Here's one that was real hard to nail down. Got a life long friend, thats one of them ya been through several life and death situations with, and would do anything for. His name is Cass Landman. Well neither one of us made it out 100% so when he asked for a bow that he could actually shoot, but would still be a deer killer for our upcoming fall deer hunt with one other of us misscreants.
Here's the deal; he can only draw 32# @ 25 max so I knew it would be real tough to make a 32# bow that will shoot min 500 grain hunting arrows flat and with autority. Started with a pyramid shape self bow, with recurved tips and a rigid handle, the bow is made from red elm and was pretty good but came in at 27# and was too doggy for me. So I remembered seeing a bow in the Grayson Collection that belonged to either the Western Ojibwe or the Sioux.....anyway it's shape was a lot like a holmegaard/mollegabet and I figured it had the potential to be really efficient.
The resulting bow draws exactly 30.5# @ 25", self-backed red elm. It's deflexed at mid bow and has reflexed stiff tips. it has an easy smooth draw but real nice speed considering it's low draw weight. It shoots a 450 grain arrow flat at 15 yards, and that same arrow has an average flight distance of 155 measured yards. (I use a Lufkin Rule odometer) The shortest was 150 yards and the longest was 165 yards. Right now the bow is still in the smoked wood stage, and will start the finish tomorrow. Allmostpighunter is sending me some very nice prarie rattler skins which should be here shortly.
I'm sure I forgot something but here's the pics, hope ya like. I'm really amazed at this little bows performance. I'll start with the museum bow. Pics will be marked either 27 or 30 guess ya can figure why? hope ya like and please feel free to chime in with your opinions on performance, or ways to improve it.
rich
