Buy 40#, legal in most states, will kill any deer if distances are kept reasonable. Try to stay at at least 58" (Ishoot a 52", and not very forgiving) I'm getting ready to buy a 60" Quinn Stallion,, they are just over $200 and dollar for dollar the best value there is. Ya gotta like a metal riser though, but as you get stronger you can purchase larger limbs and you can purchae real lightif you want to compete.