Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Slackbunny on April 06, 2012, 12:28:38 am
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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?
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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
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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.
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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 :D
Good luck and have fun with it, and post'r up her for us to drool ;D
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 !
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My answer's the same for hickory boards or staves ;)
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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.
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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.
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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.