There are so many good deals on bows that I've always wanted to try but it seems like nobody shoots over 45# anymore. Are guys actually hunting with bows in the 43-45 lb range? That's barely over the minimum for whitetail in many states. My 3 bows are 57, 58, and 67#, maybe it's time to scale down some
Many people are shooting better more efficient arrow set ups with lighter bows and obtaining adequate penetration. That is my take on it. Higher FOC and shooting heavier arrows.
Born in 1950 shot wgts. up to 60+ now almost 67 I like 50lbs.May happen to you also.Kip
QuoteOriginally posted by Ulysseys:
There are so many good deals on bows that I've always wanted to try but it seems like nobody shoots over 45# anymore. Are guys actually hunting with bows in the 43-45 lb range? That's barely over the minimum for whitetail in many states. My 3 bows are 57, 58, and 67#, maybe it's time to scale down some
We traditional archers are an aging group. The average hunter age keeps going up too. Lighter bows keep us in the game.
I just came from the Baltimore Bowman shoot where I noticed a couple walking sticks on the bow rack outside the clubhouse.
Kip I'm more along the lines of trying it now....I'm starting to think a mid 40s bow would be a pleasure even though I don't struggle with the weight I currently shoot.
We're all getting old(er). You'll see one of these days. :saywhat: :D
I don't hunt, but at 70 I can't handle the weight any more. Lighter bows are just more pleasant to shoot.
Research some testing done by Fred bear and a few others throughout the years. Sam fadalas book explains it we'll in detail. I was shocked to read myself how a 60 # bow is only not that much more efficient as far as power. I hunt with bows 43-55# and never had issues.
Im 34 years old. Been a heavy weightlifter my whole life. On a good day I can bench 300lbs for 8-9 reps but heavier bows still limit the amount I can shoot without shoulder or tricep tendon issues. My go to is a 57 lb widow but Im not buying any more bows over 50lbs. Just no reason to. A 610 gr arrow will go through everything I need it to.
I've been shooting trad on and off for years and never managed to get very consistent. I finally swallowed my pride and went to 45# bows. Now I'm consistent and shooting better than ever. I've also gained quite a bit of draw length as well.
I thought I was killing deer with a 40 lb bow, after a number of years I checked the weight ...35 lbs.at my draw length.
Lately I've been shooting my 44# bow more than anything else, mostly because I can hold it for longer, aim easier, and with a 500 grain arrow I'm still getting 180 fps which is more than enough for whitetails and the occasional black bear. It's also much more friendly to my fingers than my 54&60# bows.
The other thing is that the bows we are shooting now are often more efficient due to the materials used in their construction, their design and arrow components, FOC etc. You can shoot through deer all day long with 40#, or even less.
Yep! Explains why so many are paranoid about arrow weight and broadhead design.
Yep! Explains why so many are paranoid about arrow weight and broadhead design.
Hmmmm....some need to run some numbers and do their own tests.
A 45# bow will NOT have the same power as the same model bow at 60#s with the same grains per pound arrow. Run the numbers...they don't lie.
Shoot what you shoot best but don't diss heavier bows as less effecient....that dog don't ever hunt.
Arrow and broadhead matter most. I shot a 200plus pound black bear several years ago as it climbed down a tree. Arrow entered just in front of the rear haunches and exited through the sternum. 2" wide tree shark went the entire length of the bear, passed through the sternum, and sunk into the red oak she was on. Bow was probably 50lbs at my draw
Actually accuracy is most important... and it doesn't take much to get through a deer or a black bear ....they're both just grocery bags full of shaving cream with a few Tinker Toys and one ball joint... just don't hit the ball joint cause you're not guaranteed to get through that with any bow or Broadhead.
Either way that still doesn't mean that heavier bows are not more efficient... run the numbers
Age and target panic has made me go lower in poundage. But when I shot the bear in my avatar with a 45# bow and he was dead in 10 seconds after a complete pass thru....... :saywhat: all the proof I needed. :thumbsup:
45#s = 60#s = FAKE NEWS!
Thanks for proving my point Ron that BLACK bears are chumps....
