Author Topic: is 40 lb big enough???? (Read 4532 times)

jbtazgrabber · « **on:** December 10, 2006, 08:23:07 AM »

the better half wants to start shooting a recurve.....thats a real good thing 4 me....shes killed 3 deer with her compoud this year. i have only seen how close i can get without hitting them..

.she shooting at 47 lbs in her compound shooting 2016 with 75 grain points....ok. law requires 40 lbs.....she can pull my 50 pound back but wiyh no clothes,and not very long.....been looking 4 a 45# bow......but will a 40# bow be about the same?

?will 5# make that much diference???she shotting good with her compound...not good with a recurve <yet>i cant find a used <LEFTY>bow so im thinking a new one is in store......a pse impala takedown at 40# with 1916 arrows and 75.grain tips......any help?

??thanks jb.....

SDS-GEN · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2006, 11:14:03 AM »

I'm not speaking from experience here, as I have never shot a deer with any of my traditional gear. A guy I hunt with swears by a 40# longbow with heavy 2 or 3 blade cut on impacts and says every deer he has ever shot through the ribs has been a complete pass through, and these are big midwest deer. I would say from his observations any deer shot within reasonable range, with a reasonably heavy arrow, and proper shot placement, from a 40# traditional bow should be in the freezer.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2006, 01:37:44 PM »

Acording to Ted Nugent 40 lbs will pass-thru a buffalo. I think the test will be to see how long she can hold it. I shoot a compound at 64 lbs with a 70% let off and have a hard time holding it steady for a very long time. I don't have much experience with recurves or long bows but I imagine it would be pretty hard to hold on a target for any length of time.

jgalar · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2006, 06:03:56 PM »

Depends on her draw length also. Most commercial bows are set lbs at 28". Whatever she is drawing with the compound subtract about an inch when shooting a recurve or longbow.

I have a 45lb Impalla - its a very sweet shooting bow for being so inexpensive. I am shooting off the shelf 29" 2016s (don't recall if I'm using 100 or 125 points) I don't hold when shooting a longbow or recurve - as soon as I touch my anchor I release.

How about a custom longbow - I've heard good reports about this boyer and his prices are good.
http://www.rudderbowsarchery.com/store/

I make my own so haven't bought from him.

I would go with a 40lb

jbtazgrabber · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2006, 06:40:46 PM »

she got long arms <and legs>we both shooting the same 2016 arrowsin compounds..... hers are a little long for me but i just cut all to her size 29 in..and go on.....i think ill go with the impala ...ther about 160 buck here that about right?

??thanks jb....

jgalar · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2006, 02:05:52 AM »

You can also look for a Ragim they make the Impalla for PSE.

oldsmokeyjeff · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2006, 12:24:14 PM »

Don't worry about 40 lbs! My good friend's dad is 87...yes 87 years old and has been shooting a 35 lb bow for the past several years because he can't hold like he used to. Now while I won't advocate breaking the law, I also certainly am not going to tell that old man his draw weight isn't enough when I have seen him take 9 deer in 8 years with 1 fully penetrating shot apiece with that 35 lb bow!
We bow hunters are just as liable to catch "Magnumitis" as the firearms folks and that's just fine as long as we realize that 80lbs is not required to make a clean kill. I have been shooting 45lbs for the past few years because I like it. It doesnt strain my elbows and I can shoot all day.
You might want to look at ebay for left hand bows...I have bought and sold quite a few recurves on their site over the years and there are some good deals on fine old bows.
GOOD LUCK !!!

