Hunting with a 49lbs bow

I can't count the number of critters I've killed with my 50# at my DL Sarrels bows and a 530gr arrow!

As long as you are well tuned, you are good to go for deer hunting!

Bisch

[Prairie Drifter]

It's the bag target. Here's what 51# @ 26" did w/ a 500gr arrow.



It was a whole lot bigger than a deer. I have gotten complete pass throughs on deer w/ 43#'s at my short draw of 26". You have more than enough for deer.

[Whip]

If your tune is good then it is the bag.  Mine does that as well with more weight on both the bow and the arrow.  Not a concern at all as long as your arrows are tuned you will have plenty to zip through deer.

[Shawn Leonard]

I shoot 51#s andmy arrows weight only 450 grains and I have no problem with pass thrus on pretty big whitetails, up to 200lbs. I am sure it is a different issue, tuning but also those targets if left outside can get dense and penetration is limited. I have actually killed a few deer with 42# Widow shooting on 335 grain arrows with sharp heads, pass thrus on two and two holes on the other. Shawn

[Brock]

they are never going to penetrate as well in bag target...also as mentioned if hitting at angle or you have a loose target face could allow enough cushion to soften the impact.

Could also be if you bought a bag rated for crossbow bolts and compounds over 300fps....they make them a little tougher as the bows shooting soda straw arrows apparently give regular targets an issue at regular ranges.

If you are pulling a true 29" and almost 50# it should stick in every time.....is there another traditional guy near you to come watch and give advice you trust.

[RainyDayBows]

My bow is 49 lbs and my draw is 29" my arrows are 480 grains tipped with a Zwickey Delta. no problem.

[ZaneD]

Although tuning is a possibility, I agree with others that say its definitely the target. I've personally taken deer with bows ranging from about 45-55#, like many others here, with no issues at all. And I frequently use bag targets because they last so long, and my arrows that pass through deer like butter, will rarely stick in the bag more than 3-4", and I sometimes have them bounce off also. The stuffing in the bag has lots of "give", and it quickly absorbs the arrow's energy.

Zane

[Mojostick]

49lbs for deer is overkill. I get passthru's with 40lb 1950's Bear's with B-50 strings and 550gr arrows.

[Otto]

All my recurves are 45-48 lbs @ 29".  I've put over two dozen deer on the ground with those bows.

The only thing that will stop those arrows is the dirt on the far side of a deer.

[Red Beastmaster]

I get a lot of bounce backs since I switched to screw in bullet points. A sharpened broadhead is a whole different cat. I wouldn't worry about it, you are good to go.

[SheltonCreeker]

I killed 5 deer last year with a 49lb bow and 480 gran arrows. I wouldn't be afraid to hunt much with my setup. Bag targets are not good indicators of penetration on deer. I agree with the previous stated: check your tuning. Main thing is be sure your confidence is restored when you do decided to hunt.

[wooddamon1]

My local 3D range has those bag targets for warming up on, they suck as penetration indicators. I agree with the other guys, if you're tuned you're good to go.

[BUCKY]

45# 520 grain arrow,no problem on deer. Bag targets stink. Get a foam target.

[Brock]

for penetration...broadheads best.....field points next.....bullet points are worse.

bullet points are better for hay or sisal targets.....anything else you need field points if not shooting broadheads...in my opinion.

[Craig]

killed 2 deer this past season with a 44# recurve, 495 gr arrow. Both were pass thrus.

[stagetek]

I've been shooting 47-52# bows for the past ten years. 2018's with 125 gr.heads. Plenty of power. You'll have no problem with deer.

[Keb]

I hunt with 40lbs, got a pass thru on a 330 lb KS whitetail at 15 yards, cedar arrows 480 grain. I have shoulder problems.

[see]

last year on Bear Quest VI I got a black bear with a 48lb Arroyo@28 inches.arrow blew straight thru and stuck in ground.its plenty of power if you can make the shot.preactice,practice,practice.

[Bladepeek]

I wouldn't think of that bow as a 49# bow, but as a 50#'er - it's only one pound away and brace height and string can make more difference than that. I've not heard anyone claiming 50# is not enough for deer. I also have a 49# RER (a Retro) and shoot a bag target in my shop. I have a matched set of 6 arrows for it. I've had a couple arrows completely penetrate the bag and one or two out of the same group bounce most of the way back out and hang almost vertically by the point. I've re-covered that bag after trying to stomp it back to uniformity. Still has soft and hard spots. The good news is they don't make whitetails out of plastic sheeting. Can you imagine what that would tasted like?

[koger]

Bags dont bleed or run! You have plenty of bow, sounds nearly identical to my setup, except I am using carbons. Had several pass thrus on a bunch of deer and turkeys.