Hey all,

I might be able to swing a deal on a used Bear Montana longbow.  The only problem is that it is about 5 pounds TOO HEAVY for me to shoot comfortably.  So I am wondering if there is a way that about 5 Pounds can be taken off of the draw weight.  I know I wouldn't try it though.  Do you know of anyone out there that could/would do it where it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg?

Any ideas?

Thanks everyone for the help and time.

Nala

You can do that fairly easily by sanding the belly glass.  You must do it evenly on upper and lower limb to keep tiller intact. Use a medium grit and sand between the fadeouts and nearly to the string grooves.  Do the same number of strokes on each limb and weigh the bow after about ten strokes per limb.   Stop when you get four to four and one-half pounds, then go to fine to finish off.

Let us know how the sanding goes. I think it may take a good bit. On some bows that I build it takes.004 to get a pound.

How does the sanding not scratch up the glass?

Question......before sanding can you measure the tiller and use these masurements as a 'guide' of where the tiller should be when sanding is complete?

   also....if sanding, can material be removed from the sides of the limbs rather than the belly?    Any adantages/disadvantages to either process?

I think I would Narrow just the belly(Trapazoid) and then refinish.

Katie....that's why you use different grits prior to refinishing the limbs.  When finished it will look new.

John...I would really be concerned about taking too much weight by narrowing the limbs.  It would be a little testy, especially for someone who hasn't done that.

you're probably right George, but if he pulled it off, he probably wouldn't lose any performance.

Nala, have you considered sending it to bowdoc or his like to have it professionally done?

Mine has been reduced #5. It came off the sides and belly. Rounded the belly edge quite a bit too. I just got in from hunting Sherwood with that very same bow; CK

Thanks everyone for the responses and advice.

Mr. Nail,  I haven't done anything besides come here and ask.  I thought I might be able to handle a 45 pound bow but since I went to ATAR this last weekend and tried to pull a couple 45 pounders I know that I will need something lower.  Before I would buy one I would want to make sure it could be safely done without me ending up with 2 pieces of wood in my hands.  I'd hate to spend that money and end up with nothing for trying such a thing.  Now that I know it can be done I may very well contact him and see what his opinions on it are and see what it would cost to have it done.  If it is too expensive or it is too risky then I'll have to look at another bow that I can get in 40 pounds.

I'll drop him a line and see what he says about it.

Thanks again for all the help and time.

Nala

The Montanas have pretty square limb edges.  You can probably lose close to 5 lbs by rounding over the edges to make the cross-section oval instead of rectangular.

You might consider also lightening the tips significantly.  That will substantially improve the shooting qualities of that bow.

I say hit the weights.  :D

Just round the edges over.  It's easy to take off 3-5# this way. Start with 80 grit paper and a snading block. Once you have rounded edge, just keep going down in sandpaper grit until everything is super smooth.  A couple coats of spray poly and you are back in buisness.

Contact Belcher Archery. He is suppose to do great work.