RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Are you guys saying that if you own a 70# bow you should have it maxed out?
My 70# feathermax is set at 64#,is that negative in some way?
I havent noticed any problems killing deer yet bit every little bit helps.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Welcome to the forums!! No, you don't necessarily need to have it maxed out. You aren't hurting the bow in the least.....BUT a bows efficiency is higher the closer you get to peak weight. In other words, if you have a 70# bow, it is more efficient at 70 than it is at 60.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

60 lb bow with 80% let off you are holding 12 lbs at full draw
70 lb bow with 80% let off you are holding 14 lbs at full draw.

The holding weight is mute point when it comes to the bows. Two lbs of draw weight is that much more dificult?

It's being able to pull it back when it counts.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I think 70lbs would benefit shorter draw archers, it can help make up some speed lost due to the shorter power stroke. Other than that for Whitetail 60lbs will do the job just fine and even lower as has been posted.

I think you should shoot at a weight that it's easy to pull the bow back slowly and in controlno matterwhat positionyou are in, how cold it is outside, how long you have been sitting without moving, etc... If you have trouble drawingin any of these situations you are overbowed........period

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Here is a quote from a well respected proshop owner in IA on this matter:


[blockquote]Quote:
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Why do I care about noise, my arrow will be there before the deer hears it anyway, especially if you are over 300 fps


[hr]
[/blockquote]

Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. The speed of sound is 1128 ft/sec so the sound will definitely get there before the arrow. It has been proven that a deer can easily duck a 300+ FPS arrow even inside 20 yards. Point being, a quiet bow is extremely important as you can't outshoot the noise. Whether you shoot 60# or 70# is up to you, if you can easily handle the 70 then go for it!

A 60# bow will shoot the exact same arrow 12-20 FPS slower than a similarly equipped 70# bow. In jumping to 70# you will probably have to use a stiffer arrow which can weigh from 27-42 grains more and that extra arrow weight will slow that 70#er down from 9-14 fps. so basically, a 70# bow with properly spined arrows will be less than 10 FPS faster that a 60#er. You will have more kinetic energy with the 70#er and heavy arrows but for must of us and what we hunt, we have more than enough kinetic energy. And don't forget, a 50-60# bow set at 60# will be faster and quieter than a 60-70# bow set at 60#.

Sales here are pretty much evenly split between 60 and 70# bows. I hate seeing someone buy a 70# bow just because they think they are wussing out by getting the 60, its just not true. Plenty of people can easily handle 70# bows but we've all seen plenty of examples of people shooting too much weight and struggling to pull it back or having to "sky" the bow to get it drawn. Try this test, sit flat on the ground with your feet straight out in front of you and pull your bow back very slowly and straight out, not skying it upwards. If it's a struggle you are probably overbowed and may benefit from a little less poundage.

Sorry this is so long, just wanted to get the facts out in front of people so they can make their own informed decision on the right bow for them. Don't get what your buddy bought or buy one just because of an ad or commercial without trying to find the perfect bow for you. Bow fit and feel and the right bow for you is a very individual thing, try several and get what "you" like.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Good stuff......but he pegged me, here. The rest is interesting....and it's nice to know for the future.....

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

That was a great post hardcorehunter.

The theory about dodging a bow has been around as long as I've hunted when guys thought that having a bow that is over 220 was fast, then 240, etcand could get an arrow there before the deer moves.

I agree that people need to stay within their abilities. At the same time. if you are young, or getting into shape there is nothing wrong with getting a 60-70 and working your way up in wieght. The mistake is often made whena person thinks they are ready for 70 right off the bat.I started off at 63 and have worked my body back into shape for the heavier weight. However, even when I bought the bowI could draw 70 straight back.

