Bowing up

[Bullchaser1]

I know there is a lot of talk about dropping bow weight, and I don’t hear much talk of building up in bow weight. While I don’t shoot “ heavy” bows, both my bows are about 65#, I do think it is good to shoot as much as comfortable and try building up.  The benefits of flatter trajectory and better penetration I think are worth it. Kind of like practicing shooting at long distance(80,90 yards etc.) so that 30-40 yards is quite comfortable, does anyone else shoot bows 10#-15# heavier than their hunting bows to build up their bow muscles? I’m not condoning shooting deer at long distance, but there are times when a follow up shot may be needed beyond a normal shot distance, or a heavy bone is hit.
J

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Yes and yes. I shoot better with bows 60-65 lbs than 50-55 lbs. I guess the expert guys would tell me I have form issues, but it works for me. There will be enough time to shoot lighter bows when I get older. I’m also going to Alaska moose hunting every year right now, and I like the heavier bow, heavier arrows, and big Snuffers.

R

[Bullchaser1]

Yes I know 2 blades penetrate etc. but I’m a 3 blade guy for everything. Not to be confused with being over bowed, but rather building up. Always trying to improve 👍🏻

[Mike Bolin]

I think the "trend" toward lighter bows for a lot of us doesn't have as much to with strength as it does with "structural" issues!  I am starting my 70th trip around the sun and my bow shoulder (and my doctor) tells me to drop bow weight. You can definitely train your way into a heavier bow. Maintaining your rotator cuff tendons and deltoids will go a long way to being able to shoot safely for many years into the future. Take it from someone that didn't do those things. Just take care of your shoulders and enjoy shooting! Just in the past 3 days, I've been in contact with 4 bow shooting buddies. One is in his mid 50s and is getting an MRI on his shoulder and possibly scheduling surgery. Another one, also in his mid 50s is doing PT and hoping to avoid surgery. One in his early 70s is building himself up after a reverse shoulder replacement and another in the same age group is scheduling an appointment with an ortho doc to see what is wrong with his shoulder.

[Orion]

I dunno.  A lot of folks have shoulder and other joint problems as they age, often because of injuries or repetitive use at a younger age.  I wouldn't necessarily attribute it to shooting a bow.  I've been shooting for about 70 years now, including bows in the 65# range in my 30s through 50s, and no shoulder problems.  I injured my left/bow shoulder when I was in my late teens, and it does make a lot of noise now when I shoot, and when I do a lot of other things, but it doesn't hurt or limit my shooting in any way. Now one of my knees and hip are another story, but I can't attribute that to bow shooting either. So, I say, if you can do it, go for it 

[cacciatore]

I use to practice at home with 60# bows and I hunt with 5# less. I don’t want to go more than that because I really shoot hundreds of arrows everyday having my range at home and also indoor at night🙄. But I think its a good thing to practice at short range to work on the form, so when it will be the moment of the true everything is easier.

[mgf]

I know there is a lot of talk about dropping bow weight, and I don’t hear much talk of building up in bow weight. While I don’t shoot “ heavy” bows, both my bows are about 65#, I do think it is good to shoot as much as comfortable and try building up.  The benefits of flatter trajectory and better penetration I think are worth it. Kind of like practicing shooting at long distance(80,90 yards etc.) so that 30-40 yards is quite comfortable, does anyone else shoot bows 10#-15# heavier than their hunting bows to build up their bow muscles? I’m not condoning shooting deer at long distance, but there are times when a follow up shot may be needed beyond a normal shot distance, or a heavy bone is hit.
J

Well but....As the bow gets heavier doesn't the arrow tend to get stiffer and heavier too? All else being equal shouldn't comparable weight of arrow per weight of bow draw yield similar speed and trajectory? It'll hit harder but I don't know why the trajectory would be much different.

 

[M60gunner]

I for one considered building up in bow weight as part of the challenge of archery. That was back in the early 70’s. Being somewhat in shape 55# bow wasn’t a challenge so I opted for a 65# bow then up to 80#’s for awhile. I did two exercises. One was just ordinary pushups. Every morning and evening. Another was using my bow coming to full draw then letting down in 10 second intervals. I believe we’re guys screw up is trying to do more in a single session than their body can handle. I used to take a day off about every 3rd day or find an exercise like walking to stay active. Of course not everyone is built to handle heavier weight bow but I always went with “shoot the heaviest weight bow you can shoot accurately “

[Bullchaser1]

A stiffer arrow doesn’t mean it’s heavier when shooting a carbon arrow. There are 340 spine shafts that are 7 gpi and also 340’s that are 12+ grains per inch. With that being said, I like shooting around 9 grains per pound of bow weight. I’m not saying I’m right, but it works for me. It doesn’t take much bow weight to zip through deer/ turkey/ bear. I do like the weight for elk and bigger game though.

[JR Chambers]

I only shoot 53 pounds. I took me a while to build back up to it after a shoulder surgery 6 years ago and a 3 level cervical disk replacement a year ago. I shoot it good and I shoot it about everyday. I don't need to go any higher. Just shooting it everyday keeps me able to pull that. I don't want to chance going up higher because of my surgeries. I am going to go moose hunting this fall but have killed a moose with a 48 lb bow so I know it will work.

[mgf]

A stiffer arrow doesn’t mean it’s heavier when shooting a carbon arrow. There are 340 spine shafts that are 7 gpi and also 340’s that are 12+ grains per inch. With that being said, I like shooting around 9 grains per pound of bow weight. I’m not saying I’m right, but it works for me. It doesn’t take much bow weight to zip through deer/ turkey/ bear. I do like the weight for elk and bigger game though.

Sure but most are going to shoot at least 8 hr/pound for hunting.

[Possum Head]

I’ve heard from many that a heavier bow’s string seems to come off your fingers smoother and lately I’ve found that to be the case after switching from one to the other.