Do the tournaments (or anyone) keep track of the bow weight of those that are winning and placing in the state tournament levels?
Was just wondering what these guys are shooting, because all the used target bows of the past are in the 30-40 lb range. The ones I typically see for sale anyway.
Most of the guys at worlds are shooting low to mid 40s at their draw length. I really like 40-43. Shooting a 40 pound bow at worlds this year.
I was winning the state tournament about 20 years ago with a 45-50# Ben Pearson Mustang. Won the first two rounds by a total of 30 points before selling the bow to a X bow shooter. Proceeded to lose with a 45# Yamaha.
If I were shooting competitively today it would be with about 40-42#.
Yep about 40 or a few more for most of the guys. Allen Eagleton shoots a bit more and very well.
Mike
Good question, I shoot at the same shoot every year with a guy who shoots ( man that's a lot of shoots) at the IBO's every year and this year he mentioned he was frustrated with guys not shooting legal hunting weight bows. I assumed he was speaking of sub 40 lb bows. (Most states are like 35 lbs, right?) I'm sure when you're good you're good and it would not matter but that was a topic that was brought up.
Means nothing to me, I just shoot with what I hunt with. I know nothing about these shoots you speak of, I don't pay much attention to what others do.
I shoot 48# bows,,, Oh you said top shooters. :laughing:
I have won a few shoots, and placed in top 10 at IBO World. I have also not won a ton of shoots. I only have one weight. That is my hunting weight; 50# at my DL. I do all practice, and all 3D with the same weight I hunt with.
I LOVE to shoot 3D but if I could only do one or the other, I would never shoot 3D again. Hunting is where it is at for me!
Bisch
Mine are between the 45 and 50
Not by me but Many IBO and state tournaments have been won with a 33 lb bow. 64" to 66" AMO.
When I was shootin in a lot of shoots I used 49-52#....
The same bow I hunted with....
I'd love to see if there is a general consensus on equipment--draw weight, bow style/design, arrow type and weight, nock type, feather length, fletch,....and, of course, string materials and size/strand count. I know what I have observed and been told, but I'd like to know more.
In the traditional class the top guys are shooting 66-70" metal riser ilf bows with built up shelf and a bolt for a strike plate. It's makes for a very smooth drawing and forgiving set up. Everybody is shooting 3 under.
In longbow you see a lot of 21st century and fox TC. Of course Dave Wallace shoots his own bows.
Who knows what the crazies in RU do lol
For strings I personally like a 16 strand string in D10 or 8125G.
A dedicated target archer will shoot lots of arrows in practice, which requires a lower poundage than what you would hunt with. I recently had a Black Widow with 39# limbs for target shooting and 46# limbs for hunting. This was ideal for me. By shooting different weight arrows you could get about the same flight.
I know a 2 time IBO champion who shoots 43#. Iam shooting a 45# Heart Land bow and I just sent back my Hill Country to be reduced to around 45# at my 30in. draw length.
All the more amazing the feat of HH never losing a match and shooting a 60+ lb bow. Unreal.
Byron Ferguson also shoots a high poundage bow and to me he is the best. Some of his shots are amazing. He once told me that his hands were to strong to get a proper release with a light weight bow. With me it's more a "take care of the shoulder" issue.
There is always going to be that guy that expands the bell curve.