new shooter draw weight

[snowbeast]

Good evening Gents,

I'm sure this has been posted, but for the life of me I cannot find anything on the search function.

I joined a year ago and life got in the way. Now with a child on the way I've decided it's now or never.

With our currency sinking faster than a stone in water I've decided to make a selfbow thanks to this great thread   http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000122  
I have found a local who will sell a stave that he has pre selected so it saves me the trouble and helps me know what to lookout for.

My question is, what poundage should I aim for.
I know talk of compound bows is not allowed, but for the sake of reference my PSE is set at 65# and 27,5".
I'm thinking 30# and minus the release aid 25" or 26" DL
This season I won't be hunting but rather working on form and strength.

I'm super keen to get started and learn the ropes.

Cheers,

Bruce

[Orion]

30-35#@25-26 inches sounds about right to start.  Hitting those specs on your first build might be a bit of a challenge. Good luck.

[dbd870]

May say something about me but when I got back into recurves from many years with a wheel bow I found I shot a 45# better than a 35#. Heavier weight pulled the string off my fingers better.

[AZ_Longbow]

try some bows to see what feels good before you settle perhaps. I suggest 20 to 30 lbs lower for a trad bow to start out.

[durp]

snow beast from south africa            

light is good to start then work up...WELCOME !!!

Welcome to the Gang, Bruce!

Don't know anything about your size, build, or stregth, so I would say stay at45# or lower to start and learn good form. You can always go up in draw weight later if you decide you want to.

Bisch

[snowbeast]

Thank you for your input.
I used to play a lot of rugby, but haven't played in two years so I think a lower poundage is better as I have lost a lot of strength.

I'll see what I get from my self bow.
Once my kid arrives I will be under the illusion I have money to buy bows. My dream is to be able to build him/her their first bow.

[monterey]

My own reference to building self bows says that if you want a 30# bow (which I agree is a good target weight for your goal), then shoot for 45#.  

[Soilarch]

I shot a "smooth force curve" compound that scaled at 74# when I made the transition. (Shot it easily, and well.)

I started with a 55# and quickly convinced myself to buy a 62# and 64#.

A year or two later I wised up and got a bow with a a set of 45# limbs.  I wish I had started with 35#.  Many states have 40# as the legal minimum so I'd shoot for 42# and see if you can't end up with a legal (and fully lethal) bow that's pleasant to shoot.