Are you looking for the best longbow for target shooting or hunting? There are a lot of different longbow brands and manufacturers, which may be confusing.
Using a high-performing longbow will make a difference in your performance, whether you’re bow hunting or target shooting.
That is why I compiled a list of Amazing longbows and reviewed them; it took us nearly three days to study them all and come up with the best longbows for the money.
We searched for the following things when compiling the list of best longbows:
- Purpose of the bow (Whether it is best for target shooting or hunting)
- Brace height of longbow
- Draw weight and Draw length of the bow
- Quality and Brand
- Price or buyer’s budget for longbow
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What is a Longbow?
The longbow can be differentiated from compound bows, horse bows, recurve bows, and other short bows by characteristics such as length, shape, and material. Longbows are around the same size as the archer in terms of length.
In most cases, there are about 2 to 3 inches longer than the shooter. Compound arrows, also known as horse bows, are even smaller. The recurve bow is the nearest in size to the longbow.
What about the shape? The D-shaped string of the longbow is separated from its top or bottom limb, unlike the recurve bow, where the strings touch the two limbs.
Traditional English longbows are wooden and can be constructed from a single piece of wood or layers of various woods, and are referred to as self or composite bows.
Composite bows are made up of three different types of wood: yew, lemonwood, and hickory. Only yew is used to make self-bows.
Longbow Vs Recurve
Traditional bows, such as the longbow and recurve bow, are common with both beginner and experienced hunters. The below are the key distinctions between the two:
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1. Shape
Longbows are constructed from a straight stave and a flax or hemp string. The bow forms a D or half-moon shape while the string is tied to the string’s notches on both ends of the stave, with the curve facing the archer.
A recurve bow, on the other hand, is known for its Number 3 shape, which is created when the grip curves inward a little while the limbs curve away from the archer, or “recurve.”
2. Lengths
Longbows get their name from the length of their bow. A longbow should be long enough for the user to draw the string to a particular point on his body, normally around the chin area, as a general rule. Many longbows are around the same height as the individual, with an extra three inches of length.
Longbows are usually longer than recurve bows, but they can be almost as effective. As a result, it’s suitable for use in small or enclosed spaces.
3. Speed and Stability
There are countless explanations among archers and hunters about which type of bow is best for hunting. Billingsgate Unlimited compares the two forms depending on which has a speed advantage and which has a stability advantage.
Speed. Recurve bows shoot faster arrows because of the unusual shape of the bow. The recurve increases string tension and serves as a springboard, causing the arrow to fly faster once released. Due to the recurve, however, microscopic changes to your shape will affect the stability of your aim.
Stability is essential. Because of their shape, longbows are more durable than recurve bows. When you draw the string toward you, the bow’s limbs bend more naturally because the bow bends softly toward its ends. The bow is pulled straight, but the tips are flat, so it doesn’t wobble. This gives you a more stable grip on the bow which makes shooting the arrows easier.
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The Best Longbow: Top Picks
Now, let’s go through the features of the best longbows in more detail. The bows featured in this round-up review cover a huge variety of needs, styles and budgets.
1. Bear Montana – Best Longbow
When it comes to archery equipment manufacturers, the word Bear is well-known. Another perfect balance between modernity and tradition is the Bear Montana longbow. The bow’s slight reflex/deflex nature makes shooting fast, accurate, and handshock-free. This bow is a great option for compound archers who want to move to traditional archery or hunting.
The high quality of the woods, tools, and craftsmanship that went into the making and construction of the Bear Montana will certainly inspire you. With its black Dymondwood maple riser and clear white maple overlaid branches using overlaid high quality black fibreglass, the Bear Montana looks amazing and feels strong and durable. This longbow also features a leather “shoot off the rack” grip for increased comfort and precision, as well as a traditional feel.
All in all, if you’re looking for the best longbow that you can use for hunting, look no further that the Bear Montana. In virtue of its brand reputation, quality material and top-end performance, at the price at which it’s sold this bow is a steal!
Pros
- Great design and feel
- Fast and powerful
- Hand-shock free
- Quiet so great for hunting
- Reputable brand
- Flemish string included
- Best value for money
Cons
- String replacement recommended
- Not very beginner-friendly
2. SAS Gravity Hunting Longbow
The SAS Gravity hunting longbow is one of the most popular modern longbows for traditional archery and hunting at the moment. The Gravity is handcrafted from fine hardwoods by Southland Archery Supply, a world-renowned longbow, crossbow, and compound bow manufacturer. It gives the shooter a quick, precise, and powerful shot.
The SAS Gravity is a 64-inch hunting longbow that is handcrafted from fine hardwoods with excellent aesthetics and durability. The hardened limbtips make this longbow feel sturdy and durable despite its low weight of 1.3 pounds. The deflex limb design gives the shooter more strength, precision, and comfort when shooting. It also has a maple centre and high-speed black glass for increased speed and stability.
The SAS Gravity is available in 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 lbs draw weights and for both right and left handed shooters.
Thanks to the 64″ AMO length and deflex style, the SAS gravity shoots effortlessly and reliably. If you know what you’re doing, the highest poundage models (40lbs+) will take down any game up to deer level. Another consideration is the mild level of handshock experienced by some shooters when compared to most longbows; however, this is not a problem if you maintain your form and can be minimised by wearing appropriate shooting gloves.
