Rant on bow choice. Elk hunting DW minimum?

[GMMAT]

I bought a Silvertip a few months ago.  It came with two sets of limbs.  Set one is 52# at my DL.  Set two is 58# (at my DL).

I'm much more accurate with my lighter limbs.  I've been shooting the heavier limbs for a month, now.  But the level of accuracy is reflected in my 3D scores.

It's made me think.....

With the new riser I have ordered (decided to make 2 bows), my lower # limbs will make a 50# bow at 62".  If I'm more accurate with this "bow".....would it be advisable for me to take this bow elk hunting in 2010?  Or....should I dedicate my practice time, between now and then) to becoming more proficient with the heavier limbs?

Should the jump up 6-8#'s be such a chore?

I think, after today, I'm going to drop back and shoot the bow I'm most accurate with....and dedicate my time after my deer season to trying to become AS efficient with the heavier limbs (if the general consensus is that 50# will be too light to take on my elk hunt).

[George D. Stout]

That 50# Silvertip will do the job on any elk.  I would work on getting the best arrow flight with that set and not worry about it.  Perfect arrow flight will do the job.

It really is up to you though.  Keep in mind, if the heavier limbs cause you to alter your draw, you have gained nothing.  Since you aren't going till 2010, give it a little more time, but don't shoot that heavier bow after you start to tire.  Shoot it only every other day, so your muscles will have time to recover and strengthen.

[GMMAT]

I appreciate the advice and the vote of confidence on the 50# bow.  There's no question I'm more accurate with it.  I'm thinking I'm going to go ahead and switch back to the lower # limbs for my deer season (PLENTY umph for NC whitetails) and pick the heavier bow back up when my season is over (Mid Dec).

That'll still give me plenty of time to work myself into the heavier set, next year....and a full 4 mos. to gain strength shooting the 50# (actually 52# with this riser) every day (currently).

My thinking (and you reinforce this) is.....accuracy is the main objective.  I was just hesitant, wondering if 50#'s (with the longer riser on order) was going to be an ethical choice.

[Guru]

To me, 3d "scores" really don't relate to real world hunting in that you're talking about making one shot count. Not the culmination of shots to get a final score.

 Plus you have a whole year to go, don't sweat it....you'll have time to get where you need to be if you work hard and "want it"...

That being said....when the time comes, go with the set-up you feel better about  

[Orion]

If your lower poundage limbs would drop from 52 to 50, would the 58 then also drop to 56?   I agree with Guru.  You have a year to work up to the heavier limbs.  Goodluck

[vermonster13]

Keep in mind also, being able to shoot the heavier bow accurately in the back yard when you are rested and breathing easily may not equate into the same results at elk altitude.

You have a load of time as said above. Shoot what you can shoot accurately with confidence and within state law for where you will be.

[ron w]

Work on the bow that you can shoot a heavy arrow the best.....build your confidence and you will be fine. Get close ,pick a spot, do the deed!!!

[John3]

Paul Brunner taught me this years ago,,, and it WORKS...

With your heavy limbs every night when you get home draw your bow 2" past your ear and hold for 5 seconds.. Do this 5 times every night.. You will be amazed after a couple weeks when you shoot the bow..

John III

[overbo]

I feel shot distance plays a major role.If you are confident in taken animals pass 30yrds and elk have a large kill area.Why wouldn't you work on shooting the heavy limbs for that extra horsepower one needs to take elk.You got the heavier limbs for some reason and more than likely a elk hunt is a good reason.Plus you have a year to work into them.

[GMMAT]

If your lower poundage limbs would drop from 52 to 50, would the 58 then also drop to 56? I agree with Guru. You have a year to work up to the heavier limbs. Goodluck  

Loer # limbs would go from 52# to 50# because of the new 19" riser (currently 17").  The 58# limbs would utilize the same 17" riser.  So they wouldn't change.

I'm gonna switch the limbs today, and shoot the 52's for my NC deer season.  I just need to make the right decision, fast.  We open in 5 weeks.  It's not like I'm terrible with the heavier limbs.....just not AS accurate.

Thanks for the advice and the equip. vote of confidence.

[COOCH]

IMHO shots out west tent to a little farther than we are accustomed to out east.I beleive on elk the average shot distance is 27yds.The heavier limbs should give you a faster arrow and help a bit with slight distance miscalculation.You have a year to get ready keep at it you'll get there.  

[Lost Arra]

>>The heavier limbs should give you a faster arrow<<

Assuming the same arrow is used.

If the heavier limbs are shooting a heavier arrow, gr per # draw wt, isn't it possible the arrows would be approximately the same speed? Just wondering.

Good point on the distance calculation. The much larger size of an elk makes it "look" closer too.

[Raminshooter]

I would not even worry about the heavier limbs and here is why:  (1) One of my hunting partners shot completely through his 6x6 bull elk one year using a 50# bow and 2214 arrows!  (2) Another hunting buddy has killed three elk with an all wood self bow of his own making.  He shoots cedar arrows at a whopping 150 feet per second and has still managed to kill three elk no problem.
It's all about where you put the arrow, not about how much speed or power you have.  If I were you I would shoot that weight that I was "most accurate with"!

[Orion]

Gmmat:  Seems to me you could also put the heavier limbs on the longer riser to reduce the draw weight a couple of pounds.  With two sets of limbs and two risers, you have four different bow/limb configurations possible.  Regardless, not talking big differences here.  Good luck.