Best Longbows to Buy in 2023

Archery has always been a popular sport – no doubt about that. Longbow archery might be the purest and the most basic form of the sport enjoyed by so many toxophilites from all corners of the world.

From the prehistoric era through modern times, some forms of archery have been present in most cultures and practices on all continents. However, it was not until recently that the longbow came to be.

The good news is modern longbow archery is still alive and well, thanks to the ancient hunters and warriors that developed and refined this amazing weapon. If you’re an avid archer just like us that wants to give the longbow a try, you need to get your perfect match.

But how do you find a superb longbow for hunting or for your next archery tournament? RangerExpert has got your back! We thoroughly reviewed and tested today’s top models and then singled out the best performers.

A Quick View of Our Favorites Longbows

Pick Name	Thumbnail	Product Name	Price
Editor Choice		Longbowmaker Hungarian style Handmade Longbow	$110-130 at Amazon
For Beginners		SAS Pioneer Wood Longbow	$190 at Amazon
3rd		SinoArt Sparrow 54” Traditional Longbow	$90 at Amazon
4th		Toparchery Archery 56’’ Takedown	$79 at Amazon
5th		Archery Max Handmade Mongolian Style Longbow	$130 at Amazon
6th		I-Sport Traditional Handmade Recurve Longbow	$92 at Amazon
7th		Mandarin Duck Black Hunter MK II 60” Take Down Long Bow	$149 at Amazon
8th		Longbowmaker Pigskin Handmade Traditional Longbow	$119 at Amazon
9th		OMP Sierra 68” 60# Right Hand Longbow	$240 at Amazon
10th		Bear AFT2040145 Montana Long Bow RH45#	$440 at Amazon

Our Thoroughly Reviewed Best Longbows

1 Longbowmaker Hungarian style Handmade Longbow (Editor Choice)

The Longbowmaker Hungarian Style Handmade Longbow is designed to be used by men and women archers alike. It has a draw weight that ranges from 30 to 60lbs making it flexible enough to be used by different categories of shooters. The body and string lengths are 145cm and 131cm respectively, making it ideal for beginner archers who intend to improve their shooting skills.

Its construction includes wood, glass steel, cow leather, and beech that offers it the unique appearance, strength, and durability, which make it ideal for both competitive archery and recreational use. The fact that it is handmade makes it a wonderful piece for any bow collector.

The Longbowmaker Hungarian style Handmade Longbow comes with a draw length of 28 inches which can be safely drawn to a maximum length of 33 inches. This uniqueness in draw length and draw weight allows for its high degree of versatility in performance.

To add more value to the money, there is a user manual that provides you with all the details of its use and safety. This longbow is not only designed to be used for hunting but is suitable for a practice session that will propel your archery skills in a short while.

You’ll enjoy the ease with which you can shoot arrows. The safe draw length of 33 inches ensures that you aim at the targets accurately with an incredibly high speed and very little vibration.

Specifications

Pros

• Suitable for archers of all levels
• Feels comfortable in the hand
• Exceptional performance
• Highly versatile.
• Handmade.
• Made of durable materials

Cons

• The draw weight is relatively poor.

Our Verdict

This is a unique weapon that is designed to ensure accurate shots with fewer efforts. It is made from top-quality materials to enhance its reliability, convenience, accuracy, and speed. With a draw weight that ranges from 30 to 60lbs.

One of its greatest advantages to this longbow is that it is handcrafted. This makes it ideal for your bow hunting collections. All the premium features and functionalities coupled with a very reasonable price tag make it worth the investment any day of the week.

2 SAS Pioneer Wood Longbow (For Beginners)

The SAS Pioneer is a nice beginner’s choice. This 68-inch longbow is designed to offer you an instinctive and thrilling shooting experience. Its slick design comes because of the combination of traditional looks with modern technology. Let’s consider some of its striking features.

This model is available in draw weights of 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 pounds respectively. With this, you can easily choose from any of the bows that you feel most comfortable.

