Best Recurve Bows for Target Shooting

The best recurve bow for target shooting for most readers is the LWANO Recurve Bow and Arrow Set — a complete takedown package aimed at adults, teens and beginners that gets a new archer shooting a full target line without assembling a kit piece by piece. If you want a heavier, more traditional step up at 40 lb and you shoot either hand, the NorthSpoor 40 lb Takedown is the pick. A bow without a backstop is a liability, though, so this roundup also covers the targets, arrows and finger protection that make a recurve line actually work: hand-made straw targets from AUVIM and KAINOKAI for quiet, arrow-friendly stopping at low draw weights; foam blocks from WIXUSPO, GQT, SOPOGER and Delta McKenzie for higher volume and higher poundage; TIGER ARCHERY 30-inch carbon arrows as the budget arrow upgrade; and a Ringsun leather tab. Match your target to your bow’s kinetic energy rather than to the draw weight printed on the limb, and the whole setup lasts far longer.

Top 3 Picks

Best overall: LWANO Recurve Bow and Arrow Set

The LWANO set is the one item here that turns a beginner into a shooter in a single purchase: a takedown recurve plus the accessories that normally cost extra, sized for adults, youth and teens. It suits someone who wants to learn form at a moderate draw weight before committing to an ILF riser and a set of carbon-foam limbs. If you already know you want a 40 lb bow and shoot left-handed, jump to the NorthSpoor instead.

Best budget: AUVIM 20-Inch Straw Target

A hand-made straw target is the cheapest way to build a safe, quiet backyard range, and it is the kindest surface you can shoot a 20–35 lb recurve into. Straw absorbs arrows with friction rather than stopping them dead, so shafts come out with a twist instead of a yank. It is a consumable, not a lifetime purchase — plan on replacing or re-packing it each season.

Best premium: WIXUSPO 20″ Foam Target Block

Foam blocks in the 20-inch class are the workhorse for anyone shooting several hundred arrows a week, and the WIXUSPO block is built for exactly that. Self-healing foam takes far more shots per face than straw and tolerates higher poundage and faster arrows. Rotate the block a quarter turn every few sessions and a single unit can carry a whole outdoor season.

Quick Comparison

Every product below appears in the full sections that follow. Price tiers are relative bands, not fixed figures — listings move with sales and stock.

How We Chose

These picks were selected on published specifications, category knowledge and the physics of how each product actually behaves in a target line — not on physical trials, which we did not perform. Four criteria drove the list. First, specification clarity: an item had to describe what it is (draw weight, limb configuration, face size, material, speed rating) clearly enough that a reader can match it to their own setup without guesswork. Second, category fit: a target bow article needs bows, but a recurve only performs as well as the backstop, arrow and tab behind it, so the supporting gear earns a place when it solves a specific, common problem. Third, use-case match: a 20 lb youth bow and a 45 lb target recurve need different targets, and we flagged which is which rather than treating “archery target” as one category. Fourth, upgrade path: the best budget gear is the gear that still has a job after you upgrade, and the best bow is one whose limbs, rest and sight can be changed as your draw length and poundage grow.

1. AUVIM 20-Inch Straw Target – Best for Quiet Backyard Practice With Light Recurve Bows

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#1 Pick

AUVIM Archery Targets Straw Solid Hand-Made Archery Target for Recurve Bow Compound Bow or Longbow 20 Inches Traditional Bow Arrow Target for Kids Youth Adult Archery Hunting Backyard Practice

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This is the target to buy when you are shooting a 20–35 lb recurve in a garden, at 10 to 20 yards, and you care more about noise, arrow life and cost than about stopping power. A hand-made straw target in the 20-inch class is essentially a dense bound bale: arrows decelerate through friction between the stalks rather than being caught by a hard face, which is why the shot is almost silent and why shafts come out with a twist rather than a pull. For a beginner working on release and anchor, that gentleness matters — every hard extraction bends or scratches a shaft a little, and straw is the least punishing surface in this list.

Who it suits: a first-time recurve owner with a low-poundage takedown, a youth archer, or anyone shooting field points indoors into a bale in front of a proper backstop. It also suits traditional shooters who like a natural-looking range. It does not suit a 45 lb-plus recurve, a compound shooting fast arrows, or anyone who wants to leave a target outside year-round.

