The Arguement FOR Heavy Bows

[Rossco7002]

You read a lot about shooting lighter weight set ups for a variety of reasons and you hear advice against heavy setups (again) for a variety of reasons.

For me, I have 3 longbows ranging from 45-54 lbs at my draw length and I've noticed that when I'm shooting well the heaviest of the bunch easily gets shot the most (and most accurately). So much so that I really only ever pick up the lighter bow if my form starts to wander and I need to get back in the groove.

I've also noted that there are plenty of guys wandering around shooting some REALLY heavy set ups for North Americain game.

My question is (aside from the penetration gains etc...) what are the arguments FOR these heavy set ups? After all Byron Ferguson shoots heavy bows at his shooting exhibitions where extra penetration isn't a factor and accuracy is all that's required......

So 'Heavy Bow Guys' what is it that keeps you shooting the heavy weights against the current trends?

  (For the record this thread was cleaned up to stay on topic after it started getting off course along the way))

[PERUN]

My friend makes bows, so I have many bows available. I also noticed that I was more accurate with bows over 50 #
I'd like to know why this is so

[LYONEL]

All the bows I have owned have been between 60# & 73# so have never really shot a low poundage recurve other than to try a few which I quickly put back. For me I think the cast of a heavier bow over hunting distances (which is what most of us practice at) is flatter which leads to less height variation in impact points. I also believe it helps my poor release with the extra weight on my fingers it seems to release cleaner. I am really a snap shooter so I don't hold my draw for long at all so the weight doesn't seem to be an issue. I think you would have to be a pretty strong guy if you wanted to stand there & hold your draw for 3-5 seconds all the time while aiming a heavy bow.

[LongStick64]

For me I notice I get a little sloppy with a lighter bow but with a heavier bow I concentrate more on the shot and therefore get better accuracy.

[Lee Robinson .]

A lighter bow is easier to have good form with for most people, but a heavier bow is more forgiving to small errors in form.

[187BOWHUNTER]

I just moved from a 42# bow to a 56# bow and I am more accurate with it. I think its the faster flatter shooting arrow but Im lovin it! My confidence level jumped way up.

[Frenchymanny]

       

[McDave]

When hunting, you really only need to make one accurate shot, or two at the most. So there is no reason you shouldn't shoot the heaviest bow you can do that with, at daybreak on a cold morning after sitting in one position until you feel stiff as a board.

OTOH, if you need to shoot 100 accurate shots in a 3D tournament, you might need a lighter bow, even though you're more comfortable and your muscles aren't all tight and stiff.

[Mark Baker]

Number one reason, in my book, is for the reasons I was always taught..."to shoot the heavyest bow you can handle accurately".....and that is that we owe some responsibility to the game to eliminate as much of the "guesswork" out of the equation as possible.   Now, I did say, "shoot accurately", so the excuse that I shoot "better" with a lighter bow does'nt cut it really.    

If you hunt much, you know that "stuff" happens.  A heavier bow, will cast a heavier arrow better, giving a better chance at two holes (better bloodtrail) or of gaining access to vital organs and bloodvessels should the unthinkable happen.   Plain and simple.  It's ethics for me.  

I have no beef with those who shoot lesser bows than I do, if it's necessary.    But to lecture me that their "lighter" settups are better is pure bunk.   IMO, folks who seek out validation from others of their "light" settups, are really a bit insecure about it.  No problems there....but take warning.   For every "success" I can almost guarantee you a thousand instances where in similar circumstances the bowhunter would have liked or benefited from a heavier settup.    That's the truth.   The old adage is truth for a reason.   And for all you newbies to trad.....don't buy into the hype of "modern designs or material" being so much better.  Plain and simple...they are not.   Not enough to overcome the myriad of other "stuff" that WILL arise in an emotional, high-strung encounter in the field.   So...my best advice is shoot the most poundage you can handle accurately, and stay within your limitations.   And then regardless of the bow's weight, maximize your arrows settup to the game and conditions you will be hunting.

[BUFF]

I have a 74# PSAIII I have hauled all over the world. I can shoot a great big head completely thru most everything walking. I see no real reason to go with something lighter but thats just me

[elkbreath]

Because I like to shoot heavy arrows fast.
Right now I'm getting 183ish fps with an 800 gr arrow.

That stuff about a 55# acs = 90# HH has never played out to be true to me.  Maybe 5-10lb performance differance from low grade to high grade bows, tops.  I' e owned and shot all those weights.  In the end design is a personal preferance.  As is weight.  

And I prefer to shoot heavy arrows fast.  heavy fast arrows stay on course better. They are quiet. They penetrate everything and are more efficient. Every bit as accurate. More forgiving in the field, if you short draw 80# you are still shooting 75#, a marginal hit  can b complete penetration Thru bone.  