Iremember a guy that shot 80# when I was growing up. He would grunt and grown and point the arrow at the sky during his draw and then actI should be impressed. It reminded me of the guys in the gym that are throwing heavy weight all around with crappy form trying to impress everyone. You are bound to get hurt and look like a fool.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Hey Dave I shoot my Outback on the 65% letoff and you bet your sweet butt it makes a difference! Draw your bow and hold it for 2 minutes at 70 lb, then do it tomorow at 60 lb and try telling me it doesnt make a difference. Good luck with that.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I hunted with a gentelman who has won a national IBO championship in 3D. He shoots 90 pounds. When I asked him why he simply said "Speed". When I pressed him on it he added, "I can draw it while lying on my back so why not?" Who am I to argue?

I would agree though that too many people up their poundage for the sake of the ego. I have to worry about drawing when bundled up and weather in the teens, so I cannot "over bow" or I could miss an opportunity. However, 70# is no issue, so I am shooting it again.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Ican hold my bow back for a long time at 63 or 73 lbs. Either way is easy to do.My bow is 80% let-off;)I can set it at 65% and do your test. Will make no diffrence to me.
65% 21 lbs compared to 24.5 lbs.

I used to shoot a 50% let-off bow and hold it a long time waiting for a good shot on deer. Today's bows are a breeze to hold back compared to any of them.Especially if you keep in shape. That's all that matters.

Why do people make comments like everyone that disagrees with them is a newbie? 25 yrs of archery. Shot lots of poundages and let-offs.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I hear ya, Davep AND Don. I'm no he-man, either......and I started out bowhunting with a 70 lb. bow set at 61#'s. I still shoot 64-65#'s a lot of the year (target thru turkey season).

I just decided last year to crank it up for deer.

My knowing I wasn't over-bowed came on 12/9 when I got into the stand at 4:00AM.......14 degrees.....and I took my shot at 8:15AM.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Well dave you are the man, keep on keepin on.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I'm not saying I'm any sort of heman. This thread had to deal with draw weight. Not the weight you are holding at full draw. It's a lot harder to draw a heavy weight than it is to hold the bow at full draw.
Congrats GMMAT.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I trade bows yearly and 70 lb bows seem to resale better. I have no problems drawing my bow at 70 lbs so that is what I shoot. I think you can get similar results from a 60 lb bow and one day I may do so but for now it 70 lb for me. As far as backing off your bows I have always felt like my bows have shot better groups when maxed out.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Wimp.[8D]

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I shoot 70lbs so that the other guys pulling arrows out of the 3D target get tired faster.[8D]

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I thought about this a little, yesterday. I was shooting my best.....right after deer season....and into the 3D season, here. I had set my bow at 65#'s....because it's not unusual for us to go through 3 rounds (60 targets, total) in one evening at the indoor range.

I had already cranked my Ally back to 71#'s....and shot a bit, last night. It just seemed like it was "different". So....back to 66#'s.....and I felt "right" again.

My bow shoots my target arows at over 300fps.......at the lower weight. So.....Don....I'm joining ya. I'm going to just leave it at this DW all the time, now.....and not worry about the different set-ups.

My mind has been changed. AND.....I agree that it's the new technology that allows us this "luxury".

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

If I was hunting bear, I might go with a #70 pull. I have a 60# because of some shoulder problems accentuated by getting older. This is more than enough for what I hunt.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I really think 65 is about right too for me. For indoor and field/FITA I only shoot 53lbs. For 3D I am shooting 62, and I think for hunting this year I will shoot 65. One really really nice thing about Martin is they make limb deflections with a max in 5lb increments. I can order a bow that bottoms out at 65lbs.......probably what I will do this year for huntingas of now, but we will see...........

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

that brings up a question.

What ever happened to the 55-65 and 65-75 bows?

