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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: chefrvitale on July 18, 2026, 04:29:54 PM

Title: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: chefrvitale on July 18, 2026, 04:29:54 PM
Cocobolo and bcote riser.
bocote limbs.
60in long, currently drawing just under 72#.

Goal weight is 70#, I think it will be pretty close.
One of my better looking bows.
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: kennym on July 18, 2026, 05:05:15 PM
She's a beaut!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: Crooked Stic on July 18, 2026, 05:05:37 PM
Why 72 lbs.
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: chefrvitale on July 18, 2026, 05:21:05 PM
I have shot a 70# bow since I was 17. I over draw lighter bows unless im really focused on my shot and tend to be less consistent & accurate with them.
Its just what im most comfortable shooting.
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: wood carver 2 on July 18, 2026, 05:30:57 PM
What a beauty!
Art that you hunt with.
Dave.
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: Watsonjay on July 19, 2026, 04:05:41 PM
I cant even imagine drawing a 70lb longbow
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: Kirkll on July 22, 2026, 01:35:20 PM
Quote from: Watsonjay on July 19, 2026, 04:05:41 PMI cant even imagine drawing a 70lb longbow

My hunting bow was 83-84# until i was 55 years old, and I had a few bows that were 100# draw weight. 70# isn't THAT heavy.

But at 70 years old shooting 70# is a bit more difficult. I stick with my 57# hunting weight bow now days.
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: Watsonjay on July 22, 2026, 01:48:11 PM
I can shoot a 70lb compound all day long but after 20 arrows at 45# my arrows get pretty loose. I am slowly building up though
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: mmattockx on July 23, 2026, 09:59:36 AM
Quote from: Watsonjay on July 22, 2026, 01:48:11 PMI can shoot a 70lb compound all day long but after 20 arrows at 45# my arrows get pretty loose.

That's because you aren't holding 70lb. In the target community the typical recommendation for people switching from compound to recurve is to start with a draw weight that is twice the hold weight of your compound and build up from that.

If your 70lb bow has a 70% let off in the valley then you're only holding 21lb and your 45lb is pretty close to on the mark for that.


Mark
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: Watsonjay on July 23, 2026, 10:11:56 AM
Quote from: mmattockx on July 23, 2026, 09:59:36 AM
Quote from: Watsonjay on July 22, 2026, 01:48:11 PMI can shoot a 70lb compound all day long but after 20 arrows at 45# my arrows get pretty loose.

That's because you aren't holding 70lb. In the target community the typical recommendation for people switching from compound to recurve is to start with a draw weight that is twice the hold weight of your compound and build up from that.

If your 70lb bow has a 70% let off in the valley then you're only holding 21lb and your 45lb is pretty close to on the mark for that.


Mark
Its worse than that, its 85% letoff 😭
Title: Re: Finishing up my bow for this season
Post by: Kirkll on July 23, 2026, 02:41:28 PM
i always found the key to shooting heavier draw weight traditional bows has been not to hold them at full draw.  Draw to anchor in one smooth motion and release.... it's all rolled into one.

Shooting a compound bow is a totally different ball game, and there is no comparison. It's much closer to shooting a fire arm, technique wise...