I need information....Please. I shoot a PSE Firestorm Lite that is rated at 300 fps. I have had it set at 72 lbs. draw weight. It cronoyed out at 256 fps. with my set up. What are real world expectations for fps. in hunting situations? Is 256 fast, slow or just so-so. I just had a new zebra string put on and the pro shop dialed me back to 55 lbs. at 230 fps. because I am having neck surgery on Thurs. 14 th. To effectively hunt do I need to be a bit faster or am I o.k.? This may sound simpliustic or even dumb, but when the Doc. lets me hunt I need the bow to perform well and if I need to up the weight for a bit more speed I will ( if possible ) cause I don't want to take a chance on only hurting the deer. Is speed ( real world ) not IBO THAT important?

speed and weight of the arrow = kinetic energy, so it is pretty important, but with the speeds you are mentioning there is nothing to worry about

dont read the IBO speed. all that is is shooting the bow at the MAX draw legnth AND weight shooting a VERY light arrow. its about the norm to have a bow rigged for hunting shoot about 30-50fps SLOWER then the IBO speed.

i dont know your arrow weight but i ran the calculations....say your arrow weight is around 400grs..with 230fps your still pushing 47lbs of KE. id say your fine so long you dont nail a shoulder. i think 35lbs of KE is the "magic" number if im not mistaken...id start shooting the bow that light NOW and resight it in BEFORE the surgery. youll likely be laid up a while and not beable to shoot(since you said surgery..)...and when you finally can youll be running to get out there if your anything like me lol. i wouldnt wanna reset my pins when i COULD be hunting. get it all set now..get through your surgery and heal well, and after the DOCTOR says its ok AND you can draw your bow comfortably..then go hunting. i dont know what kind of surgery or anything...but since its in the neck that makes it kinda important to heal... you probably dont relize it but your neck muscles run from your head to your back...you use them to draw..so id take it easy and make sure you heal up good.

good luck to you...hope all is well and you recover quickly..id say you should be alright shooting that light...keep it behind the shoulder and i wouldnt shoot so far out(25yds max probably) and youll be good to go

Mouser06, Thats what I am doing is getting it set up for what I can do when DOC says go for it. I am having 2 discs removed in my neck and the vertebrae fused together. I am supposed to be out of commission for about 6 weeks ( OUCH ) and I need to be able to do my part and the bow to do it's part when I get to the woods. Just was not sure if 55 lbs was enough, and to what range ( distance ) is ethical, for respecting the animal. I would rather not shoot than only "hurt" the deer. But as I asked originally, at 72 lbs. is 256 fps. considered fast? Is 230 fps at 55 lbs slow? Anyway, Thanks a bunch to all who reply. I have two days to get all set and get my pins right again. But I will say, 55 lb. pull is a breeze compaired to the 72 lbs I have been pulling. Good luck to all this season.
There is a world of knowledge in the people at this site.
P.S. I currently have a pic of a 16 inch heavy beamed 8 point that I know is just waiting for my return. LOL . I know he is scared.

230fps is plenty fast enough. For the last few years I've used a 70# bow that only shot 220 fps and killed deer and wild hog with it. Complete pass-through on the hog with a Spitfire Expandable. Trust me, you'll be fine with your bow set at 55#. Good Luck with your recovery and GOod Hunting.

Regards,
Axel

There are guys shooting arrows at 150 fps out of 50 lb longbows and blowing through elk. Speed means almost nothing. You have far more than you need.

A couple guys have given you the right answer. Recurves and long bows shoot much slower and cleanly harvest animals. Earlier compounds like I used to shoot shot 180-190fps and 200 was a screamer. Rarely did my arrows not pass right through deer.

Don't get all hepped up over these guys that punch numbers all the time. It does not take heavy weight and a ton of kinetic energy to kill a deer. If you are shooting anything around 50# or more and a properly spined arrow that is flying well you have enough kinetic energy for deer.

Frankly I think most guys would be doing themselves and the game a favor by shooting less weight, but being able to shoot it more comfortably and accurately, but it won't happen for most because of the problem men have---testosterone.

You just concentrate on getting well and whatever weight you can handle accurately will serve you just fine.

Mike, I just read your post about the fusion so here is some info. I had one disc removed and fusion back in 1990, and again in 2000. Was in a collar for 2 months. Don't push it, listen to the doctor. You're most likely going to wear a collar for 6 weeks or more and then be on some kind of weight restriction for a while as far as lifting is concerned---maybe about 25 lbs.

Without trying to bust your bubble I'd say that if you really want to do it right you should hang the bow up for this year.Fusion involves putting bone chips in place of the discs and these have to all heal together like a broken bone. If you tear something loose there you're going to be in a hell of a mess for a long time.

I do wish you luck with the surgery.

I know I am out until the 13 th of Nov. for sure.Argggg .. Just shootME!!! That is my first post op appt., but bow season here in Arkansas goes until the end of Feb. and I just have to say I already have the feaver BAD. I know I am out for the opening of bow season, 1 st muzzleloading, and the opening of gun season on nov. 13 th is iffy..... BUT I can hope and pray. I figure if the doc cuts me loose, I might can use my sons 243 heavy barrell single shot and limit my shot selection, but I really want to bow hunt this year, because I missedALL (not a single day or shot loosed )of last year due to work. I was ready but it did not matter. Bosses do not care if you hunt or not. So anyway, thank you all for the reassurance and kind words. I will take it easy and wait patiently, but if he ( doc. ) says yes, be prepared, where-ever you are to hear a whoop and a holler, and get ready for a pic to appear on line. Like I said ...... I got it bad. LOL. God bless....Good luck and be safe.