Todays's Experiment (CORRECTION)

[The Hawk]

Went over to pick up some supplies from Mike at the Nocking Point and started shooting some of his used bows through the chronograph. My bow, a B/W PCH 55lbs at 29 1/2", shoots a 613gr arrow at 177fps. Mike's Wild Horse Creek long bow draws about a pound less and shoots only about 4 fps slower. What surprised me is that going up 10lbs in a Bob Lee recurve only increased the  speed about 5 fps. All shots were with my 613gr arrows.(some apples and oranges I know) But, it got me wondering just how much advantage there is to a heaver bow???

AFTER TALKING WITH MIKE I REALISED THE BOB LEE BOW IS 70LBS AT 32". I AM ONLY PULLING IT TO 29 1/2". ABOUT 61 LBS AND THE LIMBS ARE NOT REACHING FULL POTIENTIAL, SO, RESULTS ARE NOT VALID! (BACK TO THE LAB).

someone had a thread here recently, that stated it didnt matter the weight of the bow. if you took a 40 lb. with 9 grn.p.p. and 50 lb. with 9grn. p.p. they would aprox.  shoot the same speed....??  

[Doc Nock]

Question:
Wouldn't you have to have perfectly tuned arrows for EACH bow to really get a decent speed comparison by draw weight?

When GT first hit the market, they showed some super High Speed video of arrows noodling all the way down range... burning energy and speed---(compared to "their" carbon), but I would think that a poorly spined arrow would do more of that then a well balanced one to the bow it's being shot from...

[Swamp Yankee]

arrow30,
Assuming the example in the post is correct, the gain is in energy delivered.  40# @ 9 grn.p.p = 360 gr arrow, 50# @ 9 grn.p.p = 450 gr arrow.  If they both shoot at the same speed, the heavier arrow will deliver more energy and have better penetration.  Shoot that same 360 gr arrow from the 50# bow and the arrow will shoot faster.  Hope that makes sense (?).

[Brett Wilmore]

You can get good speeds with just about any combo that is tuned right.  My wife shoots about 20 lbs (24" on her 32 lb recurve) but with a 1416 weighing well under 300 grns she is up over 170 fps!  Of course, she won't be taking an elk with that setup, but it allows her to compete in 3D or field.

[Friend]

You are currently shooting quite a potent set-up up to deer sized game even with a three blade. Many may be pleased with you current set-up for both elk and moose.

Much depends on the game you pursue, your own personal form and/or ability to handle certain draw wts. as well as your own confidence. I doubt seriously that Byron Furgeson would shoot ~40,000 rounds/yr at 70#s if he didn't have the need.

Could be a big advantage and could not be one at all. You need to define what you specifically want to achieve. access what it takes to get there and determine if it is practical. You may even find that you are positioned where you wish to be.  

Best of luck!