Draw weight help

[MTArrowLauncher]

Hello all,

I am going to be ordering a Black creek Siren T/D in the next two weeks or so, and i am going back and forth on what weight to get. i pull 28", and i will be hunting in Alaska and Montana mostly, but would love to bring it all over the place. So basically small game to mooseup close and personal. So my question is, what do the experts think i should get my bow weight to be adequate for large game? i know its a personal choice with a lot of variables including broadhead and arrow etc, BUT is there a suggested range for those animals? i am more than willing to work out and shoot a lot and build up to a little heavier weight if neccesary, i just want a clean and ethical kill with plenty of bow,

So what say you Tradgang?

thanks in advance

Fin

[Rob W.]

55# for me. Just feels best.

[Rick Richard]

I have been where you are at now and all I can tell you is if your bow weight is heavy, then you will fight being accurate with it.  If you can't hit with it, then the extra poundage is of no use.  It is better to have less poundage and be accurate. A well placed broadhead will do the job even at lower poundage.

[Bjorn]

Yeah, accuracy trumps power. At what weight are you comfortable now?

[MikeM]

I would start by looking at any regulations on minimum poundage required by law in the various states that you hunt. Then I would shoot what is most comfortable. As stated above accuracy trumps power - for me it is in the high 40's to low 50's.

[MTArrowLauncher]

the bow i shoot now is 43# and is not hard at all. i am 6'1" and a big dude, so i am thinking i should have no problems with 55#, but i didnt know if that would be good for Moose and elk, i see a lot of guys shoot 60#+ for elk

[Friend]

You are libel to be inundated with recommendations that span quite a range.

Note:  Black bears, Grizzly, Moose and up to eland are being cleanly harvested with 50# bows.
There are personal justifications for more and you need to justify your own draw wt.

Whatever you choose, be sure not to over-bow yourself, thus causing both you and especially the quarry you seek to lose out. Over-bowing has reduced the excitement, pleasure and desire for many a trad hunter.

[Orion]

I consider 55# about minimum for big critters like elk and moose.  60# if you can handle it. And, yes, I have killed each. Sure they can be killed with less if everything goes right, but it seldom does.

Folks who advocate light bows almost always suggest that it's better to be accurate than heavy.  I agree.  However, it's even better to be accurate and heavy.  I've seen a lot of folks who shoot light bows who can't hit the broad side of a barn.  Likewise, I've seen folks shoot heavy bows very accurately.  In short, I don't accept the assumption that light bows automatically make one more accurate.  Bow weight within your comfort range and practice is what gets the job done, and one's comfort range can be increased with practice.  Good luck.

[Ray_G]

I would suggest that you get an interim weight bow to work up to the 55 - 60#er.  Just like any other form of exercise, you will need to condition those muscles without straining.  I went from 43 to 50 to 58# with three bows.  

Being big or muscular doesn't seem to be the issue as related in a story I heard Gary Sentman tell.  He told of the time that he took a 120 or 140# Schulz bow (I think it was - been a couple years) and had some big body builders just try to pull the string back to full draw.  They couldn't but he went on to shoot the bow.  The "gym" guys were astounded but conditioning will be everything to get accurate and not be hurt, in my humble opinion.  Good Hunting!

[Jake Diebolt]

Agreed, Orion. The key is that the weight is not too heavy for YOU. You don't know until you try. Have you ever shot a heavier bow to see how it feels?

Question: Given that its a takedown, do you have the funds to get a set of lighter limbs and heavier limbs? IF so, you could get one set of 50 (not too much of a stretch from where you are now) and one set of 55-60.

[duncan idaho]

If you are training in any type of conditioning/weight program, 55# will be fine. IMHO, you should train for Traditional Archery like any other physical sport. A good training program will allow you to condition your shoulders/ rotator cuff and still allow you to shoot the poundage you want. Lack of physical conditioning means reduced bow poundage, more shoulder injuries and less shooting.

[BWD]

Pulling a traditional bow forces you to use a slightly different muscle group than most every day activities. Don't really matter if you are studly rock or girly man, you must develop that muscle group.

Sound advise by Ray_G.

[Swamp Yankee]

Some will argue 55# isn't enough for tree rats; but I think most will agree 55# - 60# is enough for Alaskan (a.k.a BIG) moose and the like.

[Swamp Yankee]

Originally posted by Orion:
I consider 55# about minimum for big critters like elk and moose.  60# if you can handle it. And, yes, I have killed each. Sure they can be killed with less if everything goes right, but it seldom does.

Folks who advocate light bows almost always suggest that it's better to be accurate than heavy.  I agree.  However, it's even better to be accurate and heavy.  I've seen a lot of folks who shoot light bows who can't hit the broad side of a barn.  Likewise, I've seen folks shoot heavy bows very accurately.  In short, I don't accept the assumption that light bows automatically make one more accurate.  Bow weight within your comfort range and practice is what gets the job done, and one's comfort range can be increased with practice.  Good luck.

Well said.

[dave19113]

For me its about 58# that I can shoot every day... I do have heavier bows which I shoot well but I cant shoot em all day long.

If you do want a heavy bow, there is nothing wrong with it but you will have to practice with it. That what I do, thats also why I have a few bows.....    .....its a scary addiction....

[YORNOC]

Great advice given here so far..Orion sums up my opinion.
  Just remember...whatever you can handle while practicing on the course/in the yard may not pull so easy after sitting 5 hours at 7 degrees.

[MTArrowLauncher]

Thanks for all the insight guys, i really apprecaite it. and Yornoc that is a good point, i could never sit for 5 hours, but a good point to remember anyway.

I spot and stalk or sit for short periods of time. ive never stand hutned in my life, i dont have anything at all against it, but its not real effective where i hunt in W MT so i just never have, and dont think i could.  

[YORNOC]

Much more fun to hunt your way, I dream of Montana and Wyoming every night.

[Joseph]

I have been shooting 64# for years and it has never let me down yet.  700gr arrows at 180fps generally don't have penetration issues and blunts hit hard enough to kill a lot of smaller stuff outright.    

[Gen273]

I think 51-55 pounds makes a great all around bow.