bow for grandson

[badgerbob]

Maybe someone can help out here. My grandson has decided he wants to come out for a deer and elk hunt this year. He has never shot a bow and wants me to help him find one he will be satisfied with, without breaking the bank. I told him to go to a local bow shop and get his draw length measured. They told him it was 32". He is big at 6'2" with a 6'4" wing span and is left handed. Problem is, not many bows are adjustable out to 32". Anyway in the price range he is thinking. I shoot a Bow Tech RPM 360 and it is good to 30". I think I saw Guy Eastman shooting the same bow on a tv episode and I think he is a pretty big fellow. Does a 32" draw seem kind of long to you guys? I was wondering if maybe they mis-measured him. I need to get him into something soon so he will be dialed in by first of Sept. He will be starting from scratch. If anyone knows of a good quality bow with a long draw length let me know. Any other ideas will be appreciated also. He is a good kid. 26 years old and in the Army since high school. He is in Ft. Campbell KY. 101st Airborne. 2 deployments to Afghanistan. Thanks in advance. BB

 

[Slugz]

Bowtech guy my self so the new ones are spec at 30.5 I believe and 31. BTX-31 , Prodigy and ICON I believe....I'd double check that.....older Bowtech that are 32 are the Old Glory, Commander and Pro 40.....I'd measure him myself and see what he is at. 32" draws are becoming more common.....how ever people are also pulling a little far for their anchor point IMO. Im sure the other name brands make a 32" if needed.

 

[badgerbob]

Bowtech guy my self so the new ones are spec at 30.5 I believe and 31. BTX-31 , Prodigy and ICON I believe....I'd double check that.....older Bowtech that are 32 are the Old Glory, Commander and Pro 40.....I'd measure him myself and see what he is at. 32" draws are becoming more common.....how ever people are also pulling a little far for their anchor point IMO. Im sure the other name brands make a 32" if needed.

That's what I am thinking. He has never shot before so maybe he is pulling farther than needed and the shop never caught it. He is a tall lanky lad with a long reach though, so maybe he does need a long draw. I am thinking I may need to help him out with a little cash and maybe go with a Hoyt Carbon Spyder ZT Long Draw or the Bowtech Boss. Both I think will adjust to 32. Problem is I am in Oregon and he is in Kentucky...BB

 

[Finsandtines]

For what it's worth, I am also 6'2 with a 6' 3 1/2" wingspan with a 30" draw. I would maybe have a second opinion on the draw length. This would certainly open up more options and could keep him in a better price range.

 

[Work2hunt]

It is also possible for him to determine his draw length at home with a little help.

Stand straight, with your arms out straight with palms down. Measure from tip to tip and divide by 2.5.

The answer should give you your draw length. I would err on the side of a little short then long, especially when he starts to add a bow loop, release, etc.

 

[buckbull]

If he plans on shooting with a release the D-loop can give you a little length if needed as well.

 

[Slugz]

If he plans on shooting with a release the D-loop can give you a little length if needed as well.

Great point.

 

[badgerbob]

Thanks everyone. He is going to another bow shop sometime this week for another measurement. I relayed everything you guys have suggested, so he will be a little more pro active in this next measurement. Hopefully it will be accurate. I will keep you posted. BB

 

[sneakypete]

badberbob, first thanks to your grandson for serving this great country, second he's airborne! You're on the right track getting him measured/fitted. I'd also be asking these shops for any military discount if offered!

 

[missjordan]

I think once he gets comfortable with his draw length go shoot a lot of different bows and see what feels best. My husband has the bowtech cpxl which fits well with his long draw length too. There's so many bows to choose from!

 

[badgerbob]

I think once he gets comfortable with his draw length go shoot a lot of different bows and see what feels best. My husband has the bowtech cpxl which fits well with his long draw length too. There's so many bows to choose from!

Yes, there are a lot of bows out there. He has a number of issues that are limiting his selection. He is left handed and the shop he was at did not have left hand demos to shoot. His price range limits him from some of the top line bows where most manufactures make their longer draw length bows. He has looked at some used bows, but I am discouraging him from that. He is getting re-measured this week. I may have to help him out a bit with some cash, but he is against that. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with. Thanks to everyone. BB

 

[brushcreek]

Yes, there are a lot of bows out there. He has a number of issues that are limiting his selection. He is left handed and the shop he was at did not have left hand demos to shoot. His price range limits him from some of the top line bows where most manufactures make their longer draw length bows. He has looked at some used bows, but I am discouraging him from that. He is getting re-measured this week. I may have to help him out a bit with some cash, but he is against that. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with. Thanks to everyone. BB

used bows can be a great deal - especially left handed bows. the market for those is tougher so they will sell for a fraction of the price of a new one.

 

[johnsd16]

Have him try shooting a 30" bow. I've always found it more comfortable to shoot a bow that is 1.5" shorter than my "measured" draw length. This is especially true when in a blind, tree stand or contorted in some odd position. Also, with hunting clothes on, you get a nice elbow bend in the bow hand and keeps the string away from the jacket sleeve. Also, it's easier to hold a bow at full draw that is just a tad short, than one that is at maximum draw for you.

I am 6' 1.5" tall with a 74.75" middle fingertip to middle fingertip span and have shot a 28.5" bow for years. Just got a 29", after going to the bow shop and shooting a couple demos at 30". They were well within my draw length and the guy at the shop said I could easily shoot a 30" or even 31" bow, but the 29"ish length is very relaxed to hold.


For buying a bow, the classifieds on archerytalk have an entire left handed section. No better place to shop used bows than on their classifieds.

 

[badgerbob]

He is looking a Martin Affliction. Does anyone have any info. on this bow? I had a Martin bow in 2003. It was an entry level bow, but shot well and served me until I got something better, but I have never heard of a Martin Affliction.

 

[Shawn Guinn]

If you could find a leftover Bear Anarchy HC they go to 31.5. I've seen them sell on ebay for 300 to 400 new . 35 inch axel to axel would be my minimum with that long a draw. I still might pick up a right hander for a back up. But that victory 37 keeps calling to me. I'ld also look at a PSE Freak if you could find one.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[crock239]

I have a measured 32" draw myself and have shot a 32" draw for years. With the dloop it always felt a little long. I just got an elite pure on archery talk fully set up at 31" and with the d loop it feels perfect. I spent $300. There are Many more bows available that go to 31" vs 32" and with the d loop it will likely work very well for him.

Most long draw archers agree they prefer longer ata bows so I agree stay at or above 35" ata. Still very huntable and forgiving.

Might check on archery talk in target bows section, often longer ata bows there with longer draw lengths.

I buy used bows and have never had an issue. Bows depreciate incredibly fast but the technology doesnt improve as quickly so a 1-3yr old lightly used bow will be 30-50% of new bow price and perform just as well.

Good luck and happy hunting.

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[badgerbob]

Well he bought a Mission Ballistic. I think he said it was made by Mathews. Does anyone have any experience with this bow? Not that it really makes any difference, since he already bought it. I guess he Robin Hooded an arrow while trying it out and fell in love with it.
Thanks for all of the input. BB

 

[Finsandtines]

I was actually going to suggest a mission when you mentioed not wanting to break the bank. I think this is a good quality bow without spending high dollars. I bought a mission for my father-in-law a couple years ago and I think it is a great bow. Of course, I am in Matthews guy. Mission is made by Matthews.

 

[Catahoula12]

I shoot a Mathews Chill R and I know my bow max draw length is 30". Most Mathews what I remember max at 30" draw lengths. Good luck to you both in getting him set up with a new bow... I would definitely get other opinions and measurements for him. Good hunting in the future....