Stepping up in weight....maybe

[GladwinHunter777]

Hello!
Ive been shooting a striker sport #44 lb for the better part of a year . And I find that I'm drawing the bow very easily now and I'd like to move up in weight. I'm primarily a hunter so that is where my concern lies. I haven't taken any game with the bow yet, so this is why I'm going to ask for opinions regarding my intent to move up in weight.  I have seen countless pictures of guys taking game with bows in my weight range. But if I move up to say...a 55 lb bow for example....would I really be gaining any points for providing a platform to better aid in ethically taking game? Given that I use the same style bow and arrow setup, would that 11 extra pounds stretch my range much, make my arrows shoot that much faster, or pound game harder? I'm trying to think practically and determine whether or not 11lbs is worth the extra fuss and money when I shoot my 44# well.
Thanks in advance
Caleb

[Terry Green]

The numbers don't lie...and aren't bias.

Also, with a 55# bow of the same make the numbers are there for you to see....most likely you aren't going to have to wonder if you have enough bow on any animal on the continent(99% of the time)...if you have decent arrow weight, sharp broadheads chosen correctly for the game you are after...AND a tuned set up.

What are you planning on hunting with your TradBow?...AND...what is your draw length???

[GladwinHunter777]

Hello Terry,
Thanks for your input. Mostly whitetails but I do plan to make a couple trips to Canada for moose and bear at some point in the near future (still looking at outfitters). I'm 27" in a t shirt but more realistically I'm 26.5-26.75 with thick clothes and an awkward shooting position.

[Terry Green]

The extra could come in handy IMO on Moose...and in some cases on deer.

The numbers are what they are...if all else is equal.

It's not a fuss....its FUN!!!

See if you can get somewhere that you can shoot bow in the range you are looking for...and see how it goes.  And take is slow if you decide to make the move...in a couple of months of DEDICATION and proper practice you probably wont know the difference in shooting....but the numbers will be different regardless.

[pdk25]

IMHO, it would make you less borderline on some types of game, and at a minimum allow you to use have more options when choosing a Broadhead.  Also could probably have more lethality at longer ranges, as long as your form doesn't suffer.

[Possum Head]

My 1st trad bow was 45# and a year or so later I stepped up to 55 with no marked improvement on accuracy. The additional penetration was very evident and 25 yd trajectory was more exciting. Seems like the added weight helps the string slip better!

[Buckeye1977]

I would think it's a no brainer for moose to step up poundage if your shooting form stays the same. For whitetail it would definitely help but not needed in my opinion. I would do like Terry suggested and shoot some different poundages to see what fits you best. 44 to 55 is a pretty big jump. I would think somewhere in between would be perfectly fine. Whatever you choose make sure it's well tuned and sharp broadheads and you will be fine.

[Friend]

Moving up in draw may prove most advantageous while moving up in big jumps may prove most disadvantageous.

Five pound jumps are challenginging for many.

[dirtguy]

Friend and Buckeye make a good point. A five pound jump is a more manageable increment.  But not everyone has the coin to buy bows in five pound increments.  Takedown recurves are nice for this reason.  If you do move up by ten pounds - take Terry's advice and take it slow.  Specifically, don't let yourself acquire bad habits as you begin with the heavier bow - as soon as you struggle with form, end that practice session.

[Rick Richard]

10 pound jump can be too much for some folks. I have found myself going the other way where I control the bow now instead of the bow controlling me. I believe accuracy and consistency is much more important than heavier poundage and speed, but that is just my opinion.

[Bowguy67]

I was going to say 10 pounds is a big jump but it's already been said.
Maybe closer to 1/2 that might be a good compromise. Also depends on bow cause if you shoot targets with multiple bows at equal poundage you'll see some really drive an arrow in.
You can visually see the speed dif too.
Now should you go up? Season is close. Maybe for now being comfortable is key instead of as Rick Richard posted very well not having "You're bow controlling you!"

[mark Willoughby]

Agree with everything said thus far if I was going after moose or bear I'd want at least 50 # I started trad life over bowed 58# and it proved to not be my best decision... I simply just could not shoot the bow well and almost gave up trad completely I went down to 35# and shot lights out im now at 46# at my draw this has been over 4 years in the making for me personally all people are different try a bow at the weight you want to be at before
You buy one then you will know for sure..
No doubt the heavier bow will hit harder with a flatter cast .. but for deer I'd not hesitate to shoot at a buck of a lifetime with 44#        

Best wishes

[woodchucker]

I prefer not to get into the "weight debate" because personally, in my 40+ years of hunting, I haven't seen bow weight to really make much of a difference. I've killed deer with 40# bows, up to 55# bows, and everything in between. The important thing is shot consistency. The more you shoot a bow, the better you get. The better you get, the more confident you will become. If you have a good bow, and you shoot it well, why change?

[GladwinHunter777]

Thank you all for the input. After reading these comments, I do believe I will stick this season out with my current bow and bump up a little afterwards. I have a shop about 2 hrs from me that I can go shoot a couple bows at and determine what is the most realistic jump in weight for me.

[Sam McMichael]

My first bow was 45#, and it worked just fine. However, I ultimately wanted more. My first longbow was a 58# Bamboo Long Hunter I bought from Dan Quillian, which I probably shot better than any other bow I have owned. Later, I have shot 78#, 65#, and 53#. One you take the time to build up to a heavy bow, there is a certain sense of confidence that comes from knowing it has plenty of power. Just don't let that confidence replace the work to develop proficiency. However, it takes much time and practice to handle a heavy bow  effectively. You are probably wise to stay with your current rig for this season and then build up for next year. Go for it and have fun!

[LBR]

All else being equal, the way you'll pick up speed is by dropping arrow weight.  Same bow design, shooting 10 gpp on 40# (400 grain arrow) will get you pretty much identical speed as shooting 10 gpp on 50# (500 grain arrow).  Obviously it will hit harder, again all else being equal (including tune).  The big variable is you.  I used to be a dealer for a custom bowyer, and I always told folks "a double lung with 40# is always better than a gut shot or miss with 100#".

Another big consideration.  A 10# jump is a lot when you are shooting in the back yard all warmed up.  It can be HUGE when you have been sitting still for a while, cold and/or in heavy clothing.  It's a lot to consider, and you are the only one that knows what your limitations are.

[JohnV]

I would suggest going up about 5 pounds first and get used to that poundage before jumping much higher.  Bad habits may quickly develop if you jump up too much too fast.  It doesn't have to be expensive.  Buy a used bow and shoot it to build up your power and confidence.  When you are ready for the final jump, sell the intermediate bow.  You can probably get back most of what you paid for it.

[GladwinHunter777]

Thank you all for the wealth of information. It has been helpful! You guys answered questions I didn't know I had