Shooting a bow and arrow at a target is known as archery, and this skill has been mastered for millennia dating back to ancient times. It started when the first archers built long wooden bows from flexible sticks and used stretched-out animal tendons as a string. They flung carefully crafted wooden sticks headed by flesh-piercing broadheads commonly made of bone or rock. While things are less primitive today, many of the attributes and functions found on original archery equipment are still relevant.
While some still utilize the simpleness of the traditional longbow shooting, two other bow styles, the recurve and compound bow, have taken center stage in the minds of the modern-day archer. So, what exactly is the difference between a recurve and a compound bow? Allow us to explain:
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Recurve Bows
Recurve bows resemble the traditional longbow used for hunting and warfare. However, the distinguishable difference is the outward curvature found at the top and bottom of recurve bows. This simple “s” design harnesses more power and energy than the traditional longbow. As the archer lets go of the string, the curved ends will accelerate faster, adding force and increasing the arrow speed.
This design advantage allows recurve to maintain a smaller and more manageable size than a traditional longbow, which may be the same length as an archer.
While many hunters may prefer the technological advantages found in compound bows, there has been a renaissance in recurve bows among target shooters over recent years. The simple function and nostalgic feel of a recurve bow are two popular reasons why some prefer this style.
Compound Bows
Compound bows are the modern-day versions used by most hunters and sport shooters. By adding a series of cables, levers, and pulleys to the traditional bow framework, archers can now shoot further, faster, and easier with a compound bow.
As the archer pulls back, the pulleys, levers, and cables work with the shooter to help flex the stiff bow, helping increase trajectory and range. And just as importantly, once the archer pulls the string back to the shooting position, the bow releases its tension, allowing the shooter to manage the equipment with much less strain.
In addition to the increased power and performance, compound archers almost always use a shooting sight when letting arrows fly. Instead of looking down the arrow’s shaft, archers depend on a peephole, and shooting sight significantly increases accuracy.
The two most common types of archery sights are fixed pins and adjustable pins. Fixed pins typically consist of three to four pins dialed into standard distances that the archer may shoot at. For example, a deer hunter might have three pins on their shooting sight set at 20, 30, and 40 yards, respectively. When aiming at a target, lining up the pin in your shooting sight that matches the distance between you and the target will maintain accurate shooting.
Adjustable pins are unlike fixed pins because they can be adjusted on the fly to match the distance range of various targets. Fixed pins allow for more shooting flexibility and often are used by long-range archers who are experienced in the sport.
Bows Know Best
If you’re just getting started in archery and your goal is to become an accurate target shooter, progressing from a recurve to a compound bow might be the right answer, but if your goal is to start hunting, then a compound bow will be the more practical option. However, it depends on the users and their individual goals and aspirations, so the best thing you can do is try both styles and decide which is the right bow for you.
The Advantages Of Using A Compound Bow
- Shoots faster than recurve bows
- Requires less physical strength
- You can shoot further and more accurately compared to traditional bows
- More customizable to better fit the shooter’s needs
- More accuracy
The Advantages Of A Using Recurve Bow
- Easier to reload and shoot quickly
- Recurve bows require less maintenance compared to a compound bow
- Recurve bows are typically more affordable than a compound bow
- Helps, builds, and maintains physical strength
