Whatya know, Fred Bear was right....

[Arkansas Osage]

Of course he was, but I never realized how right until tonite. I watched a fred bear interview one time where he said he always shot a heavier poundage bow because you get a better release and everything else works out better. I always thought that shooting a heavier bow would over bow me and make my accuracy worse. But tonite I pulled out my 55# @ 28" hickory longbow and started shooting it to train my muscles to shooting a heavier bow. I draw to 26.5" so this makes it right around 50# for me. I've been shooting 45# @28" (40# @ 26" for me) bows so the step up in 10#s is fairly significant. At first my accuracy was worse, but I'm a snap shooter mostly (very slight pause) so in order to strengthen the muscle more with each shot I started holding for a count of 3, and on 3 I would release. After 5 sessions of shooting 17 arrows each session at 20 yrds in 3 hours my accuracy had gone from all over the place to some much tighter groups. I still had arrows spread out of the target, but I was consistantly placing arrows in a 12" circle. Usually I cannot sustain any accuracy when holding at full draw, but with that heavier bow I got better, cleaner releases and was shooting more accuratly than I ever thought I would when holding at full draw.

[monsterbuck]

Seems I shoot heavier bows better to. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

[edge2009]

I really started debating this tonight while shooting. I shoot a 38# longbow and have a hard time keeping everything uniform. I often wonder how much of a difference I would get if I bumped up to a heavier poundage.The # is not a threat, I've shot 55# ish recurves for awhile.

My first longbow however happen to be 38#, I think I'm starting to regret that.

[daveycrockett]

Originally posted by monsterbuck:
Seems I shoot heavier bows better to. Thanks for sharing. God bless.

Me too.  

[m midd]

Funny.. I got my hunting bow off the rack today and shot 20 arrows. Its 63# @ 28" and i shoot it like no other.  I bumped or hit my hanging practice golf ball almost every shot.

[Ground Hunter]

I shoot at least 70lbs - never had a release problem - even with a deep hook.  There are many advantages to a heaver bow - but they take commitment.  Mine nags me every day.

[Hopewell Tom]

Good thoughts and comments here.
Dang, might have to get another bow...

[moleman]

Being one who shoots heavy, 60- 80 lbs, I find that I am more consistent because it forces me to properly use my back and shoulder muscles.
When shooting bows of light weight, I cant get the proper back tension, because I find myself just using my arm and bicep muscles to draw it back, which in effect causes poor form.
Im not advocating heavy, just my personal experience.

[longbowman]

I shake like a cat crapping razorblades with anything under 65# after shooting 70-80 for 40 yrs.  I grew up with Fred and his advice and began as a kid going as heavy as I could shoot.  Now that I'm in the 60 and over gang I just stick with my 72# Bear T.D. and I'm happy.

[Roger Norris]

I experimented with light bows (50-51#) for awhile....I have started selling them all, and have gone back to 60#. No more release problems.

[JamesKerr]

I shoot a heavier bow better as well. I can get a little sloppy pulling anything under 55# and seem to always pluck the string.

[RecurveRookie]

"I'm with you fellas!"......Delmar, Oh Brother Where Art Thou

I think everyone shoots well with a bow that makes them work just a little.  My release is better with the heavier bow, and it just feels right.

Now, if I am overbowed (been there a lot), then I can't shoot worth a flip, because I will pluck like Harpo Marx!

[Sam McMichael]

I also like the heavy bows, and feel my release is cleaner. It is true that you do have to shoot regularly to stay in condition to handle it well, but if you practice consistently, it is not really that big a deal.

[dragonheart]

For a hunting shot, under pressure and adrenaline, a heavier bow can be just the ticket...

[Sharpend60]

Im in this camp.
My lightest is 57 at my draw.

I also have moved to lower GPP.
If a 50 lb bow with my arrow weight can get it done. My 57 lb'er sure can, with a flatter trajectory.

I think that lighter bows test ya but a heavier bow gets it done.

[Bruinbow]

My Bear TD is 60# and I do well with it , my long bow is 52# and if I am having a bad day that will show it first . I have 45# limbs for my TD and I shoot not so good with it , quite often my arrow flight will cork screw with that set up .

[Archie]

I shoot my lighter bows well, but my heavier ones are less squirrelly, somehow, and as long as I'm not over-bowed, I shoot the heavier ones better.

[Kentucky Jeff]

blind bale
blind bale
blind bale
blind bale


back tension
back tension
back tension

Get the BT right and most everything else will fall into place including your release.

[Jeff Strubberg]

You can shoot a heavier bow better i you are fighting certain problems with your shooting form.

Just be aware that the additional bow weight is a bandaid.  As you become comfortable at the new weight, the same problems are gonna creep back in again.

At some point you have to fix them.

[Sharpend60]

Shooting a heavier bow is not necessarily a band aid.
You can have a good/bad release either way.
A higher draw weight is 'more responsive', thats all.

And lighter bows certainly are not the answer to all your shooting woes. Niether are single bevel pionts, a new bow by such and such or wool clothing...