ive been hunting with a 45lb recurve just wondering how many outhers are shooting bows around this weight range i have not had a close enough shot yet this year to se how it does the jobbeen tryig to get 15 yards or closer shots
I like 42-49# for whitetails, here in NC.
It's about all I feel comfortable shooting 40 or 50 arrows.
I'd shoot the most you feel comfortable and accurate with.
I use to shoot a 54# bow, years ago when I could. That was easy to pull, at the time.
45LB for the last 6 years.
I shot a 70lb longbow and 65lb recurves for quite a few years but got more interested in competitions and found the most accurate wheight for me was 45lb,so I've stuck with that.
It kills things just as well as the heavier bows ever did.
I shoot a Howard Hill redman and a Big Five 47# @27" for the redman and 48# @28" for the Big Five.
49# PSR for me only had the bow for 1 year but had complete pass through on a black bear and a whitetail. doug77
My three bows are 49#,49# and 47#.
My bow is #40 and my new one will be #49
47 for me this year. I usally like 50-55 but the lighter bow did the trick on whitetail and its nice to shoot.
I draw over 29" and most of what I have been shooting is 52#-54#@28". I have picked up a Crow Creek TD longbow that is 45@28" and pulls 49-50 at my draw according to my scale. I have to admit I shoot better and it is alotta fun. Speed is very good and plenty for the hunting I do whitetails and such. When I was younger almost everyone I knew shot 45# bows and most of them drew less then 28". Still killed lots of deer. LOL<><
42-48# here too. My wife shoots a 42#er as well.
Every year the poundage bows people guy are buying are getting lighter. Most bows we sell are under 50. Rarely have anyone asking for a new bow over 55.
#47, #49, #49,#50 and #52 here
My Mikuta longbow is 53# @ 28"
But I killed my Spikehorn this year with a 47# 1967 Bear Grizzly :thumbsup:
My bow "One" is 50# @ 28".
I have two BW TFV's that are 48# and 51# @ 26". My new to me Griffin and Super Shrew Gold draw 47#-49# at 26". Can shoot them all day without getting tired.
... mike ... :)
47# @ 27"
45 to 48 lbs for the last 50 years. Only had one bow over 50 lbs since I have been in archery.
42# Widow PLX does the trick for me.
I have bows ranging from 45-55#.
The only reson I moved up to the 50# for this years hunt was due to my bear hunt in Canada. They have a weight restriction on hunting bows.
Mine is 48# @ 29" and will do eveything I want it to. I ain't getting any younger and enjoy shooting. This is comfortable to me and is plenty for the type of hunting I do. This past summer I talked to a dealer at a shoot who told me he no longer took bows in trade over 55#. Had a hard time getting rid of them and most were being traded for lower draw weights.
Take care,
Ed :archer:
I've shot 48# bows for years. Have taken moose, caribou, whitetail, & black bear with them.
todd smith
All three of mine are under 50.
All the best,
Glenn
raising my embarrassingly skinny arm. My new Striker is 47 lb @ 27"
45# Red wing Hunter. Nice light bow, great in the woods.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f196/jjeffer/Appenzel01.jpg)
Hey Todd, hows the RHM doing these days?
I think of our UP hunt often.
I shoot a martin rebel # 45 @ 26"
i killed my moose with a 50 at 28 inch fox breed take down, My draw is 26.5. so i am shooting around 45 lbs!
47# at 28. took a nice doe with a pass thru earlier this fall.
45# Black Widow and a 580 grain arrow. With and sharp broadhead and a well placed shot this is plenty thump to take down whitetail.
This thread surprises me a bit, but it is an encouragement!
Life-changing medical problems forced me to drop to "girlie bow" poundages this year. Sold 5 bows in the 59-62# range to buy a Morrison Cheyenne and Sheepeater Obsidian at 47#@29.
I love these "little" bows, and am thrilled to be able to continue in archery for a while longer. Shooting 12 grains/pound they pack a serious "THUMP," even if it is a bit less than what was familiar.
I feel sorry for the whitetail that stands on the receiving end of an arrow from either bow (unless there is an intervening sapling, as has happened TWICE this season as I tried to thread an arrow though an 8" gap!)
I miss my old bows, but do not feel "under-gunned" in any way. I figured this would put me in the bottom 5% of trad bowhunters for poundage, but didn't care. Now I suspect that there are a far greater number of folks who were more astute than I, and that a lot of fine hunters have settled in this range.
