My Turn....

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

 With all the threads on shooting and hunting with lighter weight bows I just needed to make my own mind up about them. Like my opinion amounts to a hill of beans but here it is anyway. I have always shot mid and fairly heavy weight bows 55-65lbs normally and always with arrows 600-800 grains. And I like many have about seen it all over the years , dealt with target panic and injuries and so on. But at the moment all is good with no issues no injuries and my 57lb longbow and heavy arrows are getting the job done just fine. Just wanted to see how the lighter side lives for myself and make my own decision on it. So I got a Galaxy Ember longbow with 35lb limbs ( scales 42lbs at my 30in draw ) and some 500 spine arrows and started this experiment.
 And all my experiments involve hunting so check back on here and see how it turned out. The 500 spine arrows I got off here used and fit the bill for the bow , with 125gr points they are 420gr total. But I can shoot up to a 200gr point also on them and they still hit where I’m looking. Shooting the bow seems effortless and I can definitely see an advantage in that aspect of a light poundage bow. Seems it’s just as fast as my usual set-ups so no problem with that. I have a 50 target range in my front pasture and my shooting is no better or worse with the light bow. I like to anchor and hold when I shoot and I can hold this thing for a long long time if needed ( actually kinda fun ). So far the only hold back is thinking it’s just a girly bow with not enough rear end for hunting. So off hunting I take it to see if it gets a pass or fail , I’m just back home from a 4 day hunt with details to come..

,,Sam,,

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

 I know light bows will kill and have been doing so for a long time I just have never done it or know anyone that has. I am a fan of hard hitting arrows and big broadheads and good blood trails. To be honest I would never have thought I would enter the woods with a 40lb bow and a what I consider a toothpick 450ish grain arrow. But all you guys light bow talk got me thinking about it..
 We ain’t getting any younger and I figured one day I might have to drop my bow weight or if I get hurt again ( have torn both rotators left and right ) a 40lb bow should be ready if needed. And being ready means tested and rigged and ready to hunt...

Galaxy Ember longbow 42@30
Easton 500 carbons
GN quiver
Broadheads 125-200gr

My issues are with thinking the penetration ain’t going to be to my liking , I know it won’t compare with my normal gear in this area. Also having to tell people I’m shooting a 40lb bow , responses go something like oh want me to hold your purse while you shoot. The lighter arrows are they as durable as the heavy shafts I normally shoot ?? Will shooting the lighter bows make it harder to shoot a heavy bow ?? Will I start painting my nails and start to like shopping more if I keep shooting the light stuff ??

,,Sam,,

[A Lex]

Will I start painting my nails and start to like shopping more if I keep shooting the light stuff ??

,,Sam,,


Darn it Sam, I just laughed at that end bit and managed to spit a mouthful of coffee all over the computer 

Best
Lex

[ausjim]

Sam, good on you for putting this up so others can share in your experience. I know I'll be following with interest.

As far as your ego goes, maybe keep this in mind. In the Aussie outback we have an expression by which to judge our fellow man, "The bigger the hat, the smaller the ... farm".

And hey, you could look for some stuff by Jason Wesbrok, one of the resident shooting contributers to traditional bowhunter magazine. I'm pretty sure he usually hunts with something around the 50# mark and has been a real ambassador for accuracy over weight for hunting arrows. I'm not sure if I read that in the mag or maybe on their forums. But by all accounts he's quite a shot!

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[Roy from Pa]

Prime example is myself.

I'm pushing 71 years old, 165 pounds soaking wet.

I've had 3 heart attacks, have two stints in my major artery, and been through rotator cuff surgery.

But my 42# girly bow has planted quite a few deer.

[Terry Green]

Don't worry Sam, I won't let your having fun get this thread turned broadside.

 

[Hopewell Tom]

Those "good old boys" don't really want to hold your purse. Not that you have one, of course, that would be a murse…

I don't think it's your bow weight that determines your manliness, it's about how much you can drink!


45 pound bows seem to be quite effective.

[TIM B]

I'm always in for a Sammy story.  I droped down to a 50# bow this year and have to go see a ortho dr about my shoulder Friday.  Not sure what I done.

Roy- come inside when it's rainin and ya won't be soaking wet.
Tim B

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

I understand this has ruffled some feathers and I guess that’s ok , my post is not an attempt to get folks mad. I guess my attempt at humor will not go over for everyone. If you will follow along as I finish and read my final thoughts on it you can sleep easier tonight.

 And I could really 100% care less what someone thinks of me or the bow I shoot weather it’s 40lbs or 70lbs , they can go kick rocks as far as I’m concerned..


,,,Sam,,,

[Eric Krewson]

I used to shoot the heavy weights and pull around 60# with my favorite bow and companion for the last few years. The last few times I shot it my neck protested for days. I started shooting lighter bows and the neck quit acting up.

Like Roy I am 71 and had to have my back, shoulder and lately a hernia fixed, all of which took something away from me. I am sure I will no longer be able to shoot my favorite bow and will opt for some lightweight ones I have .

