[Sir John Bear]

Hi everyone,

I am setting myself a challenge on my YouTube channel to self teach myself archery. I don't have time for clubs due to looking after my wife and family.

I have decided I wish to go down the Take Down route so that I may progress… Ideally I am happy to spend around £250 as I feel thats a good pitch in quality for a beginner. I am 6ft 1 and strong.. Was assuming 40lbs or 45lbs is ok?

I can see the value in the Samick Sage but am i correct assuming that the Avante is a better option due to ILF?… I am totally open to all comments.

I will be vlogging my progress frequently from initial set up and purchase to obviously moving up to Olympic level shooting within 3 days…. NOT!..

Target shooting is where I’m at as hunting bannedin the UK is banned with bows.

If anyone is interested in my channel (no pressure at all) it’s ”John Lavin-Ford”…

It’s to hopefully help others as stupid as me get into the sport.

When the bow (whichever it is) is purchased ill start filming.

 

[Sierra87]

From my limited point of experience:

As a total newbie you want to start with way less than 40 lbs. Better to start with less than 30 lbs, to get used to the motion, to train the needed muscles, to protect your shoulders and to be able to adjust your form at full draw.
It doesn’t matter how strong you are, grant yourself a pleasant learning curve.

ILF is ok, you can easily switch to higher poundage.

You will need arrows with a fitting spine, check some spine tables, once you have an idea about your draw length and the draw weight.

Have fun!

 

[nheather]

I am 61, recently started through the proper club route. A training course which is mandatory to do to join the club, not just because it teaches the basics but also essential safety.

I do Olympic-style recurve target shooting, and was advised that I should budget at least £450 for starting setup, a little cheaper if you want to shoot bare-bow (without a sight). I was advised that this budget would get me good quality budget stuff, that there was cheaper but to avoid that.

My son and I started at the same time, I’m about 6’1” and he is 6’5”, we are both right-handed but left-eye dominant so advised to shoot left handed which felt really weird at first. Being left handed gives you less choice of equipment like risers (certainly less to try out at the store). I think I ended up spending about £550 on my kit because I got a better riser, my son had to spend about £750 because of his height which meant a 27” left-handed riser (not many options in the budget range) and custom arrows because of his 32” draw.

Even though we are both fairly strong, we both started with 24lb limbs, which is plenty to start out with even if you are strong and think you can pull more. Remember than the limbs are not the draw weight, that is determined by the limbs plus the length of the draw - so my draw-weight at the string is about 28lbs and my son’s is about 32lbs.

We are shooting at 30yds now and the 24lb limbs are fine for that. It will take us some time to master 30yds (still a lot of work to do) but when we do move up to 40yds we will think about changing limbs and arrows then.

As a beginner buy arrows that are 2” longer than your draw. This is because as your form improves your draw will lengthen and you don’t want to risk pulling the arrow back off the rest and shooting your bow hand.

 

[nheather]

Buying advice I was given.

The riser is where you should be concentrating your budget. The riser is what gives your bow strength and stability - cheap risers may vibrate more than desirable and are likely to be limited in what draw weight they can accommodate. Buy cheap and you are likely to buy again. This was the ball-park budget I was given

Riser - £200
Limbs - £80
Arrows - £80
Sight (if needed) - £50
String - £10

Then optionally (but I'd say pretty essentially) you need
Bag
Quiver
Bow Stand
Finger Tab
Finger Sling
Arm Bracer

 

[Sir John Bear]

From my limited point of experience:

As a total newbie you want to start with way less than 40 lbs. Better to start with less than 30 lbs, to get used to the motion, to train the needed muscles, to protect your shoulders and to be able to adjust your form at full draw.
It doesn’t matter how strong you are, grant yourself a pleasant learning curve.

ILF is ok, you can easily switch to higher poundage.

You will need arrows with a fitting spine, check some spine tables, once you have an idea about your draw length and the draw weight.

Have fun!

I totally agree… Humble first.

 

[Sir John Bear]

Hi, I really appreciated your time going through your experiences. I am taking notes. Ty

 

[c_m_shooter]

Go lighter and longer. 40lb at 28" will be 46 to 48 at your draw length. A 30 lb bow 66 inches or longer would be better for learning.

 

[Stash]

Your best starting point is an in-person lesson or two from a qualified instructor. If you want to “do it yourself”, spend some time on Youtube to actually SEE what you need to do.

Go lighter and longer. 40lb at 28" will be 46 to 48 at your draw length. A 30 lb bow 66 inches or longer would be better for learning.

Agree with this. Even under 30# would be a good idea.

You said you “didn’t have time for clubs”, so where do you plan to shoot? Most clubs will have people who can instruct available. If you’re setting up at home outdoors and you’re anywhere near a residential area, check your local regulations. And make sure your range is safe.

 

[SHPoet]

Hi everyone,

I am setting myself a challenge on my YouTube channel to self teach myself archery. I don't have time for clubs due to looking after my wife and family.

I have decided I wish to go down the Take Down route so that I may progress… Ideally I am happy to spend around £250 as I feel thats a good pitch in quality for a beginner. I am 6ft 1 and strong.. Was assuming 40lbs or 45lbs is ok?

I can see the value in the Samick Sage but am i correct assuming that the Avante is a better option due to ILF?… I am totally open to all comments.

I will be vlogging my progress frequently from initial set up and purchase to obviously moving up to Olympic level shooting within 3 days…. NOT!..

Target shooting is where I’m at as hunting bannedin the UK is banned with bows.

If anyone is interested in my channel (no pressure at all) it’s ”John Lavin-Ford”…

It’s to hopefully help others as stupid as me get into the sport.

When the bow (whichever it is) is purchased ill start filming.

You are going to heavy on a recurve to start out. I'd suggest 30#-35#. Always stick to ILF. I would recommend a Galaxy setup.

Also, look here.... https://www.archerytalk.com/forums/f-i-t-a-n-a-a-collegiate-archery-and-j-o-a-d.24/ where you will find tons of knowledge from very experienced shooters.