Bow weight and accuracy?

[bowslinger]

I remember reading an interview with Fred Bear in which he stated he drew a 65# bow because if he shot a bow of lighter weight, his release wasn't very good.  I have a similar problem, but guessing mostly due to poor form and release.  When I shoot lighter weight bows in the 40 to 45# weight, I have a terrible time getting a consistently clean release.  I come to anchor point easier, but find I tend to pluck the bow string.  When I shoot 55 to 60# draw weight bows, my release seems to be much cleaner.  I am not strong enough to really pluck the bow string with the heavier bows.

I personally feel that if I could master the release with lower poundage bows, my accuracy would increase with heavier bows as well.  I feel as though using heavier bows to achieve a clean release is not addressing fundamental issues with my form and release.

In the end, it is what works for you.  If you can hit what you aim at, that is all that matters; form and release be damned!

[Babbling Bob]

I agree with staying in the game.  Hope to be shooting a 2013 30lb Kodiak in a week or two I bought for my family to use while minor hernia surgery in December is healing. Glad I have it.

[Longbowwally]

I shoot lighter weight bows better. I'm more in control of release timing than I was with the heavier weights - i.e. I decide when to release not let the bow weight limit my hold time....For me that perfect weight is between 40 - 45 lbs...others can handle more weight comfortably but that is just what works for me...As far as release I have gone down to 30 lbs with no problems - I use a Yost cordovan tab and shoot 3 under so that may help...Find what works for you and don't worry about the rest....

[Skates 2]

I can't shoot light bows well either, I feel like cupid!  Playing make believe!!!

[OkKeith]

Just like everything else in single string archery.. it's all about what works for whoever is shooting the bow. I do think there are limits of diminishing return on both ends (for most shooters). I am most comfortable with a bow from 50-55#, but with a 31" draw length I am probably getting more like 57-65# depending on the bow.

First consideration is what is legal (talking about hunting bows here). Most states have a minimum draw weight restriction, so there is the basement. Usually 30-40#. I think we could agree that 80# and up could be considered HEAVY+, and that if you don't train for that weight or shoot it regularly you are going to have a hard time with it. So... if 30# is the basement and anything above 80# is in the attic that leaves us with the 40-60# bows "in the middle". Everything is a trade off. Shooting lower poundage can give some folks better control of the shot and (if they choose to) hold at full draw to meet their physical and mental requirements... BUT shooters of lower poundage bows have to be aware of greater arrow arcs and the greater need for considering their arrow weight to be efficient with the kill. Shooting the HEAVY+ bows can provided flatter arrow arcs or allow the hunter to use very heavy arrows... BUT shooters of HEAVY+ bows need to train for those draw weights and be aware of what shooting those bows might do to their body. I think the "societal" shift to lighter bows has come along with the increase in shooters using target style aiming processes. The lighter bows facilitate aiming and a completely vertical bow.


Like Mike suggests in his original post, I also get a better release from bows on the heavier side of the middle. Whether it is from a basically poor form of release or just where my comfort zone lies I'm not sure... but that's just the way it is. I don't feel any different when I shoot lighter bows, shooting a bow is shooting a bow. I am more accurate with a heavier bow, probably due to the nature of my release and the 45 some odd years I have been shooting them. That's just where the "brain grooves" are.

For me, it's all about the result. What tool provides the best opportunity (if the shooter does their job right) to make the arrow go and do what it needs to.

OkKeith

[Dave Lay]

I’m with you, I’m currently shooting 58 lb and 55-60 lb bows just feel better and my accuracy is better than with lighter bows. I’ve honestly felt your supposed to feel some weight when shooting a bow. I shot 60-65 lb bows for 30 years with no issues, A few years ago I also had 2 intestinal surgery’s pretty close together and it took me a while to get back, then I’ve broken both bicep tendons a year apart and recently had prostate surgery but through all that and at 66 years old I still shoot a little heavier bow better than a light one. Plus I love the way a 600 grain arrow out of that bow works.

[OkKeith]

Geeze Dave! Your nickname should be Ironman!

