Bear Montana as my first trad rig?

[43.6N]

I was lucky enough to snag two used Bear Montana longbows with what look like fairly new Flemish twist strings.
One in 55lbs, the other at 40lbs.
Great deal from a family friend who owns a pawn shop.

I gave them both the once over, and then started shooting them with some 400spine arrows I had lying around. The 40lb bow is noticeably smoother, quieter after the shot, and seems to throw the arrow more accurately.

It’s been at least 15yrs since I’ve spent any time with a trad setup. How much of the difference would you guys attribute to the individual bow vs the arrow spine vs my admittedly poor form?

 

[nevadabugle]

While not my first pick for a first bow, both of them are capable of shooting an arrow better than most of us are capable of shooting.

If you are trying to shoot the same spine arrow out of both, I can guarantee one is tuned closer than the other. Although I would guess the 40 pounder needs a full length 500 spine and the 55 pounder would be closer with a 400. Sounds like your results are opposite that.

If one is noticeably louder with more hand shock, play around with the brace height to see if that improves the louder one.

Just my quick 2 cent and your mileage may vary....

 

[nevadabugle]

One more thought. Depending on what arrow your 400 spines are think about the Grains Per Pound. A lighter GPP will always be louder, so the heavier bow with the same arrow is a much lower GPP. I reccomend atleast 9-9.5 GPP. So close to a 400 grain arrow out of the 40 pounder and a 500 grain arrow out of the 55 pounder. If that arrow is sub 400 grains, its gonna be loud out of the 55 pound bow.

 

[43.6N]

One more thought. Depending on what arrow your 400 spines are think about the Grains Per Pound. A lighter GPP will always be louder, so the heavier bow with the same arrow is a much lower GPP. I reccomend atleast 9-9.5 GPP. So close to a 400 grain arrow out of the 40 pounder and a 500 grain arrow out of the 55 pounder. If that arrow is sub 400 grains, its gonna be loud out of the 55 pound bow.

Yep I think that’s what it was. After reading your post I dug out some heavier points that I used on my compound rig a few years ago. It put me much closer to the 500gr overall weight. And the heavier bow quieted down dramatically when I shot it off the back porch

 

[Tradchef]

Nothing wrong with them at all. They kill just as good as the next. They do have a good bit of hand shock and some twang but as explained to you above you can tame that down a good bit. As nevadabugle said they aren't my first choice either but they will work just fine and to get started should be just fine for you.

 

[mtfallon]

I'll sell you my bear montana cheap : ) I find my Toelke longbow and ILF recurve much easier to shoot

 

[43.6N]

Thanks fellas.
So say I’m working diligently to build my stickbow fundamentals for the next year. Say I get hooked and want to upgrade my equipment. What would be your recommendations on someone’s 2nd bow?

 

[Beendare]

Thanks fellas.
So say I’m working diligently to build my stickbow fundamentals for the next year. Say I get hooked and want to upgrade my equipment. What would be your recommendations on someone’s 2nd bow?

Free is great...but the best advice is to get a cheap low poundage bow to learn good form on- like 30-35#

The guys that try it and quit is due to them not developing consistent accuracy necessary to be successful. Its easier to groove in good shooting form on a light bow- then move up in weight.

Your forever bow is personal preference. Longbows have a little bit higher degree of difficulty. Recurves are easier to shoot well with a little bit better performance. Hybrids are nice. Some guys like all wood traditional style...myself I like the ILF system Recurves with interchangeable limbs....but there is no one size fits all. Try a bunch while you are learning...Trad guys are good about letting you shoot their bow.