Will adding 5 pounds of pull make a speed difference?

EBB · 11-21-2006, 08:08 AM

Hi there, right now I'm shooting a Bear Element set at 60 pounds. It's very comfortable for me to shoot and I've already got one buck at 30 yards - right on target. (this is my first bow, first season.)
I want to know if I bring it up to 65 pounds will that translate to anything measurable. Will it be faster - and by how much? I don't think I could pull 70 pounds - myabe with some summer training, but I could handle another five if it would make any difference...
Thanks!

TerryM · 11-21-2006, 08:14 AM

Try it and see how you shoot. Also make sure that your arrows are properly spined for the increase in poundage, if they are not you might not get great arrow flight.

ijimmy · 11-21-2006, 08:16 AM

Yes , probably 10- 15 fps , dont touch it until after season is over .Id say with the sucess youve had , messing with it might be a misstake , but us guys have to tinker with stuf to "make it better" I know cause I are one .
You may require new arrows , or have to cut down your arrow length , or lessen the tip weight you are useing to get the correct spine , and good arrow flight .Allso , you live in a pretty cold climate , and drawing a heavyer bow when its cold can be alot harder than in the warm weather .

Arthur P · 11-21-2006, 08:21 AM

5 pounds would bump your speed only a couple fps. Not enough to really notice without a chronograph. If you're comfortable with 60 pounds, stay there. If you just want to increase the bow's draw weight, that's okay too... but it won't kill the deer any deader than it will right now.

s_heater · 11-21-2006, 01:06 PM

a rule of thumb is 3-5 feet per pound

BGfisher · 11-21-2006, 01:56 PM

EBB,

You want the honest truth, by cranking the weight up 5# you'll gain about 10 fps. Now how does that relate to your hunting situations? Not a bit. There is no animal on this continent that 60# won't dispatch and do it handily.

You say you can handle 60# easily. That's the way it's supposed to be. You should be able to draw the bow right back, and if necessary, be able to stop anywhere in the draw cycle and hold it there. Archery is not a sport of testosterone and muscles and all that egotistical stuff a lot of guys make it. It's about accuracy.

Some guys might say that the extra kinetic energy will allow the arrow to blast through a shoulder blade or some other bone if you make a bad shot. There is some credence to it, but maybe, just maybe if these guys shot a little less weight that they could handle more accurately then they wouldn't need more energy to make up for their shooting deficiencies.

I'd say, after hunting season ends if you want to crank the bow up then by all means try it. During any practice sessions you should be able to shoot at least 50 arrows and the last one should be as easy as the first, and just as accurately shot. If you can't do this then back the weight off and be satisfied. Leave the testosterone at home.

Be reminded again that you may have to change to a stiffer spined arrow, which usually means heavier. In a lot of these cases you may not gain any speed.

Not knowing your setup in detail I won't go overboard, but I know that I have taken many average hunting setups and changed things to gain 20-30 fps without changing the bow weight. It's not that hard if you learn the details.

jsasker · 11-21-2006, 02:37 PM

Perfectly stated BG!

outdoorslover · 11-21-2006, 06:58 PM

It will make a slight difference. However I don't think it will offer much more of an advantage. The lower weight allows you to hold at full draw longer. I have noticed that putting up the draw weight changes the point of impact as well for some reason. If it works don't change it. If you do though, do it after the season of course. Since you are shooting the way you wanna, I would say not to mess around with it though. good luck

EBB · 11-21-2006, 07:40 PM

WOW. great replies. thanks!
I'm sticking with what I've got. I'm comfortable, the deer's in the freezer, done & done.
Thanks!