What Weight to Shoot

[steve25]

All, I'm new to trad bow and have been invited to my first shoot. I will borrow a bow and plan on  great fun. My question is, I plan on doing monthly 3d shoots. I also plan to go after deer. What draw weight should I consider? 40/45. I'm 55 and if I spend big bucks for a good bow I want to be able to draw it for a few years.

[david w.]

go with the heaviest draw yo can shoot acurately at 25 yards before falling off

but if you want to shoot it when youre old   i would go in the 40# range

[Coo-wah-chobee]

 50 #'s will take deer sized game and thin skinned game. Ifn ya can place yer arra where ya want it will kill everything ya probably will hunt. Ya dont need heavy weight draws its placement of the arra that matters. Ifn ya practice with 50 #'s you can shoot it fer many years. Your bodies muscles will adapt and become stronger. Good luck........bob

[Hillbilly]

Check your state regs to see what the minimum draw weight for hunting is-it's 40# here, but I'd go with 45-50# if possible. That's a good range that will put an arrow through a deer, and still be comfortable to shoot on a 30-target 3D range.

[kayakfisher]

Steve I am not really sure of the State regs are here in Mo I wouldn't go under #40 I do know that stone points are also legal in this State

                                                               Dennis

[Kegan]

Roughly 45# seemed to be a favorite of Native Americans. Considering that, I would say it is probably one of the best choices for hunting bow weights.

[Coo-wah-chobee]

Indians had no favorite weight. That being said they just made a bow from what they had. They liked around 50 lbs er maybe a little less. It can be handled easily and killed game readily. Have ta remember they liked ta get close like 10 yards ifn they could . Most would not shoot over 20 yards but just figured a way ta get closer and if they could not just didnt shoot ........bob

[kayakfisher]

Well Steve whats wrong with the weight bow you got lol 

[kayakfisher]

Steve how is that bow working out for you , do you have your quiver made yet ?

[kayakfisher]

Steve if you get on the web I am going to try and get back sat to go to the shoot this sun
                                                                                                          Dennis

[Joe M]

All, I'm new to trad bow and have been invited to my first shoot. I will borrow a bow and plan on  great fun. My question is, I plan on doing monthly 3d shoots. I also plan to go after deer. What draw weight should I consider? 40/45. I'm 55 and if I spend big bucks for a good bow I want to be able to draw it for a few years.

Steve,

I'll be 52 at the end of this month, but I don't think age is that big of factor when considering what bow weight you can pull effectively right now.  I build my own bows and try to shoot year round.  If I miss some bow outings do to poor weather, I'll warm up with a #40 longbow, move to a #45 bow after a while, then it doesn't take long to work my way back to my #52 longbow.

I realize you're probably looking to buy just one bow, so I would suggest trying a #45 bow and seeing what you think.  There may be a little pain before the gain, just be careful not to strain...

[1/2primitive]

Spend big bucks? You don't need to for a good bow.....all it takes is a stick and a string. And a couple of tools.
I think that 45lb would suit you well for quite a while.
    Sean

[Kegan]

Sean makes a good point. Lighter bows are less finicky in construction- I chopped out a 45# elm bow and had it tillered in a half hour. Ugly little stick, but it slung a matched arrow satisfatorily .

[adb]

Personally, I hunt with 50-55#, both recurves and longbows. That's for everything... deer, elk, moose, small game. Hunting regs here (Saskatchewan, Canada) are #40 at your draw length. I also use two blade broadheads & heavy arrows.

[recurve shooter]

i agree with the majority. i shoot a 45 elb. it is just a tad underpowered, so a 50 should be great. my grandpa (63) had no prollem shooting my 65 lb long before i broke it . so i think you would have no prollem drawing a 50. good luck, let us know what you go with.