TrenchMud · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2007, 07:54:12 AM »

Absolutely within a reasonable distance.
Here is a short story from my youth that maybe will not bore you too much.
We were on the low side of the lower class money wise when we were growing up and
things such as Nice Bows were out of the Question. Well one of my cousins came across a
Fibreglass rod about 6-1/2 feet long and about twice as thick as your thumb. He said he found it but
I honestly think he found it off the top of a short communications tower that was on a nearby hill.
He affixed a braided rope handle and melted a hole in one end and a notch on the other to attach the string (which was made up of 20 or 30 strands of heavy nylon thread.) It couldn't be much over 40 pounds of draw weight but many deer (and other things) have fallen to it over the years.
As far as I know he still hunts with it from time to time. (I don't see him that often now) Being so long, it has a very long draw legnth so his arrows were about 35 inches long. He made those too but I never aquired that art. I never could get them straight enough. If I remember correctly, He made arrowheads from steel washers that he had flattened out on the railroad tracks. I may still have one of those, if I do I will post a picture. They were shaped like long mushrooms and were quite sharp. The thread he used to attach them. passed through the hole in the washer. We also made some from copper. They were ugly but would sure take out a rabbit. I know I have one of those still. Don't laugh too hard if I post a picture, remember, we were kids..

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2007, 04:43:30 PM »

Check what the state regs are where you hunt. In Alaska the minimum is 45 pounds for big game. I believe Oregon and Wyoming were also, when I lived there. If your state allows 40 pound pull, it should work very well for you.

-WH-

groundhawg · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2007, 08:26:30 AM »

i was in mike fedoras bow shop to buy a bow a few years ago. i was wanting a 55lb and all he had was 51lb. he drew back a 28lb and asked me if i shot you with this bow and a sharp broadhead, would the broadhead bounce off of you? hes convinced that most people over bowed. im in the same predicament as you, ive got a lefty lady and used bows are hard to find....
ps 40lb shoud be fine at short distance and using a sharp cut on contact broadhead.

ncsurveyor · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2007, 09:16:23 AM »

1st, your profile says OKlahoma, and here are the recent regs:

Legal Means of Taking
Bow: Minimum of 40 pounds draw weight. Hand-held releases are legal.
Broadheads: Hunting type points not less than 7/8 inches wide and not less than 1 1/2 inches long.
Illegal Devices: Laser sights and any device that permits a bow to be held mechanically at full or partial draw.

2nd, I have a recurve that is 55lbs at 28", I normally draw 29 inches when I shoot, but have taken deer in Michigan at less than full draw and never had a problem recovering them. I think 40 would be fine. Good arrows will help the cause.

I shoot lefty also, bought mine new back in '94.

mjh · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2007, 11:25:44 AM »

As many have said check your state game laws for minimum draw weight. Next do right by her and get a bow that is designed for her draw length. A lot of guys get their sweetheart a bow that is xxlbs at 28inches. If she is drawing 25 or 26 or 27 she is never going to get the full function of the limb of the bow to work for her, thus a less performance. Most likely she will draw less inches with a recurve that a compound. The anchor point is more likely to be a bit forward, say the lip area. Plenty of bowyers out there to make a bow for her and pleanty of used ones out there to find what fits best. Even some production bow companies will make a bow to your specs if you contact them, just takes a bit longer to get it.

gila_dog · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2007, 04:11:07 PM »

Does she use a mechanical release with her compound bow? One thing she will notice, as everybody else certainly does, is that there's no let-off with a recurve, like there is with a compound. The farther back you pull it, the harder it is to pull and hold. And the weakest part of your body is your fingers. It's not too hard to get, and keep, your arms, shoulders, and back in shape, but keeping your fingers in shape is much harder. With a mechanical release it's much easier to pull and hold the string, and get consistent releases. If you intend to use a mechanical release look into using a "release loop" on your string. The release loop gets chewed up, but it's easily and cheaply replaced.

Besides having more penetrating power, a more powerful bow shoots arrows with a flatter trajectory. That makes it easier to hit targets farther away. Less guess work. But if she can pull a 40 lb bow 28" she should be able to consistently put arrows where they need to go out to 30-35 yards.

