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Author Topic: Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!  (Read 2917 times)

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Offline docmann

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Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!
« on: July 19, 2014, 08:46:03 am »
Ran onto a beautifully (naturally) reflexed Osage that lends itself to about 50-51" in total length.  I've fashioned a horse bow with working handle and now on the home stretch with final tillering.
My dilemma is the draw length. I have a 28-29" draw length. I have made only a few short bows, but it seems I've heard that the draw length should never exceed 1/2 of bow's total length, which in this case would be about 25". This bow has all kinds of power and is holding its shape nicely through tillering. If like to make this a hunting bow and take it to 28".  Any comments or ideas? Would like to hear from anybody, especially anyone with experience with short bows.
Thanks!!!!
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2014, 08:49:02 am »
Most lose at least 1" of draw when shooting a working handle bow. Most rigid handle bows have 1.5-2" deep grips. Most working grips are under 3/4" deep. You will probably need 27" or so. If your bow is 50-51" in total length you will have 48-49" ntn. Even shorter.
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Offline docmann

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Re: Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2014, 01:55:51 am »
It took a minute or two for that to sink in, but you're right. Never occurred to me before just how that measurement  would change with a working handle. Any reason I might not get 27" out of a 49.5" NTN? Thanks for your insight.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2014, 08:48:36 am »
Id add sinew if your intent on 27". I believe their is a stark difference between a bow simply holding together and a bow being healthy. There are a million opinions on it. 
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Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline mullet

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Re: Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2014, 08:34:46 pm »
Like Pearlie said, that is a pretty good Draw length for that short of a bow. If you don't sinew it and it holds together at that draw it will probably take a pretty good set due to wood stress, unless you have an exceptionly good piece of wood.
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Offline redhawk55

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Re: Need recommendations of short bow draw length-please help!
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2014, 06:29:40 am »
I´ve done several osage- flightbows measuring 44" in length but 23" draw. 50" and 28" is real stress even for an osage- bow.
Sinew- back it as said above.
What about adding recurves or otherwise long small tips for to get about 60" in length?
Michael
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