I am always uplifted to hear about folks who have been able stick with their passions in spite of rough times. Next time I hear a young person whine about how hard it is to shoot a recurve or longbow I can say.. "Hey! I know of this guy..."

Keep on keepin' on Dave, and drag the rest of us with you.

OkKeith

[Dave Lay]

Keith I’m just really hard headed and love bowhunting.
I’ve never been one to do anything just because it’s easier unless that way proves to be truly a better way.
     I also believe your correct on the guys using different aiming techniques and lighter bows to accomplish this. I think a lot of it also comes from people transitioning over from compounds and carrying over the vertical ( not canted) bow and not really holding any weight at full draw. I’m old enough to have started with a trad bow then having a very short trial of one season with a compound back in the early 80’s but it just never felt right. There’s nothing wrong with shooting a lower poundage bow, I just don’t shoot one as well, but I started at 16 shooting a 53 lb Darton recurve then spent a big part of my hunting with bows in the 60-65 lb range so that’s all I really know other than trying lighter bows because everyone else was shooting them , then finding them just not for me, as said above we are all different.

[mnbwhtr]

I, too, seem to shoot  better with bows in the 60+ range. Last year I had a quadruple bybass  and had to start shooting light weight bows for a while, I couldn't hit anything. By hunting season I had worked up to 56# but it still feels like a rubber band and I'm all over the place. I hope this year to get back to 65# and see what happens. Maybe it's just old age.

[Longbowwally]

Its interesting to me how much better I shoot lighter bows but others here find the opposite to be true for them....I think there are a lot of variables involved that could cause this difference - strength being one - but I would be curious of the guys who said they can't shoot lighter bows as well if they are 'snap' shooters...i.e. don't really hold at full draw very long....I have a definite draw process and usually need to hold at full draw at least 4 or 5 seconds before the internal trigger says 'release'...

I was exclusively trad for about 20 years so the theory of coming from a compound doesn't apply to me - and during those years I shot 50 - 60 lb bows...The lighter draw weight making for better accuracy for me light bulb went off when I bought a 40 lb. bow to 'form' practice with and found how much better I shot it. Then I went out and shot a buck with it and found out it also performed well on game...

Find what works best for you and you will be a better hunter for it...

[Wheels2]

Most of us that shoot heavier poundage require more practice.
I find that a good thing, but I you don't have the time, then something lighter may be needed.  Despite what some will tell you, I have always found that heavier bow weights are an asset in hunting.  Just not when you take it too far and cannot be consistent with it.  Likewise, shooting a 35# bow because it requires little practice is not desirable either.  For me, 46#-50# seems to be about right.  I can still shoot close to 100 arrows in a session and with the bows that I shoot, arrows of 425- 475 grains still give me 185+fps.

[Bill Turner]

I also shoot heavier weight bows better due to a cleaner release but still not real heavy. Anything below 45# just doesn't feel right. I do believe that accuracy with lighter weight bows would improve with dedicated practice. I'll stick with what feels best for now.

[Ulysseys]

Interesting time for me to come across this thread as I’ve been having a buyers remorse “Oh No!” moment with a 48# Pronghorn I just bought. I’ve always shot around 60# but seeing SO many people tout the benefits of lower weight and their hunting success with it I finally pulled the trigger on the 48#er. Since shooting it this week I haven’t come close to being accurate or even coming close to finding an arrow that matches it, everything shows a weak spine and my shots are all over the place.  Tuning and accuracy are definitely things I’ve never struggled with but today I started to think it was the weight. Not sure what I’ll do, I love Pronghorns but I can pick up my 60# longbow and go back to easy shooting instead of struggling with the 48#er, guess time will tell.

[OkKeith]

Bill-

For me, my poor form and such are exaggerated when I shoot a lower poundage than I usually do. It's all me I am fairly sure. Not saying that's your situation but I think the lower poundage really shines a light on where my form could be improved. A less than "crisp" release is forgiven with a heavier bow I think.

Stay with it, I bet you can wrangle your shots back in with practice.

OkKeith

[blacktailbob]

Try shooting that light weight bow w/o a glove and it'll feel heavier real quick.