I'm going for whitetail and want to increase the poundage I'm shooting because I'm paranoid that the arrow wont penetrate well enough at the current 55. However, I'm comfortable at 55 but could probably struggle for 65 or so. My arrow flight just looks really weak and slow compared to some of the speed bows I've seen at the range. Yup you guessed it, I'm a newbie.

Now what I need to know is, can I change out cams that will make drawing 65 lbs easier than the cams I have now. They are half way between circular and oval. I've seen more oval ones almost egg shaped and wonder if those would make drawing bow at higher poundages easier.

TIA

I'm no expert but in my experiences the more dramatic looking the cam the harder to get it to roll over.
I'v got a bear compound with the string going over round wheels & the cables over egg shaped cams & it draws much easier than my Martin with big funky cams. However, that Martin throws an arrow alot faster than the Bear with both set at 70 lbs. Actually the Martins only 68 lbs. I dont know how much faster but its way flatter so it must be faster.

This sounds somewhat like a situation where you are robbing Peter to pay Paul. Going to a softer drawing cam but then increasing your draw weight somewhat defeats the purpose of going to a softer drawing cam in the first place. I say "somewhat" because it is possible that a cam with a more rounded bell shape draw force curve may be a bit easier to draw because of the smoother transition into and out of the bow's peak weight plateau. However, the amount of effort generated may yet still be somewhat the same between the two scenarios you are presenting.

Basically, it really comes down to the two bows that you are trying to compare at the two different draw weights.

Yes but Mary doesn't know that the money used to pay Paul is stolen. She only knows that I'm a good citizen for paying my debt.

Analogies aside, if I can go to an easier drawing cam, I can increase my draw weight and still maintain my draw effort. I'm not sacrificing something for another. Or am I?

i wouldn't worry about the penetration of a 55lb bow. if you put the arrow where its supposed to go, penetration should be the least of your worries. just a thought.

To answer your question, an eccentric type would be the easiest.

Frankly, a round wheel is the easiest of all. And don't think 55lbs is not enough. It'll take care of almost anything on North America if you can hit the lung area--including elk and moose.

Now you want to shoot something that draws easy and produces a lot of speed (which helps with the penetration anxieties) try shooting a Martin bow with the Nitrous cams. Mine is generating 280fps with a hunting setup----27.5" draw and 55lbs.
Preferably look at the Cougar III or Shadowcat. I have the SlayR. A bit heavy but I like em that way.

But you are not really gaining anything either. Try to imagine a bell shaped curve. The Y axis is draw weight and the X axis is draw length. A smoother drawing cam has a narrower bell shape since you only hit the peak weight for a very short duration of the draw cycle. Lets just say 4 inches for example. The entire rest of the powerstroke from brace to full draw is spent increasing to that peak weight and decreasing from the peak weight into the valley.

A harder drawing cam maintains its peak weight over a greater distance of the draw cycle. Lets say 10-12 inches. In other words you are pulling that peak weight for a greater percentage of distance from brace back to full draw. That is where the extra speed of a harder drawing cam generally comes from.

So, with that 55 lber you mentioned (assuming a hard cam) you are holding that peak 55 lbs for (my suggested) 10-12 inches of the draw cycle. With the softer cam and a 65 lb draw weight you are holding that peak 65 lbs for only (my suggested) 4 inches of the draw cycle. As I mentioned, the transition to that 65 lb peak weight and from it into the valley might make it feel a bit easier than the 55 lb draw weight and then again it might not. It all depends on the two individual bows being compared.

There was a post about energy and draw posted last week, Rangeball started it. Take a look and it will help out, there was a lot of good info there. If you are still concerned about penetration, which you probably don't need to be, try going with a cut on contact broadhead or even heavier arrows. I know some will debate the heavier arrows, but few will debate the broadhead selection. Something like a Magnus Stinger or similar would help out. If your distance is known and close, like from a treestand, you really have nothing to worry about and your current setup will work just fine. Make sure your broadhead tipped arrows fly exactly where you aim and you should be fine.
Have fun,
JMAC

You want a SMOOTH draw? Get an Oneida. Say what you will about Oneidas, but my 10 year old Phantom II is smoother than the new Bowtech Liberty. Plus with an Oneida, you can shoot 67 pounds and it will only feel like 55, because of the lever design. Oh, and did I mention never having to go to the shop just change a string or adjust timing? With an Oneida you can completely disassemble and reassemble the entire bow with a bow press. In fact, Never put an Oneida in a regular bow press. So to answer your question, Oneida.

PS: Like the dude above me said, If your still worried about penetration get Magnus Stingers. They are the best broadhead IMO. and With a warrenty like they have, I dont see why wouldnt get them. You can shoot them into a vault door and send them back, and tell them you shot it into a vault door, and they will send you new ones.