Bow Questions
 

My current bow has seen better days and I've decided to start looking for a new one.

I would like to get a bow with an 80-90lb. pull, 29" draw length and 30-33" axle to axle. I have found a bowtech I can get in an 80lb. but haven't found much else. Are there still heavier draw bows out there or should I settle with a 70lb and lighter arrow set up?

RE: Bow Questions
 

Some of your other posts have shown you to be a pretty experienced hunter with some good success. So it kind of surprises me that you are fixed on getting a bow with such high poundage. These days, a 70 lb bow will send an arrow well on its way and, imo, there are plenty of choices that will do way more than you require at only 60 lb. Just me, I guess, but that's what I settled for.

RE: Bow Questions
 

I agree whole heartedly with Canuck. My hoyt isset at 63 and I get an easy pass through every time.I don't see a point for 80 - 90 lbs.

RE: Bow Questions
 

The pro shop was in line with what you guys are saying. I am looking at shooting a 29" arrow that is in the 400-425 gr. range including 100-125 grain broadhead. Call me nuts but I like a heavier arrow, but get too much drop and a lack of speed with my old PSE I am shooting.
What kind of speed can you realistically get with a 70lb. bow shooting 350-400 grain arrows these days? Last time I checked my bow I was shooting around 258-260 with 375gr. arrows.

RE: Bow Questions
 

Definately faster than your old bow!! I think you would be surprised what some of these bows get. The new bows for '08 that are marketed for speed are getting 290's consistently with arrows of the weights you described and when set up for speed they can attain 330's if thier IBO rating says they can.

RE: Bow Questions
 

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RE: Bow Questions
 

Depending on the bow, you can easily expect 280fps with a 70lb and a 400ish grain arrow. I say you can easily expect that because there are several bows out there that will throw that same 400ish grain arrow 300+ fps. My Hoyt is pushing a 405 grain arrow at 304fps which give me right at 83 foot pounds, which will easily blow thru anything you want to shoot in North America. I don't see the need to shoot a 80-90lb bow unless you are just wanting to prove that you are Heman.

RE: Bow Questions
 

Thats about what I am getting with my 60lb Marquis with a 480gr arrow and 28" draw.

RE: Bow Questions
 

Shouldn't be an issue! I have a Hoyt Ultra-tec, probably 5 years old at this point (versa cam model). I shoot a 28.5 inch arrow at 65 lbs, with just under 30 inch draw length, arrow is a 2314 with 100 gr head, not sure on the total weight but it is WELL over 400 gr. I shoot this around 265. Same setup on todays Hoyt will probably push around 280+

RE: Bow Questions
 

I have a 4 year old dartons maverick that is set at 71 lbs, I shoot a 28" arrow that is 440g and am getting 280 out of......... I would say any upper endbow out there today should be able to do this.....

RE: Bow Questions
 

It has nothing to do with being Heman, but I can pull 90 with ease and wouldn't mind shooting a heavier bow if needed but will gladly shoot a 70lb if it will accomplish what I need. I passed on a 40 yard shot this year because I know my bow has a lot of drop at 40 yards and beyond. I can shoot out to 40 but there were a few twigs and the shot didn't set good with me. I hunt with a couple of my dad's buddies from time to time and they are shooting much flatter and faster than I am but using smaller arrows with 50-60lb Matthews setups. I will be the first to admit that I have lost a deer before and it was due to a shot deflecting off a brach, I have also helped track deer that people shot with tiny arrows and 75 grain heads that didn't get it done. My goal is to fling a decent weighted arrow and know that my shot will seal the deal, I also want to know that I can punch through a shoudler with ease. 20-30 yard shots are no problem with my old set up but anything farther and too many factors come to play.

RE: Bow Questions
 

racewayking, I understand your concerns about shooting a light arrow. But like you said in your first post, the bow you are shooting now is older and bows have changed so much. The new bows are throwing arrows out so fact and not just light little arrows either, there is just no need to pull 90lbs. I could pull 90lbs, but I am glad I don't have to do it. My comment about trying to be Heman was just to make light of the fact that there is no need to pull 90lbs, not a personal slam. Stop in at your local pro shot and you will be amazed at how fast these new bows are pumping arrows out.

RE: Bow Questions
 

I shot several the other day and liked the Bowtech General. It was a 70lb with 29" draw and the factory tag said it shot a 350gr arrow 301fps. I would like to hit that speed with an arrow 50-100gr heavier than the factory tested arrow. Is there something similar out there 33 in. Or shorter that can fling a hunting arrow weighing 400-450 in a 70lb draw?

RE: Bow Questions
 

elite makes 80lbs gto which will smoke and arrow rated at 350 fps

RE: Bow Questions
 

There are a bunch of bows that will out perform your old bow and be a heck of a lot more comfortable to shoot as a bonus. Unless you are targeting elephant, hippo, cape buffalo, etc...there is no reason at all to shoot a bow with that heavy a draw weight.

You didn't say what your draw length is but assuming its 29 inches which is the most common you can easily find a 70 pound bow that will shoot a 450 grain arrow at 280+ fps. My General is shooting a 465 grain arrow at 270 with a 30 inch draw and it is one of the slower bows for todays standards.

My guardian last year was shooting a 490 grain arrow at 270 fps.

There are quite a few.

Bowtechhas both of the airborns, the allegiance, and the guardian will come close.
Elite has a few though I am not up on the elite bows.
PSE has the X-force bows that will do it. The X-force dream season should do 300 - 310 at 29 inches with a 400 grain arrow. The original X-force will do another 10fps on top of that.
The Diamond marquis will come close, about 280ish.
The Mathews DXT will come close, about 280ish.

Keep in mind that if you can get a hunting weight arrow to do 270+ then you are at a great compramise speed to have exceptional arrow flight with broadheads, a good trajectory, and plenty of Ke and momentum to drive through elk and moose.

RE: Bow Questions
 

Last year a fellow brought into our shopamid 1980's Martin Safari Custom Special, it was a 100 pound bow. We tested it along sidea 70 poundMathews Drenalinwith the same draw lenght.We shot several arrows rangingfrom 400 to 600 plus grains out of both bows. The result was time after time each arrow was faster out of the Drenalin. Its amazingto think aboutthat in as little as 20 years a 70 pound bow, could outshoot a 100 pound bow of yesterday. Not only that but theMartin Safari was very heavy, and had a lot of hand shock as well asnoise. Compared to the Dren which is lightweigh, fast, smooth and quiet.BTW the Dren is no speed bow either,its fast, but its nothing compared to the speed bows mentioned above by bigbulls.

RE: Bow Questions
 

Thanks everyone, think I am going to head back to the pro shop and try the Bowtech Guardian and Allegiance in 70lb again and see if I can get them to chrono out the arrows I'll be shooting. I also want to check out the Matthew Drenalin I think.

RE: Bow Questions
 

I'm getting low 280's out of my Trykon XL at 29.25" and 70# shooting a 415gr arrow. You can get close to 300fps out of a 400gr arrow with a lot of today's set-ups. You don't need to get a 80-90# bow, for the most part, a bow at those poundages is mostly for "Chest pounding" anyhow!!! JMHO.