JD Berry Osage 61@28 66" cracking under glass....

[highpoint forge]

I love this longbow and I'm practicing for October after a LONG layoff (hurt back several times and new tech startup job hampered workouts and practice) and I'm shooting decently still. This is the only Osage bow James has made custom (K9 and I traded for it) because he doesn't enjoy hassling with the knots and all. I therefore treasure it. I spoke at length to him about it in 2009. So I'm shooting 450gr GoldTip 5575s like darts today and I notice two long cracks, running longitudinally, on the belly of both limbs. Bow shoots great and I just don't know if these are a danger to the bow or not. I wonder if it's gonna blow up one day? I shoot this bow just a little so I don't worry about it, but, is it normal to have cracks in a smooth shooting longbow? This thread has nothing to do with the seller, so don't even go there. I'll merely ship back to James if I'm endangering myself.

I'll post pics shortly.

[highpoint forge]

[dnovo]

At one time I had about 6 JD Berry bows. Loved em, the style and shape, the woods and workmanship. I have since gotten away from them as I have broken 3 of them. The way James does the trapezoid limb reduces the glass on the belly to a point where I think it is causing the failures. I have since gone to a different style a little more rugged.
If you are shooting 450 gr arrows out of a 60# bow, James would be the first to say you're asking for trouble.

[highpoint forge]

Whoops! These are very long arrows by the way.....but I promise to up the weight if that's a bad idea to shoot them from this bow. Our even heavier longbows from James have withstood years of use. Those cracks are kinda scary though.

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Stu Miller says I'm not far off at all.......about .5lb in fact.

[Bob at Work]

looks like he made you a selfbow, but I see that it's under glass...  it should not be a problem as it's not on an edge and the glass is doing the work....at least send some good pics to James...he would know for sure...one of the best bowyers out there for sure!
Bob

[highpoint forge]

I figured the glass is doing its job and James knows his craft, plus the seller is a reputable fella. Agree his work is awesome. He reworked a 75# Argos for my Dad back in the 90s when it arrived not as expected. It is a plus that he's accessible and happy to talk about his work. Super nice guy.

[Looper]

Stu Miller's calculator might be right regarding the spine, but the 450 grain arrow weight is really light for a 60 pound bow. That's 7.5 grains per pound. Most bowyers won't guarantee a bow if it's shot with less than 8.  There is a reason for that. If it were mine, I'd try to find a 600 grain arrow for it.

[highpoint forge]

Aha !
I have a dozen uncut CE Heritage 250s just itching to get into the action.

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It's a laminate bow, not a selfbow, if that changes the game any....