Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: cadurfey on February 26, 2018, 03:01:00 PM
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Due to a recent shoulder surgery I have noticed that I cannot comfortably shoot bows in the mid 50's any longer. I recently acquired a Bear TD and absolutely love it!! It's an "A" handle with 47# number 3 limbs. I shoot it GREAT!! This year will be my second year Elk hunting in Colorado. I would love to take it but was concerned about it only being 47# @ 28. The arrows I'm shooting out of it are weighing 507 grains. My choice of broadhead will be a single bevel 200 grain Cutthroat. What are your thoughts? Enough to get the job done? Has anyone taken an Elk with sub 50# bows?
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Absolutely! That's all I hunt with now is 48-50#. just don't get careless with shot selection. Broadside or don't do it.
Good luck
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Utilizing the search function of this site will give you the information you are requesting without rehashing the same information over again.
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http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=146371#000000
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=076653#000007
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=097928;p=2#000025
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=149034#000000
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In 1985 I purchase a very expensive (at the time) 60 lb at 28 (marked and scaled) "custom bow" to go on my first elk hunt. I got it tuned up with 2117 al arrows with zwicky eskimo heads that weighed about 540 grns. At the time, everyone told me it was a great elk setup. It chronographed at 169 -171 fps with that setup. This was before fast flight strings were common.
Today, I shoot a Bear takedown with fast flight that is marked 45 but scales (same scale) 47 at 28. It shoots an axis shaft set up with a Zwickey, single bevel no mercy head and heavy adapter that weighs about 545 grns. It chronographs at 167 fps.
So the two bows produce very similar momentums. There is a lot more to it than just bow weight.
The Bear bow has some advantages over the heavier bow. Primarily, I draw the lighter bow about an inch further and shoot it much more accurately than the heavier bow. It uses a fast flight string and that helps. Not to mention that the skinny, weight forward arrow should provide better penetration. I have not killed as much game with the Bear (I've only had it 3 years) as the original bow, but I have killed enough to feel the combination gives as good as or better penetration (I haven't hunted elk with it yet though, maybe this year).
If you are concerned, spend some time on Tuffheads website looking at the linked articles linking momentum to the size of game hunted. Use their momentum calculator and you can probably come up with a combination that will make you comfortable.
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Just check game regs before you purchase or draw a tag I believe 50lbs is the legal limit here in Wyoming for elk.
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Sorry to bore you pdk25 with my questions....
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Not bored. Just pointing out the information is already available, just like it is for most other questions regarding whether a certain poundage is enough for a certain animal.
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My buddy killed a 340 inch bull with a 47 lb ACS. Arrow was a pass through and went so far that we couldn’t find it after a lot of searching.
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Chootem!
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Check out Basinboy on here he had the same thoughts but that year got it done on here all on video!!
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I've never elk hunted, but will be going for the first time this fall. I'll be shooting a 50 lb bow with a 475ish grain arrow so I hope it's enough!!
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I've known a number of people who have taken mature elk with 45-50# trad bows, well-tuned relatively heavy arrows, careful shot selection and good arrow placement. They also had to pass on more marginal shots and were willing to do so. Is 45-50# the best for elk? Probably not. But ultimately it's up to each of us to make our own decisions within the regulations.
I took 8 years off after my third shoulder surgery, so I wish you luck! I found I couldn't stay away from a stick and string, and this is my first year back. I'll hunt elk, and everything else, with a 50# bow (@29.5"), ~580gr tapered doug fir arrow, STOS broadhead. 50# is the OR elk minimum.
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47# @ 28" is likely the same bow as 50# @ 29". And 50# @ 28" is the same bow as 47# @ 27". I can almost guarantee you that your 47# will smoke my 50# board bows.
The advice I've read about light-poundage bows is that if you have any doubts with the bow, stack the odds in your favor with the arrow. Go up around 700 grains, opt for more narrow single bevels, stack up your FOC, etc. What you lose in trajectory, you should gain back in penetration.
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Well I am not an advocate of shooting light gear for an animal of that size, and that's what I'll categorize that bow weight. Not saying it can't be done. First you have a long wait til Elk season, so you should be able to work up as you heal. Personally I would not take a weapon that increases the already high risk of not getting a clean shot. Then there is the cost, time and effort involved just to do a hunt like that. I have hunted many Elk and they are an elusive target. Not worth the risk move up in weight and be spot on with your shooting abilities.
just my 2cents.
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Actually just about every question asked has already been answered before. If you don't like our rehashed questions ,just pass on by the thread without responding to it.
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To help: I don't think PDK was bored with your question, frustrated or meaning to be insulting. As I see you are new to this site having just a couple posts. You might not be aware but we do have a search button that you can typ in key words or phrases and you'll see this topic comes up often.
Colorado has a minimum of 35# so you are safe on that front for sure. I also would personally not hesitate to Cary that now you are describing. Like someone else pointed out.. Be mindful of your shot choices. Keep your distances probably under 25yards. Sharp 2 blade cutthroat is a great choice. And keep the total arrow weight on the heavy side 550 or so. I've personally switched to wood so I could get a heavy shaft and have been pleased. Good luck.
