What are a few of the builders I could take a look at? Leaning pretty hard toward a Northem Mist Baraga, but would like to way all my options.
Thanks in advance
Wes Wallace Royal and Yellowstone Longbows by Rich Wormington are very nice mild R/D bows. Ken
Older Robertsons. New ones too but they will cost you O.O
Northern Mist Baraga is one of my favorites. Probably the best mannered bows as well.
They aren't made anymore, but if you could find an Abbott, you might like it. I love mine.
In addition to those already mentioned, Liberty Contender and Great Northern Critter Gitter.
Some of the ones I liked are no longer being made.
If your looking for something new thier are a few options.You allready said Baraga and the N.M Superior is slightly more mild than the Baraga I believe unstrung.A tad less reflex I believe and longer lengths
Dwyer Original longbow,Seven Lakes,Stewarts Mild R&D,Liberty Contender.Mohawk longbow and Mohawk Sparrowhawk,Cari Bow Featherhorn,Mohantango.I do not believe the GN Critter Gitter is currantly being made?But may be reintroduced possibly with the Bowyers son taking over?They had discontinued a few of thier flagship bows.But the G.N Bushbow which is available is Mild R&D and very stable and accurrate IMO.It has a wider limb though.The Critter Gitter is never a bad choice if they make it or can make you one.
J.D Berry was making the Argos a few years ago.Not sure about now?Thats the last one I had made for me.He also made a Taipan which had the forward/reverse handle.
Wes Wallace Royal is very nice but is more moderate in profle unstrung and does not string into a true D shape.The limbs flatten a bit at the ends.I had the 66" 2 PC T.D which was very nice looking and shooting.
As mentioned above, Abbotts are great bows. I've been shooting them for many years. I'm on my fourth one now.
Unfortunately, Steve passed away so you will be hard pressed to find one. Used Abbotts don't come up often.
Holm-Made Osprey or Goshawk.......2 of the best. The Baraga is a good one as is the Northern Mist Superior.
Maddog
Like a few others have mentioned, don't overlook the Northern Mist Superior. It shows a very mild R/D when unstrung but once you string it up it maintains a very nice "D" profile like all ASL or Hill style bows. A very well mannered and great shooting bow.
I have a pretty consistent 29.5 inch draw, but would like to stay with a 60 to 62 inch bow. I hunt in the ground the majority of the time so I like a little shorter bow. I have a couple Kanati's, but I've been wanting to try something a little more mild.
A lot of good suggestions here, I really appreciate it!
Robertson Stykbow has a number on hand on the in stock list to look at.
QuoteOriginally posted by Covey:
I have a pretty consistent 29.5 inch draw, but would like to stay with a 60 to 62 inch bow. I hunt in the ground the major of the time so I like a little shorter bow. I have a couple Kanati's, but I've been wanting to try something a little more mild.
A lot of good suggestions here, I really appreciate it!
Covey, based on your parameters, I would go with the Baraga and not look back. Lots of super bows mentioned, but the Baraga is A+ and if you're already mentally headed that way, just do it. Steve's bows are top shelf.
The prairie predator is a great mild r/d bow. A lot of folks don't give be it the credit it deserves because of its price tag but it will shoot with the best of em.
Hmmmm. A 29.5-inch draw and a 60-62-inch mild rd bow is not a good match IMO. At that draw length, a 64-66-inch would be much better in a mild r/d design.
Sure, you'll be able to shoot the shorter bows, but stack and finger pinch will be noticeable. The mild r/d bows don't have as much deflex coming off the riser as hybrid longbows and just don't handle the longer draw lengths as well. Doable? Yes. Comfortable? Probably not.
Good luck in your search.
Another vote for Northern Mist, and one for Dwyer.
X2 what Ari-Bonn says. Big Robertson fan. Also, any JDBerry, as mentioned. My last favorite is my Wes Wallace "Royale"; IMO, the 68" Royale is one of the smoothest drawing and quickest mild r/d bows made. Good luck in your search.
QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
Hmmmm. A 29.5-inch draw and a 60-62-inch mild rd bow is not a good match IMO. At that draw length, a 64-66-inch would be much better in a mild r/d design.
Sure, you'll be able to shoot the shorter bows, but stack and finger pinch will be noticeable. The mild r/d bows don't have as much deflex coming off the riser as hybrid longbows and just don't handle the longer draw lengths as well. Doable? Yes. Comfortable? Probably not.
Good luck in your search.
I was going to discuss this with Steve before I decide, but I've pretty well settled on the Baraga...we'll see.
Thanks for the info
Jason,
I just recently acquired a toelke Pika. It's a 56" model and I draw to over 29". I am completely blown away by the smoothness of draw and the overall speed!
Forgot about the Toelke Super D.It was redesigned not long ago.
I think what Orion said is worth serious consideration in a true Mild R&D.
I have owned alot of Mild R&Ds.I drew about 29.5 or a bit longer when I was younger.I have tried 62 inchers and felt they were just not quite right at that draw in that design.I mostly hunted with 64 inchers and some 66".I shot 3-D with those bows as well.I dont think I would go below 64".64" was a good all around length for performance,shootability and hunting for me.
Yeah, forgot Toelke. They are one of the best.
Bearpaw in Germany launches a new R/D longbow these day, called Bodnik Longbow. Henry builds great bows, so its worth a look. I am going to test-shoot this bow as soon as it shows up in my local bow-shop.
Thanks for all the feedback guys, I really appreciate it!
KimSha Mattawoman II, from Tom Parsons in Maryland. I think they come in 62" and 64", maybe 60' as well. Mine is 64", and I have absolutely no complaints. At shoots, I get compliments on how quiet it is. It comes out to an almost D shape. His bows arent as well known as some others, but everyone whom I have heard that has one likes them. I think some people that have commented in this thread have of Tom's bows too.
(https://i.imgur.com/WL6YL0A.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uW5X1wd.jpg)
Mowhawk longbows are smooth shooters. I highly recommend them. Vince is also a great guy.
The Mattawomen 11 looks nice.Alot of lams in that bow.I never had a chance to shoot one of those.If I was made of money I would have bought one of the stock Mattawomen's he had listed awhile back.He's Been building bows for a long time
I would bet those are superb!
Lots of great bows mentioned, I've had one from a couple of the makers. I share your 29.5" draw and have had Wes Wallace build 4 Royals for me, my 5th one is being built now and will be 68" instead of 66" like my others. I hunt from the ground, and don't find a longer bow limits me, and do like the butter-smooth draw and lack of finger pinch.
I loved my falcon r/d takedown but she is not mild . Waiting to get her back from Ed Boyd.
Got good accuracy and speed to burn.
BTW, most mild r/d designs suggest something around a 64" minimum bow length for 29.5" draw. Of course, shorter bows will work, but the shorter you go with that mild design, the more likely the force/draw curve will start rising fast (stacking) and string angle will narrow (finger pinch).
For the same bow length, a more extreme design typically has a more consistent f/d curve at longer draws.
I have a Ron Fox Traditional SWEET SHOOTER...62 inch I draw 28 very nice
Fox Royal Crown the finest bow I have ever had.
I've shot a lot of bows over the years and I think you cant beat a 7 lakes archery long Night for the price .
Not a ton of experience with lots of different bows, but I really like my Navajo Bows Apache
Lots of great suggestions. I just received an Omega Original this week and I am very impressed. Fantastic performer.
I have 64" Liberty Contender SE and it is a great bow . Also have a 64" Chief, another very good bow.