ILF Risers & Limbs?

[ElkNut1]

Can anyone here shed some light on these risers? I'm very interested in shooting one but have not had one in my hand. I have a small hand at 5'-7" tall so don't like big grips. What about length of riser, what's best for smooth draws or is it mostly in limb selection? I'm considering longbow limbs with a total length at 60" or under, also around 55# at 27" draw. I understand these Risers can be adjusted for draw weight but how much? 5#-10#? Thanks!

ElkNut1

 

[Beendare]

Paul,
Asking about those ILF risers is a bit like asking ,'what car" ...there are a bunch of different models now.

I have a few different risers; Blacks creek[ no longer made] Morrison and the Tradtech metal- all 17". You can get ILF risers from 13" long up to 25". For the most part, guys usually are in the 15"-19" for a hunting riser. A 17" riser with long ILF limbs makes a 62" bow, med limbs makes a 60", short 58".

The tradtech has a choice of wood grips that are similar to a compound grip- fits on the riser and you can get multiple configs....or even modify one yourself with a little sanding then refinish if you are really picky.

My Morrison has a med grip like most ILF risers that is probably a good choice for 90% of guys.

The limb angle on ILF risers is a little different from mnfr to mnfr which is the determining factor in limb weight....but usually the weight adjust range is as you stated appx 6-10#. I can get 10# from my Tradtech and Morrison. The limb rating labelled on the ILFs when you purchase is based on a olympic style [longer] riser and it will be higher on the shorter risers. I think the W&W Inno limbs on my morrison are labelled 38#....but they go from 45#-54# at 30" draw for me. Tradtech is about the same. The riser mnfr can tell you what the increase will be on their riser.

Edit; BTW, even cheap ILF limbs are very good...you don't have to buy expensive limbs. I have some $80 SF limbs and its NOT a $500 difference between those and $600 limbs

 

[LostArra]

I've been shooting traditional bows for over 50 years but never got into the metal riser/ILF thing. There seemed to be a number of proprietary systems at one time and it just looked too confusing for an area of archery that is based on simplicity. ILF seems to be the dominant system now so I'm interested to hear the answers from those in the know.

 

[Steakngravy]

Check out the das tribute riser from three rivers and pick up a good set of used carbon foam limbs , three rivers sells this riser its new. Has a removable hump on the shelf for shooting from the shelf or you can shoot elevated rests its pretty sweet

 

[oldgoat]

Generally adjustable 10%. There are short risers, I have a 13" phenolic riser from Morrison. I've heard a number of people less than pleased with how longbow limbs shot off the riser they have so you want to make sure limb pad angles are good for the limbs you want. Dryad makes fantastic longbow limbs as risers from 13" to 19". But unless you are a tuning Nazi and like too shoot a lot of different limb/riser combos, ILF isn't that much greater. Its advantages are tuning and limb riser options.

 

[ElkNut1]

Thanks guys! I'm looking into the ILF so I can start at the 45# weight & move up to max at 55# - I want to shoot relaxed & comfortable so I don't rush things forming bad habits. It beats buying several more bows, sounded like the ILF was the ticket! Need to get my hands on one in the Boise area if that's possible. Thanks!

ElkNut1

 

[oldgoat]

Thanks guys! I'm looking into the ILF so I can start at the 45# weight & move up to max at 55# - I want to shoot relaxed & comfortable so I don't rush things forming bad habits. It beats buying several more bows, sounded like the ILF was the ticket! Need to get my hands on one in the Boise area if that's possible. Thanks!

ElkNut1

That will take a couple of sets of limbs to accomplish. Forty pounds limbs have about four pounds total adjustment. Decent limbs can be had for under $200 to work your way up then buy a premium set. Also lots of guys will trade etc. My first ILF was a trad tech apex and three sets of limbs for $400 off the Leatherwall classifieds.

 

[ElkNut1]

Thank You! I didn't realize that? I though all could be done with one set of limbs? Hmm! I may rethink this! (grin) Thanks again!

ElkNut1

 

[LostArra]

It beats buying several more bows, sounded like the ILF was the ticket! !

ElkNut1

HA! There is where you are mistaken!
Take it from me (not my wife) buying another trad bow to try is always better.

 

[Beendare]

My W&W Innos can go from 45# to 54# on my Morrison riser [at 30" draw]

You can buy a set of ILF limbs for $60 that are as good as most custom bow limbs.
Alt Services SF fiber foam limbs
SF G-Fiber Foam+ limbs - SALE | Archery Shop > Recurve > Limbs-ILF | Alternative Sporting Services
The SF Axiom limb is good too....I have a light practice set that is smooth

These carbon foam limbs are as good as you will find for the $$$, [$200] IMO
SF Elite Carbon/Foam limbs | Archery Shop > Recurve > Limbs-ILF | Alternative Sporting Services
I have a set and its very difficult to tell the difference between those and my $600 limbs [I didn't pay $600, but you get the idea]

Many have an aversion to those metal risers like the tradtech [I personally don't like the look] but the mass weight makes them a dream to shoot. They are a lot more stable than a longbow....or a wooden handle recuve or LB. I have longbow limbs on mine right now and its the smoothest shooting longbow I've tried.

