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What is your Traditional set up ?

3.1K views 23 replies 16 participants last post by  GCook  
#1 ·
Hi all. If you don't mind, what is your set up ? Pictures included would be great !
I'm getting back into Traditional Archery.
Thanks
 
#2 ·
I got into shooting Trad about 3 years ago. Started with a Samick Sage and was able to take a young 8pt with it the first year. Then met a local guy that taught me how to build glass laminated take downs and have shot my own bows since.
The bow I hunted with last year was a 62" - 38 lbs @ 28". I draw 31" and it's 43 lbs at my DL. Shoots a 32" Black Eagle Instinct at 165 fps with a total arrow weight of 540 gns. Total pass through on a doe this last season.
Here's a pic of last years hunting bow and some others I made that I either sold or gave away to friends.

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#6 ·
I got into shooting Trad about 3 years ago. Started with a Samick Sage and was able to take a young 8pt with it the first year. Then met a local guy that taught me how to build glass laminated take downs and have shot my own bows since.
The bow I hunted with last year was a 62" - 38 lbs @ 28". I draw 31" and it's 43 lbs at my DL. Shoots a 32" Black Eagle Instinct at 165 fps with a total arrow weight of 540 gns. Total pass through on a doe this last season.
Here's a pic of last years hunting bow and some others I made that I either sold or gave away to friends.

View attachment 7595279 View attachment 7595289 View attachment 7595290
I got into shooting Trad about 3 years ago. Started with a Samick Sage and was able to take a young 8pt with it the first year. Then met a local guy that taught me how to build glass laminated take downs and have shot my own bows since.
The bow I hunted with last year was a 62" - 38 lbs @ 28". I draw 31" and it's 43 lbs at my DL. Shoots a 32" Black Eagle Instinct at 165 fps with a total arrow weight of 540 gns. Total pass through on a doe this last season.
Here's a pic of last years hunting bow and some others I made that I either sold or gave away to friends.

View attachment 7595279 View attachment 7595289 View attachment 7595290
Jonnyjuice, Wow what a nice set up. The bow's you are making are stunning !
I just recently picked up a Bear Kodiak Hunter at 60" and 40# at 28" draw. So it sounds like i am in the ball park once i get it all set up.
Thanks !
 
#4 ·
NJ -

I've never quite understood posts like this. There are like 3 million bows out there (figuratively speaking), new. used and vintage, no way you're going to get a representative sampling. It gets worse when draw weights and arrow specs are given. Is the weight stated too heavy (or less likely too light) for you and does the guy replying have a clue as how to shoot or tune a bow?

If you would tell us what YOU would like in a "trad" bow, and some previous history, we might be able to give you better answers. Just trying to help.

Viper1 out.
 
#8 ·
NJ -

I've never quite understood posts like this. There are like 3 million bows out there (figuratively speaking), new. used and vintage, no way you're going to get a representative sampling. It gets worse when draw weights and arrow specs are given. Is the weight stated too heavy (or less likely too light) for you and does the guy replying have a clue as how to shoot or tune a bow?

If you would tell us what YOU would like in a "trad" bow, and some previous history, we might be able to give you better answers. Just trying to help.

Viper1 out.
Thanks, Viper1
I can see where you are coming from so here it is.

I just recently picked up an early 70's Bear Kodiak Hunter. 60", 45# at 28" draw. I am looking at purchasing either cedar or carbon arrows. Thinking of going with a helical twist with a 5" feather. Looking at 125 grain field points or heaver. I believe there is a kit from either 3 rivers or Lancaster that gives you different weight sizes to tune with. Bear or Zawicki 2 blade broadhead. Flemish twist Dacron string at 57". Looking to get a quiver for the bow or a back quiver. I'm sure there is something i am leaving out as far as needing.

I have been Bow hunting for over 30yrs. Shot a tremendous number of deer with the compound. When i was a kid, I hunted with a long bow. (Ted Williams) which was my dad's. I have shot both NFAA and NJ SFAA Bow hunter freestyle unlimited with a compound at 3D shoots outdoors. I have also competed indoors at various ranges. I want to challenge myself while i am still alive on this planet. I grew up with Fred Bear products and admire all his accomplishments so i do have some heart there. I want to keep this new style of shooting as close to vintage as possible like they used to do. This is a journey for me so i am not in a rush and will cherish all the bow tuning and challenges that it will take both target and hunting.

