My new toy

[Apex]

I picked it up yesterday and strung it. I let it break in overnight.



I finally got a couple of arrows for it today, installed field points and took some shots at my target.

A planned "few" shots. Next thing I know, I shot about 100 arrows (only missed 5 on the 2x2 bag). I did a few shots at 10yds to get a feel for it. Then moved to 15, then 20 and finished off the day at 25yds (furthest I can go in my back yard).

Good thing I got a 30# draw weight. I honestly think the volume practiced with good form will be better for me than a heavier draw weight with fewer arrows.

The thing is addictive. I only have three functioning arrows right now. I have a dozen wooden arrows, but I need to taper the front to install the points. For now, I'll just use the three aluminum arrows I got. Later on I'll toss it on a fletching tool to install some feathers instead of the plastic based vanes. The plastic vanes kind of "kick" off the riser, so the arrows fly a little wild sometimes. The feathers fly smoother (that is what is on the wooden ones).

The thing is a ton of fun. Total investment thus far: $400. That is the bow, quiver, shooting glove, dozen wood arrows, 3 Al arrows, tips for wooden arrows, tips for Al arrows, adhesive, bow string wax, storage bag, stringing tool, and target.

[Jiggles]

I want one, but I'd probably end up pickin akimas off the fence

[Apex]

You can play it right and just order everything online and save some cash. I got the wood arrows, planning on using just a dremel to taper it, but the more I have read, the points really do need to be spot on or else the arrows don't fly right.

So that got me to the the aluminum with the incorrect vanes. Something is better than nothing though. I got to order a taper tool and then I'll have some wooden arrows ready to go. The three Al arrows only ran $21 (w/o points), while the dozen wood ran $85. So I could have saved some cash if I just got the right arrows ready to go from the start. Oh well, this will be fun.

[EvilPooMonkey]

leave the Akima's alone and pick on someone your own size mister sasquatch belly.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Apex

I got the wood arrows, planning on using just a dremel to taper it, but the more I have read, the points really do need to be spot on or else the arrows don't fly right.

So that got me to the the aluminum with the incorrect vanes. Something is better than nothing though. I got to order a taper tool and then I'll have some wooden arrows ready to go.

Very easy to do on a belt / disc sander. Set the angle on the miter gauge with a stop and you can just crank them out.

Or just use a pencil sharpener.

[Apex]

I did hear about the pencil sharpener trick. I also heard that it doesn't quite set the angle right. I guess I could make an arrow or two that way tonight. I have some JB weld sitting by to set the field points on there. At least it should hold, right? hahahaha

[Apex]

Just made one arrow. Meh, I'm not convinced yet about the pencil sharpener method.

I'll see how it shoots tomorrow (give time for the weld to bond fully). Should be a lot better than off the riser than the aluminum thanks to the feathers. I don't like how the wood warps. Had to hand straighten several already...and still that is just ballpark. I think I may just make some aluminum with feathers.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by EvilPooMonkey

leave the Akima's alone and pick on someone your own size mister sasquatch belly.

K I'll pick james off his 250

[alex.s]

you can do it, catnip.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by alex.s

you can do it, catnip.

Yeah, that movie has sparked a boom within the archery community. I, however, got a bow for the challenge. I was glued to archery this year at the olympics. I had not read the Hunger Games, nor had I seen the movie. I was just amazed how accurate they are over and over again.

I can shoot a rifle 100yds and hit my target no problem. It is too easy in my opinion. I'd much rather have more of a challenge, and this is a definite challenge.

I am not a hunter at all. However, since my step dad wants me to go with him one of these days, I will now. At least I can use the bow to hunt small game. If I can find a rabbit or something, we can at least have a decent dinner if nobody bags a deer. Right now, my limit is 25yds. I am hopelessly inaccurate past that. As long as I keep practicing, I will get better.

My back is weak too, so this will be a great workout to balance myself out.

[Goom]

Bows are a ton of fun. I haven't shot one in a few years, but I'm thinking about breaking mine out and doing some bow hunting this year.

[Apex]

I am glad in that I can always borrow my little brothers compound bow if I desired. That at least gives me another option. I'm sure he would let me "have" it until he needed it for a hunting trip. He "has" my old 8-bit Nintendo. We tend to do that quite often. hahaha

I "have" a 12-ga pump Remington for skeet shooting, even though technically it is my stepdad's. He stated that it is mine until I don't want it anymore, then it is his again.

[Apex]

Wouldn't you hate having this pointed at you?

[Apex]

So my goal for this week:

Get a couple of Flu Flu arrows from the local shop, put some field points on it and purchase some small game stoppers (which mount behind the field points). That way if I decide to hunt small game like birds or squirrel (or something like that), it will be easy to remove the point and reinstall with the stoppers behind them.

Of course, I don't plan on hunting any time soon, but it would be a challenge.