In my late teens that seemed to be the popular.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Martin still does it. 45-60, 50-65, 55-70, etc.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Guys, I thought that you might find this interesting. I read this today in the Bowtech Guardian thread in the bowhuntinggear review forum. Here isa quote from GoGoGadgetGuardian pretty well solidifying the facts on speed with a 70# bow verse a 60# bow.

quote:

ORIGINAL: GoGoGadgetGuardian
I have it set at 71# and 28" dl. i am shooting 26"maxima hunters 350's and I am getting 274 fps.
end of quote

My 29"Guardian is peaked and registered 62# on the bow scale. My A/C/C 28" hunting arrow with a 100 gr head weighs 394 gr. My bow averaged 273 fps on a $600 chrono at Buck Hollow Sports in Pella, IA. These new efficient bows are so good at what they do. GoGo is pulling back9 more pounds than me and my bow is only slower by 1 fps. We both have way more than the required kinetic energy for any big game that walks North America. I would like to thank these forums and several of the pro shops I frequentfor teaching me these facts.:D

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

why don't you just set up a poll 70 to 60 lbs buya pound different and see how many votes you get.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Other facts towards a decision but I'm not saying there is misinformation in this thread.....

Fact, 60 lb Allegiance at 29" shot MY ACC at 279 fps.......see last years thread: http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1419597

Fact my 70 lb Allegiance at 28.5" shoots MY ACC at 301 fps.....22 fps isn't really any noticable difference in whitetail ranges however,

After so many years of shooting competition I have learned one thing that makes me purchase a 70 lb bow over an 60 lb bow and that is simply, I hold a 70 lb bow steadier than I do a lighter one...that's just me and I don't have problem holding her at full draw, at least on my elk trip, never had to hold her that long on a whitetail.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

To heck with I am buying an 80# bow:D

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I agree 110%.

My #1 concern with limb weight is holding weight, peak weight is an afterthought. I shoot my best when holding between 18-22lbs at full draw. These days a 60lb bow at 80% letoff will only give you 12lbs.......it's so easy to get sloppy shooting that low of a holding weight.

I really like shooting lower poundage, I am at 53lbs on my indoor/field/fita bow and 63lbs on my 3D bow, but both of them are holding right around 20-21lbs at full draw. I don't know what bow I am going to hunt with this year but I can guarantee it will have 17-20ish lbs of holding weight at full draw.

Wish more bow companies made bows with 65% or 75% letoff..........

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

60lb Mathews, 29in draw, 377 gr. arrow = 264-166fps

70lb Mathews, 29in draw, 377 gr. arrow = 284fps.

It's noticable to me and I am glad I got rid of the lower weight limbs.

70lb limbs (85% let off) is easier for me to hold.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I use to shoot 90# bows hunting, but I have learned all that weight is not necessary at all. I moved to 80#, then 70#, and I now shoot a 60# bow. I won't be going back. I shotcompletely through everything I hit last year including a pretty nice Mule Deer at 51 yards.;)

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Not to mention that I have never heard a 70# bow shoot as quiet as 60 # bow. Since speed travels at 1128 ft per second, I 'll go with the quiet just as fast setup.

According to this Kinetic energy chart, I am 16 ft pounds over the recommended energy needed for elk, caribou, and bear. Probably90% or more of the bowhunters in America will never hunt anything larger than a whitetail deer.

http://www.archeryexchange.com/information/info_pages/kinetic/kinteic-calculator.shtml

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I have had no problem with 60Lbs bows. I have been shooting 60s for at least 10 yrs. It’s not that I can’t shoot 70 or even an 80, but why? I found out a long time ago that 60 were easy to shoot for a long period of time accurately. In cold weather when your mussels are stiff it’s still easy to draw with out a lot of movement. Has enough K.E. for anything in North America. Long term advantages less chance of shoulder problems.
In fact I bought a new Vectrix 28” 60 lbs to day for hunting this year. I know for a fact that there is not a deer in the woods that will stop an arrow from this bow! I don’t think there is any thing in North America that I would worry about shooting with 60 Lbs. I’ll admit that if I was going after something moose size I would use heaver arrows, but not heaver bow.
Look at some other bow hunters that use 60 or less and have no problems taking large game. Like Vickie from Archers Choice (short draw & low lbs)26.5” draw 57Lbs bow took a bull moose w/62” spread. And many black bear, deer, ect @55 lbs. This is just one example of what a 60 lbs. or less can and does do.
When does a guy need 70lbs? When he thinks he needs it (Because you have to believe in what you shoot).