Key specs

• Hand-made straw construction, solid bound build
• Approximately 20-inch face — a workable aim area at 10–20 yards
• Listed for recurve, compound and longbow use, but realistically best under about 40 lb with field points
• Field points only; broadheads and blunt tips shred straw fast
• Budget price tier

Strengths. The practical advantage is arrow removal. Straw gives up a shaft gradually, so you can twist and draw in one motion instead of bracing a foot against the target. It is also the quietest option here by a wide margin, which matters if you shoot early in the morning or in a shared garden. Straw compresses rather than tearing, so a loose spot can be re-packed and re-tied, and rotating the target a quarter turn between sessions spreads wear across four faces instead of one.

Pros

• Very quiet on impact — no crack or slap
• Gentle on carbon and aluminium shafts
• Lowest cost way to start a backyard range
• Re-packable and rotatable, extending useful life

Cons

• Needs to stay dry; damp straw moulds and loses structure
• Not suitable for high poundage or fast compound arrows
• Loose or uneven packing causes pass-throughs
• Consumable — expect to replace or re-pack within a season or two

How it compares. The KAINOKAI hand-made straw target is the closest alternative and sits at the same budget tier with the same traditional build philosophy; the difference is largely face size and how tightly each bale is bound, so pick on price and availability. The step up is the AUVIM 7-Layer straw target, which layers the straw for a denser, more consistent stop and holds up noticeably longer under repeated hits — worth it if you shoot daily, unnecessary if you shoot twice a week.

2. LWANO Recurve Bow and Arrow Set – Best Overall for Adults, Youth and Teens

#2 Pick

LWANO Archery Recurve Bow and Arrow Set for Adult/Youth/Teens Beginners

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If you want one purchase that produces a shooting recurve, this is it. The LWANO set is a takedown recurve packaged with the accessories that a new archer would otherwise buy separately, and it is explicitly positioned for adults, youth and teens — which in practice means a draw-weight range light enough for a teenager to hold at anchor and heavy enough for an adult to learn on without bad habits creeping in. Takedown construction matters more than it sounds: the riser stays with you as you grow, and only the limbs get replaced when you move from a beginner weight to a target weight.

Who it suits: the reader who has never owned a bow and wants a working setup today; a parent buying for a teenager who will outgrow the limbs within a year; anyone who wants a left- or right-handed option without ordering from a specialist shop. It is not aimed at an archer already shooting 40 lb plus or competing at 50 m.

Key specs

• Takedown recurve design — riser and limbs separate for storage, travel and future limb swaps
• Complete starter kit: bow plus the supporting accessories sold with the set
• Draw weights in the beginner band typical of this class, generally offered across a youth-to-adult spread
• Suits adults, youth and teens per the listing
• Premium price tier relative to the bare-bow options in this roundup

Strengths. The value here is completeness and the lack of a decision tree. A beginner does not know which arrow spine to pair with a 24 lb bow, or whether they need a rest or can shoot off the shelf — a set removes those choices from the first month. Takedown geometry also gives you a tuning surface: limb bolts can be backed out slightly to reduce poundage, which is the standard way to make a bow survivable for a growing archer. And because the bow breaks down, it stores in a cupboard and travels in a car boot without a hard case.

Pros

• One purchase covers bow and accessories
• Takedown riser supports limb upgrades as poundage grows
• Draw weights suitable for teens through adults
• Compact to store and transport

Cons

• Bundled accessories are usually adequate rather than excellent
• Beginner-band limbs cap the bow’s ceiling until you buy new limbs
• A set cannot be tuned to your exact draw length out of the box
• Premium tier for what is still a first bow

How it compares. The NorthSpoor 40 lb takedown is the direct alternative: it jumps straight to a heavier target-appropriate weight and accommodates left- and right-handed shooters, which the LWANO set does not advertise in the same way. Choose LWANO if you are starting from zero and want the whole kit; choose NorthSpoor if you already know your draw length and want a 40 lb bow you can shoot seriously from day one.