I don't see much reason not to.

[Steve Clandinin]

Mark hit the nail on the head.I've never heard any hunter ever say "I wish I was using less weight".In 7 years I've had 4 spine surgeys ,at the start of my recovery I was down to around 50#,I just didn't shoot it as well as my heavier bows.through recovery and hard work I'm back up to 60-64# and enjoy it much more.I have no second thoughts about the large game I hunt with the bow weight and heavy arrows I now use.
If you figure your set-ups are marginal ,work at shooting heavier equipment,I'm living proof it can be done.If you've never seen Martys videos,do yourself a favour and watch them.The animals he hits looks like they've been smacked by a lazer.light bows don't do that.

[elkbreath]

Steve reminded me another major reason that I do...

I prefer to shoot the biggest broad heads available regardless of MA, at elk.

These setups make this a no brainer.

If accuracy is the same the question is, why not?

[M60gunner]

I agree with Mark Baker. Howard Hill believed in heavy bows, we know that but he also said we should be dedicated enough to build our selves up to pull heavy weights. I too get the idea that some people want instant gratification and are not willing to work themselves.

[doubleo]

x2 what Mark Baker said. I wish i was strong enough to shoot a heavier bow, but i'm not so i go with the most weight i shoot comfortably and accurately. Age is also a big factor in this.

[Blaino]

I have been thinking about this for a few days .....

Think about this... How many of the "legends" shot light bows? I can't think of any really. Wonder why? If you consider Fred Eichler a legend then that's it. I'd say he shoots mid weight with his draw though. Just something to consider.

Besides this ain't like fishing. You don't get extra credit for an ultra light harvest. I feel it's an ethical decision to shoot as much weight as you can and still hit your mark.

That's my 1/2 cent worth. Y'all keep 'em sharp the season is right around the corner!

[larry]

most guys will have a cleaner release with a heavier bow. but it's all relative really...one mans heavy is another mans light and visa vera. I used to shoot 63 lbs and didn't consider it heavy, now with a bad shoulder 48 lbs is heavy

[Rossco7002]

I wasn't looking to debate the ethics of various bow weights when I started this thread - I'd simply like to hear from some guys that shoot heavier set ups to find out what draws them to it.

So far the response has been really interesting to me, please keep it coming guys. Once you're getting up over 60 lbs are most using a touch and go anchor? If so how do you implement this technique.

For me, I may well try to get a heavy Hill style bow used to give it a try before I submit my final specs to David Miller for my next longbow build.....

[Slasher]

Originally posted by larry:
most guys will have a cleaner release with a heavier bow.

Bingo, winner winner chicken dinner!!! A lot of the other stuff is emotional! Or egocentric, but the effect is cleaner release with less ability to pluck or torque the bowstring

[elkbreath]

I draw and hold till I know I'm on target, then shoot.  Its not any shorter of a hold then with my lighter 45, 50 lb bows.

and getting my back into it isn't an issue, I can feel it plain as day when I settle into the back muscles anchoring, and can hold that spot for many seconds.  MY way of telling if I am comfortable enough to hunt with a bow is to get on my knees, hold the bow arm out to where it needs to be, then draw the bow back with the draw arm with as little movement as possible, hold it there for as long as I can imagine it would take a bull to move into the shooting lane, aim and let him have it.  
You really cant shoot much weight very well by using your arm and bicep anyway.  Back is where its at.  When you are at the point that the back is being properly used, heavier weights come quickly and fairly easily with a little work.  

It took time and work to get there with my 80#+ bows, and there were times when I didn't think I could get there.  But now that I am there, they are no more difficult to shoot than the lighter bows.  It all feels the same for any reasonable amount of shots.  I will now shoot a hundred pound bow, which makes the 80# bow literally feel like its too light. I know that if I am to the point where I can draw the 100# with my rhomboids and traps and shoot comfortably, I am totally in the Zone at any lesser weight, as much so as anyone would be with 45 or 50.  


IMO I think most guys are overbowed at any weight, 45 or not, because they just dont have proper form and back tension down pat.  Not so much over-bowed as in over-their-heads, unwilling to put in the work to comfortably shoot "hunting weight" bows with proper technique. The fact is that its easier to shoot lighter bows when we have bad form, because the wrong muscles can handle lighter weights with less work and more forgiveness.  Start working to heavier weights and we find out quickly the muscles and joints that are being over or improperly worked.  

Its not an ethics issue.  However, there is a strong argument for shooting heavier bows, one that we rarely hear the arguments for.

We are all free to shoot what we want and shouldnt besmirch a person who is different.  Yet, There is merit to exploring both sides of a fence so relative as this.