Hope this cleared the air and may help in getting responses that can guide me in the right direction. If you have any suggestions, i would be glad to read them.

Thanks
 
#5 ·
Pics won't upload.
But a Stalker Wolverine. 54@28 62". Shooting a Black Eagle Vintage and an Iron Will. Taken two elk with it. I also have a Stalker Coyote longbow that's 60@27 60". Love that bow! Shot my first elk with it and a lot of other animals.

Yep Viper I can shoot and tune.[emoji6]


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#10 ·
Takedown, 62 inch recurve 44 or 48 pounds at my draw length, depending on limbs used. Nothing special a Galaxy Sage Elite and a Southwest Archery Spyder are my two primary bows.

Full length 1916 Easton aluminum legacy arrows, Full length Gold Tip 500 spine carbon arrows, and a 125 grain broadhead. Muzzy, Montec and Magnus stinger broadheads. Just sold some two blade Zwickeys. I am done with them. I have a couple other recurves, all between 58 and 64 inches. 35 to 45 pounds. No pictures, sorry.
 
#11 ·
I’m three years in and started with a Samick Sage. As far as traditional I’m kind of the opposite, once I learned about ILF bows that’s the direction I went. There are so many options and adjustments and coming from a compound it was an easy transition to ILF bows. Right now I shoot and hunt with Samick Discovery bows, I have two, one at 35# and the one I hunt with at 40# or 45# depending on the limbs.
I would someday like to pick up a one piece recurve, that’s what I started in archery with in my teens and 20s.
 
#13 ·
NJ -

I've always liked the Kodiak Hunter, grip felt better to me than the SK.
If you can handle the weight, it's a good bow.
My concern is that for a new or returning shooter or compound convert, 45# will not be a good learning weight.

You probably know this, the the Bear bows were always solid shooters, not spectacular, but solid. Their popularity was due more the Fred's marketing than anything else, it really was his strong suit. That actually help promote the sport.

Like I said initially, right now there are so many bows out there, pretty pictures are nice, but a great looking bow might be a mediocre performer.

For the record, when that bow came out, aluminum arrows were king, and a full length 1916, if left full length might be a good starting point. Fiberglass arrows were #2, and frankly cedar was a distant third.

I'll go against the grain and suggest that the arrow tuning kits from 3R might sound good, but are a total crock of do-do. To "tune", you need a number of fletched arrows and a number of bare shafts. A smarter approach is to buy 6 to 12 arrows of a suggested size (ones that won't leave the bow sideways) and begin honing your skills. When you think you're ready, strip the feathers of of two and begin bare shafting at 10 yards and work your way back. While the odds are the 1916s will ne tweak-able, if they aren't they will tell you which way you need to go.

Matt - I gotta be honest with ya, I'm just not into the "equipment" thing any more. I've figured out what works for me, and all that matters is where the arrows go.

Viper1 out.
 
#20 ·
Life is too short for one setup, LOL. Started shooting hybrid longbows a few years ago and prefer them to recurves. Here's the 4 Omegas I shoot currently, 41-45# @ 28 but draw to 29", all tuned for the same arrow.

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It's all about hunting for me, my targets are live animals. Here's my recent turkey from south FL taken on 3/5 with the 60" Native.

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#22 ·
Life is too short for one setup, LOL. Started shooting hybrid longbows a few years ago and prefer them to recurves. Here's the 4 Omegas I shoot currently, 41-45# @ 28 but draw to 29", all tuned for the same arrow.

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It's all about hunting for me, my targets are live animals. Here's my recent turkey from south FL taken on 3/5 with the 60" Native.

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Turkey is a great trophy with a trad bow. Congratulations!

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#21 ·
Not pretty like the other guy's setups. But it works.

40# black hunter and pretty much everything else like the shelf, quiver, and arrow is DIY. I also have some #47 longbow limbs for it and I'll probably use those more when I start improving.

Arrows are 31" 400 spine w/ 160gr insert, 150gr head, 25gr diy lighted nock, and 4" helical fletchings. Total 565gr.
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