The SAS Pioneer comes with a riser that is made from a combination of fiberglass reinforcement with Makore and Cassia Siamea wood. This is responsible for its unreserved strength and durability as Cassia is known for sturdiness while Makore is generally resistant to decay. You will appreciate its extremely high-quality performance at an affordable price.

Another important feature of this model which is worth noting is its arrow rest that allows you to enjoy a quick and accurate shooting. In addition, the fur padding that is used for covering the arrow rest helps to enhance your confidence and accuracy of the shot.

The SAS Pioneer handles are covered with leather to enhance its comfortability in the hand. With this, you are sure of a bow that fits perfectly in the hand no matter the size, thus the bow and hands are well-protected while you’re shooting.

The limb is skillfully crafted with fiberglass and Marple to enhance its overall strength and durability. In addition, you’ll benefit from the reinforced limb tips which make it suitable for FastFlight or Flemish strings which are needed for a smooth hunting adventure.

Specifications

Pros

• It is fast, reliable, and durable.
• It is available in different draw weights.
• It can be used with FastFlight and Flemish strings.
• The grip is padded to adapt to any hand size.

Cons

• It can be used in one hand only.

Our Verdict

The SAS Pioneer longbow is perfectly constructed to offer a thrilling archery experience to both professional and beginners’ shooters. It is made from Makore and Cassia Siamea woods to make it strong and durable for your convenience.

You’ll appreciate the fiberglass limbs which is made from Marple laminations to enhance its durability making it suitable to be used with FastFlight or Flemish strings.

With a padded grip and flexible draw weight, the SAS Pioneer is the most suitable longbow for beginners.

3 SinoArt Sparrow 54” Traditional Longbow

The SinoArt Sparrow is a one-piece shooting tool which is constructed to be used by women and beginners’ archers. It is lightweight and can be held easily and comfortably in the hand.

It comes with a 20-to 25-pound draw weight – perfect for female archers who may experience difficulties in shooting with bows with higher draw weights. The 54” bow length and the 52” string length suits the average height women best.

The SinoArt Sparrow has a brace length of 7.5 inches which offers you the needed power to drive the arrows into your targets. We love the fact that it’s made from materials lightweight yet durable enough to withstand the pull of the archer.

You will notice that the riser is made from laminated ebony wood which is a fantastic feature to enhance your hunting and shooting activity. In addition, the limb is made from maple wood and reinforced with laminated fiberglass which helps to enhance its durability while reducing the impact of the bow in the hand muscles.

The SinoArt Sparrow is equipped with an arrow rest which allows you to shoot accurately and smoothly without any obstruction. Also, Dacron String offers a fast and effective projection. However, this model can only be used by right-handed persons.

Specifications

Pros

• It is lightweight.
• It can be handled easily.
• It is durable.
• It comes with an arrow rest.

Cons

• Its one-piece body may make it difficult to be carried through the woods.

Our Verdict

The SinoArt Sparrow 54” is made from durable materials capable of withstanding numerous shots without fail. it has an overall length of 54 inches making it suitable for beginners and women archers of average heights.

The arrow rest feature allows you to shoot accurately at targets. You will appreciate that this bow comes with a draw weight of 20 to 25 pounds which makes it the ideal choice for persons who would prefer low-weight bows.

This model is lightweight which is the reason we recommend it to be used by beginners and women archers.

4 Toparchery Archery 56’’ Takedown

Weighing 30 to 50 pounds, the Takedown’s high-strength casting aluminum riser suits different hunting methods and beats any unfavorable weather conditions.

The Toparchery 56” Takedown is equipped with a 17-inch bow riser length and a 53-inch bow limb so you can use it with aluminum or carbon arrows. The limb is strengthened by fiberglass in addition to the Marple core to allow you to make smooth and accurate pull with ease.

You will appreciate that this model comes with an arrow rest and front stabilizer which allows you to shoot easily and accurately. in addition, the rubber grips on the aluminum riser help to enhance the comfortability of your hold while shooting.

