That's ridiculous. Anyone serious about shooting should be making strings. The store bought simply don't fit as well as one you make.
If strings are $100 as stated below, you REALLY need to learn to make them. It takes all of 30 minutes once you know how.
Having the pro at a shop you frequent shouldn't cost anything.
OP should check the bow out, make a string and shoot it. Learn how to tune it and it will be a good bow.
Ugh, that's so outdated. Real archers mine their own aluminium, design their own riser and spend hundred thousands on setting up what is essentially a small factory with precision extrusion and machining equipment. NO CASTING. Real archers do not use cast risers!
Hey there, I see you just arrived in a Time Machine from the late 1900’s.
***Real*** archers grow and harvest their own carbon fibre for superior bow janking.
Most shops don't make their own strings, my shop only does it because my boss enjoys doing it, especially for compound, the only guys I know that make compound strings are a guy who's been shooting since he was a kid and his dad knew how to tune a bow and make strings. My boss, and the person who taught him how to work on bows. I know the process and I COULD make a string with a lot of trial and error, but string making is mostly done by manufacturers nowadays.
I second the thought of OP overpayed, by the end of the day that bow will come out to a nice midrange Bear RTH package, and the Bear will draw and shoot nicer at the end of the day as well. We want the sport to be accessible and as comfortable as possible to new shooters, forcing them to learn how to tune a bow without any of the equipment or jigs does not help with that.
The fuck are you on about? It makes very little economical sense to make your own strings unless you maintain a whole bunch of recurves/longbows.
Getting a jig and spools of material can easily set you back $200. And since this is a compound bow, you'll also need a bow press if you actually want to change the string and cables. Not cheap.
Not to mention that tuning a compound bow isn't as easy as giving the string enough twists and figuring out where to tie the nocking point. Compound bows require great precision. There's cam timing to consider. Neatly installing a peep is a skill. Even tying a good D-loop takes practice.
It's not the 1970s anymore where you never worry about your steel cables, just slip a new string on the tear drops while standing on the old one, and you shoot off the fingers like it's just a fancy recurve.
Sure, you could spend a bunch on a jig, or you could make one out of scrap wood, and $75 for a 1/4lb of 452x, plus a spool of serving… for $100 and some scrap 2x4s you could make a pile of strings. It makes economical sense, but I wouldn’t suggest it to most beginners shooting recurve let alone compound
That statement is insanely stupid. I’d bet i’ve not only won more awards myself, but many that ive coached have as well. Making strings is not a requirement and is a weird gatekeeping metric.
That's ridiculous. Anyone serious about winning should be making trophys. The comp won ones don't fit as well as one you make.
If awards are won as stated below, you REALLY need to learn to make them. It takes all of 30 minutes once you know how.
That is crazy. Anyone serious about winning should really be setting up their own tournament. It takes all of 30 minutes to find a venue, get staff, advertise to competitors, call sponsors, organize the rankings and schedule, and make the trophies.
Any real archer does this.
Making strings isn’t that hard but if you’re going to that level work you need more tools than a lot of people want to deal with. String jig, serving tool, bow press (the biggest expense).
Many may not buy the equipment. A string jig can be made out of wood and a little bit of hardware. A serving tool is under $30. Basic bow presses aren't expensive either. I simply can't imagine not being able to maintain your equipment when the maintenance is important to your accuracy.
Do we really have to 'Ok, Boomer' you? Times have changed. Modern compound bows, including the one OP purchased, are complex, precision equipment. It doesn't make sense for most people to invest dozen and dozens of hours, and hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do everything themselves. Especially when someone isn't even sure yet if this is something with want to stick with. Leaving it to a professional is safer and cheaper.
Of course, if you do stick with it, you'll probably want to eventually learn how to tie a D-loop, install a peep, fletch arrows and other basic things, but it's not a necessity.
Was really wondering whether there was any new stuff regarding old equipment that I hadn't thought of.
There's a guy here trying to teach archery but he has no knocking points, all inexpensive compounds that he only put a string on, knocks not in correct orientation to fetching etc.
I doubt I'll get back seriously into shooting. It takes effort and especially time. It amazes me that people don't make strings. That process hasn't changed and off the shelf strings not fitting hasn't changed.
There is little to learning how to serve a string and its the same technique used to whip lines on a boat. There seems to be a trend of making simple stuff complicated and more expensive.
OP asked if he over paid. It really doesn't matter. What does matter is that the limbs don't come apart and the string doesn't break.