3. KAINOKAI Hand-Made Straw Target – Best for Traditional and Low-Poundage Recurve Shooting

#3 Pick

KAINOKAI Traditional Hand-Made Straw Archery Target,Arrow Target for Recurve Bow Longbow or Compound Bow(20in / 3 Layers)

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The KAINOKAI target is the traditionalist’s straw bale: hand-made, roughly 20 inches, and listed for recurve, longbow and compound use. Its appeal is the same as the AUVIM straw target’s — quiet stopping, easy extraction, low cost — with a slightly different construction lineage that traditional archers tend to prefer for aesthetic and feel reasons. If you shoot a wooden or bamboo-backed longbow, or a low-poundage recurve off the shelf, this is a period-correct pairing that behaves well at short distances.

Who it suits: traditional archers, barebow shooters, and anyone running a 20–35 lb recurve at 10–20 yards who wants a target that looks the part. It also suits clubs wanting a cheap extra bale for junior sessions. It is not the right choice for a 45 lb recurve or a fast compound, and it is not an all-weather target.

Key specs

• Traditional hand-made straw construction
• Approximately 20-inch face
• Listed for recurve, longbow and compound bows
• Field points only; ideal below roughly 40 lb
• Budget price tier

Strengths. Straw’s friction-based stopping is forgiving of a slightly low or high hit, so the occasional flyer does not chew a crater in the face the way it would on a hard foam block. That makes it a good confidence-building target for new archers and a good surface for bareshaft tuning — you can see the arrow’s angle in the bale, which is a useful diagnostic when you are checking nock height and spine. Like any straw bale, it can be re-packed and rotated, and it takes a staple or a pin easily if you want to fix a paper face or a target pin to it.

Pros

• Traditional appearance suits wooden and laminated bows
• Quiet, gentle on arrows
• Forgiving of off-centre hits
• Cheap enough to keep as a second target

Cons

• Damp conditions degrade the straw quickly
• Needs a stand, bale or wall to sit against for stability
• Not rated for heavy poundage or high arrow speeds
• Face size limits you to closer distances or tighter grouping discipline

How it compares. Against the AUVIM 20-inch straw target the differences are construction and price rather than category — both are budget hand-made straw bales with the same strengths and the same storage requirement. The AUVIM 7-Layer target is the meaningful upgrade: seven layers of straw bound together hold their shape longer and resist tunnelling from repeated hits in the same spot, which is exactly what a daily shooter does to a single-layer bale.

4. Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver – Best for Shared Ranges and Higher-Speed Bows

#4 Pick

Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver 6-Sided Archery Target – 450 FPS Rated Portable Cube for Compound Bows, Recurve & Crossbows – High-Contrast Field Point Target with Easy Arrow Removal (12"x12"x12")

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Speedbag targets are the polypropylene-bagged, high-density cousin of the foam block, and the Revolver variant is a six-sided cube listed as rated to 450 FPS. That figure is about stopping capability, not durability — it tells you the bag will arrest an extremely fast compound arrow rather than letting it pass through, which is why this target earns a place in a recurve article. If your range is shared with compound shooters, or you plan to add one later, a backstop rated for that speed means you are not re-buying a target when the household’s bow collection changes.

Who it suits: families and small clubs where a recurve and a compound share one backstop; anyone shooting a 40 lb-plus recurve with fast, light arrows; shooters who want six fresh faces instead of one. It is more target than a low-poundage beginner needs.

Key specs

• Six-sided cube design — rotate to a new face as each wears
• Listed as rated to 450 FPS
• Portable cube format for backyard use
• Field points only; not for broadheads
• Mid-range price tier

Strengths. The six-sided geometry is the real feature. A conventional block gives you four vertical faces; a cube you can flip gives you a top and a bottom as well, which roughly halves your cost per shooting session over the target’s life. Dense bagged fill also stops arrows with a short, predictable pull — noticeably harder than straw on the first few hundred shots, then noticeably easier once the centre channels open up. And because the fill is bagged rather than solid, the target tolerates being dropped, dragged and stored outside under cover.

