45# for whitetail deer?

[upnorthbacon]

I'm sure it's been covered, but I couldn't find it.  I'm currently shooting my dad's old 54# 28" longbow and I'm shooting about 30" draw.  It seems to stack really bad and I get tired really fast.  I had a martin jaguar 50# I sent back, didn't care for the metal riser.  I was looking to order another budget recurve, maybe samick or greatree.  I didn't necessarily feel the 50# martin was too heavy, but I want to be able to shoot tons of arrows without getting tired.  I notice I get sloppy after shooting 15-20 arrows.  I've fallen in love with instinctive shooting and want to practice all I can.  I was thinking of buying a 45# bow that I can shoot a ton without getting so tired.  I also don't really want a takedown bow, I like the one piece traditional style better.  Would a 45# bow be enough to kill a MI whitetail at 20yds max?  Or would I be better to just keep practicing and building up my strength and going with a 50# bow?

[Blackstick]

A 45# Bear is what I hunted with last year and it’s a real joy to shoot.

[adeeden]

45#'s is plenty.

When your getting "sloopy" (tired) your developing bad habbits. You will be much better of with a lighter bow.

If you continue to shoot a bow that is too heavy for your practice sessions you will, at best, develop bad shooting habits or, at worst, hurt your shoulder. 45# is plenty for whitetails.

[sweeney3]

#45 is plenty.  Use good sharp heads and place your shots well (read: practice and take shots within your accurate range) and it'll do the job just fine.  Use heavy arras too.

As on other threads, check out a Bear Kodiak Hunter.  My personal favorite.  And there's usually a lot of them around for a reasonable price.    

[dave19113]

YES YES YES as stated above.... I use a Bear Kodiak Magnum 45# 52"..... get a sharp BH and go do it....

[huntnfool62]

45# is definately enough and if you are indeed pulling to 30 inches you can add about 5 to 6  pounds to actual draw weight. Most shooters that come from the compound world dont actually shoot their compound draw length it is usually shorter . But as with any hunting it is shot placement that counts put an arrow through the boiler at 20 pounds and it will do the trick ! I'm not advocating 20 pounds mind you it's just important to hit where you aim . I personally shoot the heaviest I can shoot accurately and comfortably ,so that marginal hits have a better chance of doing the job !
good luck and as always
Practice Practice Practise !!!
Huntnfool

[59Alaskan]

I hope so!

[30coupe]

My 46# @ 28" (my draw length) Kanati will blow through whitetails like paper! A 45# bow drawn to 30" should be around 50# actual. The longer stroke also adds some zip. How far do you want the arrow to stick into the ground after it hits the deer?

A good, sharp broadhead, with a total arrow weight of about 500 or so grains, from a 45-50 pound bow will do the trick on just about anything in North America.

[upnorthbacon]

Awsome, that's what I was hoping to hear, thanks!

[Bill Carlsen]

My wife shoots 45# @ 26". She hit this deer in front of the right hip and got penetration thru the opposite shoulder....two holes, short trail and the deer was down in 5 seconds. She also used a 3 blade Razorcap and it did a great job.

 

[Zradix]

Hope so...

44# at 27" 150 fps with 540grn

[Bowwild]

You bet. Shot clear through a doe Sept. 11th with 46 pounds at 25.5" draw. She ran 52 yards and dropped. The Helix broadhead.

[tarponnut]

45# is plenty(especially since you are drawing to 30", 51#?).
I would look at a used Bear or Martin (or other) one-piece, can't go wrong with either.
My buddy killed a 220# hog with his 45# Martin Mamba, got full penetration,too.

[DennyK]

45# is more then enough. With the lighter poundage bows you can draw ALL the way back to your anchor instead of leaning your anchor toward the bow.

[Bill Carlsen]

Historically, when I was a kid in the 50's, the most common bow weight was 45#. If you look at the auction site you will rarely find a vintage bow 50# or heavier. They did a good job back then and with improvements in design and materials today's light weight bows are really much more efficient than the bows of 50 years ago.

[Crash]

In the last three years I have killed 5 deer and 1 big hog with bows from 44 to 46 lbs at a 28" draw.  As stated earlier, the 2 extra inches of drawlength you have increases the power stroke even more.  Sharp broadhead on a clean flying arrow of a sufficient weight and you are good to go.

[Friend]

Would it be enough to say that 45#'s is more than enough or that 1000's of deerand even larger game have been harvested with 45# or less.

An effective complete arrow design will pay much greater dividends than going up a few pounds.

[beetlebailey1977]

Use a good sharp cut on contact broadhead and 45 lbs. is plenty.

[ArrowAtomik]

I've taken many deer with 43# and never a problem.  If you have a true 30" draw, I'd say you'd be good down to 35#.  A long draw adds a lot of energy.  I'd still stick with cut on contact 2-blades myself.