Big River bows

[Wudstix]

Who has Big River bows by John McDonald?  I have only two, a recurve (Kodiak clone) and a D/R longbow (21st Century clone).  Both will be in my Will with the stipulation they are never sold and go to a family member who will appreciate them.

[Wudstix]

I have found both my bows to be very good performers with heavy arrows.  The LB actually shots faster than the recurve, even though their draw weight is almost identical.  Their length is both 60".

[Cyclic-Rivers]

John made good bows. I have the same as you. Kodiak replica and d/r longbow

[Wudstix]

Nice to hear from you Charlie.  Working the recurve with St Jude, Black Widow arrows.  Finally, got them flying good with a 190 grain point,(673 grains) wish I had 250 grain, but don't.  Might try a 75 grain woody weight and 160 grain point. 

[Wudstix]

WW and 160 grain point make a 237 grain tip on a 707 grain total weight arrow.  Flies like a missile and hits with a thump.  Max distance in my yard is 18 yards and I have been banging the block from there.

[Wudstix]

My Big River D/R longbow will be getting to throw these woodies, soon.  Confident they will fly very similar to the recurve because the poundage of both bows is almost the same.  Perhaps the difference in riser width will allow broadheads to be shot from the longbow.  Fingers crossed.

[Wudstix]

It was time to dance with my D/R longbow.  She is @1 lb. heavier draw weight than my recurve.  She strings up so much smoother, and throws the same arrows faster, to my eye and ear.  The laminations have the same under lying bamboo core, so the same mellow golden color is starting to shine through.  The recurve is quiet, but the longbow is silent!!!  Fixed up five arrows with Woody Weights behind 160 grain points.  The arrows weight 705, 707, 718, 719 and 723 grains.  They all shot like a whisper and hit with a thump.  The recurve pulls 65.5# and the longbow pulls 66.5#, statistically no big deal, but the longbow really sales these arrows.  I was banging within an inch of the spot I focused on.  She was living up to her name, "Hallelujah".  When I loaded four arrows in the quiver there was no perceivable sound upon release.  Glad I brushed the dust of the longbow.

[katman]

Sounds like your having a good time even if its HOT here.

[Wudstix]

Temp is 98 degrees at 7:22 pm, I'll go out again when it drops some more, just before dark.

[Wudstix]

Have been shooting my D/R Longbow for the last several days and it is a beast.  Trying to remember why I put it away.  May spend some time rotating through my longbows; Big River, MOAB and Kota.

[MikeNova]

I have one of hid hill styles. Great bow!

[Wudstix]

Mike,
Mine is a 21st Century clone,  Shot the original and John's bow felt better.

[Wudstix]

Been enjoying my D/R longbow John made for me in 2014.  Sweet shooter and fastest bow I have with 650-700 grain arrows.  Golden tint of Bamboo starting to show through the curly maple veneer.

[Wudstix]

Got some hard rain this evening and the temperature dropped to 88 at 8pm.  Put some more arrows through my Big River D/R longbow, and actually took some time to enjoy the evening between shoots.

[Kris]

That is a McDonald bow in my file photo.  A one off (or two) of a reverse lamination, bamboo core, static tipped 21 Century reproduction, 66" 54"@28".  Nothing glamorous but a fantastic hunting bow with exceptional cast, accurate and a joy to shoot.

Kris

[wayofKONEA]

Big John D/R 60" incher all bamboo limbs

[Wudstix]

That's a earlier one.  I have a 1996 recurve, bamboo cores and lams. 

[Wudstix]

I'm honored to have two of John's bows, recurve and D/R longbow and hope to put buckets of blood down with both of them.

[tracker12]

Would love to find a BR Kodiak at #40.

[MikeNova]

I have one of his hill styles.