Pros

• Very high stopping rating covers compound speeds
• Six usable faces
• Portable and rugged for outdoor use
• Works for recurve and compound alike

Cons

• Harder arrow removal when new
• Heavier than a straw bale of similar face size
• Overkill for a 20–30 lb beginner bow
• Bag can eventually split at a heavily used face

How it compares. The SOPOGER backyard target is the mid-range alternative built around easy arrow removal rather than maximum stopping speed; if your bow is a 35–40 lb recurve, SOPOGER’s easier pull is the more comfortable daily experience. Choose the Delta McKenzie when speed rating and face count matter more than extraction effort — specifically when a compound is sharing the target.

5. NorthSpoor Recurve Bow and Arrow Set 40 lbs – Best 40 lb Takedown for Left- and Right-Handed Archers

#5 Pick

NorthSpoor Recurve Bow and Arrow Set 40lbsTakedown Left and Right Hands Bow

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Forty pounds is the sweet spot for adult target recurve work at 18 to 30 metres: heavy enough that a correctly spined arrow flies flat and forgives small release errors, light enough that you can shoot a full 60-arrow round without your form collapsing in the last end. The NorthSpoor set lands exactly there and, unusually, is listed for both left- and right-handed archers — which removes the single most common ordering mistake a new archer makes.

Who it suits: an adult who has shot before or is confident starting at a real target weight; a left-handed archer tired of limited stock; anyone who wants a takedown recurve they can tune rather than a youth set they will outgrow in six months. It is too heavy for most teenagers and for anyone with a draw length under about 26 inches.

Key specs

• Takedown recurve, 40 lb nominal draw weight
• Listed for left- and right-handed use
• Sold as a bow and arrow set
• Takedown geometry supports limb swaps and tiller adjustment
• Mid-range price tier

Strengths. The 40 lb rating is the headline because it determines what the bow can do: at 40 lb with a properly matched arrow you are generating enough energy to shoot a 20-inch straw target to its limit, which is why the target pairing matters here. This bow wants a foam block or a speedbag, not a budget straw bale. Takedown construction means you can back the limb bolts out to shave a few pounds while your form settles, then wind them back in — a genuinely useful range of adjustment that a one-piece bow does not offer. The ambidextrous hand options also mean a family can buy once.

Pros

• Target-appropriate 40 lb draw weight for adults
• Available for left- and right-handed archers
• Takedown design allows limb upgrades and poundage adjustment
• Sold with arrows, so it is usable immediately

Cons

• Too heavy to learn basic form on for most beginners
• Bundled arrows may not match the ideal spine for your draw length
• Mid-range price without the accessory depth of a full starter kit
• Needs a serious backstop, which adds cost

How it compares. The LWANO set is the same category of product aimed at a different archer: lighter, broader in its audience, and packaged with more beginner accessories. NorthSpoor is the upgrade in poundage and hand options. If you are choosing between them, decide on draw weight first — a bow you cannot hold at anchor for ten seconds is the wrong bow regardless of how good the specification looks.

6. TIGER ARCHERY 30″ Carbon Arrows – Best Budget Arrow Upgrade for Target Recurve

#6 Pick

TIGER ARCHERY 30" Carbon Arrows for Compound Recurve Bow Hunting Target

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Arrows are where a recurve’s accuracy actually lives. A bow that groups badly is more often an arrow problem than a limb problem, and the cheapest meaningful upgrade most new archers can make is a set of consistent carbon shafts. The TIGER ARCHERY 30-inch carbon arrows are listed for both compound and recurve, for hunting and target use, and at 30 inches they suit a draw length up to roughly 28–29 inches with a safe margin of overhang.

Who it suits: anyone replacing mismatched or damaged arrows from a starter set; a recurve shooter who wants a spare dozen for practice; a compound shooter who wants a cheap target shaft. It is a budget-tier consumable, so buy enough that you can afford to lose or break some.

