The Arguement FOR Heavy Bows

kawika b · August 25, 2012, 02:21:00 AM

You say you can build 10 pounds of muscle in 2 months?

Rik · August 26, 2012, 12:41:00 AM

Going back to the original question posted here.

You can either do it, or you can't.

You can either not try. . .

. . .or you can see what your body was designed to do.

It's about as simple as that.

RecurveRookie · August 26, 2012, 10:55:00 AM

When I started shooting recurve I had 40# limbs. When I worked up to 50# limbs, the speed difference was really nice, I would like to go higher. I will never want to go lighter. I used the heavy bowfit and a lot of stretching to get me there. But the question is what weight can I shoot ACCURATELY? Everyone has a different answer.

TDHunter · August 26, 2012, 11:08:00 AM

Very simply, I want to shoot a heavy arrow as fast as I can, so that if I am off the mark just a bit ie into a shoulder, I want it to still penetrate. I shoot as much as I can accurately!

swampthing · August 26, 2012, 03:29:00 PM

The only thing I hate about a fast bow is that it forces my head down too much towards the nock at full draw. So I dog'em down a little with heavier heads for approx. 11- 12gpp. With most commercially available wood shafts or front loaded carbons, 750-850g is about as much arrow weight I can build with out going to extremes. 70# bow shooting 12gpp, watch out now.

Bonebuster · August 26, 2012, 05:34:00 PM

Great thread!....

charles m · August 27, 2012, 08:26:00 AM

Glad to see some folks giving out real info on sensible training and common sense.

Not to glad to see some folks touting wreckless behavior in training. Maybe we are finding out who the real wanna-be is.

Russ Clagett · August 27, 2012, 09:17:00 AM

the penetration of a heavy arrow (700 grains plus) from a heavy bow really has to be seen to be believed.....

Rossco7002 · August 27, 2012, 09:43:00 AM

There's been some great advice here and I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands on a heavy Hill Style to start training with..... I just wish that something would come up on the classifieds.

Thanks for the input everyone, glad I posted this thread and that so many have volunteered their insight!

Terry Green · August 27, 2012, 11:40:00 AM

Thanks for the alerts guys, no sense in someone making fun of others, and labeling them, that offered up safe and legitimate ways to train, nor does it make sense to proclaim a 'grip it and rip it' macho man mentality that could cause someone injury.

ericmerg · August 27, 2012, 01:04:00 PM

rossco i sent you a pm on an 80# hillstyle

pdk25 · August 28, 2012, 02:56:00 PM

Another benefit of a heavy bow/arrow combination is a product of the increased penetration. Everyone strives to have sharp broadheads, but some are more fanatical than others. If you are shooting a heavier setup, you can get away with file or wheelie sharpened in almost all cases. This is great if you use your arrows for shooting squirrels, armadillos, multiple hogs, etc.. and want to field sharpen without the hassle of having to haul your KME sharpener with you into the field.

August 28, 2012, 03:39:00 PM

Age, diet, and general health have a lot to do with how much strength one can build and maintain. A young person that has a good protein and green vegetable diet will do better than someone that lives on soda pop and fast food crap. The older we get the more careful we need to be about how much draw weight we can maintain and how we exercise to keep the strength levels up. For me right now, I can shoot a 65 pound bow of either hand all day, but when I tried my 78 pound lefty for about 80 shots, I got sloppy and found myself struggling a bit. I made the same mistake with my heavier right hander a while back. One needs to know how much weight one can manage after sitting idol for a period. When I hunted with 90 pound bows, I made a few practice draws about every five or ten minutes to keep warmed up and loose. That has its advantages, if someone has a bow that is super easy to draw, loosening up with practice draws is easy to forget to do, when drawing on a 25 yard shot at a buck it is not a good time to be reminded that one is cold and stiff.

pdk25 · August 28, 2012, 05:21:00 PM

Mr. Dean, I would love to be able to shoot 80 shots with a 78# bow when I am retired. You are doing awesome.

kbetts · August 28, 2012, 05:41:00 PM

I need to add that I am not a 3d shooter. I shot one round with my 70+ and was tired at the end. I am not physically built to pull that much weight for long periods but I sure as hell can do it a couple dozen.....easily.

Don't be a hero...listen to your body.

Rossco7002 · August 28, 2012, 05:47:00 PM

SUCCESS! Just picked up my first 'heavier bow' off the classifieds earlier today. It's a 68@27 Schulz Granpa - exactly what I was after!

Thanks to Tippit for offering me the opportunity to take it off his hands for him.

Can't wait to get my hands on it and get to work on this new challenge. Thanks for all the adice gents!

stik&string · August 28, 2012, 10:58:00 PM

Great advice here guys, take it slow when starting, listen to your body and most importantly to me: HAVE FUN!

Terry Green · August 29, 2012, 09:42:00 AM

Charlie Lamb · August 29, 2012, 10:23:00 AM

Switched back to shooting longbows again this year. I'm having a great time and shooting them better than ever.

I have a Howard Hill Big Five that's been on the rack for too long. It's 80# at my draw and has just been too heavy for a lot of years.

About a month or so ago I got it down and strung it up... just about piddled getting that done.
Flexing it I had a hard time believing how easy it had been to shoot all those years ago. I vowed to shoot it again.

At first I could only move the string a few inches. Gradually I got to a 12" draw, then 20". I never strained or tried to force it trying to draw because at 65 years of age I don't intend hurt myself. I also always did my "workout" AFTER shooting my regular weight bow for warm up.

Last night I got the bow back to within an inch of anchor and the draw is becoming much more natural.

I'm allowing myself to release the arrow now and expect full draw in a week or two.

My point is whether you are building up to 50 or 60 or whatever. Slow and steady will get the job done.

I may not hunt with the heavy bow again, but I can tell you my shooting with my regular weight bow has gotten better and easier.

ericmerg · August 29, 2012, 01:50:00 PM

80# sure is stiff aint it charlie? it does get easier pretty quick with dedication ( speaking of i need to string up my 80 and do my workouts...)