Hickory draw weight recommendations

[Slackbunny]

So I'm building a hickory board bow. It is 66" long, 1 3/4"wide. It is a quality board with good straight grains. It will have a 28" draw. My question is what kind of draw weight is reasonable for a typical hickory board bow?

[blackpanem]

well most bows are between 30 and 45 pounds but if you plan on hunting with it i would say to shoot for 60 or higher

[Traxx]

What draw weight is personally reasonable for you?
As to needing 60 lbs or higher for hunting,i cant dissagree more.Depends on what your hunting and your personal limitations.

[k-hat]

As far as hunting goes, check your state laws for minimum selfbow poundage.  Some don't have one, some have as low as 45#.  I can't say from personal experience, but a lot of the pros in TBB and round here seem to think 45# is enough to take a deer at within 20 yard range (good shot placement of course!!).  I personally would go heavier.

As far as hickory's ability goes, I'm sure it can handle more draw weight than you can   I built a 55# hickory board bow (with a cut-in shelf) a year ago that i gave away and it was a sweet shooter.  Went full width out to about midlimb then tapered to 1/2" tips, it was either 64 or 66" ttt.  A nice medium to dark brown wood for riser and tip overlays makes her look real perty too

Good luck and have fun with it, and post'r up her for us to drool 

[lesken2011]

K-hat is right. Hickory can provide some heavy weight bows. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. I would keep it lighter for a target bow and somewhat heavier for a hunting bow. IMHO. The design you choose is important too. I had a hickory molle turn out well and am working on a one now that is similar to the one K-hat described. Hickory seems to respond well to both styles. After working with red oak for a while, hickory was a real pleasant change. It is much more forgiving.

[Pat B]

You could easily build a 100# hickory bow if that is what you want. You will enjoy your bow more if you build it to a weight that you are more comfortable shooting.

[blackpanem]

traxx, well i said 60 pounds because it is enough to take any game in north america.  not to mention it would poke a pretty mean hole in a deer

[Slackbunny]

Well anything up to around 80 pounds is reasonable for me to pull, but that is my upper limit.  The law around here is 45 lbs for big game.

I guess I should have been more specific with my question. I'm more interested in what the limitations of a hickory board bow are. I know that you normally cant go as heavy with a board bow as you do with a stave bow. I'd just like to avoid unnessecary set and other problems by having a ballpark upper weight limit.

[Knapper]

I love to use hickory boards. Have made some in the 45 to55 # range. They do mine have taken some set but shoot rather well. The question is ! Is set a bad thing??? If the bow performs well !

[k-hat]

My answer's the same for hickory boards or staves

[Pat B]

If a bow shoots well, set is not a bad thing. The bow will shoot better with less set or no set but as long as it flings an arrow, a bow is doing what it was made to do.

[Newindian]

There is a story in the hunting section of a black bear kill made with a 40# bow, you really don't need that much for hunting, 50# sould be a good target.

[Traxx]

 Is set a bad thing??? If the bow performs well.
Not in my oppinion.In fact,before recent archery publications and internet,it was considered a positive attribute by many.Some are starting to realize and appreciate these same qualities and are re evaluating their priorities in a hunting bow.Even the F/G guys are utilizeing and enjoying the design benefits.