However, this model is designed to be used by right–handed persons only. You’ll appreciate its lightweight which you’ll enjoy a very good feel in the hand. With a brace height of 7.4 inches at a maximum draw length of 30 inches, you are guaranteed of enjoying a smooth and easy hunting adventure.

In addition to the longbow, other items that come with the package include a bow case which is very essential when you’re conveying the bow to your hunting area, an instruction manual, and a bowstring.

Specifications

Pros

• It has a variable draw weight.
• It is lightweight.
• It is resistant to weather.
• It can be used by both professional and beginners’ hunters.
• It is fast.
• It is equipped with an arrow rest.

Cons

• Left-handed persons may not be able to use it.

Our Verdict

The major part of this bow which is the riser is from aluminum alloy making it sturdy, strong, reliable, lightweight, and resistant to the weather and other impacts from the environment. It is highly versatile and can be used for both hunting and recreational purposes.

One of its greatest advantages is that it is equipped with an arrow rest that enables you to enjoy smooth, accurate, and one of the fastest speeds on the bow. In addition, it has an overall length of 56 inches which makes it suitable for persons with average height.

5 Archery Max Handmade Mongolian Style Longbow

One of the best features of the Archery Max is its versatile draw weight that ranges from 20 to 80 pounds which allows you to choose the type that feels most comfortable in the hand. In addition, such an extensive draw weight makes it a great choice for children and adults alike.

Still, on the design, it comes with an overall body length of 54 inches and a string length of 52 inches which is ideal for persons with average height.

The Archery Max is crafted entirely by hand with the intent to bring you closer to the times of the great warriors of the Mongol era.

The riser is made of top-quality materials while the limbs are reinforced with glass steel to be used in any weather condition and capable of withstanding the weight of the draw.

This is durable, lightweight, and comes with a grip that gives you the needed comfort while allowing you to shoot smoothly and effectively.

Specifications

Pros

• It can be used by right or left-handed persons.
• It is lightweight.
• It draws smoothly and stays quiet on release.
• It is very durable

Cons

• You may be a little uncomfortable with the string.

Our Verdict

This is our best longbow choice for any type of hunting, especially deer hunting. It is made from top-quality materials which are durable and allow you to shoot smoothly and accurately.

You wouldn’t want to miss the sight of the deer in the field because of the sound that emanates from the bow while the string is drawn, so this model is designed to operate silently on each stage of the shooting operation.

With a standard draw weight that ranges from 20 to 80 pounds and an overall length of 54 inches, you are sure of a product that will give you a suitable grip for your shooting.

6 I-Sport Traditional Handmade Recurve Longbow

Epoxy Resin is one of the toughest materials that can ensure the ideal sturdiness for a bow body. It is not only durable but also lightweight. I-Sport has used this tough material for their popular recurve longbow, and there are enough reasons why you can give it a shot.

This handmade bow has a draw weight of 30 to 50 pounds that makes it convenient to use for both genders. The limbs are made from transparent resin for ensuring high strength. The tips, on the other hand, are made from the Sophora Japonica wood.

This Mongolian-style horse bow is decorated with black leather that not only elevates its aesthetics but also enhances its stability and durability. When in action this bow is noiseless, because of this particular feature, it is ideal for hunting. In addition, the bow’s intelligent design and color scheme help it blend easily with the surroundings and add a camouflage effect during hunting.

When we were examining the bow, we understood that it was handcrafted and felt comfortable to hold. The weight of the bow is 3.3 pounds, a formidable weight that earns trust when used.

The safe draw length of this bow is 29 inches with a brace height of 7 inches. Unlike composite bows, its performance wouldn’t be affected by twisting. Go hard on it without any major problems.

Above all, it’s a traditional design, you are going to get the most of such design from this particular model.