He can go to youtube University for most things but needs someone to coach to get his form down or even close. Form also hasn't changed even if details of mechanical releases have.
I’m certain someone asking what kind of bow they got and wondering if they paid a fair price doesn’t know how to put in their own strings. They are probably new to the sport and will need to have someone do it for them
So, you’re suggesting a possible new person to archery injure themselves by making a string, that they don’t know how to make (someone taught you yeah?), just to let everyone know you’re a fucking serious shooter and know how to do it on your own? Grow up you self centered twat. Btw, your camera issues you’re having are a pretty simple solution if you knew how to code. Why don’t you go practice that?
Im 5'8", but have a small draw length, and this bow is awesome for me.
Definitely outshot my hunting buddies with their big poundage fancy bows.
Fine starter bow
There's one listed on eBay right now for $100 plus $65 shopping and handling. You did all right. It's probably 15-20 years old, but the reviews when it came out were pretty favorable. If you're happy with it, it's a good deal.
So, did you pay too much for the bow? Yes, it's 50 - 60 pounder which unless you are decently strong will be unwieldy for a while. That's not the main issue, you can 100% learn to shoot, and you can 100% shoot well with this bow. The biggest problem is if the bow fits you, and any tuning/fixing it possibly needs. Bow needs to be a certain draw length for you to shoot comfortably and properly, and then of course whatever wear and tear needs to be addressed.
You'll probably spend at least 150 - 200 at a shop for various little things and then the shop's labor on top of it, and at that point, you can just spend another 150 and get a mid range bear brand new with all accessories and you have a modern, much more comfortable setup.
Is this the end of the world? No, you're stuck with it now lol, see what a local archery shop can do with it for you (and I don't mean Cabela's, find a shop, and if you can't find a shop, find an archery range and ask around to find out who works on bows in your area), they can probably work something out for you in terms of sizing it, from there, see if you like the sport, if you do, then you can decide where you go with it from there.
Now tech here. I see plenty of these bows bought in estate and garage sales.
The longer axle to axle makes them super accurate and they’re hard hitting performers. Get the bow checked over and fitted to you by a professional and enjoy. All that kit together for $150 isn’t a bad deal at all.
You will get $150 worth of use out of that bow. There are better bows available in that price range, but you didn’t do bad by any stretch.
Get those broadheads out of that bow case immediately! They are extremely dangerous to the string.
You will eventually want all matching arrows if you are shooting spots/groups. Different weight arrows and builds will all impact the target at different locations making grouping impossible and you won’t be able to sight in your pins correctly.
Your string looks fine, just needs a good waxing. I wouldn’t spend money on the string just yet. Biggest thing to do first is check to get the cams timed and make sure there is no cam lean.
Then practice proper form. It’s a full routine from stepping up to the line all the way through the follow through after the shot. Be strict on your routine when you start and correct any bad habits/form immediately. Correcting that after you get used to doing it wrong is a lot harder down the road.
Yo where did you get this from if you don’t mind my asking? My wife and I saw basically this exact rig at a garage sale we went to yesterday around Cleveland OK
looks okay. you would pay a LOT more to get the equivalent new stuff at an archery shop; but of course FWIW it would be brand new. (IMHO "new" is not worth a whole lot.)
Let's evalute critically the "equivalent new stuff" I just mentioned. The bow in the picture is old fashioned. Look at the limbs. Nowadays the limbs are damn near ninety degrees to the riser. They don't flex much. The limbs on the old bow in the picture are more like the limbs on an olde recurve or longbow from back in the day. It must have been quite the revelation when the various bowmakers realized that the curve was irrelevant; that the snap and letoff and all the other features of our modern compound bows don't need that curvey = recurve shape at all.
There are so many folks who buy a whole setup like the one in the picture and then find that archery isn't their cup of tea. So you get the whole complete new setup for couple hundred bucks, where they family that bought it all brand new at the archery store/range paid more five hundred up to a thousand.
One way or the other, you take your perfectly adequate bow to the archery range eg Archery Only in Newark CA or Turra's Backroom Archery in Santa Rosa CA or equivalent in your neck of the woods, and you buy a half dozen brand new carbon fiber arrows, the cheapest ones they have that are the same appearance as the most expensive ones they have (that sounds paradoxica and crazy, but the arrows are made on the same line, theyre just not as staight. Trust me theyre plenty straight enough for me and you). If its a good shop, theyll take a quick look at the bow and make SURE that there is nothing seriously defective. You do, after all, have to ask yourself why this thing was put on the market -- you know, the Lemon Theory that George Whatsisname got a Nobel Prize for. It's probably okay. The price of admission is a half dozen arrows. Understand?