Key specs

• 30-inch carbon shafts
• Listed for compound and recurve bows
• Sold for hunting and target use
• Typically supplied in multi-arrow packs
• Budget price tier

Strengths. Carbon’s advantage over aluminium is straightness retention — a carbon shaft that gets knocked around tends to stay true, while aluminium bends and stays bent. For a target archer shooting hundreds of arrows a week into a straw or foam face, that durability translates into fewer flyers you cannot explain. Length is the other practical benefit: 30 inches covers a wide range of adult draw lengths, and cutting arrows down is a job any shop can do, whereas lengthening them is impossible.

Pros

• Carbon shafts resist bending and stay straight
• 30-inch length suits most adult draw lengths
• Works with recurve and compound
• Low cost per arrow for practice volume

Cons

• Spine must be matched to draw weight — the wrong spine groups poorly
• Carbon can fail suddenly rather than bending visibly; inspect after hard impacts
• Bundled nocks and vanes may need replacing for serious tuning
• Not a substitute for a matched, tuned set if you compete

How it compares. There is no direct arrow alternative in this roundup, so the comparison is with the arrows bundled in the LWANO and NorthSpoor sets. Bundled arrows are usually chosen to suit a broad range of shooters rather than your specific draw length and poundage, which means their spine is a compromise. A dedicated set of carbon shafts in the correct spine for your bow is the single highest-value accuracy purchase on this page — and the cheapest way to test that theory is to shoot a group with each and compare.

7. SOPOGER Backyard Archery Target – Best for Frequent Practice With Easy Arrow Removal

#7 Pick

SOPOGER Archery Target for Backyard Adult, Easy Arrow Removal Bow Target, Durable Bow and Arrow Targets for Youth Outdoor Shooting Practice (Straw Target Red)

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The SOPOGER target is designed around the problem that stops people practising: pulling arrows. Its listing emphasises easy arrow removal and durable construction for adult backyard use, which is precisely the right priority for someone shooting four or five sessions a week. If your target fights you on every arrow, you shoot fewer arrows, and your form suffers. A target that releases a shaft cleanly keeps a practice habit alive.

Who it suits: adult recurve shooters with a dedicated backyard setup and a 30–45 lb bow; anyone with a shoulder or back issue who wants to minimise extraction effort; households that shoot several times a week. It is not aimed at low-poundage youth setups, where it is more target than necessary.

Key specs

• Backyard block format for outdoor use
• Designed for easy arrow removal
• Durable construction for repeated adult use
• Field points only
• Mid-range price tier

Strengths. Extraction effort is determined by the friction between shaft and material, and a block tuned for easy pull uses a face density that lets a shaft pass with a firm twist rather than a two-handed haul. Over a 100-arrow session that difference is the difference between finishing an end and stopping early. The mid-range positioning also means the face holds up better than a budget straw bale under regular use, so cost per session is often lower even though the sticker is higher.

Pros

• Low extraction effort keeps practice volume up
• Durable enough for several sessions a week
• Sized for adult backyard distances
• Mid-range cost with a long service window

Cons

• No published speed rating, so pair it with a recurve rather than a fast compound
• Not the cheapest way to start
• Still a field-point-only target
• Large enough that storage and transport need thought

How it compares. The Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver is the alternative at the same tier and trades easy extraction for a 450 FPS stopping rating and six usable faces. If your household is recurve-only, SOPOGER’s easier pull is the better daily companion; if a compound ever shares the range, the Speedbag’s higher rating is the safer buy. For sheer volume, the WIXUSPO 20-inch foam block is the step up.

8. Ringsun Leather Finger Tabs – Best for String Protection and a Consistent Release

#8 Pick

Ringsun Leather Archery Finger Tabs,Handmade Archery Finger Guard for Shooting Practice Gear, Recurve Bow Fingers Tab,Right Hand Brown RS02-8

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A finger tab is the cheapest piece of equipment on this page and one of the most influential. The Ringsun tabs are handmade leather finger guards aimed at recurve shooters practising for target work, and the reason to care is consistency: a tab gives you the same smooth, low-friction release surface on every shot, whereas bare fingers or a worn glove vary with sweat and temperature. If your groups drift left or right without an obvious form error, the release surface is a prime suspect.

Who it suits: any recurve archer shooting more than a few dozen arrows a session; beginners who are developing a repeatable release; shooters who find a glove too hot or too vague in feel. It is not a compound release aid and is not intended for that role.

