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Practice makes perfect... :wink: Good hunting !
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
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Hitting a target that size at 100 meters is a great performance!! Even if it took 20 arrows. The main thing would be the spacing, how close were the ones that missed? A standard human torso is 50 x 75, that would be the profile to aim for at any distance. The end result would be the amount of full body hits going down as the range increases, but that is a common factor, as wind, elevation and arrow weight start to have a more significant impact (forgive the pun) in your chance of plugging the target. At 30 meters, a moderatly good archer will score 4 out of 5 arrows as a crippling wound or kill on a human sized shape. At least I do, and I am NOT an expert archer. With an 80 pound bow, the effects on the target are very telling, ripping into the target with great power.
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Thanks John!
I would like to think that the draw-weight of the roman bows could have been somewhere between 80-140 pounds, it is achievable with a surprisingly little practice considering also the fact that these guys (auxiliary archers) profession was to shoot with them.
It is not so easy in my opinion to "duck" the arrow as presented previously here. With a heavy bow you can shoot with a reasonable straight trajectory up to somewhere around 100-150 metres. I have had people watching me shooting and they say that if you miss the arrow just a little bit when it is released, you can`t "catch" it with your eyes anymore. Of course the main volley of arrows during the combat situation is being shot towards a group of enemy with a higher trajectory from further away...
Virilis / Jyrki Halme
PHILODOX
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Yes, 80-140 lb seems feasible. I use a 80lb yew bow when on foot. I would just about qualify as a Roman archer.
Interestly American yew seems less good at storing and releasing energy than it's European counterpart. I suspect we will never be able to get close to a good reconstruction of a Roman bow.
Certainly at 80m with an arrow coming straight for you from a 60lb bow you don't have time to duck. Or register much except the arrow's just missed you. :roll:
John Conyard
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Perhaps (though I've never seen it) it might be easier to spot 900 incoming arrows, as they would make a different color in the sky for a second or two? Hope I never have to find out. Yikes.
hock: :?
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Well, not many would be able to tell it afterwards... :?
Valete,
Titvs Statilivs Castvs - Sander Van Daele
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Yes, I am sure you can see those coming! It's just picking out the one most likely to hit you and to duck that particular one which would be the hard part ....... :lol:
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Quote:Yes, 80-140 lb seems feasible. I use a 80lb yew bow when on foot. I would just about qualify as a Roman archer.
140# draw weight? That is almost unbelevable. May I ask where this information came? I am interested, but find that draw weight extraordinary.
I shoot regularly as well as hunt with both recurves and compounds. My hunting weight might hit 70# if I am shooting regularly, but that is the tops I have shot. 80# would be what I would consider extremely difficult draw weight. Not saying it couldnt be done, but repetative shooting would most certainly seem to be out of the question.
Now I have not studied archery in ancient times, but I shoot now with recurve and find it very relaxing for me and a way to stay in shape, but I am interested in reading more and learning.
Greg Lee
Gregorius Rotunda Rufus
"Vetus Gero"
Legio X "Equestris"
Greg Lee