I’d go either 40 or 45 :~).
Not a big difference. Either wight will hunt.
Not a big difference. Either wight will hunt.
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40# vs 45#
- Thread starter bigcat93
- Start date
those of you hunting with 40lb rigs. What are your arrow specs?
I got some 40lb limbs for my wife's black hunter longbow and 600's at 29" and 125gr points were about right. TAW was around 400 grains and I don't feel comfortable shooting a deer with that. I might be able to get 500 spines to tune right, haven't attempted yet.
I got some 40lb limbs for my wife's black hunter longbow and 600's at 29" and 125gr points were about right. TAW was around 400 grains and I don't feel comfortable shooting a deer with that. I might be able to get 500 spines to tune right, haven't attempted yet.
Why would you not feel comfortable with that? That set up is at 10gpp which should work fine if you hit 'em where you are supposed top. Wouldnt hurt to see if a 500 would tune with a 200 grain point, that would push it up to right at 12 gpp. Not sure I would go much higher than that at only 40# draw weight. Others may disagree.
Behind the shoulder nothing but meat I'm sure it would do fine but for my confidence I'd rather be near the 500 grain mark for that bow. Maybe it's just me but shooting those arrows and bow makes it feel like a toy rather than hunting rig. Just my opinion.
I may need to put in on a draw board to see if it's pulling 40lb cause it doesn't feel like it to me. May need to return and get 45lb limbs
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- Nov 1, 2018
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Another silly reason I like a heavier bow. Doesn’t feel like a toy. I’ve worked up to 55# and it boogies compared to my 45# bow.
Generally speaking I think the deadliest bow you can shoot is the one you have the most confidence with.
500 spine w 200-300gr up front depending on arrow mfg and length to tune. cut on contact, super sharp. tuned very well.
And that may be the problem (maybe not a problem but MY own issue) I've killed with my other bow. I've shot well with that bow. It's the bow that I've "built" tuned multiple arrow set ups, and again actually killed with.
In the best way I can put it for my own terms, it's like putting down my browning citori 20 gauge and picking up my 410 huglu SxS. It can do the job with the right ammunition but my range is limited considerably.
I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone killing deer with 40lb bows nor do I doubt anyone's ability to do such with a 40lb bow. MY own subconscious is doubting MY set up to effectively take down a whitetail. I've spent nights sick because I couldn't find a deer I've shot l, and I do not want to do it again if I can keep from it. That's why I shoot 25-30 arrows a night from every range and beyond my self imposed deer killing range so I can be as precise as possible when the time comes.
i have killed mature bucks with a 35# recurve. i know my setup is 100% and my distance is very limited. my shoulder is getting better and i bought 40# limbs this year and have started the process of tuning new arrows. i did this to allow maybe a few more yards of range and for plan b issues. plan b is when we dont make the perfect shot and maybe go thru the shoulder blade. 35 or 40 pounds is not going thru joints tho and i have to make sure to not hit them.
we each have to draw our own line in the sand with our weapon of choice. by choosing a bow, much less a trad bow, you have started limiting your setup.
you have to decide where is your line in the sand. if we didnt make this conscience choice, we'd all be shooting .30-06s. you need to decide that XX# is the minimum for your choices and situation. the lower the poundage, the more dialed in the setup has to be.
last year's 2.5yo indiana buck. field dressed. 7 yard shot. 500 spine GT traditional arrow with 100gr GT brass insert and 200gr RMS cutthroat single bevel broadhead. 625gr total arrow weight. 4 fletched w AAE trad vanes.
Obviously not your first rodeo.....the fact you have to hold out for such limited range shots says you know how to get close. I can't imagine your range being much greater than 10 yds with an arrow of that weight.
I couldn't do it with 35#. I wouldn't feel adequitly equipped for anything but the smallest of critters, let alone the 4 + yos I try to target.
thats the beauty of the sport. we are at different stages in our journey and that makes it fun but different for each of us. i'm perfectly happy with a 2.5yo buck with a recurve. i quit sending deer/birds to taxi 20 years ago. i shoot a lot of does cause we can only shoot 1 buck/year.
12yards was the line in the sand i drew for last year for my 35# recurve. there was no doubt in my mind that if a deer came within 12yds, i could ethically kill him.
15yds is the line this year with 40# limbs. i'm ok letting deer walk by at 17yds. just fuels the fire more for tomorrow. getting deer in closer is where its at for me.
the OP wanted opinions on how much weight is enough. i'm just giving more data points for him to make his decision.
I agree with you but think for many, maybe most, that frustration comes from them confusing, killing with hunting.
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Preach
What do you mean by this?
People, esp those who have had some or a lot of success with other equipment, pick up a trad bow and feel or think the weapon is the limitation. IT IS NOT. The limitation is the ability of the hunter to position themselves so they can make the shot. That is not hating on any other weapon it simply is what it is, imo. If you ask me who the better hunter is, the guy that killed 3 bucks over 150 with a rifle, compound or crossbow all shot at distances of 40-50 yards or greater or the guy that killed 3 does with a selfbow inside 15 yards, I'm taking the latter. That is not to diminish the others success, the selfbow guy just demonstrated a higher level of hunting skill. The hunt is about getting close enough to make a clean shot, regardless of weapon choice. My personal exception being long range rifle, that's just shooting. The killing happens when the hunt ends and the animal is in position. It's the thing that is missing on some folks that think you cant have a successful hunt without a kill and that, again imo, couldnt be further from the truth. The hunter makes the decision of whether or not to take the life separate from the hunt.
No one is killing anything until they're a good enough hunter to get in range of whatever they're carrying.
You carry a 35# bow, you better have better than average skill to put yourself in a killing position.