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:


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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


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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.