50 year old bow is nearly ready for shooting

[12th Man]

When I was 14 in ‘74 my pop got me a Bear 76er take down recurve bow for hunting. I hunted with it until 78 when I bought my first Jennings T Square compound bow.

I found one on eBay for a $100 bucks with straight limbs. This one had a red riser and white limbs. I had a buddy ceracote it to my original 76er with green limbs and a brown riser. The brown he used was much darker almost black than my original but it’s what he had in stock. I think it looks wicked cool! I finally figured out the proper string length. I added string silencers down the back of the limbs. All I’m waiting on is the leather arrow rest for the riser. When they come in, I’ll take it Cabela's and get the right length arrows for it. As a bonus I can actually pull it back. Yay me!

This will be a fun project and I hope to hunt with it this fall.

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[CPJ 2.0]

Oh that’s cool. I live hunting with my recurve.
Are you going to get carbon fiber arrows?
(You should)

[12th Man]

Oh that’s cool. I live hunting with my recurve.
Are you going to get carbon fiber arrows?
(You should)

More than likely. My original arrows were Easton Aluminum arrows, I switch to the heavy Graphflex arrows. They were indestructible. My broadheads were razorback 5. Going light back then wasn't what we did. I'm going to shoot carbon fiber and expandable broadheads. I'm super stoked about shooting it.

[Wambli Ska]

That came out really nice! Love reviving old classics, especially meaningful ones?

[CPJ 2.0]

Carbon isn’t for the weight savings per se, but for durability. You’d be hard pressed to destroy them at recurve velocity.

Now. About your broad head choice…..no. Just no.
Get a 2 blade fixed. You’ll likely not get enough penetration with a mechanical broadhead.
Not to mention mechanicals are a pain in the cock and aren’t reliable.

[CPJ 2.0]

Broadheads, I’d go with 125 if not 150


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[12th Man]

Thanks, great input. I was going to use 125 gr field points to practice with. I believe it has a draw weight between 40 to 45 lbs. Plenty for a hog or deer at 20ish yards.

[CPJ 2.0]

I sent a 125 through a yearling at 13 yards with my 45 pound bow this year. In and out, full penetration.

[Jay]

I don’t know crap about recurves. I’ve only shot compounds. That looks pretty cool.

I agree with using carbon. I used to shoot Easton aluminum arrows back when carbon really wasn’t a thing or they were too expensive. Aluminum are way too easy to dent and crack. All I shoot is carbon. I don’t hunt with mine, so no real world experience with broadheads. I have shot broadheads before, but only 3 blade and mechanicals. My dad took an elk and deer with mechanicals, but using a 70lb fairly fast compound. That’s the little I know about them. Seems like CPJ has the right advice.

[Japhy]

That’s a nice find and nice work on the coating.
I had a Hoyt of nearly the same period and swapped for a Jennings T which was much faster however I was much more accurate with the recurve.

[12th Man]

Thank for the nice feedback. My problem with bowhunting has always been, I shoot right handed, I'm left eye dominate, but I can't wink or close my left eye when shooting. Hence for rifle shooting I purchased left-handed rifles. Trying to use sights on a bow was impossible. With the compound bow, I started using an eye patch. I would slide my eye patch over my left eye when shooting and I could use sights. I got deadly with it. I really don't want or think I can put sights on this bow I'm going to have to do the same thing here. Back in the day I got really good shooting instinctively with it to 20 or 25 yards. I'll see how my spring practice goes as to which path I'll take. Shoot instinctively or use an eye patch.

I said Jennings T Square bow up top, I meant Jennings T Star compound bow. Great first compound bow. This will be a fun project and one I'm looking forward to.