Shopping - brand new to bows

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zstephens13

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I have very little experience with bows but would like to get one. I have a few questions:

Long bow, recurve, composite?

Now I have a few requirements for what I'm looking for:

-SIMPLE
-Ability to string and unstrung the bow very easily
-Light
-Decently powerful, I'm thinking 50-55 lbs draw weight
-Inexpensive - maybe $150

Any suggestions on products?
 
Recurve is most likely the way to go for your requirements. Personally when it comes to bows I like to stay with the well known names. PSE Archery makes some nice bows and are on the lower price end. There are many different options, you may even be better off looking for a used one with your price range.

Something like this I think would serve your needs. http://www.pse-archery.com/products/category/445.5.1.1.16352.7365.0.0.0#.TuNyglafFAU
 
Think along the lines of a lower draw weight, maybe around 35 lbs or so. If you're new to archery, then you should take the time to learn how to shoot properly or it'll just wind up being another thing that gathers dust in your home.
Learning to shoot properly involves taking your time with the shot. For most people, the 50-55 lb draw weight is beyond what the physiology of a novice can do successfully.
YMMV
 
There is more to buying a bow then just buying a bow.

Arrow spine and draw length need to be matched to you and the bow draw weight for instance.

Are you dead set against a Compound bow?
That right there is the biggest improvement in archery equipment since Atilla the Hun started using recurves.

rc
 
True. The compound is also much much easier to learn to shoot.
I shoot recurve, and have for the last 20+ years. I still work on form and the shot process.

Compounds are the most popular for a reason.
 
Why do you want to take the string off ofte? I agree with what others say about a compound, but that will blow your $150 budget by a long shot - unless you just buy an OLD used bow. Make sure you get your draw length measured if you go that rout.

Now to stick with your criteria: A recurve might be best (stay away from a long bow).
PSE is a great option - look at the PSE Stalker.
http://www.pse-archery.com/products/category/Stalker/445.5.1.1.16352.7365.0.0.0
 
I found a used one from a coworker's father but I don't know if it's a good deal. She says it's a:

Great Plains Takedown Recurve Bow

It's only $100 so I think it'll be a good place to start.
Have you guys heard of these?
 
I have a PSE Razorback 35lb recurve, and an older PSE Impala 50lb recurve. The razorback is a great starter bow, plenty of power for paper. You can work your way up later. The Impala I picked up used for about a $100, and the Razorback was $100 brand new. Both are take down models.
 
I agree that a recurve will best fit the requirements you listed. A compound bow, which I would otherwise recommend, won't fit your price range (unless you buy used, which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and you won't be able to unstring it yourself unless you invest in a bow press. Having said that, a compound is significantly more easy to learn to shoot well.

I bought my brother in law a Samick Sage as his first bow, because he wanted a recurve. It can be unstrung without tools, its definitely simple, weighs a good bit less than my compound bow, is available up to a 60 pound draw weight, very comfortable and accurate, and is available for $150 or less. I paid $150 +tax for his, from Sportsman's Warehouse.

Its an excellent bow. If I was buying a recurve for myself, the Samick Sage is the bow I'd buy.
 
zstephens,

A Great Plains T/D is a steal at $100 and they have been around for a long time. Depending on the draw weight you can shoot it now or trade into a quality bow at a lower weight.

Samicks are good bows and have many models that are low in price but they're made in Korea. Ebay also has hundreds of older Bears, Pearsons, Howatts etc. that will peform fine and are easy to resell without a loss. Most Most PSE trad bows don't have a good reputation.

With recurves and R/D longbows you should at least use a stringer to brace until you become familiar with other methods.
Trad bows are fine for any size game. I killed an elk with my 62lb recurve this year and it was down in 10 seconds with a complete pass through.
 
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