Why all the lightweight bows!?

[Ulysseys]

There are so many good deals on bows that I've always wanted to try but it seems like nobody shoots over 45# anymore.  Are guys actually hunting with bows in the 43-45 lb range?  That's barely over the minimum for whitetail in many states.  My 3 bows are 57, 58, and 67#, maybe it's time to scale down some

[dragonheart]

Many people are shooting better more efficient arrow set ups with lighter bows and obtaining adequate penetration.  That is my take on it.  Higher FOC and shooting heavier arrows.

[Kip]

Born in 1950 shot wgts. up to 60+ now almost 67 I like 50lbs.May happen to you also.Kip

[old_goat2]

Originally posted by Ulysseys:
There are so many good deals on bows that I've always wanted to try but it seems like nobody shoots over 45# anymore.  Are guys actually hunting with bows in the 43-45 lb range?  That's barely over the minimum for whitetail in many states.  My 3 bows are 57, 58, and 67#, maybe it's time to scale down some

[Red Beastmaster]

We traditional archers are an aging group. The average hunter age keeps going up too. Lighter bows keep us in the game.

I just came from the Baltimore Bowman shoot where I noticed a couple walking sticks on the bow rack outside the clubhouse.

[Ulysseys]

Kip I'm more along the lines of trying it now....I'm starting to think a mid 40s bow would be a pleasure even though I don't struggle with the weight I currently shoot.

[David Mitchell]

We're all getting old(er). You'll see one of these days.         :D

[SCATTERSHOT]

I don't hunt, but at 70 I can't handle the weight any more. Lighter bows are just more pleasant to shoot.

[crazynate]

Research some testing done by Fred bear and a few others throughout the years.  Sam fadalas book explains it we'll in detail. I was shocked to read myself how a 60 # bow is only not that much more efficient as far as power.  I hunt with bows 43-55# and never had issues.

[Etter]

Im 34 years old. Been a heavy weightlifter my whole life. On a good day I can bench 300lbs for 8-9 reps but heavier bows still limit the amount I can shoot without shoulder or tricep tendon issues. My go to is a 57 lb widow but Im not buying any more bows over 50lbs. Just no reason to. A 610 gr arrow will go through everything I need it to.

[bear bowman]

I've been shooting trad on and off for years and never managed to get very consistent. I finally swallowed my pride and went to 45# bows. Now I'm consistent and shooting better than ever. I've also gained quite a bit of draw length as well.

[Bowsage]

I thought I was killing deer with a 40 lb bow, after a number of years I checked the weight ...35 lbs.at my draw length.

[WVbowhunter]

Lately I've been shooting my 44# bow more than anything else, mostly because I can hold it for longer, aim easier, and with a 500 grain arrow I'm still getting 180 fps which is more than enough for whitetails and the occasional black bear. It's also much more friendly to my fingers than my 54&60# bows.

The other thing is that the bows we are shooting now are often more efficient due to the materials used in their construction, their design and arrow components, FOC etc. You can shoot through deer all day long with 40#, or even less.

[Charlie Lamb]

Yep! Explains why so many are paranoid about arrow weight and broadhead design.

[Charlie Lamb]

Yep! Explains why so many are paranoid about arrow weight and broadhead design.

[Terry Green]

Hmmmm....some need to run some numbers and do their own tests.

A 45# bow will NOT have the same power as the same model bow at 60#s with the same grains per pound arrow.  Run the numbers...they don't lie.

Shoot what you shoot best but don't diss heavier bows as less effecient....that dog don't ever hunt.

[Etter]

Arrow and broadhead matter most. I shot a 200plus pound black bear several years ago as it climbed down a tree. Arrow entered just in front of the rear haunches and exited through the sternum. 2" wide tree shark went the entire length of the bear, passed through the sternum, and sunk into the red oak she was on. Bow was probably 50lbs at my draw

[Terry Green]

Actually accuracy is most important... and it doesn't take much to get through a deer or a black bear ....they're both just grocery bags full of shaving cream with a few Tinker Toys and one ball joint... just don't hit the ball joint cause you're not guaranteed to get through that with any bow or Broadhead.

Either way that still doesn't mean that heavier bows are not more efficient... run the numbers

[ron w]

Age and target panic has made me go lower in poundage. But when I shot the bear in my avatar with a 45# bow and he was dead in 10 seconds after a complete pass thru.......     all the proof I needed.