What poundage limbs should i use for Elk .

[Bails]

I'm currently in the process of building up an ILF riser for hunting Elk next Fall , what Poundage limbs would you say is acceptable . I'm planning on using the TradTach longbow ILF limbs , I'm 27" draw , my current arrows are 563grns if that matters .

Thanks

Dave

[slivrslingr]

The heaviest you can comfortably and accurately shoot.  50# is typically the accepted minimum.  Getting your broadheads crazy sharp, tune your arrows perfectly and put an arrow through both lungs=making elk meat!

[Whip]

Originally posted by slivrslingr:
The heaviest you can comfortably and accurately shoot.  50# is typically the accepted minimum.  Getting your broadheads crazy sharp, tune your arrows perfectly and put an arrow through both lungs=making elk meat!

slivrslingr got it right.  Heavier is better, at least to a point, but if you are struggling to shoot a bow that is too heavy for you I can guarantee it won't be any easier with a screaming bull at 20 yards!  The most important part is "comfortably and accurately".

[Charlie Lamb]

I agree totally with slivrslingr and Whip. Elk are big animals and having "enough" bow is important.
"Most" archers can easily adapt to a bow pulling 50-55# and I think that's a realistic minimum.

Most states where elk exist have their own ideas about what is adequate so check the regs.

[FerretWYO]

Silver whip and Charlie laid it out for you already.

[Bails]

So if I were to get 55# limbs , I'd only just be scraping in with a 27"draw , that would only work out at 52# if I am correct . I'd be better going for the 60# limbs would you agree .

[STEVE R.]

I will tell you 55#'s at your draw length. I have friends that shoot at 27" and with that short stroke you need alittle power. I shoot 45#'s at 30". I see how they match up.I shot an elk with my set up, and it did the job. The arrow stopped on the leg bone oppisite side. No cut ribs,just cut flesh. So a cut rib will slow the arrow up. Just my opinnion.

[oxnam]

I would work up as high as you can go and still maintain a comfortable cold/first shot.  If it takes a couple shots to work out the kinks and get the muscles warmed up, you are overbowed.  If it is not comfortable on your first shot in your back yard, without layers of clothing, potentially cooler temperatures, and higher elevations you should spend more time building muscle and/or drop some weight.  However, the shot of adrenaline you'll get when it's time to draw will likely take care of any of that.

[Friend]

Exert from 'Broadhead Talking Points'

"If your bow is heavy enough, and your arrows weigh enough, then penetration concerns are greatly reduced, and using a larger broadhead makes a lot more sense. Most traditional hunters who can shoot a 550 grain arrow in speeds around 180-200fps have little concern over penetration. A 550gr arrow in speeds of 160-180 are borderline and I usually suggest a two blade broadhead for elk sized animals or bigger, and a three blade for deer or smaller."

[The Hawk]

If you can shoot the 60lbs limbs well, I think they would be a good choice. You might want to take the arrow weight up a little. Last fall I was shooting 58lbs, 613 grain arrow, 200 grain Woodsman Elite solids on a small diameter (30" Beman Classic 340) shaft at 185fps. I got 28" of penetration on an elk calf that was quartered away. The arrow stopped in the off shoulder bone. I also got a complete pass-thru on a good sized bull. Choose your broadhead carefully and make sure they are razor sharp.

[The Hawk]

And I almost forgot have a great hunt!

[Ragnarok Forge]

The weight you shoot most accurately.  More weight is always better if you shoot it well.

[beachbowhunter]

My draw is 27 and I've shot arrows through two bull elk with set ups as follows:

Zipper RC, 57@27, 615 grain arrow, approx speed of 180 fps

Gerlock double carbon LB, 54@27, 530 grain arrow, approx speed 185.

both used Stinger 150 grain BHs with bleeders. Both were broadside and passthrough. I personally wouldn't go lighter than my lighter set up.

[scedvm]

My hunting bows are all between 58-64# @ my 31" draw.  About mid-July I put away all my bows except for the one I plan to hunt with that year and then I practice with only that bow.  That is as much weight as I can comfortably and consistently shoot 40-60 arrows per day so that is where I stay.

[RUTANDSTRUT]

don't shoot anything heavier than the maximum weight you can COMFORTABLY shoot.  it is more important to have your arrows precisely tuned, shoot a heavy arrow with heavy foc helps a lot, shoot a broadhead which will maximize your penetration under less than ideal conditions, make sure your broadheads are scary sharp, and maximize your bows effiecency by using a lighter string, proper tiller, slick forgiving rest, etc.  shoot straight and post pics of your kill!

[cthorsman]

Practicing a variety of positions and angles. Around, over and under bushes and limbs. Uphill and downhill. Sounds like a fun summer.

You will know pretty quick if your weight is right. If it is too much it will mess with your accuracy.

Good luck on your hunt!

[sagebrush]

I would just get heavier limbs and work out a bunch to build up to them. It doesn't take that long. If you don't shoot much it will though. Your 27 inch draw is a little bit of a disadvantage so you need heavier arrows too. Gary

[COLongbow]

Wouldn't it really amount to not the weight of the limbs, but how fast a given arrow weight travels?

One 50 lb bow might shoot a 600 gr arrow faster than a 60 lb bow would shoot the same arrow, right?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the differences in modern bow design kind of makes a blanket statement about draw weight wrong.

[Bails]

Thanks for the help , I currently shoot a 52# @ 27" Kanga Bogan Longbow . So I'm gonna work my muscles upto the 57-58# that the 60# limbs will give me on my New bow set-up .
I'm using the German Kinetics / Silver Flame , but was looking at moving to the Woodsman 3blade .

[screamin]

Originally posted by COLongbow:
Wouldn't it really amount to not the weight of the limbs, but how fast a given arrow weight travels?

One 50 lb bow might shoot a 600 gr arrow faster than a 60 lb bow would shoot the same arrow, right?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the differences in modern bow design kind of makes a blanket statement about draw weight wrong.

I agree with you. I have a 50# bow that will throw a 601gr arrow at 182fps that I would not hesitate to hunt elk with.