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In 2010 I took a young 4X5 with a 46# BW PSA. Weighted Trad Only was 630 grains. I would recommend a heavy arrow. 23 yard shot, 125 yard recovery. Best of luck!
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He's asking a simple question, why not just help him out with an answer, or don't respond to his question at all, Ray
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Your setup is fine -- good luck and make sure you are in great condition!
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I have killed a few elk with #47 recurves and longbows. I use a fairly light arrow and have experienced very dea elk. I think that a great weight for hunting big game. Just shoot them in the middle and you'll be just fine.
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I was typing and didn’t see Matty’s Post until after I posted. He is spot on.
Again, good luck!
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Shoot the best flying arrow with a sharp broadhead, and you will be happy. I would recommend paper testing with field points first, the link shows you how and what to look for. When you mount the broadhead be sure to spin test, for a wobble. A lot of guys can make nice arrows, Paul makes great tapered arrows.
http://elitearrows.com/proper-arrow/
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It still comes down to two things.... speed of projectile, and weight of projectile. ( OK, there are others,like sharpness,mechanical advantage etc,but those have nothing to do with the bow).
I worry about low weights for hunting. Sure a .22 can kill a bear, sometimes.
But.....if your 45# bow can kick a heavy arrow out as fast as a 55# bow can kick out the same weight arrow, facts are they are equal.
We have the knowledge and the skills and the equipment. Going solely on bow pull weight is really not the best way to measure performance and suitability for any job.
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Originally posted by YosemiteSam:
47# @ 28" is likely the same bow as 50# @ 29". And 50# @ 28" is the same bow as 47# @ 27".
While that could be the same bow, the added draw weight of the longer draw and the longer power stroke combine to yield dramatically different performance.
Years ago I chronographed the arrow speed of a 55# @28" recurve (drawn to 28") and my 52# @ 29.5" longbow (drawn to 29.5") shooting the same 630gr ash arrow--the longbow (Treadway Black Forest) shot a slightly faster arrow.
Of course, that's just one anecdotal data point, and is only intended to show that, as another poster said, it's not just about draw weight--arrow flight, arrow weight, broadhead choice, draw length, are all important performance factors.
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Originally posted by modr:
He's asking a simple question, why not just help him out with an answer, or don't respond to his question at all, Ray
Hear,hear! We were all new here once.
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Good post Biggie.
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No better time to learn about the search function than now, then. If you don't like my post, then ignore it. I posted links for him to look into. That is more useful info than you( Biggie, Ray, and Sid) have posted in this thread.
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I missed reading your hunting stories Biggie
F-Manny
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But in considering my earlier posts, I probably should have been more cordial and considered that the fact remains that there are likely new archers with new experiences with a bow of similar performance that have taken place since the previous threads and could add additional information. Any future posts on similar topics will only mention in passing that there may be more information available through the use of the search function.
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At a 3d event a fellow younger than me showed a bunch of pictures of the the elk he shot with a 51@26 longbow. When asked about penetration, he showed the pics of entrance and exit wounds. I had a bow exactly like his exactly like mine except mine was 13 pounds heavier. I suggested a trade, since I had other bows if I wanted to shoot an elk and he just had the one. He would have no part that. The broadhead can make quite a difference if penetration may be a suspected issue. If in doubt shoot something like a Schulz Hunters Head.
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Your setup is plenty good enough sir. Shot placement is critical with any bow.....
My bow is 47#@26” and I killed a nice bull with it. My arrow was 535 grains with a Magnus Stinger 150gr 2-Blade Head and a 100gr brass insert. Best of luck!
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Last year in preparation for elk hunting, I asked Allen Boice of Liberty Bow what his thoughts were on this topic.
He thought I would be fine with my 50# bow. But he could tell I wasn't convinced.
He didn't want me to buy a new bow for potentially one hunt so he sent me his personal 55# bow, same length, same model.
In shooting both bows (with appropriate arrow for each) I found the 55# bow penetrated my target only 1/4" deeper than the 50# bow. But, all bows are different.
At some point, reducing weight will get too light and I don't know at what weight that is.
Personally, I don't want to be marginal so the two bows I bought this year are both 55# with my Stickflinger having a set of 49# back up limbs for the future. And a Liberty longbow, of course.
At 65 years old, it does take effort on my part to shoot 55# bows, but I think it is worth the it.
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My 6th trad elk was taken with a 40# recurve and 630 gr. arrow with a 2 blade head. 20" of penetration on a quartering cow. Heavy arrows from light weight bows work great if you're ok limiting your shots to closer ranges
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I shot that arrow with the 40# bow through a chrono at 140 fps. Slow, but deadly. BTW, Fnshtr and I shot our elk about 2 days and 1/4 mile apart on the same hunt.
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If everyone used the search for every subject there wouldn't be much of a forum would there.
Check state regs on bow and some have arrow weight minimum as well.
Beyond that choose your shot wisely because it maybe the only set up you get.