bow poundage question

cdi3d · 04-24-2003, 10:21 AM

Since starting to traditional shoot I have used a 65lb bow for all shooting - I am thinking of buying a 45-50 lb bow for 3d shoots and target practice - will there be a big difference in arrow flight by shedding a few pounds? Will I have to change my style at all? Should I just stick with a bow in the 60-65lb range? Thanks guys -
Ultimately I would like to add some accuracy and speed to my arrows - am I living a pipe dream? Any suggestions would be helpful - I know dropping pounds will sacrifice some speed - I' m not sure what to do - - -

Thanks
Mike

Arthur P · 04-24-2003, 12:43 PM

No need to change your shooting style or anything. Go to lighter arrows with the lighter bow and fiddle around with arrow length until you get exactly the same trajectory you' re getting with the heavier poundage. That way your shootin' eye will stay in gear for the heavy bow while you refine your accuracy with the lighter bow. But shoot the heavy bow a good bit to keep your muscles in shape for it.

Dick4bows · 04-24-2003, 03:42 PM

a 45# bow is enough for deer, 50# is renough for elk. Why shoot anything as heavy as 60#? I shoot my 45# recurve in 3-D shoots and really enjoy it. 60# ' s is too much work. Dick

LBR · 04-24-2003, 08:52 PM

65# is a lot to start out with, for sure. I shoot 66# myself, because I am comfortable with it and I don' t seem to get a very good release with lighter bows.

If the lighter bow is the same style/design, you should get pretty much the same speed as long as you shoot the same grains per lb arrow--possibly a little more--you may draw the lighter bow a little further.

Chad

kodiakhuntmaster · 05-04-2003, 05:04 PM

Quote:

a 45# bow is enough for deer, 50# is renough for elk. Why shoot anything as heavy as 60#?

Some people want more than what is " enough" for what they hunt. I wouldn' t tell anyone that a tuned 35# bow won' t take deer consitantly, but I still shoot my 60#. Higher poundages offer more choices, like they work better with expandable broaheads and are more forgiving to flaws in a finger release. All this is subjective, it may not be the same for everyone or every bow.

JRW · 05-05-2003, 07:28 AM

Mike,

If you plan to use a 65# for hunting, then shoot that poundage (or very close to it) year round. Shooting 45# for 3D' s and target practice will condition (or decondition) you muscles to that poundage. Bumping up 20# for the hunting season after shooting 45# all year is a bad idea IMO. Been there, done that, sold the target bow.