bows over 60

[Arwin]

I went through a short phase of shooting bows in the 60's. I had a Martin Mountaineer 60#@28 and a Blackhawk recurve 65#@28. I do admit they threw arrows like rockets and even shot a rabbit with the Martin, but had a hard time hunting squirrels with them.

[Curveman]

Don,

Overuse injuries are common in sports and frankly could happen with a light bow if you shot it too much. I was not stating that you can not get hurt shooting a bow. You can get hurt doing almost anything if you do it wrong or too much. What I thought I was saying, or to further clarify now, is heavier bows inevitably causing shoulder problems is nonsense.

[Don Stokes]

Curveman, I agree that it's not inevitable, but it's certainly possible even with good conditioning, and caution is in order. The statement I took exception to was:

"All the talk you hear about developing shoulder problems with heavier weight bows is a lot of hooey IF you keep yourself in shape and are not just a "weekend warrior.""

I was in top shape for shooting and shot many arrows daily when it happened to me.

[JRY309]

60-70# longbows and only have one recurve above 60#.I like longbows more.

[Curveman]

Yes, of course Don. I didn't mean to imply that getting hurt always meant you weren't in shape. Things go wrong even with world class atheletes. If by caution you meant that everyone should shoot lighter bows, and I don't think you meant that, then I of course would disagree with that point for the reasons stated.

I hope your shoulder gets better.

[T. Downing]

I am shooting a Black Widow PLX Longbow that is 63lbs @28in. I also own a 63lb Bruin recurve that I no longer hunt with. For some reason, I seem to shoot better with a heavier bow than say a lighter 50+ pound bow. Not sure why. I agree with JRY309, I like and shoot longbows better. Good luck, T

[oberon]

80# Frank SanMarco long bow and just ordered an 80# horn bow from Saluki.
Oberon

[marlon]

Im shooting bows well over 100# plus.Marlon

[champ38]

WOW..and I was begining to think that "no one" shoots heavier bows anymore.

[Don Stokes]

Thanks, Curveman. I think folks should shoot as much draw weight as they can handle accurately when hunting big game. I would still be shooting heavier weight if I could. Probably where I messed up was not shooting lighter weight when shooting extensively for fun.

If I go for elk again, I'll do my practicing with the 40# limbs, and put the 61# limbs on just prior to the hunt, or use one of my heavier longbows. A good excuse for having several bows, at least!  

[wollelybugger]

I was at a archery shop and the man there took my bow and my buddies and pulled them both back, held them to anchor and let them down like it was nothing. Total draw, 55 pound Kodiak and my buddy had a 60 pound longbow. He also pulled a longbow for us that was over 100 pounds.

[longbowman]

This is a good post.  I go to the ETAR and other places and everybody is shooting 40 to 50# bows and I never understood it.  I never thought you "had" to shoot heavier bows but considering what goes on when shooting a big game animal I thought everybody would shoot as heavy as they could handle.  That being said, I get a kick out of seeing that picture of Justin Newell on his postings.  His arms are bigger than my sons waist and my son shoots 80# bows.  You really don't need to be a big guy to shoot decent weight bows.

[bawana bowman]

I shoot both, recurves from 45 to 80#, Longbows from 50 to 108#. Prefer the longbows, but shoot both equally as well with no problems switching back and forth.

[straitera]

4 longbows, lightest - 65#.

[bayoulongbowman]

63# and 60 and couple 51- 56... :)a good archery massage once month really helps...marco

[overbo]

60+lbs w/ both.Really like 62/68lbs

[straitera]

Marlon, you still got the distance record?

[marlon]

Yes i hold the national unlimited american longbow.Marlon

[jrchambers]

these # are from first bow till now, lots of shooting
25
40
48
little while later
45
67
75
85
67
58 stayin here

[BryanB]

67lb hazel nut self bow.