Bowmanship Thread

[Kyle Ryder]

Just getting into archery and found I've quite a bit to learn.

So I bought a Barnett Sportsflight 25 lb bow to start with and made a target in the garden.
Got 90% of shots on target, but most were drifting to the right.

The arrows I was using were mostly Armex cedar 29"
The 2 fibreglass arrows were not that good I found, but very cheap in comparison to the wood ones.
Video here:

http://youtu.be/9g-CUECnyvo

Getting my muscles built up to take up longbows soon

[Ad'lan]

Very, very quickly you should be able to move up from 25lb.

What sort of longbows do you want to get into, what do you want to do with archery, and how can ZS help you? We've got experts in pretty much every kind of bow there is, and if our guys don't know, they can point you to where they do.

If your shots are drifting right, It can be because your arrows are under spined (usually, if your technique is right). Are you right or left handed? Your Nocks seem to drift low and right, but it's best to bare shaft tune them, fletching and technique affects that a lot, but it could be your nock is a little low. Of course, at a short range, and given the draw of your bow, I'd say it's because your arrows are over spined. Who made them for you, and what Bow weight were they built for?

[Silent Kube]

Just wanted to mark this thread so I can be a part of it. Hopefully it'll get me out to the range more often.

[northernxposure]

Ad'lan's advice is truth -

I'm also curious to hear what you're using for cedars. The FG arrows are going to be waaaaaaaay too stiff.

You don't mention if you're left handed or right handed, and I can't see you shooting in the vid (and to make matters worse, your Barrett has a dual shelf). That would help with future questions.

How much of the arrow is hanging over the shelf when you reach full draw?

The only other thing I've got is you'll need to pad up your backstop a bit as you go up in weight, if you're getting pass throughs with a 25#er, you'll start having real problems when you get some weight behind the limbs. Stuff that thing full of old clothes/blankets/whatever.

You're off to a great start - have fun with it!

NXP

[Kyle Ryder]

Thanks for the postive response guys.

I'm left-handed.
The arrows were wooden and for a bigger longbow than the barnett, but I was just trying them out to see how they did.

I've got some more arrows I'll try running them through the same bow tomorrow.
I think you guys are right on them being over-spined...

There's a club near to me and I'll try and join them too.
If I try 'sighting' the arrows that results in drift but when I draw them across the body (as supposed to be done) there's a straighter path.

Just got a spare bowstring yesterday.
I did some modifications to it which I've got a video in the tubes showing what I've done.

My 'other' bow is an English Longbow of 55 lb draw-weight.
I pulled a muscle (didn't warm up properly), so have to take it a bit easy and build up more with the 25 lber I guess...

[Ad'lan]

55lb is a bit high just to jump in unless you are a pretty strong guy. The muscles for drawing a bow aren't commonly used apart from drawing in the bow.

But you should be there pretty quickly. Also, technique makes a big different. Video of you drawing would be the best way you could get a critique online, but just watch some good demonstrations, or see your local club, they'll help you. The best description I can write for you is the Keep your Elbow high, and spread your shoulders. Don't use your bicep.

If you are left handed, that makes more sense with what I was seeing. It'll probably be a little technical for you, but I follow the advice of my friend Zan Christensen when tuning a bow, and it might help you understand the dynamics of your arrow flight a little more. http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/Zan_Christensen/Tuning_Your_Bow.shtml

I honestly wouldn't bother building any arrows for your 25lb bow, if you have a group that shoots from them okay, I'd keep them and save your money for a decent set for your 'real' bow. There's a guide in my sig which is a good starting place on building arrows, and lots of advice online.

What modifications did you make to your bowstrings?

Do you know your draw length? I commented on your youtube video with a suggestion on improving your target, which you'll definitely want to do with a 55lb Bow.

[Kyle Ryder]

Draw length I'm not sure of.
The bowyer I got the longbow off reckons I might be 28-29 inches.
Found the archery school nearby where I stay at the mo'.
Will try there sometime for some practical.

Quick question for you, if one of the arrows is bent a bit how do you straighten it?
I tried steaming it from the kettle then bending it back but ended up snapping the thing!

[Ad'lan]

Quick question for you, if one of the arrows is bent a bit how do you straighten it?
I tried steaming it from the kettle then bending it back but ended up snapping the thing!

Then you didn't steam it properly. Were the Arrows Varnished or Oiled at All? How Long did you soak them before hand? How much did you bend it before it snapped? What where you straightening it with?

The Only method I've used for straightening arrows is leaving them clamped against the bend over night, and steaming.

[Tendrax]

I was taught to straiten wooden arrows using the field tip on another arrow. Basically, find where it is bent, and hold it with the bend up and use the field point(or other cylindrical metal object) to smooth it back down to strait.