DAD · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2008, 01:08:32 PM »

Yes, But use a cut on contact two blade head, She will do just fine. I would say no more than 20yards. Even if she is only getting 35# at her draw lenght. She will be fine if you stick to these recomadations. Good hunting!

crash87 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2008, 04:17:48 AM »

My first deer was killed at the age of 14 (1974) with a Indian archery 40# 54" recurve. I used easton aluminum arrows 1916's with a 125gr Bear razorhead. From a tree it stood 10yds from the base. Complete pass thru. After that one deer I switched to my Mom's 45# bear Kodiak and killed a couple more before turning to the DARK SIDE. (I have since returned, I am more than happy to say.) Then again, it is written that Native Alaskans shoot Caribou with 22 rimfire. Would I shoot a Caribou with a 22, NO. Would I hunt a shoot a deer with a 40# bow, most definitely YES! In fact my son is about to give it a go this Fall with the very same bow.
CRASH87

T.J. McSuds · « **Reply #15 on:** October 02, 2008, 05:23:36 AM »

"she can pull my 50 pound back but wiyh no clothes,"

Is that bare hunting?

T.J. McSuds · « **Reply #16 on:** October 02, 2008, 05:27:24 AM »

Quote from: groundhawg on April 10, 2007, 08:26:30 AM

i was in mike fedoras bow shop to buy a bow a few years ago. i was wanting a 55lb and all he had was 51lb. he drew back a 28lb and asked me if i shot you with this bow and a sharp broadhead, would the broadhead bounce off of you? hes convinced that most people over bowed. im in the same predicament as you, ive got a lefty lady and used bows are hard to find....
ps 40lb shoud be fine at short distance and using a sharp cut on contact broadhead.

When I got my Fedora (1973) I was told that my bow would be just fine for deer. at my draw length, 26", it pulled 44lbs.

Casull · « **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2008, 12:18:09 PM »

Quote

A lot of guys get their sweetheart a bow that is xxlbs at 28inches. If she is drawing 25 or 26 or 27 she is never going to get the full function of the limb of the bow to work for her, thus a less performance.

You're talking about compound contraptions. Bows (long and recuve) don't have a "set" drawlength. If a longbow is marked 50 lbs at 28 inches, it will work just fine at 25, 26 or 27 inches, but the draw weight will just be lighter (same with drawing at 29 or 30 inches - it works just fine, but with higher draw weight).

squirrellluck · « **Reply #18 on:** October 03, 2008, 05:32:17 PM »

just curious. how long can she hold 50# back. may be just me but i dont hold my draw more than a split second shooting instintive. string hits anchor point and release

stevev · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2008, 03:41:39 PM »

40# will get the job done. Just make sure to use a sharp broadhead I would shoot a 2 blade and a good angle, wait for the near leg to step forward and the only problem should be getting the deer out. good luck ,post a pic.

wgr · « **Reply #20 on:** October 11, 2008, 05:35:58 PM »

35lb is legal in Indiana

Tuckerp229 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 12, 2008, 06:34:03 PM »

Do her a favor and go to Cabelas. Have her try the Martin Savanah. It is not a recurve it is a "short" long bow. In a word unbelievable. Smoooooooth would be another word.

BBF · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2008, 07:54:10 AM »

The 5 lb difference is real.

If you were to compare a 20 lb to a 25 lb it wouldn't be all that noticeable. Not so when you get up in the 40+ lb range.
Folks that shoot traditional usually don't hold at full draw long.

pab1 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 15, 2008, 05:33:27 AM »

Shoot heavy arrows with a 2-blade head and a 40# bow will be fine for deer. Several years ago there was an article in Traditional Bowhunter magazine with several very successful women who shoot light draw weight bows. All recommended heavy arrows and limiting the shot distance to 20 yards or less.

Wesleyds · « **Reply #24 on:** February 08, 2009, 01:51:53 PM »

40lb is plenty. Shot placement is absolutely the most critical. Use heavy arrows with at least 19% weight forward of center. 2 blade single bevel broadhead. (read Dr. Ed Ashby's test results on broadhead design over on tradgang.com)