Specifications

Pros

• Strong and hard with balanced weight distribution
• Fantastic design
• Handmade, traditional DNA
• Good after-sale services

Cons

• Requires strength to handle comfortably

Our Verdict

This bow does exactly what it is built for and for the price, it’s second to none. It blends tradition and modern technology in an amazingly productive way. You get high-quality building materials along with an attractive look with the package. Make sure you have the strength to operate it.

7 Mandarin Duck Black Hunter MK II 60” Take Down Long Bow

If you want a classic traditional bow with durability and good performance, the Mandarin Duck Longbow is what you need. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor archery activities.

One of the things you’ll appreciate in this product is the takedown feature which allows it to be carried easily for outdoor operations.

The bow has a length of 60 inches which makes it ideal for persons who are of average height. In addition, it is equipped with a draw length of 28 inches that’s ideal for regular hunting and archery activity.

The amount of weight or effort that is required when your drawing the bow is determined by the draw weight. Thus, the Mandarin Hulk Longbow comes with a variety of draw weights which allows you to make the ideal choice.

It is made of Wood and Bamboo that’s known for its lightness. The limbs are laminated and strengthened with fiberglass to prevent it from breaking easily.

Specifications

Pros

• It is very light.
• It can be carried easily.
• It performs very fast.
• It comes with an arrow rest

Cons

• Some users may find it difficult to assemble.

Our Verdict

This is a beautifully crafted bow for an amazing performance every time you use it. It can shoot straight and easily with a little pull. It is equipped with an arrowhead that helps make accurate shots smoothly. Give this a try and see how awesome it is.

8 Longbowmaker Pigskin Handmade Traditional Longbow

The Longbowmaker Pigskin is some next-level thing with a draw length of 28 inches. This is ideal for accurate target shooting that also allows you to shoot arrows for long without getting tired.

Still, on the design, the limbs are laminated with fiberglass to prevent it from breaking when it is under tension. Also, the riser is made from beech which can withstand compressional force without breaking.

It’s high level of versatility is seen in its draw weight that ranges from 20 to 110 pounds making it the ideal choice for both beginners and expert archers. Also, with a safe draw length of 33 inches, you can make high-speed shots with minimal effort while your hand muscles are free from excessive shock.

You will appreciate the fact that this bow can be handled comfortably with the right or left hand as the curves in the fiberglass help to enhance the grip. The pigskin leather covering of the belly helps to give it a soft and comfortable feel in the hand.

The Longbowmaker Pigskin is affordable but can withstand the most demanding situation that comes with the outdoor shooting adventure. It can be drawn smoothly and operates comfortably without noise.

Specifications

Pros

• It is very durable and reliable.
• It operates without noise.
• It is lightweight.
• It is suitable for intermediate and professional archers.

Cons

• Some users may find it a little difficult to string because of the power of the bow.

Our Verdict

This Mongolian-style bow is well-fashioned to offer you the needed performance. It is available in various classes of draw weights which you can choose from the one that seems most comfortable. Give it a try and you will surely fall in love with this just like we did!

9 OMP Sierra 68” 60# Right Hand Longbow

Here’s an elegant and sturdy product from the Sierra production line. The OMP Sierra 68” comes with dimensions of 72 x 3 x 3 inches and a weight of 3.05 pounds that makes it the ideal choice for tall and experienced hunters.

The OMP Sierra 68” is made from specially selected marble, walnut woods, and purple heart which makes it a very strong longbow. Purpleheart is an expensive wood which is only found in South and Central America. It can withstand attacks from termites and fungi. In addition, the purple heart is stiff and can resist heavy bends without breaking.

Still, on the design, the limbs are laminated to offer it the strength to withstand the weight of the pull. Also, the tips of the limbs are reinforced to enhance its durability and performance.

Another significant feature of this bow is its brace height of 6.5 inches to 7.5 inches making it capable of sending high-speed arrows to the targets with ease.

A built-in quality arrow rest is there to make sure that your shots are accurate and smooth. In addition, it can be used with FastFlight string which is one of the most adventurous bowstrings on the market.

