for anyone still following: this bow now weighs 85#@28 inches, it is shot in, and tips are tapered and it is giving me a bloody good elbow thrashing LOL. actually, the string almost took a nipple off after the first shot....

it casts a barreled poplar arrow about 150 yards, but i think i can get a bit more out of it with better form and longer draw. lost that arrow in tall hay unfortunately.
the most useful lesson i learned was flipping the bow and letting the wood choose the top limb, knowing when to leave it and finally, understanding the value of perseverance. thanks, bowyers.
cheers!