Queston for the Archers on the board.

futuresoptions · 10-19-2014, 04:52 PM

My daughters have expressed an interest in archery lately. We have watched several videos on YT as far as building our own longbows and re-curve bows out of PVC and we think those are what we will build and use before we go out and purchase expensive equipment. I haven't owned a bow for about 30 years since I had my first Bear compound bow. Just wondering what you would recommend for cheap ready made arrows for practicing in the back yard. I know that carbon arrows would be faster than aluminum arrows, but of course carbon arrows are a little more bank. Also, what length arrows would you recommend? 26"? 30"? or 31". I wouldn't need the tips to be interchangeable on the practice arrows. Would you suggest me building a shooting target or should I just purchase a double wound, tight round bale of hay?

stealthn · 10-19-2014, 04:57 PM

I would suggest heading to a local range and trying a bunch out, try compound as well, they are a lot of fun. As far as arrows, it depends on your draw length and bow.

I took my boys to the range a few weeks ago and got them a quick lesson, they did not want to go originally, just last Friday they asked me if we could go again because they had fun.

futuresoptions · 10-19-2014, 05:19 PM

We will be making homemade PVC longbows and re-curve bows. We will be making our own homemade strings for the bows out of B50 Dacron. I will probably have to purchase two arrows of each length to figure out what each person needs. Just wondering if anyone knows of a cheap practice arrow that they would recommend considering what we will be using. Here is a video of the recurve bow that I will probably be making for myself. It is made out of schedule 80 PVC.

Buckterrier · 10-19-2014, 05:26 PM

Why not make a self bow from a hickory stave vs. pvc? A great learning experience on how a bow functions.
Also the arrows are predicated on the draw of the bow.

futuresoptions · 10-19-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Why not make a self bow from a hickory stave vs. pvc? A great learning experience on how a bow functions.
Also the arrows are predicated on the draw of the bow.

I think that I would like to try that some day, I have watched a couple videos already about making wood/fiberglass long bows.

So If I am planning on a 28" draw, then I would probably need 30" or 31" arrows?

Buckterrier · 10-20-2014, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futuresoptions

I think that I would like to try that some day, I have watched a couple videos already about making wood/fiberglass long bows.

So If I am planning on a 28" draw, then I would probably need 30" or 31" arrows?

Yes 30" should suffice. Here is an excellent webpage for such stuff...

https://www.3riversarchery.com/pdf/ArrowCharts.pdf

This past summer I made a bow from a hickory stave. Just a simple self-bow. it turned out pretty good. 42lbs. @ 28" I'm shooting primitive arrows with it also.
Good luck and post some pics.

yel911 · yel911's Garage

Quote:

My daughters have expressed an interest in archery lately.

How old are they??? If they are young, say 5-7 years old, go to Walmart/Dick's for something around $20.

Barnett Lil Sioux Pink Recurve Set - Walmart.com

Once they get decent form etc and like it, go to a compound like this:
http://www.fusearchery.com/youth/

My 11 year old twin girls shoot'em, lots of fun!!! Get them out there!!!

make sure you know their dominant eye first!!!

How to Determine Your Dominant Eye | Archery Lessons - YouTube

Seahawk · 04:59 AM

It it goes well at the range, let me know: I have two old compound bows my son used when he was 7 -10 I'll give you. They are just hanging in the barn.

Also, get the large block targets. Hay is ineffective...

vash · vash's Garage

i love the idea of DIYing the bows, but honestly to keep a kid's interest, i imagine it will go better if they actually hit stuff.

kid bows are kinda inexpensive. i would buy one for the improved accuracy and reliability if anything.

vash · vash's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by yel911

make sure you know their dominant eye first!!!

^^ this!!! save them from my hell early.

i shoot with my non-dom eye. i'm pretty good, but i will NEVER be great. but yesterday i was ON FIRE!!

I hit this dime sized dot from 20 yards. I'm not so sure I could make this shot with a .22 standing.

futuresoptions · 05:19 AM

Thanks for the input fellas! I have been researching bows for the past few weeks and finally ended up making a decision on what to purchase. What I decided to go with is what is called on the interwebs a Car-sage or Carsage bow.

The Carsage uses a $40. Cartel 62" riser and Samick Sage limbs. For about $115. you end up with a pretty nice bow. You can choose between 25-55lb Samick Sage limbs. I have heard of some folks putting the 55lb limbs on the riser, but due to the riser being nylon, you might get some flex with the heavier lb limbs. Most keep the limbs at 45lbs or lower and have had great results. Here is a YouTube video of a guy shooting one. I will post pics of the bow and post later in the day.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

I don't know much about archery...but wonder, is there a reason to lear/begin on a recurve rather than a compound (other than maybe cost)?

john70t · 11-11-2014, 06:03 AM

A recurve is more art and compounds are more science.

Personally- shooting a compound is like clamping a .270 on a holding stand, alining the sights for 100 yards, and pulling the trigger.
It's accurate, sure, but where's the sport.

futuresoptions · 11-11-2014, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

A recurve is more art and compounds are more science.

Personally- shooting a compound is like clamping a .270 on a holding stand, alining the sights for 100 yards, and pulling the trigger.
It's accurate, sure, but where's the sport.

Yep, a compound bow, if the sights are accurate, is a very sterile instrument in my opinion. Pull, aim, release and the arrow goes where you were aiming (Sorta like a sniper rifle). The recurve forces you to learn instinctive shooting. When I started with my first bow, it was a Bear Black Bear compound bow, it had sights on it and I never learned how to set them up or use them so I just learned to shoot instinctively on it. I chose to go recurve this go around so that my wife and kids could learn instinctive shooting first and also learn to maintain their equipment a little easier without all of the gadgets that go along with the compound bows. These bows are also take down models which allows them to be broken down when not in use.

id10t · 11-11-2014, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

i love the idea of DIYing the bows, but honestly to keep a kid's interest, i imagine it will go better if they actually hit stuff.

kid bows are kinda inexpensive. i would buy one for the improved accuracy and reliability if anything.

Yup, we picked up a nice Hoyt youth bow and a half dozen arrows for just over $100 from a local place... They are kinda expensive on guns and ammo, but the package deal on the bow seemed better than what I could do buying from a big box store.

vash · vash's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

A recurve is more art and compounds are more science.

Personally- shooting a compound is like clamping a .270 on a holding stand, alining the sights for 100 yards, and pulling the trigger.

It's accurate, sure, but where's the sport.

This is an exaggeration.

. It isn't that easy. I have friends that are awful.