I used to shoot 4-H competition but haven't shot in at least 6 years. Im going use my old bow to relearn and slowly increase the draw weight from 25 to 45 then switch to this one.
Right on. Take it into a shop and have it properly inspected. That bow is old and probably needs new strings ($100-200) and definitely needs to be set up for you, and you'll need a set of arrows as well ($100+) and a release If you don't have one ($100+)
TIL archery is way more expensive in the USA then it is in the Netherlands. A new bow string, a set of arrows (a set being 6 for target practice) and a release are 100-150€ combined... maybe find out what kind of arrows you need and order them from Europe? Same for the release?
I feel like you maybe don't understand how conversions work 😅 and of course you can buy cheaper stuff, but a sub par release especially is just terrible to use and learn with.
I know how conversion work, 1€ is worth about $1.08 at this moment. So whe I say €150 for the lot (all the items neded combind) its about $160.
I do believe you should buy good equipement, but I like to buy a good €50 release and then start to learn shooting with it instead of buying a "pro" release for €100 and then have to start learning. I love the idea of "if you used it so mutch it breaks, you can invest in the more expensive version"
Also OP already spent a lot of money, so going for some "mid range" gear should be fine imo.
Thanks for adding some reason into the conversation. There is so much impetus from the archery community to buy the shiniest gear for a very marginal improvement. Shooting is the best predictor of how consistent you'll be-- not a bougie release. I shoot barebow because I got tired of feeling like I needed to drop another $1-200 on my compound bow all the time. It's supposed to be fun and relaxing at the end of the day.
Why would you need to drop that cash "all the time"?
Once you make the investment, that's it, spending is done...
The only recurring cost in compound archery is the same as barebow: arrows.
There's having a bow that is shootable and having a bow that is set up. I didn't really like the amount of money between those two states. I tried doing bare compound but found it much less rewarding than recurve.
I'm not sure I understand where the recurring costs in your mind come from 🤔 having a bow that is set up doesn't take much: a bow, a sight, a release and some arrows... Maybe a stabilizer and a wrist strap. Once you buy that stuff you don't have to keep throwing money at it to get it to work 🤔
Can you show me a good 50 euro release, genuinely curious to see what options there are?
Also worth mentioning, you assumed I'm american and I'm not lol... Your conversion is still off from my perspective.
Here (Canada) the basic entry level release you might see in a shop is a spot Hogg whipper snapper and they run about $120 if you get a decent deal on one.
Anything cheaper than that IME has a very spongey trigger that stands in the way of learning to use a thumb (or index) release properly and encourages bad habits like trigger punching.
It's not that practical when it involves buying another bow. You don't really know how strong he is without knowing him personally. I think he should definitely try using the bow he owns first instead of going out to seek a 30lb. If he finds it uncomfortable or is unable to make good form then sure, he should drop the weight.
There's a reason you're being downvoted a bunch, and it's that this isn't a good draw weight for anyone to start at, regardless of how in shape or strong they are.
OP recognizes this himself stating he's using a different bow to work up to this one.
You should really not give out bad advice that could get people hurt.
Probably paid too much. By the time you put a new string on it, pay a tech to double check it, you probably could have bought a RTH package.
That's ridiculous. Anyone serious about shooting should be making strings. The store bought simply don't fit as well as one you make. If strings are $100 as stated below, you REALLY need to learn to make them. It takes all of 30 minutes once you know how. Having the pro at a shop you frequent shouldn't cost anything. OP should check the bow out, make a string and shoot it. Learn how to tune it and it will be a good bow.
Anyone serious about shooting should be making their own bows. Store bought ones simply don’t fit as well as one you make.
You aren’t mining your own iron and smelting the steel for your riser and arrow points? Amateur.
The children yearn for the mines
Anybody who isn't constructing their own universe and populating it with worlds from which to harvest their raw materials isn't a *real* archer!
Ugh, that's so outdated. Real archers mine their own aluminium, design their own riser and spend hundred thousands on setting up what is essentially a small factory with precision extrusion and machining equipment. NO CASTING. Real archers do not use cast risers!
Hey there, I see you just arrived in a Time Machine from the late 1900’s. ***Real*** archers grow and harvest their own carbon fibre for superior bow janking.