I do think it is good to shoot the highest poundage you can shoot comfortably, consistently, and WELL. Just don't believe anyone should fret if that poundage is sub-50, as long as they do the work to make sure the "fine points" (arrow flight, broadhead selection and sharpness, etc.) are all in place.
Feelin' a bit less "girlie" now than I expected...
Too soon old, too late smart-
Daryl
I have hunted for many years with bows in the 42# to 50# range and have not had any problems with making the shot or having pass thru's. I just purchased an RER Vortex 60", 43# for my go to bow. Don't expect any issues. I live in Texas and have harvested Whitetail,Corsican Ram and Russian hog. The only shot that didn't give complete pass thru was the Corsican Ram. The distance was more than I usually shoot. I grew up in the 50's shooting long bows passed down from my older brother and eventually made enough money to purchase a semi-recurve bow. It was much faster than the longbows. I used to hunt on a golf course for ground squirrels which always proved a challenge. If they saw you coming they would give off a call and alert all the other squirrels. Some would stand erect and look for the threat while others would hug the ground lying prone. The ones that went prone were the easist to get. We would line up the shot and shoot in front of the squirrel a few feet and allow the arrow the slide forward to the squirrel.
No broadheads either field tips were the order of the day. One day while on the golf course I spotted a crow in the top of a tree and gave a go at it. The arrow hit the crow and carried him up into the air and back down into the tree. He was still very much alive and started sending out calls of distress. Within seconds crows came from everywhere and started dive bombing me. I took off running and swinging with my bow just to get away from the onslaught. Over the years I have had probably 8 Wing bows which included a Prensentation 1 and as well as most of Bob's other hunting bows. My favorite of all times was his Thunderbird 62", 44#. It had the smoothest draw and fantastic cast. The handle was black phenolic and felt great-no shock dead in the hand.
40# selfbow and 44# longbow :D :D
My "Heavy" bow is a 55lb recurve. The rest are 48/53lbs
All my adult life I have shot bows in the upper 70s or low 80s. The last few years after my open heart surgury I had to go way down in weight and now I shoot 64#@29" and I'm a little embarrassed to admit it. I can shoot my 72@29" longbow and my 73#@29" recurve now but the light bow shoots so sweetly I may not move back up. :bigsmyl:
This message you have read is true, it is however only offered for the purpose of humor and perceptive. For some 50 is heavy for others 60 is light. Now for for the point. 35# kills deer all the time. I've even seen sub 30# bows of modern design with enough to get the job done. Tougher animals probably need heavier bows because they require a heavier arrow. I would not have any qualms about hunting deer and hogs 100# or less(prime eating size anyway) with 45#. If I limited my shots to just the other side of point blank and I shot just as heavy an arrow as the bow could shoot well I'd hunt elk and moose with 45# too. I think a Gold Tip 3555 front loaded to give it a total weight of 490 - 530 grains would make a pretty lethal arrow.
I shot a buddies 46# Southern Draw last weekend. That bow flat out smokes an arrow! It was if I was drawing a kids bow untill I let her go! I would have no problem chasin deer with that bow. Got me thinkin to have a set of lighter limbs made up for my ole Zipper TD one of these days.
JL
My newest and heaviest bow is 55# at 28. I got it because that was what was available to me for my resources. I am in the process of talking with the bowyer and his outlet to see if I can trade down in weight.I will stay at 49# or under if at all possible. I'd rather be shooting for as long as possible than shoot higher weight for a shorter time. My resources are the only thing slowing the process
God bless,Mudd
I have six recurves and they range from 49# to 52#. The 52's are a set of extra limbs for one of my bows and they seem a bit stout but I still shoot them, just not as much as the others.
Louis
I ain't got no skinny arms, but my go-to killin bow is 46@27. Seems to work fine because I shoot it really well. I can shoot it for literally hundreds of shots in a day with no ill effects.
i have a 46# ferret self bow, 46# dwyer, and 45# massie...505 gr. arrows fly great from them. i could shoot them all day.
stan
Morrison w/ 48#@28 and I'm closer to 29" now or near 50#. Fedora is 49.5# at 28 so that might go 51#+. heavy carbons that don't lose energy wobblin down range and I feel very good about it!
wild fire osage orange #45 @26
allegheny #46@26
new to me bob sarrells #46 @26
and i love all these bows they are nice to shoot as i am shooting in the pacific 3d championships this weekend iam going to use my bob sarrells.or will that be my allegheny so hard to pic which one. :biglaugh: but i think i will use the bob sarrells.
thank guy fore all the info hopefully ill get my chance thrus day morning do a lot of you guys shoot carbon ive been shooting cx 200 and they shoot prety good for me are 2 blades the way to go or could i get by with 3 blades
I'm shooting a 45lb @ 28" bow, but my draw length is around 30". I'm shooting carbon express arrows 4560's cut to 31.75". I also shoot 125 grain three blade magnus snuffers. So far that combination worked well on my only shot at a whitetail (in my avatar).
