40# Bow for Training and Targets

[Whitetail Chaser]

I have been shooting bows from 53-60 pounds for 15 years, but recently I've thought of getting a light bow (40#) for form practice and target shooting in the spring and summer.

Does anyone shoot a 40 pounder for practice and then beef up to their hunting bows before fall?

I know this violates the "shoot only one bow" rule for consistency, but it does give me a reason to buy another bow! LOL!

Thanks for any opinions.
Brett

[Orion]

The shoot only one bow "rule" for consistency is pretty much a myth IMO.  I shoot about the same weight you do for hunting.  Don't have any 40#ers, but do have one a little under 50 that I sometimes use to work on form. A fella should definitely have more than one bow.  I say go for it.  40# is a pretty big drop though.  Might want to stay in the mid-40s.  It will feel pretty light by comparison to what you are currently shooting.  Good luck.

[Builder]

After shoulder surgery, I purchased a 42# bow from Norm Johnson (Blacktail) that I started shooting regularly. Every now and then I would throw on my 60# limbs and shoot them, didn't shoot a bit different, I just couldn't shoot them very long without suffering severly. By the way that fall I hunted with the 42# limbs and shot completely through a very large body nine point buck in WI that took three guys to load in the truck.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I have a few bows ranging from 35-55, I shoot them all.

[beachbowhunter]

After I hurt a disc in my neck, I picked up some 43# limbs for my Zipper to rehab.  What it did do besides building back some lost muscle mass, is help me clean up my anchor and release. Nothing shows flaws more than a light bow.

[mmgrode]

I like light bows for form work. I am currently shooting a light-for-me bow (55#)to get my form down, but I train with heavier weights than I expect to be using.  When I shoot the heavy ones without loss in form I build up strength and the lighter ones feel easy. Cheers, Matt

[Chris Wilson]

I shoot 40# for 3D, then bump up to 47-50# during hunting season.  There's usually an adjustment period in my shooting, but it it doesn't last long.

[jeff w]

Shooting a lighter bow than what I hunt with has helped my shooting out greatly.   The lighter bow lets me know when I don't get a clean release, I can have longer shooting sessions, and I can concentrate on my form more.   Also shooting the lighter bow helps 'ingrain', what a good shot should feel like to me using proper form while shooting my hunting bow.  For me it has been a big help.

[ron w]

Bought a 40# RER recurve to help my beat target panic. Liked it so much that I just got a 40# kabekona longbow. Both bows perform beyond what you would expect and have helped with form and improved my shooting problems. I hunt with bows that are 51#-59#.

[nightowl1]

I'm thinking about doing the same thing... i love my whisperstik but need to work on my form. I have a 47 (at my draw) pearson but the grip and feel of the bow is so different I'm thinking about finding a used whisperstik. Even with the different grip I always shoot my heaver bow better after a few shots or sessions with the lighter bow

[guspup]

I hunt and practice with my 50 # longbow. But often I work on my form, with at short range with my 25 # bow, without a finger tab. I think it really helps with the 'feel' of shooting.

[gregg dudley]

I think that it is a great concept.

I have been shooting my son's 41 pound Treadway Black Swamp a lot lately and I love it.  I have also been shooting 20 pound Genesis bows with the kids during NASP practices.  My form has improved a lot!

[bmb]

i am shooting a 42# martin hunter for 3-d and i might even use it on turkeys...but for most of my hunting i use a 47# hoyt gamemaster2....some adjustment is needed but not much. the martin shoots faster b/c of the arrows i use (410grs)..the hoyt uses 525gr arrows:) good hog medicine!!

[Whitetail Chaser]

Thanks for all the input.

Brett

[Bmac]

I just picked up a Predator Classic with 3 sets of limbs, 42#, 49# and 52#.  The 42's shoot great and I can shoot all day with no complainig from my bad shoulder.  I'm also working on consistency of anchor and release.  I'll switch over to the heavier limbs before season to get them dialed in.

[Herb Calvin]

I've been shooting a Bear Black Bear 40# Bear Black Bear for several years. Of course I only hunt small game. It's my only bow. Kills whit I want it to.

[DJTJR]

Have a 38# ACS one piece that i got here love it for form work and just about everything else.  It lets me focus on my form and shoot a lot more quality arrows before getting tired

[Slasher]

I have  42# and 55# Toelke whips... But just recently acquired the heavier one... Deer don't know its only 42# as 3 have them taken with pass throughs... Epic 600st with 200 grn heads...

None lost, but actually got the bow for turkey hunting, but it felt so good I put away the recurve... just love the bow... however, a light bow makes the release much more critical as at that poundage the string doesn't pull as hard, so a good tab or glove is more of a necessity..

[jonsimoneau]

My fiance got a bow that pulls 30 lbs at my draw weight.  Been shooting it a lot while working on form.  I think it is difficult to work on form with a hunting weight bow. Much easier with something light.

[Billy]

I've got a 35#'r that I love to shoot and it "forces" me to concentrate on FUN!!
 I learn more by just doing.
I shoot more, I hit as much but, shooting the lighter weight is just more fun.
My "deer" bow is only 47# and I can shoot it a lot, and I love shooting it.
The FUN factor is the key for kids of all ages,IMHO!!
I say, 'go light, have fun, shoot more, and enjoy the flight of arrowS...'