Best Longbows for Beginners

Choosing a long bow as a beginner can be confusing.

In this article we'll cover what the best longbows are for beginners and which one will be the best fit for you.

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What Are Longbows?

A Longbow is a type of bow that originates back in 3300 BC.

This is a relatively simple bow with thin limbs that form a D shape when the bow string is attached.

Longbows still have advantages even though they are an old technology.

Longbows are typically lighter than the more advanced modern bows.

Typically they are faster to draw and quieter to fire.

However with these advantages it also has some drawbacks.

For example, a longbow will not shoot nearly as fast or as accurate as a modern bow.

​Overall longbows are a fun way to shoot like older times, create a challenge for yourself, or even just to build your skill as an archer.

Are Longbows Good For Beginners?

Longbows can be very challenging for beginners but also very rewarding once you have figured it out.

Longbows can be more difficult to use compared to other styles, like recurve bows, due to the fact they are large and are sometimes missing helpful parts that make shooting easier.

Not all longbows have an arrow shelf for an arrow rest which makes controlling the arrow when in the draw position extremely difficult.

Not only will shooting a longbow from the start be very difficult but a beginner version can be very hard to find.

​However longbows do have a much lower draw weight which can be useful for people who do not have archery strength built up.

Longbow Pros and Cons

Advantages of Longbows

Some advantages of using a longbow is the fact that it is much lighter and therefore easier on your muscles to carry around.

Longbows also are typically quicker to prepare for shooting due to their simplicity and ease of access.

Longbows also are much quieter when shooting which can be an advantage if you are hunting or do not like the thump of a more modern bow.

These bows also have a much lower draw weight so are great for people who may not have the strength built up for a heavier bow.

Longbows are also much easier to do maintenance or fix due to their simplicity in construction.

​Overall the longbow is lighter and quieter which is great for if you are walking long distances with your bow (hunting or advanced more wild target shooting).

Disadvantages of Longbows

One of the biggest disadvantages of a longbow is the lack of power and speed compared to a modern recurve or compound bow.

This disadvantage makes it much more challenging to hit longer targets and distances.

These bows also (like the name states) are very long and large to both maneuver in tight spaces or to just store due to their length.

​Due to their simplicity in their build they are also somewhat hard to aim due to the lack of stabilizers that you can balance modern bows with.

Best Longbows for Beginners

So you want to try out a longbow. We will show you 3 of the best longbows for beginners so you have an idea of where to start.

Galaxy Black Ridge 70" Longbow

This bow will be about $150-$200 and designed by Galaxy Archery.

You can get it for left or right handed as well as pick a draw weight from 25-55 lbs.

The Black Ridge allows the lowest draw weight which is great for beginners.

This bow is designed using fiberglass making it even lighter than a wooden longbow which is great for people just getting started because you will have less arm fatigue from shooting.

This bow also has an arrow shelf which will be a big help to accuracy as a beginner.

It also has a hair rest which will reduce friction on shooting the arrow and will help with accuracy and speed.

​Overall this is a great bow to begin with and has high level reviews to support it.

PSE Terra

This bow will run you about $260 and is designed by PSE Archery.

You can get this bow for left or right handed as well as pick a draw weight from 30-55 lbs.

This bow is designed using wood and fiberglass limbs so it will be very sturdy but also lightweight.

However this bow does not come with an arrow rest or plate so you will have to buy those separately and install them yourself.

This will be an important purchase because it will not only help your shooting accuracy and reduce sound but also protect the life of your bow and ensure it lasts longer.

​Overall this bow is a bit more expensive but is made of higher quality materials and will most likely have a longer lifespan if taken care of properly.

SAS Pioneer 68" Longbow

This bow will run you about $180 and is designed by Southland Archery Supply.

You can get this bow for left or right handed as well as pick a draw weight from 29-65 lbs.

This bow is designed using wood and fiberglass limbs so it will be very sturdy but also lightweight.

It also has an arrow shelf which will be a big help to accuracy as a beginner.

One nice thing about it is it has a hair rest which will reduce friction on shooting the arrow and will help with accuracy and speed.

​Overall this bow offers a wide range of draw weights which makes it extremely versatile to all different archery shooters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a longbow harder to shoot than a recurve?

As a beginner a longbow is going to be a little more forgiving than a recurve. However as you gain experience a recurve may be better due to its versatility and power over a longbow.

What longbow draw weight should I start with?

​As a beginner I would start with something between 20-30 lbs.

As a female you will want to stay closer to 20 lbs and a male closer to 30 lbs.

However, if you have shot a compound before I suggest going down about 15 lbs in draw weight.

​For example if your compound bow is 60 pounds, I would look at purchasing a longbow that's draw weight is around 45 lbs.