" Pronghorn I bought it in Aug.2008 killed a white tail on Nov. 11, 2008 that grossed 184-[16pt.] I think you know how I feel about mine!

I have a 3 piece takedown with two sets of limbs 62" 57#@27" and 58" 53#@27" smooth, quiet, and quick. This bow has all the others just hanging around!

Good bows, but Ramparts (almost the same) are much better for several reasons.

Great Bows and Bowyer. I think Herb produces the best 1 pc longbow.

They are kick ass and Herb is a good guy.

I have five, go figure. How could a rampart possibly be better than a Pronghorn, all goutshak did was copy Herb. And he still don't have it right.

I have a couple too and will soon be listing for sale one of them in order to fund the purchase of another bow that has caught my eye.

It's the grey actionwood T/D model, with two sets of 62" limbs. One set is 54# and clear glass over grey actionwood, the other is 47# and black glass over red elm core. Its right-handed and in excellent condition. PM if interested. I hope to get pics and the ad listed this week.

Say what you will about Ramparts, but they are far superior from minor things such as grip, to draw and speed.

The guy wanted input, I'm sorry to provide it. When you live in a place that is fooded with Pronghorns, and Ramparts, it's pretty easy to compare.

I've shot quite a few Ramparts, both longbow and recurve. They don't like a heavy arrow too well. The recurves shoot a light arrow very fast though. I've compared them to Widows, Morrisons and Pronghorns. There nothing special. In fact I shot a 57Lb rampart recurve the other day, and it wouldn't bend the same arrow my 57lb SAIII widow does. I fact, there was quite a bit of difference. The Pronghorns tend to keep up pretty well though, shooting a very heavy arrow effortlessly.

ElkHuntr.... you're buying a Chinook aren't you? PM me on the Pronghorn if you are ready to get rid of it.. Looking for a Xmas gift for dad.

I only own 9 Pronghorns, with a tenth coming in a few days.

Gooooood bows! Waaaaay better than the copycat's.

Both Pronghorns and Ramparts are great bows but I will stick with the originals. I have another Pronghorn that will be completed in about a month. Ken

pros ...very smooth... great craftsmanship..quiet

cons....broom like grip and not real quick..

Take a look at the low wrist route 66 firefly....much better grip , as smooth, as quiet, faster, with equal craftsmanship.

Broom like grip????? Not mine, fits my hand perfect...PR

Here is my grip. I really like it. Ken

I shot pronghorn for a few years but just could not get used to the locator grip, It is a great bow though.

Howler.. It looks like your gripping the wrong pronghorn! The one your gripping looks like a howard hill grip. Both of your pronghorns are nice!

Own two and have shot many more. Best longbow out there in my opinion.

Whitetailone...by now you can see the Pronghorn is universally liked. Herb holds that very rare status among bowyers...like Wes Wallace...universally liked within the trad community, great bowyer, easy to work with and produces a great bow. I bought mine with 2 sets of limbs and am seriously considering a onepiece. I've tried the rampart and they are nice bows too but really just a copy of a Pronghorn and it did not draw as smoothly for me. As far as the grip goes...Herb will make it how you want.

I own a one piece and a 3pc and they are great bows, the one piece likes wood better tan carbons...PR

groundhog,

I agree, felt like holding a pole.

Caz, I would tell you to grab ahold of yourself but I think that is part of your problem...PR

Cazador,

Look at the picture I posted above. That does not look like a broom handle to me? Herb made the grip with a little more of a dish like a recurve. I really like it. My new one coming next month will have even a little more of a recurve grip but LH. Since I am from the Denver area I go into Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear often and shoot their bows. They push Ramparts and that is a good thing since he is local and they are great bows. I have owned a few Ramparts and they are great bows. However, I think the Pronghorn I had was smoother to draw and I shot it better with the same core woods and lengths. The Rampart was quicker but not by much. Both are great bows but I will go with the Pronghorn because I know that his bows have a big backing and have been out there for a while. By the way, I thought I saw an ad that you were selling a Rampart? Are you getting another one? It looked like a nice bow at a great price. Can't go wrong with a Pronghorn LB. Ken

As per the guy looking for input on Pronghorn bows, you can’t go wrong with them they are nice bows and you will be happy. Ken makes some great points; and worth taking into account. Brand recognition never hurts for re-sale if you need to get rid of it. It will be much easier to sell a Pronghorn, Widow, Morrison, than it is to sell brand A, B, or C, from an unknown even though their bows are top notch. I thought I’d throw the Rampart style bow out there just in case you wanted another choice but I should have known better.

