long draw switching to a short bow
Equipment
I have always shot longer bows 38 inch ata really well. I also have a 30.5 dl. I like the longer bows string angles, I can touch the string to the corner of my mouth. There are not many options out there for long bows and the ones that are available are no faster than my 11 year old hoyt ulta tech.
I am considering purchasing a bowtech carbon knight. The ata is 31 inches. How much difficulty will I have switching? What could be some issues that I might experience by switching to a short bow? Besides 30 fps and about a pound in bow weight, would there be much advantage of making the switch? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks ESP
I have always shot longer bows 38 inch ata really well. I also have a 30.5 dl. I like the longer bows string angles, I can touch the string to the corner of my mouth. There are not many options out there for long bows and the ones that are available are no faster than my 11 year old hoyt ulta tech.
I am considering purchasing a bowtech carbon knight. The ata is 31 inches. How much difficulty will I have switching? What could be some issues that I might experience by switching to a short bow? Besides 30 fps and about a pound in bow weight, would there be much advantage of making the switch? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks ESP
Three years back, I had to make the switch (the old bow was just worn out). Ended up with a 32"ATA PSE evo 7 and I shoot a 31" DL. The biggest thing I had to re-develop was consistent hand placement and it's torque influence. Second, was due to string angle, I could no longer place the string along my nose like I used to, but now just brush the tip.
Is that 30fps actual, or IBO theory? I picked up a lot of actual/chrono speed when I switched. Not that I'm a speed nut but with a heavy arrow it's awesome
Outdoorsdude, I assumed the speed. The ultra tech was rated at 300fps advertised IBO and the bowtech is rated 335 fps IBO. I just assumed I would gain about 30 fps. I have not chronoed a bow since my old machined supreme from 1995.
What helped you with the hand placement?
I once tried switching to a short ATA bow and it was the worst archery-related mistake that I ever made. But I've been shooting longer ATA compounds since the mid 1970's and changing my form to shoot a short bow just did not go well for me. I now shoot a 35" ata Bowtech CPXL and I'm quite comfortable with it. The bigger cams on it actually give you a string angle more like a 36-37" bow. In reality, there are several longer bows available that will be 20-30fps faster than your Ultratec. Bowtech and PSE have some good ones. I can highly recommend the CPXL.
I'm a 31 in draw. I went from a long ata to one of the short ata speed bows a few years ago. I shot the bow ok but I was never super comfortable...string angle, peep, nock pinch were things I didn't like. I recently picked up an elite e35 and it's a happy middle ground bow, not too short or long.
How much accuracy did you lose by going to a short bow?
I formerly used longer bows. I now use a Matthews DXT; about 30" ATA. The large cam and idler wheel make it seem like its a longr ATA bow. I shoot it well, but like you, believe that at longer ranges (over 45 yards) I cannot group arrows as tightly as with the longer (and also heavier) bows I used to use.
I love the light weight though, so I'm staying with it for the time being....
I don't remember the speed stats on any of my bows, so I cannot comment on that part of your query. With a WB rest, my draw is 29". With a drop away, an inch would be added.
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Im a 30.5" draw and switched to the z7. It was a quiet, fast bow, but not made for longer draws. It was very unforgiving. I shot a bunch of animals with it but never could dial it in as good as I would have liked. It was a mistake but a lesson learned and I sold it after a year and bought a spider 34". I love this bow, it is forgiving and fast. There is no need to go short ATA with the bows out today.
Thanks for all the responses. You have confirmed what I thought.
really making sure the life line at the heel, was centered the same every time. And getting the web up tight under the shelf.
The grip was much narrower (bare machined riser) on the new bow.
My DL is almost 31", and I've learned the hard way to stay away from shorter bows (which, IMHO, is 35"). Not only do I want the string to touch my nose, but I want the peep close to my eye, something that's not possible with a short bow.
I had no trouble shooting a short bow well at the RANGE, but in the WOODS a longer bow worked much better.
BTM, I would love to buy a bow that is 37-38 inches. The only longer bow that has anything to offer over what I already have is a Darton 4514.
Properly set up, one can shoot a reasonably short compound with a longer draw length quite accurately. Longer bows are inherently more stable. But using a release, string loop, and proper sized/shaped grip all will add to the accuracy potential. I've never felt handicapped hunting with shorter compounds. I draw 29" with the above setup, but 30" if I hook a short release directly to the string.
"The only longer bow that has anything to offer over what I already have is a Darton 4514."
I can think of three others off the top of my head:
PSE Supra PSE Freak Bowtech Specialist
Hoyt Ultratec is an awesome shooter. Always will be. I bought a Carbon Matrix for something new and lighter weight for bivy hunting and like it a lot. I personally didn't want to go any shorter than the 35" Matrix (as in Element).
See absolutely no reason for such short bows for those of us with longer draw length.
More maneuverable? I'm not jumping around doing ninja moves. Never had any trouble trying to maneuver a bow...
I did not like the block grip of the carbon knight. So I will be looking at other bows.
PSE is not an option for me. I had a bad experience with them (Director of Sales) in the late 90's at the IBO in Nelsonville, Oh. I told myself that I would not own one and do not plan on owning one.
I will give the Elite Energy 35 and Bear Anarchy HC a try. From what most have said a 35 inch bow is adequate.
Thanks for all the helpful advice. ESP
