What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

I will be buying the new Mathews LX bow as soon as my dealer recieves them. Which bow would shoot the fastest? A 60 lb bow set at it' s max (usually 61 - 63 lb) or a 70lb bow set at the same 63lb. And will it be a noticably difference. The reason I ask is my dealer said a 60lb bow set at it' s max would shoot harder and that I wouldn' t gain much speed by going with a 70 lb bow. I like the idea of having a 70lb bow set at 63 or so pounds with the option of increasing the weight if I want to. Also, once a bow is broken in, how much of that 60lb will I lose. I don' t want to end up shooting a 58 lb bow. Does anyone have any insight into my delima? I currently shoot an old High Country at 78lb with no problems.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

Any bow set at its Highest poundage and longest draw length is set for optimal preformance.
shortening the draw length (which requires the cams to be changed on Matthews bows) will affect speed more than any thing else If you want 60# draw weightI would suggest getting the lighter poundage bow because when you start cranking down the # on a bow you loose peak preformance and yes you will also loose a couple of FPS that is for any bow.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

I agree with Bigpapa usaly a bow will shoot at its best cranked down tight , and 60 lbs is plenty for hunting , besides all the mathews bows I' ve owned will weigh in 2 to 3 pounds heavyer than advertised and if you want more you can put a twist or two in the power cabel and you will be around 65 no problem , not that you need it .

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

I agree get the 60 # if that' s what you want to shoot regularly! Generally each pound = 2 fps in speed ,in case you wanted to know. Good Luck !!

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

If you shoot a 400 grain arrow, the 70# will shoot harder vs. the 60#. Keep in mind when you choose an arrow, that the 60# will shoot near the same speed as the 70# when the grains per pound are the same.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

I had the same dilema you have last year when I bought my new hoyt. I was told the same thing you were told about a bow being better if it is cranked. I did get the 60 partially because I shoot fingers and have a little arthritis. That and 60 is pleanty for hunting. I do however agree with you 63 pounds is good but, are you going to be more apt to go up or down with you poundage. The other thing to consider is arrows I shoot aluminums and 60 being my max with my draw length 28 to shoot a correct size arrow I' m kinda stuck with lighter thin walled arrows. So in that aspect I kinda wish I would have got the 70 pound Just for the option of shooting a more durable arrow. And being able to go up 1-5 lbs. or even 10. I' d go for he 70.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

When I bought mine two years ago, I got the 70 # Mathews FX but set the draw weight where it was comfortable for me. It is at 67 pounds and with my 462 gr arrow, I' m getting 60 ft-lb KE, it shoots great, is extremely accurate, and more than adequate for anything I' ll be hunting.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

I do tend to agree with the others about the 60 pounder being a better choice for best efficiency, etc... however I will also state that I regularly buy the 70 lb peak draw weight models and crank them down to 65 lbs to shoot. I do like the option of being able to increase the draw weight easily if necessary and I do not feel that the mid draw weight range setting really impacts the practical application of the bow to a large extent.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

Yeah you know I wish they made the bows peak at 65LBS. That' s a pretty easy draw for most of us and with the power of these modern bows it' s all you need.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

Buckfevr,

If you are ordering a bow then most companies will allow you to order a " heavy 60 lber" that will actually peak right at 65 lbs. The only problem is the obvious...you have to order it. :)

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

PA,

Thats another reason I like my FX so much. With the minimax the 73lb limbs bottom out at around 66-67lbs, I can draw that all day long. But like you have pointed out a lot depends on the draw cycle. That is a good idea about ordering heavy limbs but having gone through a bit with bows to get them just right, I think that I' d want to try the exact bow that I' d be buying. You know measure everything and make sure that it feels right. For instance my minimax 28 comes in @ 28 3/8th AMO which is very close to perfect for me. Although I think the tolerances are getting better they do have slightly different personalities one to another. You know when the bow really fits you right, when the draw cycle and valley and wall suit you and the drawlength it right and the draw weight is pleasant, the bow gets to feeling like it' s part of you. And then for hunting if it is manueverable and is forgiving. Well at that point it isn' t a Mathews or a Hoyt or a Bowtech etc..

It' s your weapon!!!:D

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

Seems like almost all my Mathews, have been a slight bit heavier than peak, usualy near to 4 pounds so I will get 73-74 out of a 70# . I would go 60, shoot 60, and go up or down for spine. If spine proves non-critical as I have usualy found to be the case with release, then crank it as far as you can comfortably shoot it, I would guess you wil get at least 62 out of it.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

Thanks for all your input. But I' m still undecided. I guess I' ll decide the day the bows show up at the archery store.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

the one thing i think people are forgetting to metion i know for sure on the black max, that get the let of at 65% instead. will also increase the speed(power stroke is longer). in repeating everyone else matthews is most effecient when cranked all the way down....the only problems you should have over the summer is the string stretching. if you are comfortable with 70# that should be fine.

RE: What poundage, 60 or 70?
 

last season I ordered a new bow at 70# peak draw weight. I shoot it at 65 to 66 pounds all the time.
But the next bow I buy will definitely be a 60# peak draw weight bow because I also feel that a bow will be more efficient cranked all the way down.
~DREW~