I have been shooting a 50lb longbow with 500gr arrows and was wondering if I would see any noticeable penetration difference if I move up to 55lb and 550gr arrows. The 50lb bow is very comfortable to shoot for long practice sections but I can shoot 55lbs comfortable also. But if 5lbs more and a little more arrow weight won't help on a shoulder blade or spine hit maybe I will just stay at 50. What do yall think?

Stay with 50#s and go to high FOC with the same 500 grains, it will penetrate better. Probably penetrate as well as going to 55#s and 550 or close. Shawn

In my experience, there is a noticeable performance increase in 50 to 55 lbs, all other things being equal.  Bow design and construction can make just as much difference as the weight increase, tho.  Performance on bone has lots of variables, but for sure the poundage and arrow weight will help.  Personally, I like the extra hunting performance I get with mid-fifties weight bows and matching arrows.

Go with the 55lb you will be happy you did as if your shot of a lifetime hits less than perfect it might make a diffrence and yes stay with extreme FOC as Shawn stated but if you shoot 55lbs why not every bit helps good luck and yes  there is a huge diffrence between 50 and 55lbs dont let any one tell you there is not    

I agree with Shawn , 50 # with right arrow and sharp BH, high FOC...thats what ya want...it will kill anything in Ms..

If I could still shoot the 55#, that would be my choice. I'd still opt for the high FOC carbons, There is a big difference with the added 5#s.
Ron

Shoot the one you are most likely to miss the blade with.

Steve

just my 2 cents....those extra 5 pounds dont mean anything if you cant get to full draw and consistant anchor...if you find yourself short drawing because of the heavier bow....youll lose accuracy and still only be drawing 50 anyway...at the same time, if you can hit anchor comfortably then i'd say more power to you..... I truly believe that shotplacement and accuracy is more important than 5 pounds of extra penetration...good luck and shoot straight.

If you can really handle the extra 5# go for it! And do the FOC stuff too.

if you can anchor and hold 55 then do it
with a stick bow power and arrow weight is everything

We should all shoot as much draw weight, as we can comfortably handle. Even if it`s "just deer"
we are hunting.

There is alot of new information about getting better penetration out of less draw weight, and that is great, but going up in draw weight WITHOUT creating problems elsewhere is great too.

Sooner or later, a situation will occur, where more draw weight would be a great benifit. Every little bit helps, even five pounds.

From what I have read, and seen for myself, performance gains are significant when increasing draw weight until you reach the 65 to 70 pound range. Then the increase in performance
does not keep in line with the increase in weight.

One more thing I would add, this high to extreme front of center weight, is a plus that every bowhunter should take advantage of. Regardless of draw weight. IMO.

Good luck.

I shoot 50, 52, 54, and 56 pound recurves. There is a huge performance difference in a 55lb bow over a 50lb.  As you have stated you can anchor and hold it so no doubt do it.  The only issue I can think of   is an issue we have here in Kentucky that you may not have in Mississippi is, when it gets very cold during the end of the hunting season and you have sat a long time in a tree stand the 55 lb bow will be much harder to draw and I've even gotten so cold that I couldn't draw and shoot with any accuracy. If that's not a factor definitely go for it.

Well I personally don't think they will be deader with a bow 5lbs heavier.  

Shoot what you are most considtant with.I can shoot a few good arrows from a 60 or higher poundage bow.I hunt with bows in the mid 40s range.Not because I could not kill something with a heavier bow but because I know which one I am most likely able to use and put the arrow in the right spot most consistantly in a variety of conditions.We can have fun talking pounage and arrow weight,broadhead choices ect but no matter what anyone believes it always comes back to one simple thing.Hitting the kill zone more often than hitting somewhere else.jmho

Well said KentuckyTJ.  I have lived and hunted the great state of MS all my life.  Anytime you sit in a stand/blind during the winter your going to cool down and get stiff.  Add to that the effect of all those clothing layers and it does make a difference.  I would do a little "field test" before spending the $ to gain five pounds you might not want later on.

I agree with everyone that says shoot as much as you can comfortably.  The most successfull bowhunter I know shoots a 45# Martin take-down.  He could shoot more but this is his bow and he's been shooting it a long time. He's deadly with it. All his shots are in the kill zone, most pass through, those that don't are still recovered in a short distance. Just a little food for thought.

Different situations require different bows.
I hunt whitetail and use a 61# bow due to it being cold and no ability to move around will make a big differance when shooting froma  tree.
When Elk Hunting in New Mexico its hotter, your always moving and the ability to shoot a 70# bow " that is drawing , anchoring  and holding it are much better" I use a 70#
Just my 2 cents
Bill