45# for whitetail deer?

upnorthbacon · October 15, 2010, 09:58:00 AM

I'm sure it's been covered, but I couldn't find it. I'm currently shooting my dad's old 54# 28" longbow and I'm shooting about 30" draw. It seems to stack really bad and I get tired really fast. I had a martin jaguar 50# I sent back, didn't care for the metal riser. I was looking to order another budget recurve, maybe samick or greatree. I didn't necessarily feel the 50# martin was too heavy, but I want to be able to shoot tons of arrows without getting tired. I notice I get sloppy after shooting 15-20 arrows. I've fallen in love with instinctive shooting and want to practice all I can. I was thinking of buying a 45# bow that I can shoot a ton without getting so tired. I also don't really want a takedown bow, I like the one piece traditional style better. Would a 45# bow be enough to kill a MI whitetail at 20yds max? Or would I be better to just keep practicing and building up my strength and going with a 50# bow?

Blackstick · October 15, 2010, 10:07:00 AM

A 45# Bear is what I hunted with last year and it's a real joy to shoot.

adeeden · October 15, 2010, 10:09:00 AM

45#'s is plenty.

When your getting "sloopy" (tired) your developing bad habbits. You will be much better of with a lighter bow.

October 15, 2010, 10:10:00 AM

If you continue to shoot a bow that is too heavy for your practice sessions you will, at best, develop bad shooting habits or, at worst, hurt your shoulder. 45# is plenty for whitetails.

sweeney3 · October 15, 2010, 10:11:00 AM

#45 is plenty. Use good sharp heads and place your shots well (read: practice and take shots within your accurate range) and it'll do the job just fine. Use heavy arras too.

As on other threads, check out a Bear Kodiak Hunter. My personal favorite. And there's usually a lot of them around for a reasonable price.

dave19113 · October 15, 2010, 10:13:00 AM

YES YES YES as stated above.... I use a Bear Kodiak Magnum 45# 52"..... get a sharp BH and go do it....

huntnfool62 · October 15, 2010, 10:16:00 AM

45# is definately enough and if you are indeed pulling to 30 inches you can add about 5 to 6 pounds to actual draw weight. Most shooters that come from the compound world dont actually shoot their compound draw length it is usually shorter . But as with any hunting it is shot placement that counts put an arrow through the boiler at 20 pounds and it will do the trick ! I'm not advocating 20 pounds mind you it's just important to hit where you aim . I personally shoot the heaviest I can shoot accurately and comfortably ,so that marginal hits have a better chance of doing the job !
good luck and as always
Practice Practice Practise !!!
Huntnfool

59Alaskan · October 15, 2010, 10:33:00 AM

I hope so!

30coupe · October 15, 2010, 10:37:00 AM

My 46# @ 28" (my draw length) Kanati will blow through whitetails like paper! A 45# bow drawn to 30" should be around 50# actual. The longer stroke also adds some zip. How far do you want the arrow to stick into the ground after it hits the deer?

A good, sharp broadhead, with a total arrow weight of about 500 or so grains, from a 45-50 pound bow will do the trick on just about anything in North America.

upnorthbacon · October 15, 2010, 11:18:00 AM

Awsome, that's what I was hoping to hear, thanks!

Bill Carlsen · October 15, 2010, 11:23:00 AM

My wife shoots 45# @ 26". She hit this deer in front of the right hip and got penetration thru the opposite shoulder....two holes, short trail and the deer was down in 5 seconds. She also used a 3 blade Razorcap and it did a great job.

Zradix · October 15, 2010, 01:14:00 PM

Hope so...

44# at 27" 150 fps with 540grn

Bowwild · October 15, 2010, 02:43:00 PM

You bet. Shot clear through a doe Sept. 11th with 46 pounds at 25.5" draw. She ran 52 yards and dropped. The Helix broadhead.

tarponnut · October 15, 2010, 03:01:00 PM

45# is plenty(especially since you are drawing to 30", 51#?).
I would look at a used Bear or Martin (or other) one-piece, can't go wrong with either.
My buddy killed a 220# hog with his 45# Martin Mamba, got full penetration,too.

DennyK · October 15, 2010, 05:08:00 PM

45# is more then enough. With the lighter poundage bows you can draw ALL the way back to your anchor instead of leaning your anchor toward the bow.

Bill Carlsen · October 15, 2010, 05:16:00 PM

Historically, when I was a kid in the 50's, the most common bow weight was 45#. If you look at the auction site you will rarely find a vintage bow 50# or heavier. They did a good job back then and with improvements in design and materials today's light weight bows are really much more efficient than the bows of 50 years ago.

Crash · October 15, 2010, 05:38:00 PM

In the last three years I have killed 5 deer and 1 big hog with bows from 44 to 46 lbs at a 28" draw. As stated earlier, the 2 extra inches of drawlength you have increases the power stroke even more. Sharp broadhead on a clean flying arrow of a sufficient weight and you are good to go.

Friend · October 15, 2010, 08:25:00 PM

Would it be enough to say that 45#'s is more than enough or that 1000's of deerand even larger game have been harvested with 45# or less.

An effective complete arrow design will pay much greater dividends than going up a few pounds.

beetlebailey1977 · October 15, 2010, 08:43:00 PM

Use a good sharp cut on contact broadhead and 45 lbs. is plenty.

ArrowAtomik · October 15, 2010, 09:04:00 PM

I've taken many deer with 43# and never a problem. If you have a true 30" draw, I'd say you'd be good down to 35#. A long draw adds a lot of energy. I'd still stick with cut on contact 2-blades myself.