I have always shot 70# but 3 years ago I went to 60#. I gave some speed and KE and Momentum but it just seemed easier on the elbow. I have a new Vertix with 60# mods. It shoots good. But I must admit I am curious how the 70# would do. Am I missing out? Your opinion
My set up is at 72 pounds my arrow is 490 grains. Some would say over kill on a whitetail but I would rather hit a shoulder with over kill and recover the deer than not.
Does one necessarily concede KE and Momentum merely by lowering poundage..... Setup at #70, shooting a say 405 grain arrow build at 245 fps: KE is 53.97 and Momentum is .441 slugs. Setup at #60, shooting a say 505 grain arrow build at 200 fps: KE is 44.85 and Momentum is .448 slugs. Setup at #60, shooting a say 600 grain arrow build at 185 fps: KE is 45.59 and Momentum is .493 slugs
not without giving up speed. 200 fps is very slow for a modern bow. now, a recurve or longbow, those are good numbers. If I was longer than 27" draw length I would not be giving up anything I assume
I dropped down to a 60lb bow a few years back with no significant impact to the way I hunt (most shots are within 30 yards where I hunt in VA). However, I have always shot 70lb bows and went back to one this year. Picked up a PSE Evoke 31 in 70lbs because I was curious about its overall performance compared to the 60lb Evolve 31 I had. I don't think the deer will notice either way.
Ignore the FPS, the illustration was merely to prove KE and Momentum do not necessarily drop with lower poundage. I can do the same illustration with higher speeds.
Illustration using different speeds: 450 grain set up, traveling 265 fps with a 70lb draw: 70.16 KE and .529 slugs 550 grain set up, traveling 240 fps with a 60lb draw: 70.33 KE and .586 slugs
In my opinion speed is overrated. I know a lot of folks like the faster, flatter trajectory that is more forgiving when it comes to yardage estimation, but speed always comes at a price. I shoot a 60# bow and my arrows are somewhere in the neighborhood of 520 grains. I’m quite sure I’m not shooting 200 FPS, and the deer die just the same as they did when I was shooting 300 FPS. I shoot 60 pounds for a number of reasons: It’s easier on my shoulders. It’s easier to draw when I’ve been sitting in the cold for a long tine. It’s easier to let down. Best of all, though, is how quiet it shoots launching the heavier arrow.
I like the 60#. I am in no way chasing speed with my 27" DL. I just want enough speed to shoot to 25 yds with one pin. pass that, I pass on the shot. It is much easier on these joints and much quieter. I was just curious as to if the 70# vertix was as smooth as the 60#. but I am sure there is a difference
The cycle shouldn't be any different, now the poundage however can play a big part on ease of draw for sure. Which can to some make a big difference.
I watched a youtube video, can't remember who it was now but it was some pro shop tech, where he was seeking his "optimal" draw weight for accuracy. He shot 5 arrows 60 yards at 70 lbs., measured the group, waited 30 minutes (to remove fatigue issues), shot 65 lbs., waited another 30 minutes, and then shot 60 lbs. I believe he recommended doing this 3 days in a row and recording the groups. He had a clear winner, which was 65 lbs if I remember. I've never tried this, but the results would be interesting to see and I didn't think it was a bad idea to try. Just a little test you could run if you wanted to.
The journey of finding ones specific set up is something more should do. Some will mess with draw weight - while others arrow builds. Honestly, I encourage folks to find what they like draw wise from shooting multiple weights...then locked in there, start messing with various arrow builds (prefer much heavier than most...and most bows, but not all do as well). What flies best, hits the most plum and tweak that draw weight as well if necessary but only if flight and/or consistency is not up to your desire.
Draw weight is way less important of a factor then holding weight, especially with the cam technology on todays high end bow offerings. Holding too little weight at full draw is now a very common occurrence for some guys. They don't have enough tension in the shot Execution. Either adjust the letboff down or by bumping draw weight up it make a world of difference, because it changes the holding weight. The test referenced above has more to do with holding weight then drawing weight. I think this isn't articulated very well if your testing your " ideal weight" . Being over bowed on the draw is way way more easy to diagnose, after a handful of shots if your raising your starting draw point higher your pulling too much.
Absolutely true. Kind of a captain obvious thing. Most folks only know how to effect it by adjusting the draw weight.