Key specs

• Handmade leather construction
• Three-finger guard configuration for recurve shooting
• Designed for shooting practice
• Budget price tier

Strengths. Leather breaks in and takes the shape of your fingers, which is exactly what you want from a release surface — a tab that fits becomes invisible in the shot. The face material also protects your fingers from string burn at higher poundages, and it makes the string’s path off the fingers more consistent shot to shot. At this price, owning two is sensible: one for practice, one kept clean for scoring rounds.

Pros

• Very low cost for a meaningful consistency gain
• Protects fingers at 30 lb and above
• Leather moulds to the hand over time
• Works with any recurve in this roundup

Cons

• Needs a break-in period before it feels right
• Leather requires occasional care and drying after wet sessions
• Fit is personal — a tab that is too small pinches
• Not suitable for compound release aids

How it compares. The comparison is against a shooting glove rather than another product here. A glove is more convenient and harder to lose; a tab gives a cleaner, more repeatable release and is the standard choice for target recurve archers. If you are shooting the LWANO or NorthSpoor set with the accessories supplied, adding a proper leather tab is one of the first upgrades worth making.

9. GQT Dice Foam Target – Best Portable All-Side Target for Rotating Faces

The GQT Dice target is a foam cube with a carry handle, designed so that every side is shootable. That all-side design is not a gimmick: it means you can rotate to a fresh face mid-session instead of shooting the same hole until it tunnels. For an archer who shoots in a garden and has to pack the target away each time, the handle and the cube format are the two features that decide whether the target gets used or stays in the shed.

Who it suits: renters and anyone without a permanent range; shooters who want to take a target to a field, a club or a friend’s land; recurve archers shooting 30–45 lb who want a durable foam face. It is more target than a 20 lb youth bow needs.

Key specs

• Foam cube with all-side shootable faces
• Integrated carry handle for transport
• Outdoor portable design
• Field points only
• Premium price tier

Strengths. Foam cubes stop arrows with a short, firm pull and self-heal around the shaft channel, so a well-rotated cube can absorb thousands of shots before any face is unusable. The cube geometry gives you more usable area than a flat block of the same footprint, and the handle means the target moves with you rather than anchoring you to one spot. For a shooter working on distance changes — 10, 20, 30 metres — portability is what makes that practice possible.

Pros

• Every side is shootable, maximising target life
• Portable with a carry handle
• Foam self-heals and holds up to regular use
• Suits recurve poundages comfortably

Cons

• Premium tier for a portable target
• Firm pull when new
• Smaller faces than a large backyard block
• Not for broadheads

How it compares. The WIXUSPO 20-inch foam block is the larger, less portable alternative at the same tier: more face area, more mass, better for a fixed backyard setup. Choose the GQT cube if you need to move it; choose WIXUSPO if it will live in one place and you want maximum surface area per purchase.

10. CTWHA 9-Inch EVA Foam Target – Best for Indoor and Close-Range Practice

#9 Pick

CTWHA 9 Inch Round EVA Foam Arrow Target 25x3cm Indoor and Outdoor Archery Practice Target Shooting Sports Accessories Compatible with Recurve Bows Compound Bows for Practice and Hunting Simulation

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The CTWHA target is a small round EVA foam disc — roughly nine inches across and about three centimetres thick, per the listed dimensions — intended for indoor and outdoor practice. Its role is narrow and useful: blank bale and close-range form work, where you are not aiming at a face but at a spot, and where a full-size target is unnecessary. At this size and thickness it is a low-poundage and low-power item, not a backstop for a 40 lb bow.

Who it suits: archers doing form drills in a garage or corridor at 3 to 10 yards; youth shooters with light bows; anyone who wants a cheap aim point to hang on a wall in front of a proper backstop. It is the wrong choice as a primary target for an adult target bow.

Key specs

• Round EVA foam construction
• Approximately 9-inch face, listed at about 25 x 3 cm
• Indoor and outdoor practice use
• Suited to light draw weights and close distances
• Budget price tier

Strengths. Small targets are genuinely useful for accuracy work: a nine-inch face at 10 yards demands tighter aim than a 20