Hunting weight for hunting

[spider64]

I have spot coming up on centaurs bow list and thinking about dropping weight some . Just wanted to see what some  of you thought about this . I only draw about 24"or 25 at most. I getting carbon elite and thought about going with 45@24.Well I am not getting any younger and probably be last bow I get made. Let me here what you guys think.

[Msbow]

I have the same draw length. What is the weight of the bow you shoot now? Will you be hunting? What will you be hunting? I'm far from being an expert but as long as you put your arrow in the right spot you should have no problems if you go with 45.

[Bowwild]

I wouldn't be worried about Deer and smaller at that draw weight. I've only been 2-4 pounds heavier at my 26" draw weight and have passed through several deer.

You'd be surprised at the number of custom bowyers who have congratulated me on not ordering heavy draw weights.

[tracker12]

I killed 3 deer and just took a Georgia hog this year with a  43# @28 bow that I draw 29".  I can draw more but shoot this poundage the best.

[nineworlds9]

Spider, if you only draw that much I would go with the shortest of Jim's bow lengths in order to work the limbs to their maximum potential, in your case the 54 or 56" at most.  You should be just fine with one like that.  If you go longer you're not really going to get the max energy storage out of the limbs.  Its good that you're going with a hotrod design like the Centaur, since 45@24-25 is not as ideal as say 45@28-29 where you get a better efficiency.  45@24-25 on one of Jim's shorties you should be golden.

[2bird]

Nineworlds9 hit the nail on the head...

[spider64]

Thanks guys !

[LittleBen]

All good advice so far. I'll just add that my first trad kill was with an old York thunderbolt, drawing ~43#@25", I know I underdrew the bow on the shot, and I still got over 12" of penetration.

Snuck in behind the last rib on a fairly steep quartering away shot, and the arrow stopped with the broad head lodged in the heart. Razor sharp head, the deer didn't even jump, it was like he didn't even feel it or know he was cut, just trotted for a step or two then walked off and dropped about 75yds out.

Point being, keep your shots smart and on target and your fine. This bow is no super hot performer, and I was shooting 500gr 23/64th Doug fir, so no super skinny shafts either.

[spider64]

I think I have decided to go down in weight. I don't think I have been pulling as much as I thought I was. I was playing around with different weight field points yesterday. I was shooting benman mfx 400s with 250 gr points and 175 gr. out of a Big Jim Thunderchild 56'58@28 , but if only pulling 24'that would put it about 46.Thats why the 250s fly better than the 175 gr points.I guess is weakening spine with the extra weight. Does this make sense or not? If I were going to shoot lighter field points need to go with 500s I would think. Thanks, Darren

[Msbow]

Yes you are making the spine weaker with the heavier points. if you wanted to go lighter and I'm not sure how light you wanna go, but you might even need a weaker spine than 500's if you get too weak you can stiffen them back up by shortening your shafts..maybe someone will reply to this thread that has more experience than I do that can give you better input. I've always went with a little heavier spine and weakened with more weight up front, but I like heavy arrows.

[Wudstix]

All my bows weights are listed below.  If I don't have alot of time to shoot I hunt with the MOAB.  As to hunter weight that fluctuates but right now @230#.