Bowing up

[Bullchaser1]

I know there is a lot of talk about dropping bow weight, and I don’t hear much talk of building up in bow weight. While I don’t shoot “ heavy” bows, both my bows are about 65#, I do think it is good to shoot as much as comfortable and try building up.  The benefits of flatter trajectory and better penetration I think are worth it. Kind of like practicing shooting at long distance(80,90 yards etc.) so that 30-40 yards is quite comfortable, does anyone else shoot bows 10#-15# heavier than their hunting bows to build up their bow muscles? I’m not condoning shooting deer at long distance, but there are times when a follow up shot may be needed beyond a normal shot distance, or a heavy bone is hit.
J

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Yes and yes. I shoot better with bows 60-65 lbs than 50-55 lbs. I guess the expert guys would tell me I have form issues, but it works for me. There will be enough time to shoot lighter bows when I get older. I’m also going to Alaska moose hunting every year right now, and I like the heavier bow, heavier arrows, and big Snuffers.

R

[Bullchaser1]

Yes I know 2 blades penetrate etc. but I’m a 3 blade guy for everything. Not to be confused with being over bowed, but rather building up. Always trying to improve 👍🏻

[Mike Bolin]

I think the "trend" toward lighter bows for a lot of us doesn't have as much to with strength as it does with "structural" issues!  I am starting my 70th trip around the sun and my bow shoulder (and my doctor) tells me to drop bow weight. You can definitely train your way into a heavier bow. Maintaining your rotator cuff tendons and deltoids will go a long way to being able to shoot safely for many years into the future. Take it from someone that didn't do those things. Just take care of your shoulders and enjoy shooting! Just in the past 3 days, I've been in contact with 4 bow shooting buddies. One is in his mid 50s and is getting an MRI on his shoulder and possibly scheduling surgery. Another one, also in his mid 50s is doing PT and hoping to avoid surgery. One in his early 70s is building himself up after a reverse shoulder replacement and another in the same age group is scheduling an appointment with an ortho doc to see what is wrong with his shoulder.

[Orion]

I dunno.  A lot of folks have shoulder and other joint problems as they age, often because of injuries or repetitive use at a younger age.  I wouldn't necessarily attribute it to shooting a bow.  I've been shooting for about 70 years now, including bows in the 65# range in my 30s through 50s, and no shoulder problems.  I injured my left/bow shoulder when I was in my late teens, and it does make a lot of noise now when I shoot, and when I do a lot of other things, but it doesn't hurt or limit my shooting in any way. Now one of my knees and hip are another story, but I can't attribute that to bow shooting either. So, I say, if you can do it, go for it 

[cacciatore]

I use to practice at home with 60# bows and I hunt with 5# less. I don’t want to go more than that because I really shoot hundreds of arrows everyday having my range at home and also indoor at night🙄. But I think its a good thing to practice at short range to work on the form, so when it will be the moment of the true everything is easier.

[mgf]

I know there is a lot of talk about dropping bow weight, and I don’t hear much talk of building up in bow weight. While I don’t shoot “ heavy” bows, both my bows are about 65#, I do think it is good to shoot as much as comfortable and try building up.  The benefits of flatter trajectory and better penetration I think are worth it. Kind of like practicing shooting at long distance(80,90 yards etc.) so that 30-40 yards is quite comfortable, does anyone else shoot bows 10#-15# heavier than their hunting bows to build up their bow muscles? I’m not condoning shooting deer at long distance, but there are times when a follow up shot may be needed beyond a normal shot distance, or a heavy bone is hit.
J

Well but....As the bow gets heavier doesn't the arrow tend to get stiffer and heavier too? All else being equal shouldn't comparable weight of arrow per weight of bow draw yield similar speed and trajectory? It'll hit harder but I don't know why the trajectory would be much different.

 

[M60gunner]

I for one considered building up in bow weight as part of the challenge of archery. That was back in the early 70’s. Being somewhat in shape 55# bow wasn’t a challenge so I opted for a 65# bow then up to 80#’s for awhile. I did two exercises. One was just ordinary pushups. Every morning and evening. Another was using my bow coming to full draw then letting down in 10 second intervals. I believe we’re guys screw up is trying to do more in a single session than their body can handle. I used to take a day off about every 3rd day or find an exercise like walking to stay active. Of course not everyone is built to handle heavier weight bow but I always went with “shoot the heaviest weight bow you can shoot accurately “

[Bullchaser1]

A stiffer arrow doesn’t mean it’s heavier when shooting a carbon arrow. There are 340 spine shafts that are 7 gpi and also 340’s that are 12+ grains per inch. With that being said, I like shooting around 9 grains per pound of bow weight. I’m not saying I’m right, but it works for me. It doesn’t take much bow weight to zip through deer/ turkey/ bear. I do like the weight for elk and bigger game though.

[JR Chambers]

I only shoot 53 pounds. I took me a while to build back up to it after a shoulder surgery 6 years ago and a 3 level cervical disk replacement a year ago. I shoot it good and I shoot it about everyday. I don't need to go any higher. Just shooting it everyday keeps me able to pull that. I don't want to chance going up higher because of my surgeries. I am going to go moose hunting this fall but have killed a moose with a 48 lb bow so I know it will work.