Bob Lee Hunter Pro for me. 44# @ 26". It's fun to shoot and weighs just a bit more than a feather with absolutely no hand shock.
The two bows I shoot the most are both 47#@28" MOAB and '55 Kodiak. Plenty to get the job done and I draw them close to 28" because I can.
My Red Wing Hunter is 50# @ 28 but, I only draw 26.5 - So that puts me in under 50.
I shoot GT 35-55 full length, 100 gr brass, and Montec 125s w/3x5 shield cuts; though I'm trying the 4x5 @ 75/105.
It goes where I go and I can shoot that weight all day. Hope to find out how it does on things bigger than chipmunks and tennis balls.
My bows are: 47# , 45# , and 46#. Used to shoot in the 60's, but that was 35 + years ago !
That was meant to say I used to shoot bows in the 60 + pound range .
My bow is a 50# @28 Brackenbury Quest. I draw almost exactly 28. I have a set of 45# @ 28 limbs coming for the Quest.
I have found that no matter what weight you want to hunt at (within reason), if you practice 5# or so heavier, the hunting weight is much more manageable.
I use to over bow myself. Shot a Pronghorn and an Earth Archery longbow both were 54#@26"or60#@28". I really struggled with acuracy.I now have a 49#@28"Hornes Ridgerunner takedown and am shooting much better.I also have a 50# RER Aroyo ordered.
My longbow is 44# and I am building a recurve I hope comes out around 45#. I shoot so much better just dropping down from 50#.
I sent my bow(55@28) off today in trade for one that is 49@28. I hoping its light enough to help me keep shooting for years to come.
God bless,Mudd
thanks for all the replies you guys are great makin me feel pretty confident just a couple years ago i was shooting a 82 lb compound now a these 45 lb recurves and longbows alot of difference
On most recently sold a bow 52# @ 29" and for me personally I was over Bowed.
I purchased a Turkey Creek Longbow 43# @ 29" 63" three-piece takedown and it is the smoothest, and fastest 43 pounder I've ever shot,428 G. total arrow weight at 189 fps, it's a great bow. And I do not struggle with it. it's accurate, and reliable.
Carl
50ish pound bows are about my heaviest - any more irritates my bow elbow I broke badly in grade school.
45lb at 28" for me. About 48lb at my draw. Plenty for what I am going to hunt.
Scott
46# @ 27. My first stick deer was killed with a 40# being drawn to 37#.
Mine are between 42# and 48#.
I just finished a new bow for myself in early Oct. I wanted 50-55 @31, it came out 47 @ 31 . I was a little concerned because I have been shooting 58-60 @31on my last several bows .................. second hunt with 47 I shot completely thru a nice doe , arrow stuck in the ground on the other side ........... now I love it ........... my accuracy is MUCH better and its actually more fun (comfortable ) to shoot!!!!!!
I'm drawing about 47# at my draw off of my Morrison.
I draw 47# w/my Widow, and 45# w/my Bob Lee.Have taken 6 deer w/these bows since I started trad. 2 yrs ago.
PETE
I shoot a Ben Pearson Deerslayer 50# and a Regency 45# Both are Recurves.
My bows are all less than 48# at my 27" draw and they seem to do the trick!
Claudia
Hummingbird recurve 47# @ 27"
Thunderhorn longbow 47# @ 27"
Brackenbury recurve on order 47# @ 27"
I kinda like 47# @ 27" :)
All my hunting bows are under 49# at my draw. Complete pass thrus on 5 bears using stone points to Wensels! Seems to work for me...Doc
I have two at 45#'s and one at 48#'s. I have found that to be a comfortable range for me. Plus it will get the job done on anything I hunt! Leonard. :goldtooth:
My bows are 52# to 58#.
Tri-State Jaguar 49@27"....I'm taller than Red Beastmaster 8^).
41 lb Chek Mate Kings Pawn Deluxe
i shoot a 48lb zipper at 28in draw,shot a doe at 26yds this evening,pass through.shot a new mex 6 by 6 bull elk this year at 20yds head on through the chest and buried to the fletch,dead on impact,slid 30ft down the mountain.
