Too much bow weight ?

[bruc]

#2509

How do you tell if you are using a bow that has too much weight? How long should you be able to hold it at full draw? Does reducing bow weight generally improve shooting? Looking forward to your comments. Regards, Bruce

[Hiram]

#10234

You will know yourself if it is too much. Hold for 6 seconds. Start out low and build up to heavy. Find you a 35 pound bow somewhere to train with and make form as good as possible.

[DaveEarley]

#10430

Overbowing yourself is the kiss of death, especially for someone just starting into trad. I started with a 30 # Martin Ventura 30 yrs ago to get my form right. Roger Rothaar once told me that we should hunt with a bow 20% less heavy than one we could shoot well in our backyard. Forget any macho type ideas, or what you “should” be able to shoot. Accuracy and consistent form is waay more important. Good luck !

[Steve J]

#10604

BRUC wrote: How do you tell if you are using a bow that has too much weight? How long should you be able to hold it at full draw? Does reducing bow weight generally improve shooting? Looking forward to your comments. Regards, Bruce

As someone who recently started shooting real ,{not kid bows} I can tell you I think I screwed myself up thinking I was strong enough to shoot something heavier than I could. Acouple months ago I was shooting a 45#longbow , like 16 arrows in a row, then getting them out of target & doing it again, developed shoulder probs,, in my already bad shoulder. I think it helped my aim, but messed me up,,, my shoulder is just now getting where it doesnt really hurt.
Instead of flinging a bunch at once ,, I shoot 5-6 arrows , then go get them , seems to give you body a bit of rest. and if you are as taken with archery as I am , you want to shoot everyday, but dont overdo it. I learned the hard way. Its different muscles ,than used in daily life

[Chris Shelton]

#11028

They say that if you can shoot a bow all day during good weather, go 10-15 pounds lighter and that is what weight you should use in cold weather. I personally think that 100# is to much weight!:o But I have never even shot 100#. I have a 70# hunter recurve by Martin, I bought it as a investment, for later on in life, but right now it kicks my but after about 3 dozen shots! But I hunt with my 55# take down and that is just a tad to light most days. There are alot of different variables that would decide what is too much weight. I think alot of people shoot too much weight because they think they need to. Sometimes while hunting squirrels or rabbits I wish I was shooting that 70# bow though, because they are quick and can dodge a 55# bow! I would say that if you can shoot it consistently accurate for a hour a day, then it is not to much! But that is just my opinion!

[William Warren]

#11047

I agree with Hiram. If you can’t hold it comfortably for 5 -6 seconds you will have form problems resulting in erratic accuracy. I started with a 30# fiberglass bow years ago and after years of shooting I could shoot close to 70# accurately enough to hunt. But getting older and more sedentary in my work I have lost some ground as I discovered, and have gone back to 45# for now. 50# -60# has been my choice for many years but I have had success with 45# in the past. Start low and work up. If owning more than one bow is not practical you could get a take down and purchase different sets of limbs in various weights so you can taylor your bow to your needs whatever they may be.
Duncan

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