Where to go from #50?

[Biathlonman]

I've got a #50 bow that I love, and have been thinking of adding a second set of limbs.  So would you go #55 and work into them or go down to #45 for fun easy shooting.  Mostly a deer hunter, but like anyone I hope to chase larger critters in the future.

[drewsbow]

If you can handle the weight go up for sure , if you are comfortable with less weight go down .

[Thumper Dunker]

I would go up.

[njloco]

What's wrong with 50 or 45 ?

[Killdeer]

Why think of ordering new limbs if you can't think of the change you want to effect?

Killdeer  

[kbetts]

Dang Killie, you'd cause a guy to think!   Lol

[Frenchymanny]

Originally posted by drewsbow:
If you can handle the weight go up for sure , if you are comfortable with less weight go down .

x2

[bfrbmj]

Get both- cover all bases

[kawika b]

Originally posted by bfrbmj:
Get both- cover all bases

A voice of reason... and an empty bank account, lol.

[ron w]

What's your draw length, if your shooting 50# at your draw you don't have to do anything.

[Red Beastmaster]

A five pound move either way is not enough to spend the money on. You not only have the expense of the limbs but potentially a whole new set of arrows for the new draw weight.

 Whatever you are thinking of killing with 55# I am sure you can do it with what you already have.

That being said, I started with 45# and ended with 45#. It took me 25 years, a lot of bows, and a couple thousand dollars to work up to 65# and back down again. So don't listen to me!  

[tecum-tha]

If you want to hunt larger critters, then 60# is an all around good weight. And ten pounds is doable, unless you're 70 years+. Even if you get lucky in your own state's elk lottery, 50# is just edgy. Yes, you can kill with 50#, but elk have heavy bones and you really don't want to shoot at a big hog with 50#. All threads here about hogs show that 60#+ with 650 grain arrows penetrates about anything.

[Ryman Cat]

Maybe think about how old you are and hows your strength and health conditions holding up. If you have a desirable bow a set of extra just maybe around and if you don't then maybe it may be a waste of money for you and you could consider another bow either heavier or lighter.

Heavier or lighter limbs mean nothing killing wise its not the bow that does it its only delivered by the bow. Know you bows cast and if your arrows are matched and tuned to the bow your in good shape.

The lighter set of limbs you will enjoy more shooting a lot and the heavier limbs will cast the arrow more power but not that much increase.

You didn't say if you were thinking of the same length either you could go with shorter or longer and accomplish a couple things and you can probably add differant core materials to your limbs to speed them up also who knows it could be limitless and only you can deside that for yourself.

Also another set of limbs could totally change the look of the bow also depending on glass options or veneers again options other than weight changes and killing capabilitys.

Now you have a few more things to consider with limbs added but first I would consider will I be able to get any money back out of this or will I loose it and be gone.

If its a desirable bow the answer is mostlikley and if its not then you would have a hard time doing anything else with them and wasted.

Hope this helps.

Glenn / Cat

[Biathlonman]

I'm 32 and draw right at 28.  I think you all are right, i can already see running light, medium, and heavy arrows should be enough to keep me busy for a while.  Maybe i should save funds for more arrows and maybe help fund a hunting trip.

[kbetts]

Or another bow later on from the classifieds, but you've got the idea.

[TxAg]

45

[Sam McMichael]

Since you say you love the 50# bow, I will go out on a limb and assume you can handle it adequately. If so, you don't need to be especially eager to go up or down. String that sucker up and HUNT. This is a good hunting draw weight.

Going up to 55#, if that is your choice, may give you a slight edge in the hunting arena but could be a bit tiring on the 3D course or practice range, at least until you work up to it. (Just make sure you can still shoot with good form.)

Going down to 45# won't adversely affect your ability to hunt most commonly sought game, and it is more comfortable to shoot for extended periods of time.

If I were making the decision, I would go up. It is not usually that difficult to work up to 55# from 50# if your health is good. Just do so slowly over a period of several weeks.Can you shoot somebody's 55# bow a few times to get a feel for how hard you think it will be to get used to? If you think it is too much, then don't bother. After all, you do like the 50# bow that you currently have, so there is no real need to feel any pressure to change, unless you are like many of us and are looking for a good excuse to buy a new bow.

[straight_arrow]

You're the only one that can determine how much weight works for you. Shoot as much poundage as you can with comfort and confidence.

[JamesKerr]

If you can handle more weight and shoot it just as accurately as you can the 50# bow then by all means go up in poundage.

[Friend]

Just food for thought-

For example: Setting up a 47# Orion w/ACS RC limbs will have the comparable performance of numerous 54# range bows.