Hi and way to go w/ picking a checkmate, I really love my TD hunter. When I bought mine I wanted #55 but the store only had #50 and#60 so I bought #60 (I am a large lad). What I then did is I bought a #45 for $40 at a pawn shop and shot this till I biult up (approx 3 weeks). Everything depends on how strong you are but you don't want to overbow yourself- if you do you will never shoot great and won't enjoy it as much. Your local archery club may have some lower weight bows for you to shoot to build up to #50's. If you are just going after deer #45 is all you need but If larger animals or tougher animals are your target the #50 (if you can shoot it) should be your choice.

Eric