League bow

[Possumjon]

Looking at dropping my bow weight to 35 or 40 pounds for target shooting after work since I'm always sore from heavy lifting. Currently I shoot 45 pounds or 55 for target and hunting. Looking at a recurve from maddog archery, any opinions on the weight I should choose? Thanks guys!

[huskyarcher]

I dont want to start a war about bow weight, but i am a healthy, 23 yr old, former tri-sport athlete and i just cant for the life of me see why anyone feels like they have to shoot heavy bow weight.  I shoot 40#, and with a good arra and sharp broad head i blow through everything i shoot. Granted, we dont have elk or moose, but i can shoot for days and not be sore or tired.

I recently held a bow back on a hog that turned straight on while i was at full draw, for a good 15sec, and proceeded to hammer that 100# hog, which was dead in less than 5sec. The arra never slowed down until it buried in sand on the other side. Now how many can hold a #60+ bow that long and still retain accuracy?

My advice is this: Do yourself a favor, get a 40# bow, (i shoot omegas, same price as maddogs) take the time to get it tuned right, find an arra of good weight i like 500gr+ sharpen the crap out of your broad heads, and hunt and target shoot with it. I promise you wont be disappointed. Just my .02.

P.S. Heres the video on that hog.

 

[McDave]

I agree with your decision to shoot a lighter weight bow.  If you think you can handle 40#, there are lots better arrow options than for a 35# bow, and of course are flatter shooting and therefore potentially more accurate.  I use 600 spine arrows for my 40# target bows, such as GT Ultralights, or VAP 600's. Get the GT Ultralights (black) rather than the 1535 trads, as the wood grain finish on the trads adds enough weight to make a noticeable difference in trajectory.

[McDave]

[MnFn]

I do have a different take on a hunting weight bow as I do hunt elk, and hopefully moose if I get drawn this year. I like to get used to shooting the same bow for everything.

But I took from the original post that he was looking for a bow primarily for target shooting.  For league shooting I shot my old Root Targetmaster recurve.  It was 66" and 38# at 28" if I recall correctly. So I guess I'd  also go with a 40# bow for what he wants to do.

[dbd870]

Agree with the 40# choice. I would go with a long recurve for target work- something around 64-66" perhaps.

[damascusdave]

The guy I would ask is the bowyer...Mike is a very knowledgable archer and will make as good a recommendation as anyone

DDave

[njloco]

Cool video !

[Possumjon]

This bow would be only for target/ leagues. Been doing really well in them but my first half is always way better than my second, just gets hard to hit anchor after 50 arrows and a 12 hour work day. Thanks for the advice guys, I'll have to talk to him in a few weeks! I was leaning towards his 60 inch recurve as it's similar to my 59 kodiak

[newhouse114]

Personally I have a real hard time getting a smooth release with a low poundage bow. I have been shooting nothing but my 60 lb Montana for the last year and try to shoot 60-100 arrows a day, weather permiting.  And I am a 57 year old feeble old codger that can't run a mile or lift much due to back and shoulder injuries of the past. But I do hunt elk and can walk forever, just not very fast!