Ive been debating and debating but im pretty sure im going to purchase a new recurve. I want the Bear Supermag 48 I was thinking of getting it in a 55lb model but im thinking with a bow that short itel probably stack up and feel aggressive. So I suppose ill go with the 50lb model im just curious to those who have hunted with a low pound recurve what was your experience? I want something comfortable that'll penetrate a deer with no problem. My concern is up here in NY we have big deer I was told with a 45-50lb draw weight that on a bigger deer like a mature buck if I hit bone I could be in serious trouble. I plan to only shoot 20 yards but out of curiosity could a 50lb bow kill a deer at 30 yards? Looking foreword to your replies.

Can you hit your spot at 30 yards is the bigger question than if a 50lb bow can kill a whitetail.

Not as consistently as id like to right now but its something to work on. Doesnt matter anyway ive already told myself 20 yards is my limit until I get some trad kills under my belt and can consistently hit that spot every shot.

I shot a 52 lb longbow last year with plenty of whop to kill seven deer and had a passthrough on all but 2 and they were quartering away and broke the off shoulder on one and the off leg bone on the other.  I agree being able to shoot it accurately is the most important factor in lethality!

Keep your shots to 20 yds and you can kill just about any big game animal in North America.50#'s, a well tuned arrow, and a sharp broadhead...your good to go!!

Wellllllllllllllll...   I wouldn't take the 30 yard shot for a large variety of reasons.  However, I'm confident that ANY of my Dryad Bows (all longbows no recurves -- ranging from 48-55 pounds) has enough energy to easily kill at 30 yards.

IMHO The real question is can you get the arrow there before the deer moves enough to marginalize your chances of making a kill shot, even if you can hit your spot.

And there you go.    

i've killed several whitetails with 45-46# recurves.  just use a decent broadhead and place your shot correctly.  a 45# bow will put an arrow clean through any deer in the woods.  50# will do the same.  accuracy trumps poundage every day imo.

I have killed 20 deer with traditional gear pulling between 47-52#'s. Heavy arrows and a razor sharp head works every time.    

 Always remember, a bad placed shot with 47#'s is just as bad with 80#'s.  

A 45 pound bow, a sharp broadhead, and and accurate shot will kill deer in New York, Iowa, Canada...anyplace they have deer. If you shoot better with a 45-50 pound bow, that's what you should use. Arwin hit it exactly right. Place your shot well and you don't need a 55# bow for any deer anywhere.

Thanks guys I feel comfortable with the lower poundage. I was just wondering about the 30 yard thing just so I have an idea of what kind of power im pushing like I said I wont shoot at a deer over 20. Im happy to hear the lower poundage will do the trick itel make it easier to purchase the bow now

Oh yes, it would plow right through a deer at 30yds. I think thats where kinetic energy and momentum come into play with heavy arrows. Scientific jibberish that I don't have time to explain,LOL!

Good to know have you guys ever hit any rib bones? If so did the broadhead just keep on goin?

Sorry for all the pics, not trying to be a show off, just want to insure you that your set-up is sufficient.            
The best demonstration I can think of was on a Russian hog. My arrow struck just behind the front leg, through those thick ribs, and poked out the other side. This was with a Checkmate Hunter recurve, pulling 50#@27, using an ACE 160 head and 55/60 chundoo shafts. You can see the blood trail from it behind and in front of me. Super sharp 2 blade!!

PLEASE keep images t0 640 wide or less

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/Harvests/hog1.jpg[/IMG]

Next is the buck I shot last year pulling 49#@27 on a RER longbow using Snuffer 160's and cedar 50/55 arrows. In right behind the last rib and out the armpit on the opposite side.
   

Here is one of the doe I shot last year with the same RER longbow , 49@27 Snuffer 160 and cedar shaft. Big, scary sharp broadheads make messy blood trails.
   

Last is the buck I killed in 2007, shooting a Shrew Sabertooth pulling 47#@27. I used a Snuffer 160 and cedar shaft. I shot down through the top of him and out it came through his chest with no problem.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/Harvests/Picture101.jpg[/IMG]

Thats all the convincing I need! Great animals Arwin and thats one heck of a hole on that doe! I aint got no worries now lol

I'll be using a 42@27 PSA BW this year. With GT 35/55's coming out to 480gr. After spending 2 whole days bare shaft tuning my arrows... Raising my brace a turn or 2.... adjusting my knock.... Until she's shooting like a lazer.. That's what I'll be hunting with this year. And ain't got a second thought about getting passthroughs. It's not the bow weight that kills . It's the arrow. I would rather have a 40#er very well tuned then a 60#er just so,so?? COME ON DEER SEASON!!!

I have taken seven deer with traditional bows, all of the were under 50# at my draw. The last two I shot the bow was a 45# grizzly that I had the arrows tuned in right, they were both pass through s. Some Trad archers feel real good about taking 30 yard shots, I feel comfortable with my shots all under 20 yards. I would rather exercise patients than long range shooting skills.

Here's a 340lb Black bear killed with a 49# recurve. Complete passthrough with plenty of energy left to bury into a log 5 yards on the other side of the bear.

50lbs is enough weight to kill anything in the US and lots of other places.I don't consider 50lbs to be a light weight bow at all.If you can't kill a deer with a 50lb bow a heavier one is not going to help one bit.  

as has been mentioned in this thread, it's accuracy and sharp broadheads that take game consistently.  bow holding weight is of far lesser importance.

for a trad bowhunter, you wanna get yer act together in this order ...

- spend most of yer time learning/practising to shoot consistently and accurately no matter the stance, location or weather.

- know yer effective/consitent kill range/zone and stay within its parameters.

- achieve consistently good, clean arrow flight.

- broadheads must be razor sharp.

there really ain't no more 'cept yer hunting skills and luck.