Heavy bows vs Light bows

[overbo]

Silvertip said it all,I did the exact same thing thinking I was going to gain more speed.If you want to shoot a 900gr arro at 180fps then go for it.The best thing about shooting 70+lbs bows.It got me in shape to handle 60-65lbs bows.

[mikecc]

Another thing to take into consideration is the type of 80# bow you want. A 80# 60" recurve is going to be a beast that's hard to draw and shoot, where on the other hand a 64" recurve will be alot easier to shoot because of the extra leverage. A hill type bow in the heavier weights and 68" in length isn't too bad either. But take a serious look at some of the newer designs and materials being used by some bowyers today. There are carbon limbed hybrid and recurve bows out there that will shoot as fast as a heavier glass limbed bow with alot less draw weight.

[Mike Byrge@home]

Draw length comes into play too.  There are many trad shooters who shoot say they shoot 60# and yes there bow is marked 60#, but they are drawing 2-3" less than 28".

I shot 60# plus bows for several years then got interested in lower-weight, target type bows and over time my draw-length went up over two inches.

I've maintained that draw-length with my "hunting weight" bows and I bet the 50's@29 bows I  shoot now,  shoot same weight arrows faster than the 60's@28 bows I used to shoot.  Of course I was lucky to get back to 27" with those bows.

[SteveB]

Silvertip - there are some methods and training drills that will help you clean up your release with the lower wght bows. Amazing how much better you can get to shoot the heavier wghts when you get a cleaner release.

Steve

[longbowman]

Curveman, I couldn't agree with you more on the old guys still shooting good weights.  To answer the original question I still say that you can probably work in to any weight you want to a point.  Like somebody already said, everybody has a physical limit.  I could shoot double 3d rounds with my 80# revurve or longbow but move up 5# and I'm cooked.  Anyway, I'm 54 and tore a rotator in my left shoulder twice but was back shooting my 80# within 3 months.  Shooting big bows won't ruin your joints but shooting any bows incorrectly will.  A couple of frineds of mine (husband & wife) are in their late 60's now and she's maybe 85# soaking wet and she still shoots 55# at her draw length.  There's never going to be a concensus on what's the best but there should be one on the fact that nothing is in stone and you will be the ultimate decision maker on what you shoot and there is no such thing as the right weight or wrong weight and all the other "facts" that you may hear, just have fun.

[buckeye_hunter]

Dave,

The following is just my opinion.

I agree with not over-doing it.  For N America 50-55 lbs will be plenty enough for anything here.  Some will argue that "just enough" isn't ethical, because you may make a bad shot and leave an animal wounded.  I see that point.  

However, if you are a terrible shot with the heavy bow it is pointless.

For instance; If you don't hit the animal at all that pretty much ='s zero penetration.  Furthermare, if you have excellent penetration, but it is on say the knee joint. Then you get a three legged animal that may or may not survive.

Shoot a bow that you are accurate/confident with and has a nice sharp broadhead at the tip of a heavy arrow.

You'll be in good shape.        

Also think about the material a bow is made from;

A 70lb selfbow may shoot a given weight arrow at 150 FPS.  Then, you get a modern recurve at 55 lbs with the same arrow and it too shoots 150FPS.  Which was better the light or heavy bow?

-Charlie

[WidowEater]

Excellent argument.  THe rule should be to use the absolute heaviest bow you can draw and hold and hunt with well.  If it happens to be an ultra high efficiency ACS thats great.  If your bow of choice is a BBO then go with it.

[Don Batten]

Here's my take on heavy bows, though with my limited experience, it should be taken with a grain of salt.My first trad bow was 62 lbs. I was comming over from wheels and shooting about 85lb's then (1989). I shot it pretty good and managed to kill 3 deer my first season. Then my next was a HH at 72lb. Again I killed some deer with this bow. For the past 3 years Ive gotten more into 3d shooting and dropped down to as low as 38 and this year 47. I know I can , for 40 shoots in a row shoot 47 better than 70, but I just came in from shooting my 69lb recurve at my 3d targets and I only shot 10 times. 10 kills from ranges of 10 to 25 yds. I guess my point is that I can shoot heavy just as accurate as light for a few shots. Thats why I practice and hunt with hevier than I shoot 3d. Truth be know (I may get shunned for this) the older I get the more I enjoy shooting 3D than hunting. You can sleep in and you always gonna get at least 20 shots when you get there. DB

[SilverTip]

Thanks steve after hunting season is over this year I'm going to start working on it. I've bought a few 50 to 60 pounders and I shot a few of them this summer. If you have a link to the drills I'll be sure to check it out. its amazing how heavy bows can hide stuff like that, I shoot them pretty well but it just hurts. I'm gonna miss the sound of those 2219 with a 250 gr head hitt'in the boiler room.  

                 Billy

[Langhorn]

I think it was you batman that I was talking to at Siss this past weekend about this very thing.  I shoot three different recurves, 48#, 55#, and 65# Fox High Sierras.  Without a doubt I can shoot more accurately with the 65# bow.  It is so much easier to "get off the string" with the heavier bow so to speak.  I can hold the 48# bow back and settle purty as you please but my release is my weak point and I really struggle with accuracy.  The heavier bow just seems to be more crisp for me and it is just as comfortable to shoot.  Just my two pennies.

[Dave Lay]

Daddy bear  thats good stuff.. thanks

[frassettor]

I use a 58# longbow....With a razor sharp head....works for me, so I dont feel that I have any reason to go higher in poundage

[JEFF B]

dont over do it shoot the poundage you can handle.

[fingers]

I made a ipe backed with rock elm longbow in a pyramid design. It pulls 65# at my draw of 27". I just love it! At 64" it is right at the sweet spot that fits and any less poundage feels, well, less crisp. I can't say you should pull all you can manage but I do think that your bow should personally fit your strength and draw. That little bit of "umpf" at full draw is not a bad thing. With adrenaline it keeps you grounded.

[Overspined]

I'm begining to think I have a decent release...I am more accurate with a little heavier bow just because the arrow drop is affected less...BUT, I can only shoot it for a little while and am TIRED!

[BLACK WOLF]

IMO...the number one rule regarding bow weight for hunting is to use a draw weight that you can comfortably handle while maintaining good form, can produce a good release and are accurate with it at you choosen range.

If you struggle at all and start developing bad habits...you're really only hurting yourself in the long run.

Just about any bow that draws legal draw weight with a well designed sharp broadhead will kill any animal we hunt here in North America.

If my friend can kill an elk with a selfbow that draws 50lbs. at 26" with an obsidian point...I'm not overly concerned with heavy bows...even though I like to shoot 'em.

Do what's right for YOU!

Ray