What poundage for a starter?

[saumensch]

Hi,

this is just out of curiosity and is no actual case.

What poundage would you recommend for a total newbie:
30 years old, no health issues, 6 feet tall, average stature, 28" draw; wants to learn shooting a bow, no hunting plans for now.

Thanks for playing,
Axel


P.S. For those wondering, i posted the same question on Ozbow and two german forums to create a national comparison because the subject recently came up and im curious.

[kodiakkid]

I would recommend a cheap starter bow around 35-40 pounds

[straitera]

50#.

[cyred4d]

I would also recommend 35-40 lbs. It gives you a chance to get your form correct and you can practice a lot more without getting tired.

[Drakho]

I would start low and change when needed...

a 30-40# bow helps getting the correct form.

[LONGSTYKES]

Around 40# bow @ 28", LB or recurve. Doesn't matter, though the LB is a little more forgiving. Start close to target and practice, practice, practice using good form.

[Friend]

The wt range choices are too wide for my preferences in recommending the 40-50 pound range for a newbie. The archer may experience much more difficuly, if he chose a 50#'r over a 40#'r.

My pic would be in the 40-45 # range.

Having stated my reservations, I will choose the 30 -40 pound range.

[Turkeys Fear Me]

Fred Bear recommended 35# for the average male.


 

[Night Wing]

I voted for the 30#-40# range. Lower weight equates to better form for a beginner which leads to better accuracy.

[Rob DiStefano]

there is no substitute for trying before buying, and this includes bow holding weight.

for a newbie, unless you have a good idea of your draw length and unless you have access to lots of bows, it will always be a crap shoot of sorts getting that first bow.

also, don't think what weight is labeled on any bow - that could easily be off by 10% or more.  this is where trying before buying is so important.

[Turkeys Fear Me]

Been shooting a bow for 40 years or so and I have NEVER heard anyone say " Dang,I wish I hadn't started with a bow so light."

On the other hand, I've heard the opposite hundreds of times.

[KumaSan]

I started with a 36# recurve, and then went with a 49# Bear. I'll never regret starting with a lighter bow, but then I was fortunate to have expert advice from an experienced PA state champion archer.

[Larry247]

45# should be fine to start with.

[Kyle Lancaster]

From someone who started at 70lbs (and developed bad habits), I'd recommend 40-45 lbs. Good luck!

[USN_Sam1385]

I started with 27#@28" so that my wife could shoot it with me. Eventually I will purchase her a nice 40# recurve, but this thing works fine for now.

[Eugene Slagle]

30-40# is a good starting point for a beginner to learn proper form, then as they progressed a heavier bow can be had. IMHO

[elknutz]

I'm a little older than you (Lots).  I started at 45. 40 would have been a better choice for me.

[BobCo 1965]

Since you mentioned no hunting plans with this particular bow, I would have put around 20-25#'s.

When I started with a coach after shooting for years with a 60# bow, he moved me to 8#'s for two months. After that I move to 25-35#s bows for about 4 months. After that I was back in the 50-60 pound range.

He basically made me relearn how to shoot a bow (and try to forget a lot of my past methods).

[Ringneck]

If no plans to hunt I would start with a bow 35 pounds or so. Get your form down good and then move up if you wish.

[dan d]

Hmmm..... Confusing feedback here, the majority of the poll shows heavier (43% light 57% heavier as of this post) but yet most of the posts say go lighter. I say go lighter based on the non hunting statement, that in my mind really swings my opinion to go lighter and learn the correct way. No real reason for a heavier bow except if you want to eliminate some trajectory ?