My first bow maxed out at 55lbs. (old PSE Nova) and I never had any problems in cold weather but seldom got pass thrus. My current bow is a 2006 BowTech Tribute 50-60# draw and with it maxed out it pulls 64# I have gotten a pass thru on just about every animal I have shot (~8 deer in the past 4 years and 1 bear) I also shoot a 345gr. arrow. The only pass thru I didn't get was a 48 yard shot quartering away where I hit the opposite shoulder socket.

My wife's father has an old Matthews Ovation that he bought 50-60# limbs because he got sick of barely being able to pull it back in the cold and it was over kill for his shots.

Personally I feel its all a matter of who can piss further when it comes to bow poundage. My buddy and I shoot side by side constantly (we're a little competitive) and I always out penetrate his bow that is set at a big bad 72#. I always get a good chuckle out of it and he can't shoot nearly the amount of arrows as I can in one outing.