One thing I can honestly tell you is this, I’d shoot any bow you’re considering before buying if possible, they all have their differences and when you spend a high sum of money on a bow, it’s nice knowing what you’re getting.

Paul, AKA Painted sticks, I remember recommending the Pronghorn bow when you were first looking into them. Funny how time flys. I hope the bow you bought is treating you better than your attitude.

i have owned 5 pronghorns and loved everyone of them ......... if i were to buy a new bow it would be a pronghorn.......hands down.....smooth, quite,and like said ealier herb is a great guy .......... i don't think you would go wrong with one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cazador,

How did the hunting go in Illinois?

I just want to add that sometimes the smoother bow is accused of being slower, because vibration feels faster. One really needs to put them thru the traps with different arrow weights. I mainly try to compare the same riser type and then just go up threw arrow spine until I see what arrow shoots in a given bow. I have a lot of arrows. I put a lot of stock in limbs that will throw 12 to 15 grains per pound out to 45 yards and still be well above gap. I have some morrison limbs that are gaping at 60 yards with a 12 grains per pound arrows. And I have a couple of pronghorns that are not to far behind, namely my actionboo core zebrawood 3 piece. I've also shot some pronghorns that I didn't like too much, but not to many. You can also get foam core limbs from Herb now and it is likely that they are going to be a couple clicks faster. Herb can definitely make a fast bow.

Great choice. I have had a red elm, 62" for the past 15 seasons.

Caz, I remember it well. You have been on here a looong time, I would think your skin would have thickened by now and you would know when someone is poking fun your way...Paul

I wouldn't give $20 for a barrel full of 'em.

LMAO, Joey

There is one for sale in the classifieds for a nice price..PR

Ah, caz posted on a pronghorn thread, pushing the copy, he must like it.

To expand on what art1faker said, my Pronghorns definitely are deceptively quick. I don't put much stock in chronograph numbers except in head-to-head comparisons because chronos vary, but I shot my 56# Morrison recurve and 56# Pronghorn through the same chrono (same day, same shooter, same arrow) and found only 3 feet per second difference. This takes nothing away from the Morrison, which was a very nice and very quick bow, but is quite a testimonial for the Pronghorn.

Still on my short list, along with a Big River.

Joey, I would!!!!

Art1faker, you must take it personal when somebody likes a Rampart bow.

Well, I kind of see it as a shame, to be bluntly honest. I have friends who shoot them, and like them, but some of them will admit that their uncomfortable with the fact that the bows would probably be considered a copy. And I have other friends who don't care for them because of that. I'm not sure how all this came about, or how gotshawk justifies it, but I know that there are bad feelings about it on Herbs side, according to Bob Taylor who sold bows for Herb. There is another guy who makes bows on Herbs limb form. His name is Dick Boss and he seems to have approval to do so from Herb. I heard he was trained by Herb and that Herb built his limb forms for him. But maybe you should talk to the shawk and see what his story is. I have never heard that. But I've shot indoors on Sundays here in town (Denver) and walked past fifty or more trad bows strung and ready to shoot and I've seen ferrets sitting right next to rampart recurves. And I just can't see any difference in them. But posting on this thread pushing ramparts is admitting that the bows are more than similar. And that there might be some emotion involved as well. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Personally, I dont like to see imitations of anything. A lot of hard work and figuring went into the originals and I'm gonna stop there...PR

I'll take every barrel full that you have for $20.00!

what criteria is used to determine a bow is a copy of another?