[The Whittler]

No matter what the weight it's still a bow and can kill. I find with arthritis and as my age goes up my bow weight goes down  as long as you enjoy it have fun.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

 I was and still am one to make the hold your purse comment and will continue to be me but that’s just how I am. The bow tuned in good witch is for me a visual thing until my arrows fly like lasers ( insert get more people mad here ) I don’t paper tune or cut down shafts. I adjust brace and tip weight and nock point to get things right and it has always worked for me. And so happens I can shoot 125gr and up to 200gr points with great arrow flight. With the speed of the bow I don’t notice any change in shooting from my other bows. A few weeks of shooting really has me happy with the bow and I know I can put the arrow where it need to go. It took me a while just to get used to the string feeling , was like I felt I could not get off the string. I shoot a deep hook and have a hard anchor and hold at full draw ( another get people mad here ) to me that’s control of the shot. Not saying you have to hold at anchor to shoot good just saying you should be able to do both. To me complete control of your shot is a must I can snap shoot or hold at anchor for 30 seconds if I have to. I believe controlling your shot is the total key to shooting a bow well and being a happy hunter.
 
 In my opinion if you can’t draw back and hold if needed in a hunting situation you are doing yourself a disservice. Not saying you have to just saying if you say you can’t do it cause you just don’t shoot that way I say your not in control of your shot. One of the best shooters I know has no pause in his shot soon as he hits anchor it gone and he regularly kick my tail shooting. But he can also hold at anchor if needed and shoot with the best of em. I’m still on the light bow subject so stay with me here...

,,,Sam,,,

[David Mitchell]

Sam, I'm loving this!  I don't know why some people like to get their panties in a wad over how somebody else chooses to shoot and enjoy this sport.  I have dropped in draw weight recently doing the Jim Casto TP program and have essentially the same set up you have--Galaxy Ember longbow, 35# limbs giving me the same weight  you are getting with yours at my 30+ draw.  I will follow this post with great interest.  I'm glad the derogatory comments of some don't get to you.  Of course, you could always just take a Sharpie and make your bow 70# 

[jonsimoneau]

Sam, for what it’s worth, I’ve always shot around 53 pounds for whitetails and have even used that same weight for big critters in Africa with no trouble whatsoever. This past spring I decided to get serious about rebuilding my shot from the ground up. I got an ILF riser and a couple of sets of limbs. Started shooting 35 pounds while I reworked my shot. Slowly moved up to 40 pounds. Have never shot better. Then I put on a set of limbs giving me about 44 or 45 pounds at my draw. By now it was getting close to hunting season so I also was regularly shooting my 53 pound Habu recurve. After months of testing, there was no way to deny the fact that while I was shooting my 53 pounder very well, I could shoot 45 pounds better. I decided to hunt with it. I did not get the opportunity to test it on a big mature Illinois buck this season but I’ve shot 2 does so far and I’m both cases the arrow was sticking in the dirt after zipping through the deer. I still think more weight is better if you can shoot it accurately so I’ll be working my way up in weight but if I would not feel the least bit concerned with 40 pounds for whitetails. I’m shooting a 500 grain arrow and a 2 blade head.

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

 I did not get to read the comments before they were deleted but anyone if free to send me a PM with any comments they have. I’m a big boy and can handle it good or bad , like I said this is how I see it. And like I said my opinion is just that mine not a end all be all just my thoughts....

 I sure don’t agree with everything I read on the internet or everything I hear from others. But I try and figure out what works and what don’t and I expect no one to take what I say as the final answer...

 Along with shooting the light set up I noticed I can shoot longer sessions without shoulder pain and fatigue. And honestly I’m thinking my accuracy is a little better the more I shoot it. Going to start keeping score on my 50 target course and see if that’s true or not. It is much easier for me ( for me ) to achieve good form with the lighter bow. That being said I still shoot my heaviest bows just fine just can’t do it all day long. The light bow is just a pleasure to shoot kinda like a guilty pleasure that you do but know you shouldn’t.....

,,Sam,,

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

David I am going to get a white marker and change the 35 to 85 , that way no one will want to shoot my bow......

,,Sam,,

[Cyclic-Rivers]

 

[DanielB89]

David I am going to get a white marker and change the 35 to 85 , that way no one will want to shoot my bow......

,,Sam,,

[ron w]

Looking forward to see how this comes out after you hunt with it for a bit. I do know that the bear in my avatar was shot with a 45# girlie bow.
 The bear didn't know it and was dead in 10-12 seconds.........complete pass thru. I think you maybe surprised.  

[the rifleman]

40#s is plenty for whitetail.  This is all I use and can tell you the reason---my accuracy with this weight bow is consistent.  I can shoot this bow all day and not hurt myself so practicing is a daily thing for me.  A great shot with 35# trumps a bad shot with any weight any day of the week.

I get a kick out of guys shooting higher poundage bows and not getting anywhere near their face at release.  Not really much to be gained by pulling a 60# bow back 24 inches.