Specifications

Pros

• It is made from durable materials.
• It is suitable for tall archers.
• It is equipped with an arrow rest.
• It has a comfortable grip.

Cons

• It cannot be used by persons of average height.

Our Verdict

The OMP Sierra 68” is elegantly designed to give it the unique appearance that you’ll feel great about. It is made from hard Marple, walnut woods, and purple hearts to make it strong, durable, and reliable.

One of its greatest assets is its length of 72 inches which makes it ideal for tall archers who will not feel comfortable with the size of a compound bow. You’ll appreciate its high performance which is aided by the smoothness of its draw.

10 Bear AFT2040145 Montana Long Bow RH45#

This is another longbow from Bear Archery that has satisfied the needs of its numerous buyers. This 64-inch bow is specifically designed to offer you a fast, smooth, and accurate shot. For over two decades, Montana Longbow has remained one of the best reflex/deflex longbows.

You will appreciate the beautifully designed limbs strengthened with fiberglass to enhance their performance and durability.

In addition, the tips of the limbs are reinforced and covered with fiberglass to make it strong enough to withstand the pressure from the pull.

The riser is overlaid with white Marple to add beauty and simplicity to its appearance without compromising on its high-quality performance.

This bow features a soft leather grip that helps you enjoy a comfortable grip without feeling fatigued after having spent some time in the woods.

Made of Future wood that has the same features of the natural hardwood, it’s extremely durable and won’t crack so easily.

Specifications

Pros

• It is very durable.
• It is affordable.
• It cannot be cracked or warped.
• It is compatible with FastFlight strings

Cons

• It can only be used by adults.

Our Verdict

The Montana Longbow is one of the finest choices from the Bear Archery’s production line. It is made from extremely high-quality materials. The Future wood which is its major material can withstand any reflex/deflex activity without breaking.

The grips are soft which allows you to use it repeatedly without feeling fatigued. Also, it comes with a FastFlight string which produces smooth and accurate shots with ease.

Finally, this product is made in the USA and it is carefully crafted to meet the serious archers.

A Guide to Finding the Best Longbow

1. Bow Purpose

The quality of a longbow varies based on its purpose. Those made for field archery may not suit hunting and vice versa. Do your research well before you make a final buying decision.

2. Type

You’ll find bows of several types on today’s market, including the Mongolian bow, horse bow, medieval bow, Turkish bow, English / British bow, Irish bow, Indian bow, Hungarian bow, Japanese bow, Korean bow, and more.

Although their functionalities may look somewhat similar, you’ll have a different experience with each of them. Some of them are hybrid longbows whereas some are handmade and more traditional. There are also longbows for kids to practice with. Your needs will help determine the right type to buy.

3. Draw Length

Consider the distance between the throat of the grip and the nock point before choosing a longbow. The length of your body at the full draw should match the distance of the bow.

The simplest way to determine your draw length is by standing with your arms outstretched. The next step is to have someone measure out the span of your hands starting from the tip of the middle finger to another. Once you’ve gotten this value, divide it by 2.5 and determine the size of your arrow.

4. Draw Weight

If you’re already familiar with your draw length, the next factor in line is the draw weight. The weight is measured at a draw length of 28 inches. If the length of your bow is lower than 28 inches, this implies a lesser draw weight. Consequently, if the draw length is above 28 inches, the draw weight will increase.

5. Distance to Prey

Your perfect distance to prey is determined by dividing your bow’s draw weight by two. This is the range to the target that will give you the best results. For example, if your bow’s draw weight is 50 pounds, the range between you and the prey should be 25 yards.

6. Brace Height

This is the distance that separates the string from the deepest part of the bow. The speed of the arrow is determined by the bow’s brace height while the height of the brace is inversely proportional to the speed of the arrow. You should endeavor to check if the brace height matches your preference. As a rule of thumb, the optimum brace height should be 1/12 of your bow height.

