I have a 30" draw and normally gravitate to longer bows.

This week I was shooting a 62" recurve that I have in my inventory and I was pleasantly surprised that it could be shot quite well on our club's 3D Trail and at the 30 yard butt.

Made me wonder what experiences long draw archers have had with an even shorter 60" recurve.

It's all subjective and based on the design/draw cycle of the bow, and what the shooter does and does not like.

Some designs build weight quickly in those additional 2" and some don't. Some folks like that "wall" feeling that creates and some don't. Typically bows with less deflex are more prone to that feeling.

Some folks with larger hands and fingers get excessive string angle reactions, others are oblivious to it.

62 is normally my favorite length. My hunting bow is 60 and I recently bought a carbon copy of it in the same length. Fun to shoot and stacks right where I like it to. I just keep the shot count down or my fingers will get a little bit inflamed. My draw is normally 29 1/2 but I can get it to 30 1/4 with concentration. I'm getting old and lazy so 29 1/2 is good enough. I'd say that some sixties will work for you and others won't. It depends on the how the bow stacks above 28.

Yeah, I guess not all bows are created equal ;)

My 62" does not stack out to 30". The supplier was good enough to check this out on the scale sot it gave me confidence and I was pleased with its draw cycle when it arrived.

I shoot 3D and recreationally, so my bow is 30#, shot 3 under with 325 grain arrows. I find this comfortable for long shooting sessions; this might not be so for a higher draw weight. I have been shooting for 50+ years and have tried a few "stackers"

I know longer bows have more accuracy potential, obviously, that's why they use them in Olympic shooting. But I was pleased to see that the 62" could be quite accurate out to 30 yards and it was nice to handle in the bush on our club 3D trail.

Sounds like the thing to do would be to ideally try before you buy (not always an option, here), or have the supplier check it on a scale.

I'd prefer a 62" but there's a few 6-'s that catch my eye, but they are now good to me if they aren't pleasant for me to shoot.

The bow length is practically meaning less. Limb design means more. I know 52" bows that take longer to stack then some 62" models. It's not just a length thing.....that's a man attitude. :)))

George Stout said: "The bow length is practically meaning less. Limb design means more...".

True, but beware of claims by manufacturers and opinions of others shooting a short bow. One size does not fit all.

Due to my draw-length of 31.5, I have always had to stay with recurves that were 64+" long, mostly 64". There were times that I would have liked to have had a short bow when still hunting, especially in heavy growth.

In the past, way past, I tried a short "Wing"...I forget the model, and a Bear K-mag. For me, both hit the wall hard and too early, too noisy upon release, and flinger pinch was major problem for me.

Several years ago, while hunting in some tangles where a big buck traveled, I again started thinking short bow and light-weight. Did extensive research on custom-made bows and ended up having a 58" recurve made by White Wolf bows.

Bow is a 58" "Beowulf", even-tillered, and 45#, exactly 45#@31.5" draw. Bow is so comfortable to shoot, quiet, and great performer, that I started using it as my main bow. Bow weighs a few ounces over 1.5 lbs.

Well just my opinion but I own 2 BW PSA both 60” a 43# and 32#. I don’t think they stack at my 29” draw length but I much prefer shooting my Bob Lee 42# 62”. The BL seems smoother. Even better is my 70” ILF which has become my favorite. My father was a very good archer and I still have his Coe from the 50’s, 45# and 64”.

RonL

Groves Spitfire, Tice & Watts Spartan Hunter, Browning Safari II, and a Super Diablo are all very suitable 60" bows for my 30" draw. As Larry Hatfield mentioned a couple years back, the Super Diablo was actually designed specifically to accommodate long-draw guys.

With my 30" draw, 58" redwing hunter and 60" Browning Safari II works pretty good, as does my 60" Wing Chapparel. My Grayling Bear Grizzly (58") and my 58" Howatt Hunter, not so much. Shakespeare Necedah 58", good to 30" but I can tell 30" is really max for that design. I've owned a few Grayling super kodiaks (60"), generally good out to 30" but I think 30" is really the limit of that bow (and my 1969 super kodiak did stack noticeably, which is one of the reasons why I sold it). I used to own a 60" Bear 59 Kodiak reissue.... no problem at my 30", drew very smooth.

My biggest issue with bows shorter than about 62" is the string angle - in my experience, that acute string angle accentuates any flaw in your release. If you struggle with a clean release then a short bow is working against you. If you have a killer smooth release, then I suspect shooting a 60" bow will be no handicap.

Well, there is a common sense element to consider. If you're drawing 31" you likely shouldn't be shooting any 52" bow. That said, I stand by my "it's more limb design than bow length" within common sense parameters. In other words, you can find, and will, some 52" bows that don't stack any quicker then a 62"....that doesn't say it won't have finger pinch....which in my opinion is what many feel when they start hollering stack.

The bow kength means alot to a long draw person or 31 or 32 bacause of finger pinch. I draw 31 to 32 depending on the handle design and grip. But by shooting them 3under I have no problem with 60 or even 58. Now days I just don't buy under 62".

I have a 30" draw, and shoot 64, and 62 inch recurves. I do not like the string angle, and pinch on anything shorter. Sometimes folks get finger pinch, and stack mixed up. I've attempted 58" bows that didn't really stack, but simply had too much pinch due to the angle.

I won’t shoot anything under 62”

Extremes.... shooting a way to light arrow , or way to heavy arrow. To long a bow ,or to short a bow for your draw length.For me with a 26 inch draw I feel most comfy with a 62 inch bow for hunting, and a 66 inch bow for target shooting. For the next guy it may be different. Like a lot of things in life it is just your personal choice. If it works for you good enough.

I have a 30” draw and my favorite bow for many years was a super Diablo. A 60” bow. Right now I am shooting a black ember takedown 60” bow and it is fantastic. However I get along with 62-64” bows best. You really need to try one out to see if that particular bow feels right.

I have a 30" draw and I own two Bears--a TD and 59 repro. I haven't owned a custom that shot better than those and I've had a bunch over the years. Both 60" bows and not one bit of trouble at my draw. My two Galaxy Ember longbows are 60" as well and I don't feel any stack.

I have three BW 60" and draw 31.2" . 55#, 88#, and 98# . They do not stack at all , and have a BW in 64" 55# and 70# , the difference is very little. Not enough to matter at all. It depends on the design of the bow. For me , most bows only go to 29" draw and after that you hit a wall. Even bows as long as 66". I do not shoot nor like longbows so I can't speak of them.

That 98 pounder would start "stacking" on me at about 10" of draw! :)

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