How many of you shoot 70# or more?

[Sixby]

I would love to post pics of some of my bows but I am not a sponser and don't want to start out here violating any rules. I just  found this site and its pretty neat. My compliments to all here. Oh and Hello. Steve

[Justin Falon]

For years I have shot my 90# Hill and 94# Schafer.  Anymore, because shots on whitetails are almost always under 20 yards, I rely soly on my 85# sinew backed osage bow.  It's short, it's fast, and it's quiet!  It's also not for everyone.  It's all in what ya get use to.  Handshock and stablity may mean more to some folks, but a bow is a bow and this is what I shoot best.

justin

[links0311]

I would like to build up to shooting a 70-75# bow. This may be a silly question, but do you find a difference between a 70# longbow and a shorter 70# recurve?

-Links

[Str8Shooter]

links0311,
  I think that is going to depend on the bow mainly. 70# is 70# but how the draw cycle builds can really affect how it feels. A nice smooth bow will make increasing in weight easier than a bow that starts to stack up towards the end.

One thing I prefer about a longer bow at higher draw weights is less string angle on the fingers. I owned a nice 58" recurve that was fast, smooth, and quiet but at my draw it tore my fingers up. Other bows I owned that were longer and heavier did not, so that may be a consideration in selecting a bow.

CS

[Mark Baker]

I have a few bow that are 70 to 75 lb'ers....and I  shoot them just  fine.   Hunted for 20 years or more with  that weight.  Since I started building wood bows,  and  getting  older,  though, I find myself liking around 65 lbs.  Don't  see  a  whole  lot  of  difference, and  since  I  don't shoot marathon sessions anymore,  I can  still shoot the heavier  bows fine.

[Precurve]

I'm most accurate with a 72-74#.  Much below 70 and I need to think too much about having a smooth release.  Much above that weight and I have to think too much about pulling the bow back.

[longbowman]

I appreciate all of the input from you guys.  It's obvious that I'm not alone in my shooting.  Several comments mirror my own findings in my shooting.  There is a physical limit to what anybody can shoot.  I can shoot all day or shoot after sitting in the cold bundled up with my 80# longbow.  Give me 85# and I can work into shooting it but it literally eats me up.  As for getting old I guess we all have a definition of what that is.  I'm in my mid 50's and I'm sure when I start getting old something will change that won't allow me to shoot the weights I've grown used to but until then I thank God for my health.  And that one guy who said we're all hulks (or something to that affect) you're right about me any way.  Both my son and I shoot the same weights and we tip the scales at a whooping 145-155 resepctively.  It's just what you want to shoot and what you want to work in to.  Anything less doesn't make it bad.

[Dave Pagel]

I shot 70+ for quite some time, but all the years of baseball and racquetball have taken a toll on my bow arm shoulder.  I don't know how much the archery contributed to the problem. I am now bone on bone and have to take cortisone shots every four months.  I don't know if I will ever get above 60# again, but at least I can still pull a hunting weight bow.

Dave

[M60gunner]

I also like heavy bows. For some years my bows where 70-80+ lbs. Now at 62 years I find my 65lb. longbow and 60lb. recurve enough. I do agree that a heavy arrow from a heavy bow is a winning combo on game.