New to archery!

[AngelDeVille]

Hi all,

I got a bow for my 9 year old son last fall, and Santa brought me a bow for Christmas.

I'm shooting a #40 @28 Ragim Matrix, which I have since outgrown.

My draw length is 30"

My son is shooting a #20 fiberglass bow. He's left eye dominant so he's shooting lefty.

I'm looking to get a #50 or more Omega Longbow for my next bow. Not sure how high I need to go for draw weight, but I'm looking to use it for turkey, hogs, deer, elk, and oryx.

We should be ready for turkey this fall, and maybe some hogs in between.

[USN_Sam1385]

Welcome.

50# is a great weight for a longbow. You can use it for all of the above animals with a sharp broadhead.

The biggest thing to focus on is accuracy, and a bow with less poundage is going to be more comfortable to shoot and will therefore drive you to shoot it more often, which will translate into you becoming much more accurate.

Welcome to the show. Lot of good info around here.

[AngelDeVille]

Thanks,

just yesterday I shot a used #60 @28 at the local shop, it was difficult to keep accurate after the first 10 shots, but I could see getting used to the draw weight after some practice, I think I'm a little afraid of being underbowed, but you aren't the first person that has said #50 will be good.

Maybe I should listen....

[wooddamon1]

Welcome!    

[Richie]

Welcome, at your 30" draw a 45# @ 28" bow should be just right.  

[bowslinger]

It's hard to get over the concept of "bigger is better".  I second a 50-pound bow first. If you become comfortable with it, you can move up in draw weight.  Too bad Ragim stops at 40# on the limbs for your bow.  Have you looked at Sage recurves?  You can buy extra limbs for Sage bows up to 60#.  Good luck!

[Converml]

Welcome aboard

[KentuckyTJ]

Welcome from Kentucky!

All my bows are in the 50-52lb range at 28". Will do just fine on anything in North America you would like to persue.

[kennym]

50# is plenty for deer sized critters, I shot nearly thru the biggest bodied buck I've taken last fall with 45#. Arrow fell out on first jump.

Welcome and enjoy!!  

[buckeye_hunter]

Fred Eichler has taken every animal in North America with a 53lbs at 29 inch draw recurve.

That said, shoot the bow you are most comfortable AND accurate with, whether it is 100 pounds of draw or 40.

[Drewster]

My 45# Ben Pearson Cougar scales out at 52# with my 30" DL.  The Omega is a fast shooting bow, so if you were to get a 50# @ 28", you'll probably be shooting at 55 or 56#.......more than enough for your hunting needs.  A 45# Omega might even serve you very well and allow you to shoot more often and more accurately.  Talk to Kegan about it.

[59Alaskan]

Welcome!  Great job getting your son involved.  I hope the two of you have many great memories through archery and hunting.  

My $0.02 - arrows put where they need to be kill game.  Shoot the bow that you can do that with the most confidence.  You could easily kill every animal you list with the 40# bow, especially at your draw length.  If you move up I wouldn't move up any more than ten pounds at a time.  Five would be better.

[USN_Sam1385]

Another thought. You will find a lot less machoism in the trad community. Many compound shooters have a 70# draw because it is an ego thing. Trad is a whole different ball game. Noone will judge u for the weight u shoot. If you go 60# you will probably wish you went 50. With that said some guys shoot heavy bows with ease. I can shoot a 70# bow if I want but I dont enjoy it nearly as much as 50 and I dont think the critter thag just had an arrow go through it knows the difference.

[AngelDeVille]

Thanks, guys, it's good to hear common sense over my ego!

I talked to Kegan and he's going to tiller a 66" longbow at #50 @28. That should cover the ego a little too, with my over draw.

The next quest is arrows, I'm thoroughly confused on the different MFG spine measurements.

The local shop had some with a 4 digit number I think 5573? They were going to give me $90 trade in for my Ragim bow, and that would almost cover a dozen arrows.

Another chart said I should use .330 to .370, and I'm looking at 125 field and broadheads.

[huntmaster80]

If u are dead set on 50# I think you are gona want something in the 500 spine range with more the 125 gr up front. I shoot a 51 pound Kanati with a 500 MFX with 50 gr insert and a 200 grain point. But that is just me doesn't mean u need that much weight???

[BSBD]

50# is probably enough for everything and plenty for the next year until you can put in for the draw.

Good luck on Oryx with a longbow though, they're tough to kill and very tough to get close enough for a good shot.

[AngelDeVille]

I'll just come over to your house and shoot one off the back porch!

[BSBD]

Angel,

No Oryx near my house just a few mulie's occasionally but I didn't draw a deer tag this year. Looking forward to elk in September as always.

[AngelDeVille]

If you know any ranchers with hog problems, let us know!