ORIGINAL: kickin_buck
ORIGINAL: racewayking
The pro shop was in line with what you guys are saying. I am looking at shooting a 29" arrow that is in the 400-425 gr. range including 100-125 grain broadhead. Call me nuts but I like a heavier arrow, but get too much drop and a lack of speed with my old PSE I am shooting.
What kind of speed can you realistically get with a 70lb. bow shooting 350-400 grain arrows these days? Last time I checked my bow I was shooting around 258-260 with 375gr. arrows.
Depending on the bow, you can easily expect 280fps with a 70lb and a 400ish grain arrow. I say you can easily expect that because there are several bows out there that will throw that same 400ish grain arrow 300+ fps. My Hoyt is pushing a 405 grain arrow at 304fps which give me right at 83 foot pounds, which will easily blow thru anything you want to shoot in North America. I don't see the need to shoot a 80-90lb bow unless you are just wanting to prove that you are Heman.
It has nothing to do with being Heman, but I can pull 90 with ease and wouldn't mind shooting a heavier bow if needed but will gladly shoot a 70lb if it will accomplish what I need. I passed on a 40 yard shot this year because I know my bow has a lot of drop at 40 yards and beyond. I can shoot out to 40 but there were a few twigs and the shot didn't set good with me. I hunt with a couple of my dad's buddies from time to time and they are shooting much flatter and faster than I am but using smaller arrows with 50-60lb Matthews setups. I will be the first to admit that I have lost a deer before and it was due to a shot deflecting off a brach, I have also helped track deer that people shot with tiny arrows and 75 grain heads that didn't get it done. My goal is to fling a decent weighted arrow and know that my shot will seal the deal, I also want to know that I can punch through a shoudler with ease. 20-30 yard shots are no problem with my old set up but anything farther and too many factors come to play.