I'm surprised to hear anyone would disregard a bow because it is made similar to another successful bow. Many, many bows by different bowyers share many traits and some could be called copies and probably are. So what. It takes nothing away from a Pronghorn to say a Rampart mirrors it or vs versa. But to third hand info that there is bad blood between Herb and John is not helpful. Herb is grown up enough to know that without a patent his bows can be emulated by others. John may have used a Pronghorn for inspiration but to say he just copied one and left it at that is simply poor reasoning. You don't know what he did. Or what he did different. And if you can find another bowyer less interested in marketing his products (make money) than John I'd like to hear about him. Also, bringing recurves into it to further erode a bowyers reputation is really just mean spirited. I've shot a lot of bows. And some shoot better in my hands than others. But you won't hear me tearing down a bow just because I shot another that in my hands performed better. Doing so only shows a poor understanding of how some bows mate well with some of us and not with others, regardless of arrow weight and fps. There is enough room in this world for more than one great bow. That there are others like it in no way takes away from how you have bonded with yours.

joshua

First lets get something straight. Ramparts do differ from Pronghorns in several prominent ways from a design perspective (and it makes them better IMO). Ramparts may have started with inspiration from Pronghorns, but they have certainly been improved upon from there. If you think otherwise then we just disagree. Being from Wyoming I have shot my fair share of Pronghorns, and almost every Rampart I have shot on my trips to Denver have been better. JUST MY OPINION!

If the Rampart is the first imitation that you've seen then you haven't been in this sport for very long. There are handfuls of bows that nearly mirror other makes. Come on guys, what do you think 90% of the bowyers out there did on their first bow? Just threw something together to see if it works? No, it's standard procedure to base your bow design off of another bow that you admire and then improve it from there as you see fit. And with all the different kinds of bows out there almost nothing is original. 

So you heard from a guy who heard from somebody that there is bad blood. Go down to the barber shop and gossip there, but why post that on an internet thread? That is purely gossip which causes hard feelings, nothing more.

art1faker, from the sounds of it you have the resources to find out what Gotshalks story is, why don't you ask him before you come on here and speak negatively of him? A mature adult would have done so.

I'm glad somebody is making something similar to the Ferret. Based on your words I think I'm going to have to order a RAMPART recurve.

Joshua you couldn't have said it better. Nice post.

And to reiterate what Josh said, there is not another bowyer in the country who is less interested in making money, and more interested in building bows purely because he enjoys it than John Gotshalk. 

I agree with Howler...I bought a 3 piece that was beautiful, dead in the hand and well made. Couldn't shoot it for spit. Just couldn't get used to the grip. just couldn't match my Black Widows! Sold it and will never get another one but for others and perhaps you, it is Top Shelf!! Whitie

I placed my order, I'm thinking. Greenie osage and bamboo limbs does that make any sense? Three piece ferret like the 15 inch riser on 62" longbow. Am I Just barking mad? 53# @ 27.5

That grip above looks like an improvement over the ones I have seen. BILL

Does anyone have pictures of the RAMPART recurve, I own one of Heb's Ferret recurves, the best bow I've ever owned, but Herb no longer makes recurves, just longbows. Kind of wonder what a RAMPART looks like.

I own a Pronghorn longbow and a Rampart recurve. They are both very nice. I like my Rampart better. I have shot many Pronghorn longbows, all of them were farlely smooth, but one thing I noticed is that every bow I picked up shot, felt, and drew a little different. Every Rampart that I picked up was identical. Yes they do not like the heavy arrow as much, but for the carbons that I shoot and hunt with it is smoother and more forgiving then any bow I have ever shot.

Herb makes a great bow, and, despite the fluke of mine this past weekend, I look forward to getting another 1-piece from Herb. I have a 3-piece and it is a smooth, sweet shooting bow.

Good to hear that you still have faith in the bowyer even despite your recent mishap, Hinterland. I am sure it was not his fault and he is lucky to have such a loyal customer! God and Christ Bless

check out RMSGear.com to see if the Clums have any used Pronghorns in stock.

Pronghorn 64@28 62" R $495 "Night Hawk" at RMSGear.com

Too short for me.... now I know better.

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