Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: islandpiper on November 05, 2008, 11:06:32 pm

Title: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: islandpiper on November 05, 2008, 11:06:32 pm
I got into a semi-heated discussion today regarding distances shot by you warbow fellows.  Please help settle things and tell me how far in yards or meters (or metres) you can shoot.   Thanks.  If I win , I'll share my beer with you. 

piper
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: heavybow on November 06, 2008, 01:44:52 am
The farthest is 432 yards jeremy spencer. rumers going around simon shot 540 yards.
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: adb on November 06, 2008, 10:11:36 am
I suppose that all depends on what you're talking about. If it's pure flight distance shooting, which isn't something warbow shooters do a lot of (not me, anyway), then 400+ yards is possible. If you're talking about warbow shooting with replica heavy arrows (800+ grains), then any distance over 200 yards is an achievement. Warbows excel at shooting heavy arrows... that's what they were made for. If I was going to flight shoot, it wouldn't be with a warbow. There are stories of Mongol and Asian shooters launching arrows 1000 yards.
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: heavybow on November 06, 2008, 10:44:16 am
Piper wants to know about warbows. The 1000 yards has been broken by a very short recurve shot by don brown. :)
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: adb on November 06, 2008, 12:39:20 pm
No offense, but I think I talked about warbows & flight shooting, yes?
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: Loki on November 06, 2008, 07:32:55 pm
Here's the result's of the latest EWBS shoot.
Livery Arrow
Quote
Alistair Aston (132lbs) 237 yards
Steve Stratton (130lbs) 216 yards
Paul Mathews (105lbs) 207 yards
Richard Tonge (130lbs) 198 yards

Standard Arrow
Quote
Alistair Aston (132lbs) 251 yards
Steve Stratton (130lbs) 228 yards
Gary Symonds (138lbs) 225 yards
Richard Tonge (130lbs) 223 yards
Paul Mathews (105lbs) 218 yards
Glennan Carnie (130lbs) 209 yards


Result's taken from EWB forum.
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: islandpiper on November 06, 2008, 09:10:36 pm
Hmmm......my friend told me that as a kid he make stick bows with twine strings and shot 250  yards anytime he wanted to.......figures if he can drive a golf ball 250 yards then that's nothing with a bow.  .......thus the heated discussion.   I have never measured what my lightweight bows will do but figure that 250 yards would happen in about five shots, incrementally.   thanks,piper
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: Badger on November 07, 2008, 12:27:15 pm
Piper, try shooting a 750 grain arrow from your stickbow and see how far it goes.
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: outcaste on November 07, 2008, 05:23:16 pm
If you are discussing distances shot by warbows you should consider self-bow v laminated bow.

I would also point you in the direction of englishwarbow.com and GB archery website (GNAS) for flight shooting distances.

These are the most commonly shot arrows (war)

Standard Arrow: 52grams
Livery Arrow: 63 grams
Military Arrow: 74.5grams
1/4lb Arrow: 114grams

Cheers,
Alistair
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: adb on November 07, 2008, 05:28:05 pm
What we think is 250 yards as a kid, and what it really is, are often two different things! Look at the results Loki has posted... all 100+ # bows, with the longest shot 250 yards with a standard arrow. I know from my own personal experience, 200 yards is a looooong shot with a warbow (or most bows, for that matter). I think your friend has a case of wishful thinking!
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: nick1346 on November 07, 2008, 05:44:16 pm
The farthest is 432 yards jeremy spencer. rumers going around simon shot 540 yards.

Rumours relating to a flat bow Marlon ( I think)  ;) If it was with a longbow then it would be an awesome distance.
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: islandpiper on November 07, 2008, 08:45:41 pm
ADB, you have pegged it I think.   That fellow was in again today and assured me that he was shooting 250 yards with local bamboo arrows with nails glued in the front and chicken feathers glued on the back.   Well , except for that, he's a pretty nice fellow.  Look at the way a prized fish continues to grow every year after it is caught and eaten!!

Hey, how does GRAIN weight compare with grams or ounces? 

thanks, piper
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: adb on November 08, 2008, 12:42:47 am
Hey, Piper

Yes... men seem to have a common issue of exaggeration! At least that's what my wife tells me!

1 grain = 1/7000 of a pound
1 ounce = 28 grams
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: Loki on November 11, 2008, 07:31:52 am
52 grams = 802grains
63 grams = 972 grains
74.5 grams=1,149grains
114 grams=1,759grains
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: stevesjem on November 11, 2008, 06:45:40 pm
I read this post and was looking forward to putting in my 2 pence worth, but after reading there's no point you've all done it already...

Steve
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: sumpitan on November 14, 2008, 06:58:25 am
As my friend once said, the only people bigger braggers than sailors are archers.

Not warbows, but self stick bows nontheless, have been used at our flight shoots for the past five years or so, with dozens of bow/arrow combos tested out, distances accurately measured. From the data I submit shooting 250 yards takes a good bow, very good arrows and a competent shooter. I've yet to see anyone break even the 200 meter barrier on their first try, no matter how strong and skilled a man. That being said, 250 yards is attainable by anyone who puts some effort into flight shooting.

I'd bet Piper's friend didn't shoot 250 with nail-headed bamboo arrows and twine strings any time he wanted to. I'd be willing to believe 125 yards (that's about the maximum range I reached with twine strings and nail-headed arrows at age 12). Eyes and steps are misleading, tape measures don't lie.

Tuukka
Title: Re: Flight shooting distances?
Post by: alanesq on November 14, 2008, 01:23:04 pm

Simple way to find out - ask him to make one now and see what it can do