Depends on the design, momentum, arrow weightand range really. I have seen some 40lb recurves smoke the performance of my martin longbow being 50lbs.
I know right now, I am kinda worried about my new 47# selfbow. With 566gr cedar, I am only getting 143fps. I think it will do the job. But my wife has a recurve at 38# that will beat that.
You ought to read up on ashby's report on penetration. I feel very comforateable with launching a 500gr arrow at 160fps myself on deer.
"I know right now, I am kinda worried about my new 47# selfbow. With 566gr cedar, I am only getting 143fps. I think it will do the job."
I took a button buck at 18yrds this season shooting aobut the same speed with a 545gr arrow...quatering away it buried to the fletchings and he dropped in 50yrds. you should be fine
I killed my first two bucks with a used, 15 yr old,45# recurve using Bear Razorheads on 30" 2016's. The first one had the arrow go through the shoulder blade and into the spine at 15 yd.. The second hadthe arrowpass through both lungs at 10 yd. and exit on the opposite side. No idea what the velocity was, no idea how much the arrow weighed.
Killing Weight??
