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Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: dcolavito on November 21, 2009, 10:04:00 AM

Title: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: dcolavito on November 21, 2009, 10:04:00 AM
I've been shooting instinctively for a year (switched from gap shooting for years) and with the same recurve bow.

Been thinking of looking for an additional bow/s and wondered how much adjustment time I'd need in going from one bow to the other.  Is there a major investment in adjustment times if I alternate between different bows from one hunt to the next, or am I better off just sticking with the same bow.  Of course the only sure way to find out would be try it, but wanted thoughts from others who alternate among different bows.

Thanks !
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: StickBowManMI on November 21, 2009, 10:57:00 PM
I shoot different long bows frequently and they all seem to shoot the same. I like having different bows and I enjoy shooting them. It seems to add more fun to it.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Cecil on November 22, 2009, 04:31:00 AM
I do better if I stik with one bow. I like shooting others.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: zetabow on November 22, 2009, 03:09:00 PM
I have Horsebows, ELB, Recurves and Longbows, I shoot mostly Longbow during peak tourney times but I like to have a break every now and then and have a week shooting maybe the Horsebow.

Most of my Bows are similar draw weight and performance so adjustment isn't that difficult, most of the time I can switch bows quite quickly, I think because I shoot alot and international tourney at high level I do sometime find myself hitting a brick wall with my Longbow and making a switch to another Bow for a week helps me come back to the Longbow feeling fresh, Think it helps remind me to keep Archery FUN and not get to wrapped up in the tourney side of shooting.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: monkeyball on November 25, 2009, 08:41:00 PM
Hey Dave,
        Hunted most of the season with a Voodoo
Stick,the last two weeks with a 56" Bear Grizzly,
and now I am trying to get tuned in with a Hoyt
Dorado.

It is like Steve said above,you have to keep it fun.

                            Craig
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: reddogge on November 26, 2009, 09:44:00 AM
Of my 14 bows, 2 are for the grandkids and 2 are in the shop and 1 is a wall hanger so that leaves me 9 to shoot and I shoot each one at least once/month.  They all shoot the same to me with slightly differing trajectories due to poundage differences.  My brain seems to compensate pretty quickly.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: mahantango on November 27, 2009, 09:09:00 AM
If you are an experienced archer with  good, consistent form it shouldn't make any difference. Beware the man with many bows- he can proably shoot damn near anything.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: JRY309 on November 27, 2009, 10:00:00 AM
I have many bows and switch between them regularly and shoot them equally.Probalbly because they are all longbows.But when I have shot recurves,I do tend to shoot right for a bit until I get accustomed to them.It is due to the cut of the riser.Most of my longbows are cut slightly off center to center,the recurve is cut past center.But you should have good consistent form.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: sinistral on December 22, 2009, 09:00:00 PM
Give in to it Dave, join the "I need that next bow club". I have six bows, and shoot them all regularly, until I am close to hunting season. Then I shoot the bow I hunt with only... well mostly I just shoot that one LOL. They all shoot a little different, but that is the fun. Jeff
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: GANDGOLF on December 22, 2009, 09:16:00 PM
I think as long as you anchor @ the same place ... Cant your bow the same..Release the same..AFTER 5 Warmups your computer knows what's going on .. No Matter WHAT bow you use...    :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Big Bird on December 22, 2009, 10:14:00 PM
I have 21 recurves I shoot all of them.then 2 weeks before hunting season I will only shoot the one I'am hunting with.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: gilf on December 23, 2009, 11:23:00 AM
I shoot a lot of 3D competitions, normally 40 targets. I have found it takes me around 10 shots to get used to a bow after that it's as if I have been shooting it forever.

I try and shoot the same bow as my main "competition" bow and only shoot different bows for fun now and again. When I switch back to my main bow I don't need those 10 shots to get in to it.

I shoot instinctive too.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: vtmtnman on December 24, 2009, 05:51:00 AM
It's dependent on the person.I've watched Vermonster pick up a morrison longbow and a 57 kodiak(Two completely different bows...shooting two different speeds...not even cut the same in the windows)and at 20 yards have all the arrows in a 6 inch circle.

Have good form and lots of shooting practice and anyone can do it.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Rob DiStefano on December 24, 2009, 06:48:00 AM
for hunting and hunting practice, i shoot one bow, and one arrow type.  

mixing it up with other bows and arrow types won't help my hunting one bit.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Bruce Martin on December 24, 2009, 07:40:00 AM
I have several glass bows and also the disease of making bamboo backed longbows. Part of the fun of making the bows is exploring the variation. Poundage also differs and as I age the pounds are coming off (of all types bows). But for hunting I tune and shoot only one bow and hunting arrow and stay with it all season including all the practice. This winter with bow making I will be attempting to make the wood bows with similar pounds as the glass bows (about 55 lb).
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Pegen on December 24, 2009, 07:54:00 AM
I've stuck to the same bow, same arrows for 1 year and never shot better!
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Over&Under on December 24, 2009, 10:17:00 AM
There have been times I had several different style of bows, and the hardest part for me when switching was the different grip styles.  But it only took a few shoots to bet my brain dialed in.  Now I try and have bows that are somwhat similar to each other as far as the grip is concerned and that helps to switch back and forth fairly easy.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: graysquirrel on December 24, 2009, 12:52:00 PM
I have tooooooo many.  But is is fun shooting all of them, especially the old ones
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: cbCrow on December 24, 2009, 12:54:00 PM
I used to be able to shoot different bows but as I age I always seem to come back to recurves. I know I can shoot both,longbow aqnd recurve, but am going to go to the dance with what brought me.Try it yuorself and see what hsappens.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: dragonheart on December 24, 2009, 08:36:00 PM
From an accuracy point of view, you are better off IMO to stick with one bow.  At least one style of bow.  Some folks really enjoy trying differnet bows.  If you stick with one bow you "groove in" with it and you know where it will shoot.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: Bowferd on December 25, 2009, 02:54:00 AM
Shooting lots of different bows is lots of fun.
But as the old saying goes, "Beware of the man with just 1 bow".
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: TSP on December 25, 2009, 06:41:00 AM
Lots of bows, sometimes too many.  The older you get the more you realize you don't need them all, you just need to be able to shoot at least one, lol.  Merry Christmas!
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: cacciatore on December 25, 2009, 04:36:00 PM
Yes the best thing is to stick to a single bow and arrow set up.Said that I shoot at least 3 bows a day and at least once a year everyone of my 70 bows.At 20 ys is not a big difference.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: ranger42 on December 26, 2009, 08:11:00 AM
Find a bow that you like and stick with it. I think, a person really learns shooting characteristics of himself and a particular bow. Both can be maximized without confusing the brain.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: LimbLover on December 28, 2009, 10:27:00 AM
IMO, if you understand how different the bow shoots and mentally prepare yourself before shooting it your body can make those adjustments in a few arrows.

I do think it is important to practice with one bow at least two weeks before hunting season. The more confidence you have before hitting the woods the better.
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: NDTerminator on December 28, 2009, 12:02:00 PM
I have several recurves from 58"-62" but all are +/- 2 lbs draw weight. I shoot the same arrow with all. I don't have any issues switching between them, in fact, I grab the bow I feel is best for the situation I anticipate...
Title: Re: Alternating Among Different Bows
Post by: divecon10 on December 28, 2009, 08:55:00 PM
Have a few bows the same weight and am surprised to hear that some can adjust so quickly. Each one seems so completely different. Have tried alternating bows in the same session to gauge the variations but have found it beneficial to stick with the one for the session or a couple of days before trying another and repeating the process. Perhaps the volume of experience allows others to adapt so well