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

From an article I just read:

So how do you know if you are shooting too much weight? When you draw the bow, your bow arm should go forward as easily as if you were reaching your hand out to shake someone's hand. The drawing arm should NOT resemble the harsh movement like you were jerking the cord to start a lawn mower. If you have to point your bow towards the sky to reach your anchor, it's too heavy. You should be able to sit in a chair and draw the bow smoothly out in front of you, hold it at full draw for a half a minute and still execute the same pin-point accuracy you deliver when standing and shooting more quickly. If in doubt, crank the weight down a few pounds. Less really is more from today's high performance bows.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Not to beet a dead horse. But I do have a question, If I am shooting a 352 gr arrow, what is the lowest lbs I can shoot with a good performance?

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

You will need a chrono and here is a kinetic energy calculator that will determine your results.

http://www.archeryexchange.com/information/info_pages/kinetic/kinteic-calculator.shtml

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Thank you, it said I should be at 302 fps and 70.90 fp of kinetic energy at 60lbs. May try 65lbs

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Thanks for all the info..

I am a 6'2" 210lbs dude and I bought a 60lbs bow that pulls a 64lbs. I was slightly worried I should have gone up in wieght. I have a renewed since of confidence.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Bullets are all about the mass, shock, and knockdown power of a bullet hitting an animal. Whether 60 or 70# , most of us use a 100 grain broadhead and we are not doing anymore damage to the animal with a 60, 70, 80, or 100 # bow. It is the same 1" hole diameter and the same broadhead. Arrows kill by hemmoraging, not knockdown. The only difference between an arrow that kills an animal out of a 100 #bow verse a 60# bow is just how much further it sticks in the dirt after each of them easily blows through the animal. Dead is dead.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

The assurance I get from shooting a 70# bow, knowing I will blow through the shoulder if I do happen to shoot too far forward, is enough to keep shooting 70#. Dead is dead, but a wounded deer isn't.

Perhaps those of you with longer draw lengths don't necessarily have to worry about that near as much, but those of us with less than 28" draws probably like the confidence 70# gives us. I know I do.

;)

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Obviously that's how both work. My point is that a .243 has enough energy for whitetail and yet people still use larger calibers for the "knock down power". Therefore, the comparison is valid from that standpoint.

The comparison can also be made for marginal shots though. I'd rather have something with a better chance of penetration if I hit the shoulder. Isn't that why people still use large caliber rifles?

A deer is just a dead with a .243 as a 300 mag.

Another misconception I keep seeing here is people saying you don't gain any speed due to using a heavier arrow. The difference in arrow weight is about .7 gpi for a GT XT Hunter arrow. My Allegiance at 72.5 lbs is 8 fps faster (292)with a 420 gr arrow than it was with a 391 gr arrow at 63 lbs (284). If I really wanted to I could drop down to a 100 gr tip be down to 395 gr and pick-up another 5+ fps. So, I have more speed, more KE and more penetration on an accidental shoulder shot with a heavier arrow.

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

I have always shot 70+ pounds ... and will continue to do so ..... I see no reason to change ... more kinetic energy is a GOOD thing at times ..... it doen't matter at times, but I have never known it to be a bad thing .....

RE: 60# or 70# ?
 

Many of you know that my bow is in the shop with a split limb waiting on a warranty repair. I have 70# limbs on the bow. I just had a lengthy discussion on the phone with Russell, ( Ausie-guy), about draw weight. He recommended to me that I have the limbs replaced with 60# limbs. His is an opinion I hold in high regard, (Your opinion Russell, not you! :D). I have the bow backed off to 65# now and have since I bought it. If I get 60# limbs and bottom them out I'll probably be at about 62#. I'll lose 3# and gain efficiancy. I told Russ I'm going to do it. The onlyway I'm going back to 70# limbs is if the wait for 60s is more than a week or two. Thanks Don for bringing this up and thanks Russell for the advice!