QUESTION: Archery Takedown Bow

Apr 2 2013 | Yosemitest

[Yosemitest]

What takedown Bow would you recommend for someone who is right handed, but due to shoulder rotator-cup damage, doesn't have full strength in his right arm? He's interested in backpacking and wants enough pull strength to kill medium sized game, up to deer.
Budget is a concern, but I don't want to buy him a piece of junk or a toy.

[saltlick]

I purchased a Samick Sage a few years ago and have been happy with it.

[beebuster2000]

i assume you are looking at a compound bow with substantial let off. a traditional bow at even 45 pounds is going to be a tough shoot.

i think the compound bows come take down but i have not used one.

generally a modern bow with eliptical cams isnt that hard to draw and hold even at 60 pounds or so.

getting close enough to hit something, and doing so. thats another story.

[Oberon]

He might be better able to manage it if he could learn to shoot with his off arm (i.e. if he’s right-handed, learn to shoot left-handed). Holding an arm straight is much easier on the rotator cuff than pulling a bow.

[Yosemitest]

I’ll take a look. Which one would you recommend?

[Travis McGee]

Get a compact compound. And if you can kill a four-legged 200# deer with it, two-legged varmints, well, you get the point.

They got very sharp points, I might add. Razor sharp. And quiet.

[Daveinyork]

crossbow

[Yosemitest]

Is this what you're talking about?

[Yosemitest]

Do you have a particular model in mind?
I have no experience what-so-ever.

[Durus]

I think the Samick Sage is probably the best value in a take down recurve. There are variable weight replacement limbs that go from 25lb to 60lb draw weights. A 55# bow is considered the best practical hunting weight in north America but quite a few dedicated target shooters never go over 25#. I wouldn't go under 40# for medium size game like deer.

Your best bet is to bring your friend to an Archery shop. There are some important considerations to fitting a bow and they are accentuated with someone with strength or flexibility problems.

[Oberon]

I’ll take a look. Which one would you recommend?

I'm not conversant enough with crossbows to be able to say, but I could probably scare up a recommendation or two. Your budget is probably going to have to start at around $400 for a good one, I think.

[moose07]

Not if wrapped up and mounted on the outside of the pack.
It is something to discuss with your friend.
I've always found them must easier to use when 'things' are hurting.

[moose07]

Ping!!

[Yosemitest]

What about a Bear 76er Recurve Custom Take Down Bow?
It's decribed as

The bow has a brown magnesium handle and white fiberglass limbs with black tips.
Most of the decals remain on the bow although some show wear.
The bow does have a sight pin.
The limbs show some discoloration/scratches and some rust stains at the point of insertion into the metal handle.
The tips appear to be in very good condition.
I would say the major issue would be the rust at the area of insertion for one of the limbs....one "bridge" shows some minor rusting while the other appears to be in very good condition.
Both of the holding "bridges" holding the limbs in appear to be very solid.
The bow does not have a string and I see no indication of the poundage for the bow.
This model of Bear bow appears to have come in four different draw weights (25/30; 30/35; 40/45; 45/50).

I don't know what "a pin" means in terms of archery.
Is there much difference in older technology, versus today's tech?

[Abathar]

I took my first deer with a re-curve bow that was #40 when I was 14. It’s all about shot placement with a bow, far more important than with a rifle imho. Poundage is nice, but practice, practice, practice is the key to a humane bow hunt.

I don’t know about one that is take-down, but an old wood Bear like the one I still have is light as a feather, and not all that long either.

[Yosemitest]

That makes sense.
I guess I have a lot to learn, and a lot to talk to him about.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Bad shoulder? Crossbow.

[Yosemitest]

Doesn’t a longer bow give you more power, say 4 ft compared to 5 ft?

[cripplecreek]

Daryl Dixon recommends the Horton Scout HD 125.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

That's my baby. Love the hell out of it.

[thackney]

Budget is a concern

High Quality
http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/traditional/take-down

20~29 Lb draw strength
http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/youth/bullseye
http://www.amazon.com/Bear-Archery-Bullseye-Right-Hand/dp/B002BS5FD6

I have used the later for training of Girl Scouts. Not a hunting weapon but decent quality that will handle some abuse for target shooting.