What is your favorite weight for hunting big game and why? I'm thinking of increasing my draw weight on a new bow and I figured it would be interesting to see what others like.

Caleb

Well I only hunt midwest whitetails, and I use 50lb longbow and I picked up a 45 lb grizzly that I will use this season. I would not hesistate to go after any big game animal with a 50 lb bow. Proper arrow and good shot placement is what it's all about.

Pick the most comfortable weight bow You as an individual can handle in a hunting situation.  I have bows from 52-70@28.  I would not hesitate to shoot any animal with any one of them.

I shot in the mid 60's for years, but after a hand injury I have been shooting 40-50 pounds and have and just as much success.

I like a bow around 45#

I recently tried my hand shooting a bow at 52#. If I needed more oomph than 45, I think 52 would be plenty.

55#-60# arrow placement is more important than bow weight.
Better to shoot a little lower weight comfortably.  Im 26 and can shoot 70lbs bows, but I tend to shoot bows in the 55# range more accurate.  No reason to try and flex the pipes when its not needed.  Remember Bowhunting is for enjoyment and fun.

58# for me.  Very comfortable at and accurate at that weight.  I would add, shooting a 62" recurve made a huge difference in terms of a smooth draw when compared to a 60" bow. I would give equal consideration to bow weight and bow length.

Shooting Upper 40s right now, but would like something about 52#s at my draw.

52lbs @ 28 for me. I can shoot more but when on stand for hours with the temps in the teens wearing a bunch of clothes you can't pull as much as you can comfortably on a hot summer 3-D range.

Somewhere around 50-54#@28" works best for me.

53 lbs !! i will hunt any animal with with 53 lbs. i have killed turkey, deer and elk with 53 lbs, and this fall i will be after caribou. shoot what is comfortable for you. more weight is better but NOT necessary.

your 55lb grizzly will do the job on anything! i

I know i could build my my self up to shoot 60lbs. but there is no need in it....

i wish i had your draw at 28

Between 55-58lbs at my draw length. I could probably go down a few pounds and still get pass throughs on whitetails.

I like to come in around #220 but I bulked up to #250 so now I have to train down. My bows 47-52#at my draw length.  

Seems like the general consensus is around the mid to low 50's which I expected. I have a 30" draw so I'm really pulling about 59 or 60 pounds with my grizzly. I'd like to go up to about 65 pounds or so just cause I know I can handle it and it won't hurt anything to have a little more KE down range. I shoot about 200 times a day so I don't think I'll have any problems with going up a few pounds.

Caleb

I like 55 or so. I'm accurate and can hold it at full draw even in cold weather.  Heavier and I start to struggle when cold.

If you can go heavier, by all means do it. Never know iuf you'll hit bone etc.....

My bows are all in the 53-60# range at 28. I shoot 30" and my favorite is 57@28 and 62@30.

QuoteOriginally posted by YORNOC:
If you can go heavier, by all means do it. Never know iuf you'll hit bone etc.....

Agree!

Maybe I am just one of those unlucky souls that things just never go "as planned" but I prefer to plan for the best but be prepared for the worst. I like shooting heavier.

I shoot 55#. A well designed bow that pulls 50-60 pounds with a heavy arrow and razor sharp broadhead will kill anything on this continent.

I shoot a 52, 57 and 63 at my 29" draw.  I also have a 85 that I can pull slowly and hold at anchor for 20 seconds or so.  BUT I don't shoot it very well and I now rarely pull it back because I feel like I could injure my bow shoulder.  

With that said, It becomes obvious to me towards the end of long sessions that the light bow is easiest to hold steady and scores will usually show.

I love sneaking up on the hogs with the 63 even though the light bows seem to do as well.