[mgf]

A stiffer arrow doesn’t mean it’s heavier when shooting a carbon arrow. There are 340 spine shafts that are 7 gpi and also 340’s that are 12+ grains per inch. With that being said, I like shooting around 9 grains per pound of bow weight. I’m not saying I’m right, but it works for me. It doesn’t take much bow weight to zip through deer/ turkey/ bear. I do like the weight for elk and bigger game though.

Sure but most are going to shoot at least 8 hr/pound for hunting.

[Possum Head]

I’ve heard from many that a heavier bow’s string seems to come off your fingers smoother and lately I’ve found that to be the case after switching from one to the other.

[Terry Green]

I know there is a lot of talk about dropping bow weight, and I don’t hear much talk of building up in bow weight. While I don’t shoot “ heavy” bows, both my bows are about 65#, I do think it is good to shoot as much as comfortable and try building up.  The benefits of flatter trajectory and better penetration I think are worth it. Kind of like practicing shooting at long distance(80,90 yards etc.) so that 30-40 yards is quite comfortable, does anyone else shoot bows 10#-15# heavier than their hunting bows to build up their bow muscles? I’m not condoning shooting deer at long distance, but there are times when a follow up shot may be needed beyond a normal shot distance, or a heavy bone is hit.
J

Well but....As the bow gets heavier doesn't the arrow tend to get stiffer and heavier too? All else being equal shouldn't comparable weight of arrow per weight of bow draw yield similar speed and trajectory? It'll hit harder but I don't know why the trajectory would be much different.

10 grain per pound arrow with a 50# bow does NOT have the same energy as a 10 grain pound arrow out of the same bow at 60#. Yet the 60# bow  should have the same speed

[Greenstyk]

All my hunting now days is off the ground and I like a little distance between me and the deer if possible. It’s much less likely I’ll be detected at a longer distance. Shooting 61 pounds I don’t have to worry about penetration at any distance and the string does come off my fingers better. I also shoot at least 30-50 arrows regularly to maintain my strength. I’m 66 and my shoulders are fine.

[Roger Norris]

I was just thinking about this. Most of our orders for the Bighorn Legacy bows are from gentleman north of 65.

Those bows are all 40#-45#

For what it is worth, I am 100% certain that shooting a lighter bow will force you to be a better shooter. Heavier bows mask a sloppy release.

[LookMomNoSights]

What Roger and Terry have said here are key points:  There is a threshold that each individual will operate in and in many cases,  baring injuries and the like,  in that threshold might be the sweet spot between bows that have enough umph to handle the tasks you'll use them for,  and at the same time a bow you shoot well,  a bow you may want to shoot a lot,  a bow you can hold a bit if needed,  a bow that is fun.   I like to shoot bows in the 48 to 53 lbs area.  Now I only shoot deer, turkey, have shot hogs although don't get after them regularly,  small game exc .......   I also like to shoot alot at the 3D's / range targets, keeping up with form and it's obviously just a ton of fun to shoot at things.   Many nights in the warmer months,  I will easily shoot 100 + arrows and never stop because I'm tired or sore.  This weight range does all that for me.   I could shoot a lot more draw weight.  Though I think regardless of training to bow up,  there would come a point where I might be in that heavy range but give up a lot of what I mentioned above,  and for what?!
If I were getting after a large big boned animal on a hunt that was a once in a lifetime deal on very costly hunting trip and it was necessary to drive a HEAVY arrow,  I would most likely bow up if all reasoning dictated that was the logical thing to do.  The heavy bow to drive the heavy arrow to have the increase energy yielding optimal penetration.  I would advise to anybody who was getting after "bowing up",  to do it wisely, methodically, slowly,  don't push it too hardly and listen to your body.   I consider my form to be at least respectable but have been told it is actually good.   I'm sure I could draw bows that are in the 70's and most likely more.  Would my form start to cave in after a few shots?   Very high chance without a good adjustment period (training).  If I pushed that even though I knew this was going on and I created an injury that would set me back,  I would want to bang my head off the nearest wall.   Now if I trained properly into the heavy weight,  probably would be no issues.  Off the top of my head,  if I were to come up in weight,  it would not be 5 lbs,  but more in the 10 to 15 lbs increase.   Though I can't see myself needing to go there anytime soon.  50 lbs will kill anything on this continent.  Trajectory being a non issue.

[kopfjaeger]

I've been shooting and hunting with 60# and higher poundage bows since 1974. Before 1974 I shot and hunted with 45# bows. Now I'm 66 years old and shoot 55# to 65# bows (mostly I shoot 60# bows) the best. I don't short draw. I don't creep. My shoulders are good. A heavier bow gives me a better release. And I hit what I'm aiming at out to 30 yards my maximum bowhunting distance.  Will I have to drop bow weight as I grow older, who knows I can't predict the future. But for now, even at 66 years old I'm still strong enough to shoot a 60# bow every day for hours accurately. Keeping yourself strong and healthy if you can is important.

[Chuck Jones]

I shot 94#@27” for years, starting in the 70’s. I used to think that 65# was a kid’s bow. After a few years, started having shoulder problems. Probably wasn’t doing it right, I guess. I’m happy to be able to handle 45# now. Does everything I need it to do.

[kopfjaeger]

Here is the heaviest bow I every owed. It's an 80# Martin Mountaineer ML-14 longbow.

I also owed a couple custom Susquehanna Longbows, one was 70# and the other was 75#.

[kennym]

Bottom line- shoot what you shoot best and enjoy it. Life is short live it!