7. Material

The quality bows for sale are usually made from woods like hickory, red oak, yew, and cedar. Bows that are made from these woods are more secure, accurate, and operate smoothly. You should check the features to see if the longbow you’re aiming to buy is made from any of these top woods before making the purchase.

8. Deer Shot Placement

As a hunter, you should be able to hit the vital organs of the game for a humane, effective kill, including the lungs, heart, and liver. Practice with 2D or 3D targets to see if your chosen bow really lives up to its expectations.

9. Broadhead and Sharpness

Be sure that your broadhead is sharp enough to deliver a quick kill. You examine the sharpness of your broadhead by trying to cut through leather without piercing it. In addition, you can test its sharpness by trying to shave paper. The sharper your broadhead the easier it to make a kill.

10. Value for the Money

In many instances, the quality of a good longbow is reflected in its price. You should not expect a cheap longbow to offer the same performance in terms of accuracy, reliability, and sturdiness as an expensive longbow. You should endeavor to learn how to aim a longbow and spend some bucks to buy a product that will offer you an impressive value for the money.

What is a Longbow?

The longbow can be defined based on its characteristics like the length, shape, and material that differentiate it from compound bows, horse bows, recurve bows, and other short bows. In terms of length, longbows are about the same size as the archer.

In most cases, there are about 2 to 3 inches longer than the shooter. Compound or horse bows are much smaller in size. The closest to the longbow in terms of size is the recurve bow.

What about the shape? Unlike the recurve bow where the strings contact the two limbs, the D-shaped string of the longbow is separated from its top or bottom limb.

Traditional English longbows are wooden that can be made from a single piece of wood or different woods which are arrayed in layers and are named self and composite bows respectively.

Composite bows are made from a combination of three kinds of wood – yew, lemonwood, and hickory. Self-bows are made from yew only. A combination of hickory, lemon or yew woods in a composite bow helps enhance its ability to withstand both tension and compression conveniently.

Longbow vs Recurve Bow – Key Differences

The most noticeable difference between a longbow and a recurve is in the size. Recurve bows are definitely larger than longbows. The curve also matters here that the longbow lacks. So, the long length gives it the force needed to propel the arrow.

The limbs of the recurve bow cut towards and out of the archer while you’re shooting. This helps enhance the performance of the bow by increasing the level of acceleration at the tips of the bow and in turn allow for maximum circulation of power between the sting and the arrow.

If you’re shooting with a recurve bow, you’ll soon get used to that loud sound which is produced by the action of the string against the bow. Since there is no such contact between the sting of the longbow and the bow, it tends to operate silently.

Most of the modern longbows are designed to have shelves in the middle where you can place your arrow. These shelves are not available in traditional longbows that are entirely round.

Also, longbows have more draw weight than recurves and can equally shoot at targets at a long distance (effective range – 350 yards).

FAQs

1. How far can I shoot with my longbow?

Ans. You can effectively cover up to 200 yards with a modern longbow considering you’re not a pro whose effective range could be as much as 400 yards.

2. Are recurve bows better than longbows?

Ans. Yes, they are. Recurve bows have more speed and power than longbows with optimum precision.

3. Can beginners try longbows?

Ans. We actually recommend beginner toxophilites to start with longbows because they are way easier to shoot and have more accuracy when compared to other types of bows.

4. What arrows should I use with my longbow?

Ans. Wooden or aluminum arrows are usually better for longbows because carbon or carbon/aluminum arrows are too stiff and more expensive when you’ll consider their mortality rate when shot from longbows.

5. How powerful is a longbow?

Ans. Around 81 lbs.-force (360 newtons) in the least, the highest would cross 130 lbs.-force. The draw weight a classic English longbow has is disputed.

6. What are longbows made out of?

Ans. Yew sapwood, heartwood, lemonwood, hickory, and Elm (with heat treating) are commonly used for longbows. Oak, elm, hickory, maple, ash, and hazel woods are used for flat bows.