What weight of compound bow is ideal for me?

Question

I am about to purchase a compound bow and i was wondering what weight i should buy. It has to be able to take down moderately sized deer without a problem. I have been thinking a 60lb but not sure if that is too heavy to start off with. im 17 moderate build 80kg (like to think im quite strong). I have pulled a heavy bow back before (i won a bet, the guy said i wouldnt be able to) but was exhausted afterwards. Please help me any advice will greatly benefit me. and if 60lb is too heavy what can i do to be able to fire it comfortably?

Thanks Heaps

Answer 1

Get a bow that you can pull without having to sky draw.  This is where you point the bow upwards so that you can draw down, I've seen too many compound shooters do this and have their mechanical releases fail on them sending arrows flying off out of control.  Get a bow that you can control and not the other way around.

Like the other poster said, go to a shop and try them out.  Get a bow you can shoot comfortably more than 50 arrows.  To get stronger for archery, you need to do pushups and pullups.  If you want to do weights, work out the shoulders, lateral arm raises, vertical presses, forward arm raise, bent over rows and arm raises.  Work out the rotator cuffs with very light weights and high reps.  Most archery injury with heavy bows happen to the rotator cuff.

Answer 2

60 lbs should be fine, if thats to much for you, then i suggest maybe lifting weights to strengthen your upper back and arms.

another remedy is to just keep trying with that bow. Use it as if it were a set schedule. think of it as a workout routine, and eventually, pulling it back will be easy and effortless.

hope this helps

Answer 3

60 pounds is fine for deer. Anything much more than that you're just showing off saying "I have a 70 pound pull, what do you have?"

Bows shoot better when they at their higher settings. So if you planned to shoot at 60 pounds you'd be better off with a 50-60pounder as opposed to a 60-70pounder.

50-60 pound is perfect for a beginner and it's also all the weight anyone needs. Start at 50-55 and see how easy that is.

Answer 4

65 lbs. is enough to hunt Elk or Moose

55 lbs. is perfect for Whitetail.

Answer 5

First stop into the nearest pro-shop (the smaller ones are generally better). Ask them if you can shoot a couple of bows of various weights. While 60 is plenty, it may be too much right away; a 55 pound draw length is plenty for deer. I actually took my first deer and first buck with a bow that the draw weight was 50 pounds. Arrow shot slow but I practiced till I could almost put the arrow into a circle the size of a coffee mug, shot after shot! An accurate shot (at the proper distances-no crazy 35-40 yards shots with that) beats overall speed anyday!!! I've seen guys hit deer pulling 70 pounds right in the shoulder blade get a couple inches of pentration, no blood and a white tail waving back at them.

After shooting you should have a better idea, but keep in mind you should be able to hold the bow at full draw at least thirty seconds ( I shoot for a minute). Trust me you will rarely have to hold it, but that one time you have a huge one walk in and you have to spook it because no shot presented itself and you couldn't hold any longer HURTS BAD! Hurts more than your girl leaving you, your dog and truck dieing at the same time. : )

Have fun and keep asking questions, bowhunters are rare breed. Respect the sport and you'll be rewarded.

Answer 6

You can take game with low draw weights but the problem is the arrow speed at low weights. Many bows say they are super fast but those numbers are not accurate at all weights and draw lengths. Most bows today are fast enough and there are many women pros taking trophy game at lower draw weights. Make sure your tuned to your draw length and your bow is quiet shooting and you will be fine. Get to a local dealer in your area and have them set you up. I tend to think that the smaller privately owned shops tend to be better than some of the big shops. If you talk to someone who has a guy who does a good job tuning his equipment I'd go see that persons guy. Good luck... I killed a 250 Russian boar with a bow set at 55 lbs...my newest bow is set at 62 and is very fast. I took an 8pter with it last season at 35 yards i got complete pass thru with my arrow and the deer went 25 yards only. (it didn't even know what hit him). Shot placement is the key and noise level. If your bow is quiet the deer wont jump your arrow.