PETE WARD
"WELCOME TO MY OUTDOOR WORLD"
GEAR REVIEW
"FIREHAWK LONGBOW"
Wright Archery
CP. 232, 14 Allen
Waterloo, Quebec
Canada J0E 2N0
http://wrightarchery.com/
Email info@wrightarchery.com
Tel: 1-450-539-5350
Fax: 1-450-539-5952
VISIT RODNEY'S WEB SITE FOR ALL YOUR TRADITIONAL ARCHERY NEEDS.
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UPDATE APRIL 15 2005
Since the initial review was done I have ben shooting and hunting with the Fire Hawk on a regular basis.This is a bow that I always thought had more performance in it than the review below reflected.The first review was done with the Firehawk in its as received condition with a standard 16 strand Fast Flight string.Performance was good but not what it can be.Recently I received a string to test from Rod Jenkins of "Great Strings" for a bow string review project.
The new string I put on the Firehawk is a 10 strand DF97 with heavy padded loops to protect the tips.The results are outstanding.The firehawk now is shooting at 203 FPS with 412 gr arrows and it is shooting a 512 gr arrow at 185 FPS. THAT'S A LOT OF NEW KE TO TAKE HUNTING.
The bow still shoots exceptionaly quiet and shock free.I now feel that this bow is even better than my first impressions.I can honestly say it is a Fast bow now that shoots just as forgiving as it did with the original string.
I want to thank Rod from "Great Strings" for suplying a custom High performance string that gave the Firehawk a remarkable increase in performance.The Firehawh now lives up to what its name implies.
I am sure that Rodney will reconsider his choice of strings when he reads this update.
Pete
"FIREHAWK" LONGBOW REVIEW
The FIREHAWK Longbow from Rodney Wright is simply a joy to have and shoot. At just 19 ounces it is a featherweight with a punch. Unique with its deflexed riser the FIREHAWK is a beautiful example of a bowyers craft.
The bow I received from Rodney was ordered at 55# @ 60" long. It is made with 4 laminations of action boo limbs with clear glass overlay and moose horn tips with coco bolo for the riser core.{Other materials are available}.
The FIREHAWK is a slender longbow that has wonderful balance as well as great looks. After a very close examination of the workmanship I am delighted to report that it is flawless in fit and finish. The junction of the riser and limbs is as fine a fit as can be made. The workmanship is flawless and really must be seen to appreciate.
I have been shooting the FIREHAWK for several weeks now and I will get to the shooting characteristics. The first three arrows I shot were at 20 yards and tightly grouped into the 10 ring of the Mackenzie 3D deer, with an audible thump. It shoots better than it looks. I found the draw curve to be steady and progressive through out the full range to 28".The FIREHAWK is a very pleasant bow to shoot with its smooth draw and quiet shot.
DRAW LENGTH / DRAW WEIGHTS
13" = 20#...............................22" = 40#
14" = 22#...............................23" = 42#
15" = 24#...............................24" = 44#
16" = 26#...............................25" = 46#
17" = 28#...............................26" = 49#
18" = 32#...............................27" = 52#
19" = 34#...............................28" = 55#
20" = 36#...............................29" = 61#
21" = 38#...............................30" = 67#
It handles arrows from the Silver wood Barrel tapered that came with it to carbons and aluminums with ease and accuracy. I shot Flu Flu’s made with cedar and aluminum shafts, and also tried a variety of other weights and materials with fletching ranging from 3" round back feathers to 5" shield cut and 9" full length fluflus and did not find any combination that did not shoot well. I was able to shoot shafts with a spine range from 45\50 to 65/70 in cedar , Sitka spruce and fir as well as 2117 aluminum, and #340 Easton Carbon Excel’s plain and weighted internally to 610 grains without any appreciable difference.
I Have also been shooting a variety of broadheads ranging from 100 grain Glue on with flu flu’s to 145 grain screw in, all with satisfactory results. The FIREHAWK Shoots every combination that I have tried well. It does handle the Silver wood Barrel tapered shafts from Rodney Wright Archery best. Next to these I have received excellent results with the weighted carbon shafts. and 125/145 grain Points and Broadheads.
On a recent hunting trip I had the opportunity to carry the FIREHAWK on some rugged hilly terrain in western Alberta. The weather was hot, with temperatures ranging to 29 degrees Celsius during the day, and it was nice to be carrying a 19 ounce bow with a slim riser up those hills. Unfortunately the heat made for poor hunting and I was not able to take any game with it this time out.
I had the opportunity to shoot the FIREHAWK thru a chronograph recently and found out just how well it handles arrows of different weights. The table below shows the excellent speeds I received.
All speeds are an average of three shots at 28" draw lenght/55#.
ARROW WEIGHT............SPEED IN FPS
640 GR..................137 FPS.
632 GR..................160 FPS.
612 GR..................165 FPS.
471 GR..................172 FPS.
412 GR..................182 FPS.
These are in my mind very respectable speeds from a 55# longbow at 28"draw length. I have seen many Recurves that barely match this and many that fall short of this performance.
I want to Thank Rodney Wright for building a fantastic longbow.His workmanship and design are one of a kind.The FIREHAWK is highly recommended to anyone looking to purchase a superb bow that is built to the specifications you request.Rodney's skill as a Bowyer is certainly evident in the bow I received and I am certain his skill will be evident in every bow that he builds.I will be off to the bush again this weekend in hopes of finding an Elk or deer,and the FIREHAWK will certainly be one of the first items that I load into the camper.
Pete Ward
“Welcome to my outdoor world”
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