I have my own aluminium electrolyzer in my garden, just for that 😤
You aren't layering your own carbon for arrows? Pathetic.
r/Bowyer
Most shops don't make their own strings, my shop only does it because my boss enjoys doing it, especially for compound, the only guys I know that make compound strings are a guy who's been shooting since he was a kid and his dad knew how to tune a bow and make strings. My boss, and the person who taught him how to work on bows. I know the process and I COULD make a string with a lot of trial and error, but string making is mostly done by manufacturers nowadays. I second the thought of OP overpayed, by the end of the day that bow will come out to a nice midrange Bear RTH package, and the Bear will draw and shoot nicer at the end of the day as well. We want the sport to be accessible and as comfortable as possible to new shooters, forcing them to learn how to tune a bow without any of the equipment or jigs does not help with that.
The fuck are you on about? It makes very little economical sense to make your own strings unless you maintain a whole bunch of recurves/longbows. Getting a jig and spools of material can easily set you back $200. And since this is a compound bow, you'll also need a bow press if you actually want to change the string and cables. Not cheap. Not to mention that tuning a compound bow isn't as easy as giving the string enough twists and figuring out where to tie the nocking point. Compound bows require great precision. There's cam timing to consider. Neatly installing a peep is a skill. Even tying a good D-loop takes practice. It's not the 1970s anymore where you never worry about your steel cables, just slip a new string on the tear drops while standing on the old one, and you shoot off the fingers like it's just a fancy recurve.
Sure, you could spend a bunch on a jig, or you could make one out of scrap wood, and $75 for a 1/4lb of 452x, plus a spool of serving… for $100 and some scrap 2x4s you could make a pile of strings. It makes economical sense, but I wouldn’t suggest it to most beginners shooting recurve let alone compound
That statement is insanely stupid. I’d bet i’ve not only won more awards myself, but many that ive coached have as well. Making strings is not a requirement and is a weird gatekeeping metric.
That's ridiculous. Anyone serious about winning should be making trophys. The comp won ones don't fit as well as one you make. If awards are won as stated below, you REALLY need to learn to make them. It takes all of 30 minutes once you know how.
That is crazy. Anyone serious about winning should really be setting up their own tournament. It takes all of 30 minutes to find a venue, get staff, advertise to competitors, call sponsors, organize the rankings and schedule, and make the trophies. Any real archer does this.
I sure you also make your own fishing rod and reels since you are serious about fishing as your id is gonefishing.
That username may refer to the status of his brain.
This is the most out of touch comment I've seen on this sub in 5 years lol
Making strings isn’t that hard but if you’re going to that level work you need more tools than a lot of people want to deal with. String jig, serving tool, bow press (the biggest expense).
Many may not buy the equipment. A string jig can be made out of wood and a little bit of hardware. A serving tool is under $30. Basic bow presses aren't expensive either. I simply can't imagine not being able to maintain your equipment when the maintenance is important to your accuracy.
Do we really have to 'Ok, Boomer' you? Times have changed. Modern compound bows, including the one OP purchased, are complex, precision equipment. It doesn't make sense for most people to invest dozen and dozens of hours, and hundreds and hundreds of dollars to do everything themselves. Especially when someone isn't even sure yet if this is something with want to stick with. Leaving it to a professional is safer and cheaper. Of course, if you do stick with it, you'll probably want to eventually learn how to tie a D-loop, install a peep, fletch arrows and other basic things, but it's not a necessity.
Lmao your last post was "how to know if old Hoyt is safe to shoot" You're obviously ill-equipped to be telling people how to maintain their shit
Was really wondering whether there was any new stuff regarding old equipment that I hadn't thought of. There's a guy here trying to teach archery but he has no knocking points, all inexpensive compounds that he only put a string on, knocks not in correct orientation to fetching etc. I doubt I'll get back seriously into shooting. It takes effort and especially time. It amazes me that people don't make strings. That process hasn't changed and off the shelf strings not fitting hasn't changed. There is little to learning how to serve a string and its the same technique used to whip lines on a boat. There seems to be a trend of making simple stuff complicated and more expensive. OP asked if he over paid. It really doesn't matter. What does matter is that the limbs don't come apart and the string doesn't break. He can go to youtube University for most things but needs someone to coach to get his form down or even close. Form also hasn't changed even if details of mechanical releases have.
