This question will depend on who you ask. And what application are you considering?
If you ask a local macho hunter, he might say "look, I can pull back this 80#'er- no problem!" <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>
But if you ask a pro target shooter you might get an entirely different answer of, "You need to be able to easily and consistently pull the bow so that your muscles don't deteriorate towards the end of a field round (or the SECOND field round of the day)." That could be hundreds of shots.
You ever see the big 'shoulder heave' when guys are drawing their bow? They need to point their bow up in the air to pull it back with a big heave. Too much weight. After many shots with too much weight the back and shoulder muscles are getting tired and shooting form will start to deteriorate accordingly. Imagine shooting 150 shots with a 70+# bow- you might be able to do it, but how's your form after that?
You'll see most target shooters in the 50-60# range for a reason. Why pull all the weight if you don't have to? Of course for hunting bows you might want some extra poundage for KE purposes. And you won't be drawing back your hunting poundage 100+ times in an outing. But if you can't hold the bow out in front of you and smoothly draw it straight back without a shoulder heave- probably too much weight.
Just my opinion....
Edited by - Black Frog on 02/05/2002 08:34:13