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Coumpound's vs Recurve's advantages..

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3.7K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  Texasbowhunter  
#1 ·
I'm new to the whole bow hunting thing,so there are many things I don't understand..I bought a compound because they seem to be the better performing bow,but I have watched Youtube videos,and the recurve seems to have some things going for it as well..I always thought the compound bows only advantage was draw let off,and if thats the case why are they faster shooting?.In my mind the only advantage of let off in a crossbow would be the fact that the trigger mechanism may not be under as much stress..I know you folks can educate me more on the advantages,and disadvantages of each type..I am thinking of getting another bow,and I'm leaning towards a recurve...thanks
 
#2 ·
Recurve crossbows are the pinnacle of simplicity. One string to watch instead of a string and two cables. No timing issues with cams. With some of the newer models about the same in wing span and handling. Recurves tend to be more accurate out of the box where some compounds can be fussy about what arrows you feed them. Recurves can be decocked rather then shooting into a bag or soft ground. Compound bows will cock much easier then a recurve of equal power. As a general rule of thumb compounds are faster at lower poundage then recurves. High poundage recurves can be a bear to cock depending on the person's stature and strength. The same can be said for some compounds with long sled ropes. I own both and enjoy shooting both. Like any thing you want to get the most enjoyment from, get out and physically handle different models and make the decision for yourself, its all good.
 
#3 ·
Just an opinion of mine. A person should learn crossbows by starting with a Recurve model. Once you have gotten to the point you know it well n then go to a Compound crossbow to learn some more of a diff style platform. They both have some nice Pro's n a few Con's depending on your mood that day or how the crossbow is working for you :)
 
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#4 ·
Efficiency ... you can get a 90lb limb compound that does what a recurve needs a 290lb limbs to do. Which car do you want to buy, the one that needs 290hp to do 80mph or the one that does it with 90hp and 1/3 the strain? Stick with what you got. The grass is rarely greener on the other side of the fence...lol
 
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#5 ·
I've looked at a few on Ebay,and it seems that anytime a recurve is listed at over 300 fps the draw weight is over 200 pounds,and the power stroke is longer..I know the numbers don't lie,but how does a compound gain it's speed advantage?..I don't even really "need" another bow,as I can't complain about the one I have,but I just get a wild hair to get something new from time to time.
 
#6 ·
The gain is shown by the force draw graph. The compound has much more stored energy. The compound is mechanically more efficient. Whatever the max draw weight is, it is obtained relatively early in the draw cycle and remains until near the end of that cycle. If compounds never got out of time, if replacing the string was easily done at home, if all components of the compound could be directly obtained from the company with no middle man, if they had a lifetime warrenty, then recurve sales would diminish, I expect.
 
#7 ·
The compound crossbow builds energy much earlier in the draw. In the case of a more "efficient" crossbow like a Scorpyd, the power stroke is very long compared to most recurves (and other compounds.) Unless you are quite tall, you may need to use a direct pull short sled (especially with any shoulder issues.) Just stating the draw weight is inaccurate and disingenuous. A compound crossbow is different to cock than a recurve, not necessarily much easier for the same performance. A compound crossbow is better in terms of real efficiencey (draw energy vs. arrow kinetic energy) because they have more mechanical advantage. I have a recurve with a draw weight of 295#. I don't think it is too difficult to cock, and all but the last 2-3" is very easy. If you already have a compound crossbow, you know what they are like for the most part. It would make sense if you could go to a shop or box store and shoot a recurve crossbow or two, and see if you like them.
 
#9 ·
Jeb, I started out on a recurve many moons ago. Switched to a compound and absolutely loved the let off. Eventually I had to get a better compound because, well, it was better. Faster, Quieter, Lighter, but basically did the same thing. I eventually found an old recurve and for shits and giggles refinished and refurbished the dang thing. That's when I became hooked on them. It took me back to my instinctive days when I could just feel my shot. It was more forgiving when it comes to slight adjustments and it is tons lighter. It was a joy to walk through the woods with it. I even carried squirrel arrows with it for small game. I still have it but arthritis in both shoulders has taken the joy out of pulling the string. Got my crossbow (first year) and am once again excited about hunting. In my humble opinion, if you want to kill a lot of deer get a compound bow. If you want to enjoy deer hunting get a recurve.
 
#11 ·
LOL me too. Recurves are just a joy to shoot. Had a buddy who used to pheasant hunt with them. I never went with him but he said it's surprising the first time you go how close you really come to hitting that big ole rooster.
 
#12 ·
Per my experience

The cost of maint on a compount is higher as you have 3 strings to replace when they wear out. It also cost more for a press than it does for a stringer for a recurve (all of the compound models I've had required one, some do not)

Compounds have models that tend to be narrower if you hunt from tight spaces.

They will both get the job done if properly maintained. The advantages of one over the other is kind of subjective.
 
#15 ·
If a crossbow owner needs a crank cocker to cock any kind of xbow, and can afford it, the Excal Suppressor has a lot going for it. It's very quiet, accurate, lifetime warranty, has all the advantages of a recurve and being an Excalibur.

For those who need a crank only for the higher poundage Excals, then that's another factor in the equation. Incidentally, I can rope cock even my 2 M405s but elect to not do so in the interest of back preservation.

The BD380 & 400 and the M380 all are longer range xbows. I've had my M380 for 5 years and M405 for 4 years. Love them both: they're going no where! Haven't owned many compounds for 5 years that were still at the top of their game or that were still factory supported.

I don't know how much of this brand loyalty is to recurves in general or Excalibur itself.
If a high quality compound crossbow were made by a company that did business just like Excal: i.e., providing direct service, had a Danny Miller, a Peter, had a product that we could change strings ourselves, could tune ourselves, etc, then it might give Excal a run for the money! Hint Bowtech - let Excal sell and service your Offsprings and watch sales rise!!
 
#16 ·
Offspring is abit heavy, so just give the Crossbows ( Katana's ) to Excal n make only the Vertical models. Now couple of the Compound Companys don't need a press of any kind to work on them. Mission MXB's n Scorpyd's :)