Please don't take what I'm saying is wrong it also proves the power of the bow... but has no proportional reality of disproving some people's claims and still doesn't disprove heavier is not more efficient.
I'm glad lighter bows work so more people can enjoy the sport and for longers years...but let's just don't make claims that are false about heavier bows ....it's not fair it's, its not right, it's not true.... it's only bias.
I agree with Terry and Keith. I was at a shoot in Oklahoma City a few years back and a husky young man around eighteen told me that his 40# bow and carbon arrow was all he would ever need for hunting. Most likely he had never shot anything with a bow and I hated to see this mindset because I believe it will result in more wounded game. I think you should shoot as heavy as you can control while hunting. Now that I'm older and have to drop down in weight, I have had a time or two when a heavier bow might have made a difference on a marginal hit.
Gordon I hear you but I just want to make sure everyone realizes, this is not about me.... this is about the proof in the numbers regardless if its me or Dr. Seuss posting.
The numbers do not lie that's the way is.... folks can either accept or not, but it's still true where they do or not.
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Actually accuracy is most important... and it doesn't take much to get through a deer
I've never had the opportunity to shoot a bear but have let the air outta a good many whitetails back in the day....@50# like a hot knife through butter...
I hunt with 42# at my draw with confidence knowing it will be sufficient if I do my part.
QuoteOriginally posted by old_goat2:
QuoteOriginally posted by Ulysseys:
There are so many good deals on bows that I've always wanted to try but it seems like nobody shoots over 45# anymore. Are guys actually hunting with bows in the 43-45 lb range?
Look at the vintage bows for sale, very few in higher poundages, how come you're shooting so heavy? I think the first responder above nailed a lot of it! Also a lot of guys are learning proper form and drawing past 28" which also calls for a lower at 28" draw bow. Draw length trumps draw weight. [/b]
I draw all of 29-1/2" (I usually just nock and head taper a 32" shaft for 31" BOP) and I add 5# or so to the listed 28" AMO weight. My favorite bow is 52# @ 28". Normally I get an entry and exit hole - several kept on going on the backside of whitetails. I like to hunt small game and stump shoot and I would think more energy would just be tougher on the wood shafts hitting rocks or hardwood.
The last deer I took was with a 47# ("45xx") and the broadhead stopped a foot beyond the far hide.
Right now I'm shooting a 56" Browning Wasp marked 45#. I haven't chrono'd it but the arrows seem to get to the targets just fine. Since I limit my shots to 20 yards or so I don't need more for whitetail.
When I use a bow I use it lots (almost every day year-round) and I have owned up to 65# trad bows - a Dan Quillian Patriot - or should I say they owned me? I can't do a 60 shot event with even a 60# bow and keep consistent. I can with 45# to 55# marked bow. So that's what I use.
The biggest reason so many vintage bows are in the 45# range is because that was what the average guy could handle off the rack. Most bowhunters back then were gun hunters first. Bow hunting was a way to get into the woods more. Remember Fred Bear's "two season hunter adds".
Possibly the best comment I have seen so far is the one about aging.
Make no mistake when I get older and have to drop down in weight I will do so but I won't disgrace heavier bows or make up stuff to justify my reasoning for moving down I will not go against facts and logic and physics. I would embrace my knowledge of the bow regardless of the weight and my abilities and will taking my accuracy as paramount among all other aspects .....
but again I will never disguise my actions and trash the logic the physics the facts or others that shoot bows heavier than me as some do now.
FOC.... make sure you understand that term because that's another fallacy that is being spun around... going from 500 grain arrow to the 600 grain arrow is more important than the FOC ...just adding FOC adds a little bit but adding weight to the total arrow means more. The magic is in the weight of the arrow.... the FOC is just the icing on the cake.
Yep I've done my numbers on this as well....if anyone has anything to say about this let me ask you this first.... where did you get your information on FOC that makes you think it's more important than the total Arrow weight?....
where did the biggest study on FOC originate and who requested it???
If you don't know maybe you're just parroting what you've heard ....Polly want a cracker???
Too many fake post fake accusations and claims are not true had nothing to do with this issue just to justify lighter weights..... so many so easily offended this is like the mainstream media.... thread closed