Light bows

[Petrichor]

I'm trying to figure out that perfect balance of draw weight. I am perfectly capable of drawing a 65 pound longbow no problem, but I love shooting light bows. So here is the question those of you that use light bows. I am only hunting deer and small game what is the draw weight you find best for these purposes?

I like 50#. Just fits me well, and performs awesome on critters.

I also believe a guy should hunt with the most draw weight he can shoot well! I guess once you go over about 60#, it really don't make any difference though.

Bisch

[monterey]

I understand that liking the light bow thing.  I picked up a 34# recurve this evening and realized what a pleasant break it was to lighten up a bit.

[Shadowhnter]

Shooting light bows at big game, imo also means having to make up for momentum loss in lower velocity, with arrow mass.

Having said that, I shoot 44lb and 45lb bows @ 28", and they will zip an arrow right through a deer.

[jt85]

48 -50 pounds is my favorite weight. More than enough for deer and when I'm 60 my shoulders won't be give out.

[damascusdave]

I am 64 and shooting my age in draw weight...every individual is different

DDave

[wingnut]

I shoot 50 @ 30.5.  After neck surgery my doctor told me I could shoot as much as my body would let me but never over 50#.

It shoots a 600 gr arrow clear through a Alaska Yukon moose.  Well at least John did.  My turn this year.

Mike

[dbd870]

I'm shooting 46#; don't know what you consider light?

[Rick Butler]

I have quite a few bows in the low to mid 40's that I bought or had built. Due to some shoulder issues I thought I needed to drop some weight.  But I've found I get a much cleaner release with 50-52 lbs and I'm okay as long as I don't over do it.

[Scott E]

Choose the draw weight you can draw and hold for 60 seconds. It's not enough to to draw a bow you have to be able to dominate it.

I shoot 45 to 50 lbs bows and they work great on deer. Especially if you shoot one of the many higher performance bows available today.

[Red Beastmaster]

After taking 15 years to work up to 65#, then another 15 years to get back down to 45# I am at a draw wt I'm comfortable with. I have killed small game, deer, and a hog at my new "old man weight".

[starshooter]

The lighter you can go and live with the better the shooting. That being said if hunting game is important you have to triangulate . Things like center shot. Fast flite and bow design all comein to play.
As for myself 45 is the magic number & I shoot ASL Hill style bows.  
As I am getting older I keep thinking about 40 lbs
Might be more quality shooting experience. Thanks.

[MnFn]

64 years old. I like 50 to 55 lbs.  I hope to stay in that range.

Starting to shoot longbow some and have been shooting a 50# Liberty and a 53# Rampart. I don't want to go below 50#.

 I have taken a deer with a 40#, just want more oomph.

[BRITTMAN]

45-50 lbs has been doing it for years before I was even born .

[Captain*Kirk]

All my hunting bows are 45#. My target bows are 35# and 55# respectively. I have no issues with a 45# bow doing it's job on deer sized game.

[Bladepeek]

I believe in shooting the heaviest bow I can shoot well. For me that's a mid-40# bow. Would like to shoot heavier, at least for hunting, but my arthritis at age 75 is setting my limits for me. They work fine. Got total penetration on a 200# hog with my 43# RER and a good, sharp 2-blade.

[Bldtrailer]

Almost all my bows are 52@27 BUT when I have a form issue come up I go to my training/form bow that is 10 pounds lighter 42@27 after a few days I'm able to return to the higher pound bows shooting them much better. I also use this lighter bow for winter 3-D shoots

[elkhunter45]

I currently use a vintage Bear 50# recurve for everything. I gave my 57# longbow to my son. It is still at my house and I shoot it as my "workout" bow from time to time. It makes the 50# feel real light and easy. I have no problems with penetration with either. I shot a 63# recurve for a while and there is a difference in on game performance, but the ability to shoot all day for fun makes the lighter/mid weight bows my choice today. I really like 50# @ my 28" draw these days. I have plans on buying a newer bow before next year. It will probably be a 50# Bear SK with modern performance string capability.

[Petrichor]

Thanks everybody.

[Petrichor]

Originally posted by dahyer:
Thanks everybody.

You all are giving me a lot to think about for my next bow.