Bow Poundage/draw length

[SW]

:)I started bow hunting in Arkansas in 1957 and shot my 1st deer then. . Still primarily a bow hunter for 47 years. I believe a misconception exists. The higher poundages of compounds have driven up the expectations of what poundage on traditional bows should be.IMO. Normally traditional bows are shot at appx 1" less draw length unless the poundage is too hi(normally in my opinion) where the actual draw length will be lower. Remember 1" of increased drawlength = 5# : so if you drop draw wt 7# and pick-up 1.4" actual draw length that the speed will remain the same. I believe most bowyers would be better served with traditional bow wts of 40-48lbs at their ideal draw length. You should be able to shoot the bow in a relaxed manner. You should be able to practice 25-50 shots and not be fatigued. I shoot a Palmer recurve at 47# at 28.5" actual draw and it is plenty powerful and extremely accurate(2117, 29.5",100g BH). My Hoyt Razortec is 62# at 29". Due to the nature of my work and other excercises I'm very strong in arms and shoulders and can shoot 75# traditional and 85#+ compounds easily, but considering I shoot 7.5g/lb in compound and a little over 9g/lb in traditional the poundage isn't a handicap. What ever poundage I shoot would have appx the same speed. On deer,black bear(not successful yet), and turkeys(6) the energy is highly adequate.
Summary: keep poundage very comfortable. After 47yrs of bowhunting my shoulders,arms and ligaments are still in good shape because I haven't overtaxed them with over poundage. A certain gs/lb will shoot appx the same speed regardless. Sit in a chair. turn 135degrees to the left, aim down 30 degrees ,aim at your tgt and then draw while holding your aim . If you can't do this easily - your poundage needs reconsidered. IMO. I routinely practice to 80+ yds with compound/rangefinder and 50yds with recurve 12 months a year. Routinely shoot deer at yardages the "experts" say shouldn't be used. Have lost 4 deer in past 47yrs, none in last 30 deer killed with bow. So low poundage hasn't been a barrier to success but rather a help. I'm sure not everyone will agree with my thoughts, but I hope they can be of benefit to someone.

[DaveK]

Funny one of my little "tests" is very close to yours. If I can't comfortably draw and shoot a bow from a sitting position, it is too mush bow for the hunter. I have NO problem with bow weights being in the 40's. Shot placement says it all. A arrow driven out of a 40lb. bow through the heart is better than a arrow driven by a overbowed hunter through the hams.

[bossloper]

Good advice


My bow is in the low 50's with a 65% let off. I am able to be confident in making shots to 30 yards. That is all I need to be with it.

[Tenbears]

I feel there are a great many things that come into consideration when selecting a bow, and arrow combination. Be it compound, recurve, or long bow. The traditional shooter must live by a completely different set of standards than the compound shooter. However something's remain the same. I too believe the shooter should use equipment that is well suited to their abilities. And drawing the bow is a prime concern. Having an excess of power does no good if one must stand, and point the arrow to the sky to get the bow drawn. However The power of the bow is an important factor in ones selection. Here several factors come into play. Among them would be the shooters ability to shoot consistently at varying yardage's. The shooters ability to maintain composure in the presents of the game. and the shooters stealth with game in close proximity. Draw weigh, arrow length, arrow weight (point included) play a part in arrow speed, and kinetic energy. Which directly relates to the flight of the arrow, and its killing power. We all shoot for a clean killing shot. But many factors can change the impact point by several inches no matter how proficient we are.
almost any bow on the market will cleanly kill a deer out to 20 yards. Wile at 30 yards the shooter must begin to ask himself if he/she is confident in his/her ability to place the arrow in the kill zone. beyond that. Issues of penetration, begin to come into play.
To increase one s odds of consistency arrow speed plays a part. A fast arrow will leave less margin of error. as the flight path remains flatter over a greater distance. Wile the slower arrow will drop more as distance increases. Making the odds of a miscalculation greater. A lite arrow will travel faster than a heavy one from the same bow. Making the lite arrow shoot on a falter plane over a greater distance than a heavy arrow. Unfortunately the liter arrow carries less Kinetic energy than the heavy arrow as it slows. Lets compare two Bow and arrow combinations. SW I will use your because you offered the stats on your post. A 47 lb. bow. with a 28 inch 2117 arrow and a 100 gr broad head. the arrow weight would be 380 gr. (I used Easton Game getters to get this figure. Others may very slightly) the velocity from the bow would be 206 fps The Kinetic energy would be 35.8 psi More than ample to kill. at 40 yards the arrow would loose 19% of its speed bringing it down to 166.8 fps. And reducing the kinetic energy to 23.48 psi. enough to kill. but interference of bone may result in a suspect shot. The heavy arrow, and slow speed make it fall victim to the gravitational forces quickly. And the drop is severe.
My sons bow. 77 LB. shooting Bemans carbons with a 90 gr broad head at 296 fps has a kinetic energy of 52.54 psi. over 40 yards the speed is reduced to 239 fps and the energy to 34.25 still ample to break a rib.
Now, the problem with lite arrows is they are effected to a greater degree by outside forces. Wind and even toothpick size twigs can affect the arrow. Wile these forces do not play as significant role on heavy arrows.
In conclusion. A lighter poundage bow gives the hinter a greater degree of stealth, and freedom to shoot under adverse conditions. Wile causing him/mer to become more proficient at judging, and shooting longer distances. Making the hunter a more active part of the skill portion of the hunt. it also is less physically distractive to the hunter. Adding longevity to bow hunting, and enjoyment.
Wile the high powered bow gives less skilled hunters the opportunity to increase their odds of success wile attaining skill in bow hunting.
Whichever way one chooses. And for what reason. the same things remain intact. We as hunters must be aware of our abilities, and limitations. we must become familiar with the equipment we use, and its limitations. We should Always endeavor to enjoy, and preserve our sport. Just the thoughts of Tenbears

