AFB? What can I expect? Which one?

[Raedwald]

So, here's a question.....

My current bow is a Martin X-200, a nice, 1-piece hunter, 60" AMO, 35# @ 28" (my draw length is 28", fortunately!). This is my "regular" bow. Quite happy with it, it's fast but tends to kick a little.

Now, I'm thinking it's time to move up a little in the #, so that means a new bow (always the issue with 1-piece bows). So, as alluded to elsewhere, I'm thinking.... Much as Indy (and KingWill for that matter) keep suggesting that I ought to turn to the Dark Side, that's not going to happen for a long while yet.

I already have a longbow, which comes in at around 44# @ 28". I tend to shoot this more for "fun" rather than anything else. It's "fun" to shoot, but, surprisingly perhaps, I don't want to go "totally stickbow".

So, I'm thinking around a flatbow, just to see (still centre-shot but with a longer AMO). But there's a few questions that come to mind, so thought I'd ask, knowing that there are a few here who might be able to answer:

1. Assuming an AMO of 68"/69", should I be looking at around 40# or 45# draw? How would that "feel" compared to the shorter X-200?

2. Obviously, a longbow is shot differently to a hunter/recurve (not holding at draw, etc), but would a flatbow shoot more like the hunter than the longbow?

3. How could I expect such a bow to shoot/perform compared to the 60" X-200, for things like speed, distance, capabilities, etc? (The X-200 will easily reach the 80yd target on our marked course, assuming I judge the distance right!!!).

4. As this is a "trial", I'm looking towards Sammick or Internature in the first instance (yes a Border would be lovely, but an expensive outlay if I decided "not for me"). Does anyone have any experience/comments/preferences around those, or recommend something in the same price bracket?

[mik]

I bought a Border Griffon 45lbs at 28". 70" length.No hand shock, no stacking, near centre shot, very fast..need I say any more? ..you get what you pay for.

[english_archer]

I dont claim to know much about A.F.B.s or field archery in genral but this bow
Merlin Archery; Wolf - 68" American Longbow Is high on my list of things to buy . Not sure how much the other bows you mention cost but this one wont brake the bank if its not for you

[clickerati]

I tried a Falco AFB this weekend and it was a dream. Light, smooth, easy to draw. I really REALLY want an AFB now!!!

[Raedwald]

Originally Posted by english_archer

I dont claim to know much about A.F.B.s or field archery in genral but this bow
Merlin Archery; Wolf - 68" American Longbow Is high on my list of things to buy . Not sure how much the other bows you mention cost but this one wont brake the bank if its not for you

Yes, I'd forgotten about the Ragim bows. Thanks for the reminds!

[pHz]

Originally Posted by english_archer

I dont claim to know much about A.F.B.s or field archery in genral but this bow
Merlin Archery; Wolf - 68" American Longbow Is high on my list of things to buy . Not sure how much the other bows you mention cost but this one wont brake the bank if its not for you

mrs pHz has one of those as her 'playbow' (shes mostly a recurver) and loves it - hers is only 35lb but is fairly smooth and stack free at around your 28" draw length - its not the fastest or coolest flatbow out there but for the money is a decent intro to the bowstyle i reckon (especially if you then decide its not for you)

slainte rob

[clickerati]

Falco Estonia AFBs

[NoobArcher]

I bought an AFB off ebay for £59 inc post and packing! its a 68 inch bow, draw about 32.5 lbs. Only unfortunate thing is, I have NO idea who made it! BUT, she shoots like a dream, is very smooth, but does vibrate quite a lot of after release and take s a bit of getting used to! Her name is vixen