Pros
- Good quality woods
- Fast and powerful
- Great for hunting
- Lightweight
- Smooth-shooting
- Reputable brand
Cons
- There is some hand shock
- Some users have reported that the actual draw weight is slightly more than advertised.
3. AF Archery
If you’re looking for a traditional-looking American longbow that can also hunt, the AF Archery Handmade longbow is the way to go. This is an excellent piece of equipment, with high-quality woodwork and classic design at an affordable price. This longbow has a 5-star rating around the board, making it one of the best options in 2020 for those interested in traditional archery, whether they’re a novice or a professional archer.
The AF Archery longbow has a reflex/deflex build on a bamboo/laminated wood riser, as well as fibreglass overlaid limbs for increased power, longevity, and shooting stability. With a 62″ AMO range, the longbow is smooth-shooting and forgiving (although not as much as the 64″ Bear Montana and SAS longbow). Overall, the bow appears to be well-constructed.
Thanks to its modern reflex/deflex design, and its vibration-free, smooth performance this bow is powerful and can be lethal in various bow hunting situations (in the rights hands).
Pros
- Traditional design
- Fast and powerful
- Hand-shock free
- Affordable
Cons
- Riser grip not very comfortable
- Right hand only
4. Martin Savannah Stealth
The Savannah Stealth by Martin Archery is one of the most famous premier longbows on the market today. It’s a fine, sleek shooting bow made of high-quality materials. This bow is the pinnacle of finesse and shootability in terms of craftsmanship. The Martin Savannah Stealth has received an unprecedented 5-STAR user rating for materials quality and shooting feel, which is unsurprising.
This longbow’s woodwork is of the highest quality in the industry, which explains why the modern Martin Savannah is one of the most sought-after longbows by traditional archery enthusiasts. Being Martin Archery, a company with a long tradition of success in archery gear production, this comes as no surprise.
The Martin Savannah Stealth performs what one would expect from a top-tier longbow. During the draw, the slight reflex/deflex design stores energy, resulting in quick, effective shooting with virtually no handshock. This is one of the best longbows for hunting due to its vibration-free and precise durability as well as the stealth camo finish.
Pros
- Top-notch materials
- Fast longbow
- Accurate and smooth performance
- Flemish string, arrow rest and bow sock included
Cons
- Can be costly for some users
5. SAS Pioneer – Best Longbow Under $200
The SAS Pioneer is another famous longbow from Southland Archery Supply, thanks to its smooth performance, shooting ease, and brand reputation for high-quality manufacturing. When shooting, the SAS Pioneer seems to be well-made and feels sturdy and stable. If you want to get into longbow shooting with a forgiving instrument without breaking the bank, this is without a doubt one of the best deals out there.
The SAS Pioneer is an exceptionally well built, sturdy and beautifully crafted longbow, made out of Makore Wood and Cassia Siamea.
The SAS Pioneer is one of the longest longbows on this list, measuring 68″ AMO (if you’re small framed, this might not be suitable for you). It has a locator-style grip and a mild reflex-deflex feature to easily fit shooters of various hand sizes. It comes in a variety of draw weights (35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 pounds) to fit the needs of beginners and smaller-framed users.
All in all, at the price this longbow it’s sold, is an unbeatable deal on today’s market, and an ideal choice for compound archers that wish to get into traditional archery and traditional hunting.
Pros
- Good quality woodwork
- Fast longbow with smooth release
- Easy to use and beginner-friendly
- Comfortable grip
- Low price tag
- Reputable brand
- Outstanding value for money
Cons
- Leather grip can be loose and should be replaced
- Flemish string not included
- Right hand only
6. Ragim Raven
Next on our best longbow 2021 list is the Ragim Raven, a made in Italy entry that despite its entry-level price tag, impresses with its materials consistency, finish, and overall results. It’s a very smooth-shooting and precise bow that’s simple to tune and can be used in the fields for hunting, target/3d practising, or just for pleasure.
The Raven, like other Ragim traditional bows, is entirely glass fiber laminated on both sides for added stability and longevity. The handle is thick and easy to grip, and it does not trigger limb twisting or permanent harm even after extended use.
The Ragim Raven is available in a variety of draw weight settings for both right and left-handed shooters (20-65lbs, with increments of 5).
The Ragim Raven is extremely light, balanced, and simple to shoot. It’s a long longbow with a 66″ AMO range, making it forgiving and smooth-shooting, but it might not be the best option for smaller-framed users like young archers or women.
Pros
- Made in Italy high quality woods
- Durable
- Smooth and balanced shooting
- Affordable
Cons
- Perceivable handshock reported by some users
- Small arrow shelf
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Conclusion:
These longbows are some of the finest on the market right now. The majority of them are ideal for both beginner and professional archers, and can be used for target archery, traditional archery, shooting, and just much anything else but the Olympics.
Some may seem to be a little pricey, but the fact is that the accuracy you’ll get with each of these longbows has been tested and accepted by archers of all kinds all over the world. Furthermore, one of the most common features held by all of these longbows is durability, which means that the money you pay will last you a long time if you take proper care of it.
When it comes to archery or bowhunting, using a longbow is an adventure like none other. We’ve done our best to reflect on why you should give longbows a chance, what to look for when buying the first (or next) longbow, and how to make the best and most educated choice possible by analysing 6 different products, their key features, and pros and cons. Whatever you choose, make sure you buy high-quality items and do the hardest to stay safe while using a bow and arrows.