42-44 lbs, but own quite a few bows in all ranges up to 68#
Kanati longbow 46# @ 28"
Kota Killum recurve 48# @ 28"
Black Bear 45# @ 28"
These are the ones I shoot the most. The older I get the better I like the lighter bows.
nice thread, I'm in the middle of moving down in weight right now.
I figure I really need something around 46#@29 instead of the 50-55#@28 I've been shooting, trying anyway for the last few months.
I wish I could convince more people to lighten up(though obviously the folks on this thread don't need convincing). A run-in with a 110 pound compound left me with permanent shoulder damage. My heaviest bow now is 53#@27... and I can barely handle it. My newest Owl is 45@28. If I order another bow it will probably be 40 @28...and I have shortened my "normal" draw to about 27"
Seems I remember reading PBS promoted or promotes a 50# bow or heavier for hunting. Anyone else recall.
41# , 43 # , 2 x 46 # . Lookin after a mistreated shoulder and since I switched to heavier arrows - good results target and huntin . Though favourite selfbow is 58# now she started life as a 47 # and I shortened her up in a moment of madness . regards Jacko
Custom longbow 48#, Bear Kodiak Hunter 45# and a Northwind flat bow 34# which is my favorite bow to shoot. wife shoots a 32# bear cub. All have killed a deer or two. Don't really count.
Jon
Semper fi
Pray for our troops this Christmas Season.
I just started shooting and I am shooting a Martin m-14 longbow at 45lbs @ 29 1/2 inches. Can't pull anymore right now because of shoulder surgery. One more sleep till HO HO time.
:wavey:
I'm shootin' my #49 bow
48 # Black Widow PSR.
I'm shooting 43-45 now. Seems every surgery I have to get results in a lighter bow. I guess getting old keeps some of our bowyers working.
I don't hunt, but the bows I shoot most are 50-55#@28". Since I have a 26" draw, that translates to 45-50#@26. My favorite bow is a 52# (@28")Pronghorn, and I wouldn't be afraid to hunt anything around here with it.
45#@26"
I'm heading that way. This year during hunting season I started feeling a soreness in my shoulder when I draw. Going down in weight seems like a good idea.
Add me to that list too.Did somethin to my shoulder last summer.Had it re adjusted,but it seems,that if i shoot anything over 50,it hurts my shoulder again.
42# @ 28' here.
I shoot 50 at 28.
twotimmer longbow 42 @28" bob sarells longbow 53@28 with my short draw it is 45-46
allegheny super mountain bow 48 @28" dont need any thing else thats heavy poundage.
I shoot 49@29,45@29, and 50@29
Howzit all,
Currently I am shooting a Great Plains SR Blackhawk 44lbs at 26 inches. If you scroll down on the forum, I have a short story about hunting pigs here in Hawaii. I had a complete pass through on a pig. For me anyhows, I feel very comfortable shooting this poundage. As long as I do my part, the broadhead/arrow will do the rest.
Aloha, Mark
Being green and still a virgin (as to killing game of any type) with this stick with a string on it. When I went to pick out my first long bow I didn't want to be over bowed so I opted for a 45#, figured it would be enough to get me through 2 or 3 seasons before the bug really bit.
Didn't want to build in any bad habits by having more bow than I could handle. My reasoning proved to be true. After the first 6 wks of practise I could definitly tell I was using muscles that normally weren't being used.
After the second year of practise,( along with a empty freezer) I realized that 50# would probably be max. for me.
49# @ 29 inches on my BW huntin bow.
I grew up shooting a 45# Pearson recurve. Had a 20 year affair with wheels and went back to stick and string but I jumped in at 67#. Being I shot 70's wheels, I could shoot 67# curve for hours (no joke, sometimes 6-7 hours straight) until I tore my rotor cuff...
My shoulder wasn't ready for that much weight for those prolonged shooting sessions. I couldn't pull a car door closed let alone shoot a bow once the damage was done. Took a long time to heal up from that bone head move and I was shell shocked to pull any "weight". Started shooting a 47# DH hunter and have ventured up to 55# but I have shot a lot of sub-50# bows and some of those bows can really smoke an arrow. I hunt deer so mid to hi 40's really work for me. I had a 50# Border Black Douglas TD that would shoot a 30" 35/55 at 211FPS, quietly I might add. Can't ask for much more then that.
JL
My recurve is 50lbs @ 28in and i love it right there>
I'd reply, but I'm just a gurrrllll anyway.
And I'll sock the next smarta33 who says anything about it.
Killdeer :knothead:
47#@28" A&H ACS CX. Simply perfect.
Mikuta longbow 48#@27"