Friends,

I was happily practicing late last week getting ready for a 6 day hunt for elk in Montana.  It is probably my last opportunity due to declining health issues but that is another story.

As I drew back I heard a "skitchhhhh" sound.  That wasn't right!  I let down and discovered a big ugly splinter of fiberglass/wood laminate sticking out from the mid-point of the back of the lower limb.  This is my "go-too" hunt bow.

I have a Bear Takedown for a back-up with both 60 # and 50# limbs.  I draw 29 inches and the riser is the short one so the 60#  limbs give me about 65 pounds at full draw.  The 50# limbs would give me about 54 # at full draw.  Would a 54 # bow be enough for elk?  I'm using the 150 grain Grizzly Bruin 2-blade heads on cedar shafts with feather fletch.  I figure 3-Rivers could shoot me out a dozen 70-75 arrows pretty quick.

But I need to know if 54# shooting a 600 grain arrow is enough bow for Elk.

Thanks for your insights.

JMC

Many others  with much more experience than I will chime in, I'm sure.  As long as, you're shooting straight with good arrow flight and sharp heads, you'll be fine.  Best of luck on your hunt.

I think you would be fine. I've killed two with a 58 pound bow with both carbon and aluminum arrows. Both arrows weighed just a little less than 600 grains. Though my bow weight is a little heavier than what you are thinking about; I only draw 26.5" inches so I would think you likely are shooting more KE than myself at your draw length.

In either case, the arrows blew completely through both elk, one being the bull in my avatar.

I killed an elk last season drawing 45# with a 605 grain arrow.
Buried up to the knock at 25 yards. You should be fine.

I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Plenty no worries.  Good luck

Pass thru with 51# at my draw length.  You should be good to go with your lighter setup.

Well let's see...I draw 29 like you, I shoot woodies like you, I shoot 50 to 56lb bows like your asking about and I hunt elk every year and NEVER question my set up...so my advice would be...Enjoy ur trip ur fine...

Guys,

Thanks for your replies.  This TradGang site is awesome!

I got a plan!  I'll find a way to make it work.

thanks again!

JMC

I agree.That will work just fine.Good luck.

Plenty good! Best of luck to
You Sir and have a safe trip 

It's fine. I've gotten consistent pass throughs on bull elk with 60lb longbows that are less efficient than your recurve.

I have taken 6 elk with sub 50# bows. I believe that penetration is not determined by the weight of your bow as much as by the weight of your arrows. 600+ with a 2-blade BH will shoot through both lungs on an elk, even a big bull.

When I hunted Elk years ago I was heavy poundage. 65lbs.+
I'll be hunting them again this year with only 40# and heavy arrows.
I've shot completely thru Moose w 53#.

Put it where it counts!