[Jiggles]

Its pretty amazing how ridiculously hitech bows have become. Not sure what they are called but I think its compound bows? Or something like that, they've got like pulleys n shyt and a nice little sight. I'd imagine it would be very easy to be proficient with a bow like that. I'd prefer the approach you are taking though, with a more standard bow, sounds more fun

This **** is bananas

[Apex]

Yeah, that is a compound bow.

You do have a valid argument though. I had shot a couple of longbows before, nothing much. Maybe 5 arrows here and there over the years. I think maybe a total of 30 or 40 arrows over my lifetime. Now, my little brother got a compound bow for hunting. I dropped by when he was still living at my parents house and he was practicing in the back yard.

I was interested. He told me what point on the sight was calibrated for the distance, and how to work the release. I picked up the bow and shot a bullseye on my first try.

True they are tougher than a rifle, but they are still simplistic. If you know the distance to your target (and lets face it, hunters these days are lazy and do have a range finder), then you can and will hit your target (unless you are in a lot of wind).

To me, putting feeders out there to lure in the animals, then taking a shot when they are on their way to the feeder, leaving it, or eating at it is just retarded. Yeah, put a feeder there to keep them in the area, but don't go and hunt near it. I am more of a person who, if I were hunting a deer, would go out in it and maybe scale a tree on my own instead of a tree stand. I would try to track it and find out where they like to hang out. Like I said, I like a challenge, not setting out food and scents and treats for them to lure them in.

Of course, if I were doing it as one of my sources of food (going extreme here with crashing world stuff here), then I'd do whatever I could to lure them in so I could feed my wife and I.

I just feel if you want to sit and wait for your game to come to you, you aren't a hunter, you are a target shooter.

To me hunting is tracking and outsmarting the game. Even if you have a rifle, if you are out there tracking your game and not waiting for it, then I give you props.

[Apex]

Hey Jiggs...they have some cheap but pretty nice looking longbows online.

I noticed this place via a magazine of mine:
http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Bows/departments/51/

The Robin Hood Bow is like $60.

This one looks dang nice and not a bad price:
http://www.kustomkingarchery.com/Hic...ductinfo/7315/

Also check out: www.Lancasterarchery.com

If you want more off the shelf stuff, stick with PSE, Martin, Samick, etc. (You can go to www.basspro.com or www.cabelas.com for some decent stuff)

The Samick Sage takedown recurve is nice and is only $130 at Lancaster.

My bow is a PSE Razorback Recurve - 30# draw weight. Nothing fancy. I have a 30" draw, so the bow is closer to 35# at my full draw (they tend to rate bows at a standard 28" draw). Stick with 30-40# draw weight for just starting out. I love the 30 because I can go through a hundred arrows in a session and still feel good when I'm done. Also, don't get any bow in the 50" length. Stick with 60"+. That way you don't have to worry about if it is a youth bow or not (some are labeled really badly).

I'm already checking out other bows to "upgrade" to later this year...maybe Christmas.

Honestly though, this bow is more than enough for me right now.

[Jiggles]

It sounds cool but I'd have no where to shoot, I don't think I could do it in my backyard. And my wrist is still ****ed up from the accident, torn cartiledge apparently does not heal, so using a bow would probably be killer on it.

[Apex]

Possibly. You could always do a crossbow or use a release.

If the release doesn't aggravate the injury, you can have one set up on a traditional bow. I've seen it done before.

[Jiggles]

It's my left hand so it would be the one holding the bow

[Apex]

Ahh, now I see the problem.

But I have a solution!!!

[Apex]

Or this:

[Jiggles]

Crossbow is cheating lol

[Apex]

Not if you have a bum hand!

[EvilPooMonkey]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

K I'll pick james off his 250

you better hope I'm on the highway cuz you wont be able to hit me on a twisty....you might get lucky at a stop light too.

[NikkitaNinja]

Always wanted to get into archery...absolutely love the look and styling of the high end compound bows, except without all of the ridiculous gadgets that they put on them.

[Apex]

So I snagged a couple of Carbon Express Flu Flu arrows. Those things fly really nicely. I can see why they are popular with bow hunters going after birds and small game. If I were hunting larger game, I would use a more solid arrow with fewer vanes. Probably wood or aluminum arrows. The carbon is great though for the small game. Plus the bright yellow vanes help with finding them.

I do want to get a few books and try making my own arrows by hand, 100%.

I'd love to make my own bow as well. I love wood working, so it would be rather fun.

[Apex]

Originally Posted by NikkitaNinja

Always wanted to get into archery...absolutely love the look and styling of the high end compound bows, except without all of the ridiculous gadgets that they put on them.

Personally I prefer long bow, flat bow or recurve. Compounds are nice in that they generate a ton of power. However, I don't like how complex it is.

Honestly though, Olympic archers use recurve bows, and they have a TON of stuff hanging off of them. I guess it makes sense since they HAVE to be insanely accurate.

My bow has nothing hanging off of it, my brother's compound bow only has a quiver and a sight. I like how he kept it simple.