 

[Shawn Hultquist]

I would call Bob Morrison over at Morrison archery and bend his ear on the subject. He's a pretty well know bowyer in the ILF world. In both wood and metal risers.


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[oldgoat]

Sent u a pm

 

[Shortdraw]

I have a Dryad riser that is quite narrow. I have rather small hands (size medium gloves) as well and like the Dryad grip. I also have a TradTech Titan riser. LOVE that riser! You have a choice in three different grips (low, med.,high). I really like the low. And they are fairly slim as well. And aluminum risers feel so dead in the hand! You can even put a stabilizer on the Titan if you like. I currently have the 17" model but thinking about the 19" when I have some cash burning a hole in my pocket. Lancaster Archery has some lower priced limbs (often some on sale) while you are going up in weight. Also you can find limbs on the TradTalk forum classifieds.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

ILF hunting rigs are a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Manufacturers will tell you what a safe range is for backing the limb bolts out. Some recommend less, some more. A lot of limb bolts that come with risers are 1.5-1.75", I run 2.25" limb bolts so I can take advantage of all the adjustability if need be and be certain there is plenty of limb bolt in the threads. Tradtech limbs are measured on a 17" riser at the minimum preload, so a set of 45# limbs will easily hit 50#. Tradtech limbs will lose about 1 pound for every inch you go bigger on the riser. My 45# Tradtech Carbon Extremes hit 47# on my 21" riser with the limb bolts all the way in, and about 40# with the bolts backed out as far as recommended. I keep them set at max poundage.

 

[mjsekerak]

I've had a couple trad techs and always start two turns from bottom, and one full turn for every inch of draw past 28 and then set the tiller. The idea is to get as much out performance out of the limb by putting the stacking point just behind your max draw. When I say stack I mean when the pounds per inch rise more than 2 pounds per inch. I'm absolutely no expert but this has worked for me. I've never used ilf for reducing or increasing draw weight, just stack and tiller.

 

[Beendare]

Well I just got word...the Dryad riser I ordered in Nov is shipping.[ Yeay!] I will snap a pic for the lurkers [grin]

I've been shooting a 62" setup at my 30" draw. I'm pushing 6'4" and 235# so my DL is longer than most. I like the 62"...but just for the heck of it I am going to try the longer riser. So of the top shooters I've shot tourneys with are all shooting longer bows. These guys are string walkers and they tell me they get a little better tune with long crawls on a longer bow. ...plus the longer 66" + bows are more forgiving. Since my DL is longer than all of them [except Matt Potter 6'6" who shoots a 68" bow]

I figure I might go a little longer to see what all of the hubbub is about.....especially since I'm going to adopt this fixed crawl for hunting. Right now my 62"bow bareshafts well with a FC of 7/8" =30yd point on...so I really don't see how there will be an improvement, but.... A few of these guys are top shooters in the country [and hunters]...so one has to assume they know what they speak of.

 

[justinspicher]

Call the guys at rmsgear.com and they will help you out.

 

[ElkNut1]

Now there's some good info guys! I appreciate you touching on the subject a bit more, this certainly helps! Thank you!

ElkNut1

 

[dec0y]

I'd say one of the largest advantages to an ILF is being able to completely tune the limb to your shot, arrow, and riser. Changing the weight is not something I commonly do once it's all tuned up. I'd be interested in hearing others opinions on that.

But given the quality of the cheaper limbs out there--the TradTech glass/wood limbs were some of the best I've shot in terms of stability and speed and they used to be available for about $100--I don't see the need for massive amounts of adjustability. I have several sets of limbs and ONE riser. If I add a riser of a different length, then I have two bows for every set of limbs, which all shoot differently and could be at different weights as the riser length determines the draw cycle and weight.

So it really is a fantastic system for customizing bows to YOU.

I personally have a Morrison wood riser and unless I point out to the trad folks that it's an ILF, they are none the wiser. I've shot metal risers before and they have a slightly different feel to them, but are still fantastic shooters. Just depends on your preference.

 

[PJG]

I'd say one of the largest advantages to an ILF is being able to completely tune the limb to your shot, arrow, and riser. Changing the weight is not something I commonly do once it's all tuned up. I'd be interested in hearing others opinions on that.

But given the quality of the cheaper limbs out there--the TradTech glass/wood limbs were some of the best I've shot in terms of stability and speed and they used to be available for about $100--I don't see the need for massive amounts of adjustability. I have several sets of limbs and ONE riser. If I add a riser of a different length, then I have two bows for every set of limbs, which all shoot differently and could be at different weights as the riser length determines the draw cycle and weight.

So it really is a fantastic system for customizing bows to YOU.

I also agree with this, but would add the ability to add a plunger and to tune the tiller are also two big advantages to the ilf system.