Not sure if I explained that very well, but it's always worked for me and It's never caused any issues.

[northernxposure]

Easiest way to field straighten a wooden arrow is with either a hook or an ACE roller and use the technique Tendrax mentioned - ideally you want to reverse the bend by compressing the backside of the wood fibers. Any hard cylindrical object (guitar slider, shot glass, good sized field tip, a brass hook, etc) will work, just apply even pressure to the backside of the bend.

If it's a slat a cooper would be proud of, chalk it up to an accident and get a new one.

If you bend an aluminum arrow, they can be straightened also - to a degree - but you'll need an arrow straightener which is fairly expensive, hard to come by unless you purchase it online, and you'll need to straighten a LOT of aluminum arrows to make it worth while.

Carbon arrows don't bend (unless force is applied). They will break, sometimes unexpectedly.

NXP

[Kyle Ryder]

Ok the good news is I've unleashed the longbow

Finally got some free time over in Eire and let it loose off arrows.
The longbow will reach at least 200 yards
Accuracy's getting better too.
The arrows are spine matched and fly straight, unlike the barnett bow fibre-glass arrows.

It was raining while we loosed off arrows though, which will of made the bow a bit easier to pull (I think).

Will try and get a video shot for you guys BUT the weather in Eire is wet wet wet at the moment...

My medievel arrow bag is functioning well in the rainy weather though!
It keeps the damp and rain out really well, could do with a bit more waterproofing.

Anyone any ideas what might work with it?

[Ad'lan]

What's the arrow bag made of?

[Kyle Ryder]

What's the arrow bag made of?

Unbleached linen.
Suprisingly water resistent.

Will spraying it be ok? Or will it damage it I wonder?

Just had an afternoon in the fields of Eire loosing off arrows!

My 55lb longbow sends off arrows beyond 200 yards!!
I find that leaning forwards a bit helps pull the bow back.
Just working on my form and hopefully with a few more sessions in the field I'll be in the groove

It's easy to see why they started off the kids in England on longbows. As an adult it's trickier and more difficult to learn than as a child...

[Ad'lan]

If you don't mind non traditional stuff, then water proofing spray should be fine.

[Kyle Ryder]

If you don't mind non traditional stuff, then water proofing spray should be fine.

What would be the more traditional way mate?

I read somewhere that a wax, resin and tallow mix would be great for waterproofing a longbow...

[Kyle Ryder]

Well, here's the latest installation on my Bowmanship saga.

This time it's my new longbow vs pumpkin!

[Silent Kube]

Thought this might be of interest. Instructable on making your own laminate bow.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Making- ... e-longbow/

[wishsong]

I am a bit of an archery buff/nerd , and have run a Trad Archery shop for a while now ...
A few things ...
If your arrows are well suited to the bow , spine wise they will fly pretty well and straight regardless of wet feathers [ silicon "fly tying" spray works well if applied lightly ] , they nay be a bit "loggy" in terms of dustance but they should certainly fly true to the mark 25 yards and under
Having said that I still carry a waterproof covering for my shafts when afield roving or hunting ...

55 lb's used properly with good form and repeatable anchor is a work out if you are not used to it ... shoulder problems will bother you a lot longer than the problems associated with a light poundage bow and its performance ... take it easy and slow and get your from down ... your body wil thankyou for it

People with longbows are cooler than everyone else .....

[Dlongmuir]

I would like to buy a Longbow but I have no idea what to get since I've never shot a bow before

[themutebard]

Saw this posted elsewhere and thought some may find it useful. My apologies if it's already been linked.

http://www.wildernesscollege.com/bow-ma ... tions.html

[Ad'lan]

I would like to buy a Longbow but I have no idea what to get since I've never shot a bow before

Look and see if there's any local archery clubs, or state fair type things that will let you try it out and have a go.

[Dlongmuir]

I would like to buy a Longbow but I have no idea what to get since I've never shot a bow before

Look and see if there's any local archery clubs, or state fair type things that will let you try it out and have a go.

I life in southern ct on the coast every archery shop is in the north north rural areas of ct.... could I get a decent beginner bow at dicks?

[northernxposure]

If it's anything like the Dicks around here, chances are no.

Go online - Lancaster Archery is out of PA and ships anywhere, I've bought a lot of stuff from them and never had an issue. Even ordered a few of the upper end Win&Win limbs for my ILF that didn't end up panning out like I hoped, and they took them back no questions asked.

Their "traditional" store is TradTech Archery, which is the same company and ships from the same spot.

Samick had the Sage bow not too long ago for sale cheap, somewhere near a hundred for a wood/glass bow. It was a killer deal.

NXP

[Dlongmuir]

What size should I get I see the bows ranging from 60" to 69"