Thoughts on 47# for Elk??

[Conner Parry]

I have killed a few elk with #47 recurves and longbows. I use a fairly light arrow and have experienced very dea elk. I think that a great weight for hunting big game. Just shoot them in the middle and you'll be just fine.

[fnshtr]

I was typing and didn’t see Matty’s Post until after I posted. He is spot on.

Again, good luck!

[Hud]

Shoot the best flying arrow with a sharp broadhead, and you will be happy.  I would recommend paper testing with field points first, the link shows you how and what to look for. When you mount the broadhead be sure to spin test, for a wobble. A lot of guys can make nice arrows, Paul makes great tapered arrows.

  http://elitearrows.com/proper-arrow/

[ChuckC]

It still comes down to two things.... speed of projectile, and weight of projectile. ( OK, there are others,like sharpness,mechanical advantage etc,but those have nothing to do with the bow).

I worry about low weights for hunting.  Sure a .22 can kill a bear, sometimes.  

But.....if your 45# bow can kick a heavy arrow out as fast as a 55# bow can kick out the same weight arrow, facts are they are equal.

We have the knowledge and the skills and the equipment.  Going solely on bow pull weight is really not the best way to measure performance and suitability for any job.

[Dave Rice]

Originally posted by YosemiteSam:
47# @ 28" is likely the same bow as 50# @ 29".  And 50# @ 28" is the same bow as 47# @ 27".  

While that could be the same bow, the added draw weight of the longer draw and the longer power stroke combine to yield dramatically different performance.

Years ago I chronographed the arrow speed of a 55# @28" recurve (drawn to 28") and my 52# @ 29.5" longbow (drawn to 29.5") shooting the same 630gr ash arrow--the longbow (Treadway Black Forest) shot a slightly faster arrow.

Of course, that's just one anecdotal data point, and is only intended to show that, as another poster said, it's not just about draw weight--arrow flight, arrow weight, broadhead choice, draw length, are all important performance factors.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Originally posted by modr:
He's asking a simple question, why not just help him out with an answer, or don't respond to his question at all, Ray

Hear,hear!   We were all new here once.

[laserman]

Good post Biggie.

[pdk25]

No better time to learn about the search function than now, then.  If you don't like my post, then ignore it. I posted links for him to look into. That is more useful info than you( Biggie, Ray, and Sid) have posted in this thread.

[Frenchymanny]

I missed reading your hunting stories Biggie

F-Manny

[pdk25]

But in considering my earlier posts, I probably should have been more cordial and considered that the fact remains that there are likely new archers with new experiences with a bow of similar performance that have taken place since the previous threads and could add additional information.  Any future posts on similar topics will only mention in passing that there may be more information available through the use of the search function.

At a 3d event a fellow younger than me showed a bunch of pictures of the the elk he shot with a 51@26  longbow.  When asked about penetration, he showed the pics of entrance and exit wounds.   I had a bow exactly like his exactly like mine except mine was 13 pounds heavier.  I suggested a trade, since I had other bows if I wanted to shoot an elk and he just had the one.  He would have no part that.   The broadhead can make quite a difference if penetration may be a suspected issue.   If in doubt shoot something like a Schulz Hunters Head.

[Basinboy]

Your setup is plenty good enough sir.  Shot placement is critical with any bow.....
My bow is 47#@26”  and I killed a nice bull with it. My arrow was 535 grains with a Magnus Stinger 150gr  2-Blade Head and a 100gr brass insert.  Best of luck!

[MnFn]

Last year in preparation for elk hunting, I asked Allen Boice of Liberty Bow what his thoughts were on this topic.

He thought I would be fine with my 50# bow. But he could tell I wasn't convinced.
He didn't want me to buy a new bow for potentially one hunt so he sent me his personal 55# bow, same length, same model.

In shooting both bows (with appropriate arrow for each) I found the 55# bow penetrated my target only 1/4" deeper than the 50# bow. But, all bows are different.

At some point, reducing weight will get too light and I don't know at what weight that is.

Personally, I don't want to be marginal so the two bows I bought this year are both 55# with my Stickflinger having a set of 49# back up limbs for the future. And a Liberty longbow, of course.

At 65 years old, it does take effort on my part to shoot 55# bows, but I think it is worth the it.

[Doug Treat]

My 6th trad elk was taken with a 40# recurve and 630 gr. arrow with a 2 blade head. 20" of penetration on a quartering cow. Heavy arrows from light weight bows work great if you're ok limiting your shots to closer ranges

[Doug Treat]

I shot that arrow with the 40# bow through a chrono at 140 fps. Slow, but deadly.  BTW, Fnshtr and I shot our elk about 2 days and 1/4 mile apart on the same hunt.

[savage1]

If everyone used the search for every subject there wouldn't be much of a forum would there.

Check state regs on bow and some have arrow weight minimum as well.
Beyond that choose your shot wisely because it maybe the only set up you get.