draw weight concerns

broketooth · January 20, 2009, 05:00:00 PM

i have been shooting the same hickory self bow for about 8 yrs now . im pretty proficient with it too i might add. any how ive been lookin into buying a new or used recurve and im wondering how much draw weight i can increase safely.i do understand that accuracy will be effected for a while untill im comfortable with the bow.my self bow draws 45lbs@28". been lookin at 58" or 60" recurves 50 -55#@28" draw. thanks for your input

wingnut · January 20, 2009, 05:03:00 PM

heck you are going to see a huge difference in perforance going to a curve from a selfbow. I would look at no more then 50#. Your going to think you got a rocket by the tail.

LOL

Mike

fireball31 · January 20, 2009, 05:06:00 PM

I think you'd be fine with that type of jump. I jumped from 50 to 60 when I got my great northern and after a week or two I didn't even notice the extra weight.

joe ashton · January 20, 2009, 05:08:00 PM

that 50 to 55# will be perfect. It will shoot sweet.
Joe

Gehrke145 · January 20, 2009, 05:12:00 PM

I dropped way down in weight (53lbs), and started shooting EFOC and get 2 holes on elk most times

Tree man · January 20, 2009, 11:07:00 PM

My advice would be to stay around the 45# you are accustomed to and enjoy the perfomance gains that more radical limb designs offer.

Gordon martiniuk · January 21, 2009, 12:10:00 AM

Live a little 50 to 55lbs is not too much weight for an average sized man others with handicaps have no choice but to shoot less weight ,, If a shot of a lifetime comes your way you owe it to yourself to shoot as much weight Just incase you make a less than perfect shot it may make the diffrence between harvesting the animal or just wounding

Carbon Caster · January 21, 2009, 12:55:00 AM

Gord if you draw more than 24" you don't wound them with 45#! LOL!!!!

How are you buddy? Missed you at DART's last week. Are you going to try and make it out this week?

Personally, if you are stepping up to a modern recurve from a selfbow, I would stay with a 45-50# draw as you will likely draw the recurve a bit further because of the grip shape, and as Wingnut said, you will feel like you have a rocket by the tail. I should know. I just got done shooting a osage self bow and a Border Reiver Recurve in the garage. Both are fun to shoot, but they are NOT the same animals. YMMV

2-BIG · January 21, 2009, 01:19:00 AM

Definitely test drive the bows you are interested in. It may only be because of my bad shoulder but I notice a huge difference in bow weight depending on the length and whether it is a recurve or longbow and even what particular make of bow. If I shoot a 62" bow or shorter I have to stay around 52lbs. or less but a 64"-68" bow I can shoot around 60lbs.

Steelhead · January 21, 2009, 02:50:00 AM

I think 50# would be a better choice to transition to than 55#s since you are currantly shooting 45#.10 # is a 20% jump.If the 50 feels good and you want more weight get another one later in a higher weight.

vermonster13 · January 21, 2009, 07:53:00 AM

When was the last time you scaled the selfbow? After 8 years you may not be drawing 45# anymore and it could be a bigger jump to 55# than you think.

broketooth · January 21, 2009, 07:59:00 AM

ive never scaled it since ive bought it . i just assumed that, from what ive been told on the care of the bow that it would remain close to the same draw weight. the bow is made of hickory.ive been told its a very tough bow wood. i know this much . when its cold out it feels like a bear to shoot

broketooth · January 21, 2009, 08:00:00 AM

and thats with rawhide backing

vermonster13 · January 21, 2009, 08:01:00 AM

Just something to consider when choosing a new weight.

pitbull · January 21, 2009, 08:07:00 AM

If you are unsure about draw weight you may want to go with a take-down recurve, that way you can just buy limbs if you change your mind in the future.

George D. Stout · January 21, 2009, 10:58:00 AM

I wouldn't go more than five pounds, especially since you are going to a recurve. Ten pounds is a lot of weight to increase.

Biggie Hoffman · January 21, 2009, 11:02:00 AM

Yep. What George said.

Trying to go up 10# in one jump is for young men. You could endup on the "elbow problems" thread!

Bjorn · January 21, 2009, 11:30:00 AM

Try it out! Several and likely most bowyers will send you a trial bow to shoot for a week or a few days. Check it out and be sure-contact a few of the sponsor bowyers here-don't take chances and leave this decision to 'hope'.

broketooth · January 21, 2009, 07:48:00 PM

i appreciate everyone's advice thank you all

Lt. Dan · January 21, 2009, 09:18:00 PM

Get a bow trainer or rig up your own therapy bands that come out to 50#. Work on that for a month and then set it to 55#. I hurt my elbow going from 42# to 50#.