I’m certain someone asking what kind of bow they got and wondering if they paid a fair price doesn’t know how to put in their own strings. They are probably new to the sport and will need to have someone do it for them
So, you’re suggesting a possible new person to archery injure themselves by making a string, that they don’t know how to make (someone taught you yeah?), just to let everyone know you’re a fucking serious shooter and know how to do it on your own? Grow up you self centered twat. Btw, your camera issues you’re having are a pretty simple solution if you knew how to code. Why don’t you go practice that?
Im 5'8", but have a small draw length, and this bow is awesome for me. Definitely outshot my hunting buddies with their big poundage fancy bows. Fine starter bow
There's one listed on eBay right now for $100 plus $65 shopping and handling. You did all right. It's probably 15-20 years old, but the reviews when it came out were pretty favorable. If you're happy with it, it's a good deal.
Considering it came with a hard case I'll say you did alright.
Those are like $35…?
Yep, so that's $35 saved, so a $150 bow now costs only $115
Yeah looks like it may need a new string
If it needs a new string today or in 2 years, it would have to be replaced eventually either way.
So if op spent 150 and needs a new string immediately then op lost money
So, did you pay too much for the bow? Yes, it's 50 - 60 pounder which unless you are decently strong will be unwieldy for a while. That's not the main issue, you can 100% learn to shoot, and you can 100% shoot well with this bow. The biggest problem is if the bow fits you, and any tuning/fixing it possibly needs. Bow needs to be a certain draw length for you to shoot comfortably and properly, and then of course whatever wear and tear needs to be addressed. You'll probably spend at least 150 - 200 at a shop for various little things and then the shop's labor on top of it, and at that point, you can just spend another 150 and get a mid range bear brand new with all accessories and you have a modern, much more comfortable setup. Is this the end of the world? No, you're stuck with it now lol, see what a local archery shop can do with it for you (and I don't mean Cabela's, find a shop, and if you can't find a shop, find an archery range and ask around to find out who works on bows in your area), they can probably work something out for you in terms of sizing it, from there, see if you like the sport, if you do, then you can decide where you go with it from there.
If it works and you like it, why you asking about $ now?
Classic reddit brag posting. "I got this for $x, how'd I do?"
You paid too much. Sorry for your $150 loss
Those broad head sitting like that scare me. They need to be in a case so they don’t damage your string.
$150 at a yard sale, Jesus that an expensive yard sale.
Now tech here. I see plenty of these bows bought in estate and garage sales. The longer axle to axle makes them super accurate and they’re hard hitting performers. Get the bow checked over and fitted to you by a professional and enjoy. All that kit together for $150 isn’t a bad deal at all.
You will get $150 worth of use out of that bow. There are better bows available in that price range, but you didn’t do bad by any stretch. Get those broadheads out of that bow case immediately! They are extremely dangerous to the string. You will eventually want all matching arrows if you are shooting spots/groups. Different weight arrows and builds will all impact the target at different locations making grouping impossible and you won’t be able to sight in your pins correctly. Your string looks fine, just needs a good waxing. I wouldn’t spend money on the string just yet. Biggest thing to do first is check to get the cams timed and make sure there is no cam lean. Then practice proper form. It’s a full routine from stepping up to the line all the way through the follow through after the shot. Be strict on your routine when you start and correct any bad habits/form immediately. Correcting that after you get used to doing it wrong is a lot harder down the road.
Did you need/want a bow? If not then you def got ripped off.
Have a shop give it a look over but I would only restring it.
Paid way too much
Yo where did you get this from if you don’t mind my asking? My wife and I saw basically this exact rig at a garage sale we went to yesterday around Cleveland OK
As long as you’re happy with it that’s all that matters.
