The Cherokee built 70" war bows in the 80# to 100# range. The Welch War Bows were as long or longer than the Cherokee bows but drew up to 150# or more. Both of these style bows bent through the handle.
Generally long recurves loose efficiency because the recurved tips take more wood to hold the recurve which adds more physical weight and will decrease efficiency plus you can't draw them far enough to impart extra power. Recurves get their efficiency from being able to draw a short bow farther, imparting more power.
