Recurve Bow Help

[Sharpdogs]

My wife stated that she would like a recurve bow for Christmas. She has no experience with archery. I would like to find something in the 25-30 pound pull with the option of adding new limbs to bow to increase the poundage as she gets better with it. Unfortunately the budget is limited to $100.

 

[Smythley]

Trying to find a bow with replaceable limbs on that budget is going to be tough... My advice would be to find a used recurse in the poundage range you want, and see what happens. Let her shoot that for a year. If she falls in love, and wants a higher poundage bow, then move up. Tradgang.com and stickbow.com are food traditional archery sites with classifieds.
Also, call around to archery shops in your area and see if they carry any traditional bows. Many shops will let you try out trad bows if they have got them.

I just thought of Samick bows. I have no experience with them, but have heard good things.

Hope this helps. Just for FYI, I've owned 15-20 different recurve / longbows. I bought my wife a 32 lb. Root Ranger. She never wanted to go any higher in poundage.

Keep in mind most of these bows have a draw weight marking like 45 lbs at 28". If she I'd only drawing 24" it will be less weight. Around 3-4 lbs/inch roughly

 

[Sniper X]

Smyth has great suggestions and I will second the used recurve suggestion. I also can say that one of the best things about recurve bows is, as long as you aren't looking for vintage bows, are cheap on the used market and rarely have many arrows fired thru them. She will also get a much higher quality bow for the same money as a new entry level one or less. I will also suggest finding a used three peice or take down bow so she has a chance to get higher poundage limbs, but my guess is she won't ever want higher poundage limbs, and if she does, she might just want a new bow which is exactly what she wants. She will also (if she really gets into it) NOT want to ever get rid of her first bow. That is a special thing for those of us who love archery. I am 53 and still have my first quality bow I had made for me when I was ten in 1968.

 

[Sky]

Yes check eBay where there are deals occasionally to be had in your price range.

 

[Sniper X]

Also check the local craigslist so you can actually check out the bow in person. I see good deals on Cl all the time. Look in sporting goods.

 

[Zeke/PA]

IMHO, the best thing for you to do is to find a didicated Archery shop in your area and let them help you.
Often they have a used bow rack where you may find something.

 

[gatesbox]

Not sure if this link will work, but I saved this eBay seller to my favorites a while ago, he seems to have great prices on entry level recurves....

http://myworld.ebay.com/garysarchery&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSX:SELLERID&_trksid=p3984.m1543.l2533

 

[wheelgunslinger]

should be easy to find.
Bear in mind that most adult males start at about 35lbs of draw weight, when learning to shoot properly with a traditional bow.

Depending on her physique, a 35# can possibly have her overbowed and make her learning curve very difficult.

 

[Sniper X]

I have seen target recurve bows at 25~35lbs. I can also say if she is petite, and not tall with a long reach, she will probably not draw a 35lb bow to 28in or further thereby never drawing full weight.