[Tenbears]

That combination equates to the ole marlin 444 in a rifle. Kinetic energy leaving the bow would be 58.58 PSI. at 40 yards the maintained energy would be 38.43 psi More than ample to take out a deer or bear. I too like a good pass through. But have herd many great arguments on both sides. And think in some situations. It may be better to have the arrow remain in the deer.

[Tenbears]

No I used weithts for 2419 That I have on hand. and added the weight of the broadhead 600 gr was the calculated weight. 710 would equate to 84.10 st the bow, and 54.56 at 40 yards

[RAF]

I just took bow hunting 3 years ago. I've owned a bow for the past 6 or 7 years. My son hunts with a bow and has his set to between 80 and 90 lbs. I can't hardly budge it. Because I broke an elbow when I was 8, I can't completely straingten my left arm and can't draw a bow right handed. I taught myself to shoot left handed. The first season was a learning experience and I didn't take a deer. I built a stand in a location that had plenty of deer passing. I went and bought a new and much better bow, some carbon arrows and off I went. I'm 56 yrs old and felt comfortable drawing 60 lbs. I did notice my should joints creeked when I drew it but it was confortable to hold. I took my first deer last fall. This year I let up on the draw weight. It's now at 55lbs and shoulders dont's make that funny noise. I took a deer this past saturday morning at 30 yds. The arrow went straight though, and stuck in the ground. I watched the deer go 60 yds and fall. You're right that shot placement is more important than draw weight.

[Douglas Blair]

Yes putting the arrow where it needs to go is 99% of it. A 45 pound recurve will take deer and the 55 poundage is plenty. ;D

I shoot a Buckmaster set at 60 pounds and would let it down to 55 pounds but I won't go that low (without danger of the limb bolts coming out of the riser), so I guess I'm stuck with 60#. Good thing it is a 75% let off.

[DaveK]

Be careful with high poundage bows. Your muscles can handle it but your joints can't. I know of many bowhunters who wish they shot reasonable bow weights when they were younger about as much as I know gun shooters who wish they were hearing protection. When it is gone, it's gone!

[supermag]

I shoot a Darton Maverick and its set up for a 32" draw which is my exact draw length and set for 70 lbs. I shoot PSE carbon Force 400 for mechanicals and 300 for steelforce fixed blade heads. I get just over 300 fps with a nice flat trajectory and plenty of energy and almost always a pass through. I wont change my setup as it is perfect for me.

I think that is what is most important is fit. If it works for you great have at it.

Brian

[SW]

DaveK,
I agree totally. Due to my work and fitness I have very strong shoulders and can fairly easily shoot an 85# compound but stay at 55-60 depending on the bow and < 50 on my recurve in order to save my joints. 47 years after shooting my 1st deer with a bow I can still shoot with no pain or disability. An excellent broadhead/arrow combination and practiced shooting doesn't require very much energy. How hard the arrow hits the ground on the other side doesn't matter much to me.

[DaveK]

Well put! I do shoot my compound at about 64 lbs. and can shoot much more, but I want to be shooting bows for the long haul. I have been shooting bow for about 25yrs. and hope to much longer. Just like shooting a gun, it isn't how fast it goes through the target but where it goes through the target.

[bubba]

I think that I have a 30in draw with my weight set at about 58lbs. I use light carbon arrows and 75-80gr mechanical broadheads - I have not had any problems with penetration with this setup.

I use the light weight due to the fact that lung cancer/surgery cut my lat muscle on my drawing arm in half - it isnt what it was before.

I use to peg a baseball/softball hard/fast enuf that most people would not warn up with me - that has changed also, I throw like a lightweight woman now !

I put venison on the table this year - no problems, people that tend to think for whitetails you need mega lbs of draw weight are making up for other body parts, kinda like the corvette drivers

-bubba

[DaveK]

Bubba, don't look in my garage!