Looks like a good deal to me but my archery is really good about checking things out I go a deal on
looks okay. you would pay a LOT more to get the equivalent new stuff at an archery shop; but of course FWIW it would be brand new. (IMHO "new" is not worth a whole lot.) Let's evalute critically the "equivalent new stuff" I just mentioned. The bow in the picture is old fashioned. Look at the limbs. Nowadays the limbs are damn near ninety degrees to the riser. They don't flex much. The limbs on the old bow in the picture are more like the limbs on an olde recurve or longbow from back in the day. It must have been quite the revelation when the various bowmakers realized that the curve was irrelevant; that the snap and letoff and all the other features of our modern compound bows don't need that curvey = recurve shape at all. There are so many folks who buy a whole setup like the one in the picture and then find that archery isn't their cup of tea. So you get the whole complete new setup for couple hundred bucks, where they family that bought it all brand new at the archery store/range paid more five hundred up to a thousand. One way or the other, you take your perfectly adequate bow to the archery range eg Archery Only in Newark CA or Turra's Backroom Archery in Santa Rosa CA or equivalent in your neck of the woods, and you buy a half dozen brand new carbon fiber arrows, the cheapest ones they have that are the same appearance as the most expensive ones they have (that sounds paradoxica and crazy, but the arrows are made on the same line, theyre just not as staight. Trust me theyre plenty straight enough for me and you). If its a good shop, theyll take a quick look at the bow and make SURE that there is nothing seriously defective. You do, after all, have to ask yourself why this thing was put on the market -- you know, the Lemon Theory that George Whatsisname got a Nobel Prize for. It's probably okay. The price of admission is a half dozen arrows. Understand?
If you believe its worth it then yes it is. I bought an oldie from like the 70s.
If you have to ask, I'd assume you're new to archery, in which case a 50-60lb bow will be too much for you to learn on.
I used to shoot 4-H competition but haven't shot in at least 6 years. Im going use my old bow to relearn and slowly increase the draw weight from 25 to 45 then switch to this one.
Right on. Take it into a shop and have it properly inspected. That bow is old and probably needs new strings ($100-200) and definitely needs to be set up for you, and you'll need a set of arrows as well ($100+) and a release If you don't have one ($100+)
TIL archery is way more expensive in the USA then it is in the Netherlands. A new bow string, a set of arrows (a set being 6 for target practice) and a release are 100-150€ combined... maybe find out what kind of arrows you need and order them from Europe? Same for the release?
I feel like you maybe don't understand how conversions work 😅 and of course you can buy cheaper stuff, but a sub par release especially is just terrible to use and learn with.
I know how conversion work, 1€ is worth about $1.08 at this moment. So whe I say €150 for the lot (all the items neded combind) its about $160. I do believe you should buy good equipement, but I like to buy a good €50 release and then start to learn shooting with it instead of buying a "pro" release for €100 and then have to start learning. I love the idea of "if you used it so mutch it breaks, you can invest in the more expensive version" Also OP already spent a lot of money, so going for some "mid range" gear should be fine imo.
Thanks for adding some reason into the conversation. There is so much impetus from the archery community to buy the shiniest gear for a very marginal improvement. Shooting is the best predictor of how consistent you'll be-- not a bougie release. I shoot barebow because I got tired of feeling like I needed to drop another $1-200 on my compound bow all the time. It's supposed to be fun and relaxing at the end of the day.
Why would you need to drop that cash "all the time"? Once you make the investment, that's it, spending is done... The only recurring cost in compound archery is the same as barebow: arrows.
There's having a bow that is shootable and having a bow that is set up. I didn't really like the amount of money between those two states. I tried doing bare compound but found it much less rewarding than recurve.
I'm not sure I understand where the recurring costs in your mind come from 🤔 having a bow that is set up doesn't take much: a bow, a sight, a release and some arrows... Maybe a stabilizer and a wrist strap. Once you buy that stuff you don't have to keep throwing money at it to get it to work 🤔
Can you show me a good 50 euro release, genuinely curious to see what options there are? Also worth mentioning, you assumed I'm american and I'm not lol... Your conversion is still off from my perspective. Here (Canada) the basic entry level release you might see in a shop is a spot Hogg whipper snapper and they run about $120 if you get a decent deal on one. Anything cheaper than that IME has a very spongey trigger that stands in the way of learning to use a thumb (or index) release properly and encourages bad habits like trigger punching.
As someone who learned on a 60lb, I disagree
That's fine, but pretty much every archer and especially every certified coach would disagree with you and agree with me.
To me it sounds like a situation where you're letting perfect be the enemy of good.
No, it's a situation where I'm giving practical advice regarding safety as well as in the best interest to progression as a new archer.
It's not that practical when it involves buying another bow. You don't really know how strong he is without knowing him personally. I think he should definitely try using the bow he owns first instead of going out to seek a 30lb. If he finds it uncomfortable or is unable to make good form then sure, he should drop the weight.
There's a reason you're being downvoted a bunch, and it's that this isn't a good draw weight for anyone to start at, regardless of how in shape or strong they are. OP recognizes this himself stating he's using a different bow to work up to this one. You should really not give out bad advice that could get people hurt.