66" or 68" limbs?

[FunkyBadger]

As mentioned in my previous post, I'm going to Bowsports with my club next week to by my first bow (have been shooting for about 6 months). I'm aware that I shouldn't spend too much on my first pair of limbs as am likely to want to shift up in poundage after a while. I've been offered a pair of second-hand, but good condition 32lb* Win & Win WinAct limbs for about £75, which I've tried once and found okay. I'm not sure if I would be able to get a better deal buying new - I guess my only concern is that these are short limbs, so would give a 66" bow on a 25" riser - would there be any issues with this compared to shooting a 68" bow (e.g. stacking?)? How does one decide what length limbs to go for?

I really like the feel of WinEx limbs, but I guess these would probably not be a sensible choice for my first limbs...

Thanks

* I was until recently shooting 30lb, but can seem to cope with 32lb okay - got a personal best Portsmouth (478) the only time I tried these limbs! :-)

[wingate_52]

How tall are you?
How long are your arms?
What is your draw length?
How long are your arrows?
Some of the above info is needed to asses the length of bow limbs.e.g.
I am 5' 8" tall
My arm span is 74"
My arrows are 27" from string nock to point. I use 68" 42#Winex limbs on a 25" Winact riser

[pHz]

agreeing with wingate that we need some more info

but as another illustration

5'6" tall
arm span is 69"
draw length (button plus 1.75") is 28"
arrows are 28" nock groove to tip
using short merlin elite limbs to give a 66" bow on my 25" spigarelli riser

slainte rob

[sparky steve]

anyother thing to concider is the poundage on your fingers
my Samack CF limbs are 36lbs@70" but the poundage on my fingers at full draw is 40lbs with riser wound down to minimum thats 4lbs over the limbs rate
and that 4lbs makes a differance after a couple of dozen arrows
if you can try then with a couple of dozen arrows and make sure they comfortable. also get then weighed with a bow scale at your draw length.

and the most important thing is to have FUN!!

[rick]

Originally Posted by Yorker

5'8, 25" Draw, 36lb on fingers at the mo. Currently shoot a 68" bow, because I was on the borderline of physical height and drawlength at the time that I bought it... but my draw reduced after switching discipline.

Now I would go for 66"

Interested in your reply Yorker - I'm 5-9 ish with about a 26" draw and have been advised to reduce from a 68" bow to a 66" to get a little more zip in my shots. I hold about 35lb on my fingers so as one could imagine I struggle to the longer distances. The advice to reduce bow length makes sense - but I am wondering what the difference would be between buying a shorter riser or shorter limbs to achieve the shorter bow.
Any thoughts anyone ?

[napolienne]

Don't I know you, Mr FunkyBadger? Paul?

If it is you (actually even if it isn't) I'd say try 66 and 68 when at Bowsports, but if it were me and I was shooting 32# I'd go for the 66 - they'll be faster and winacts aren't really going to be stacking until you hit the 29" mark

Nat

[wingate_52]

I would get a 25" riser unless doing field archery. 68" limbs will eliminate string pinch.

[its my party and]

Ive just gone from a 68 to a 66" bow and I'm finding it a nice change.
I'm still using 38lb limbs on a 25" riser and Im not suffering from much. My scores have gone up and Im not struggling to hold the weight. Infact I have 37lb on my fingers and I think it has galvanised my use of the clicker but I do have a 26.75 inch draw! But as a beginner the med limbs felt much better to hold.

[krela]

I'm 5'8"
Draw to 26.5"

I use short 40# Border TXB limbs on a 25" Merlin Elite riser to make a 66" bow.

I switched from a 68" bow to a 66" bow to get a better cast, and it worked and I get on much better with it.

[FunkyBadger]

Originally Posted by wingate_52

How tall are you?
How long are your arms?
What is your draw length?
How long are your arrows?
Some of the above info is needed to asses the length of bow limbs.e.g.
I am 5' 8" tall
My arm span is 74"
My arrows are 27" from string nock to point. I use 68" 42#Winex limbs on a 25" Winact riser

I'm 5' 8" tall
My arm span (fingertip to finger tip) is about 69"
Am not 100% sure of my draw length, have not been measured
Arrows - I borrowed someone's 27" arrows and these were a little short at full draw, as kept on falling of the rest, I think I probably need 28" arrows at the moment (actually may get slightly longer)
Will be getting a 25" riser