Draw weight for whitetails

[johnwayne27]

How much draw weight do I need if I'm just hunting whitetail deer? Thanks

 

[sneaky]

40lbs is plenty to kill a whitetail, and an easy weight to shoot when it's cold and you've been sitting all day.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[johnwayne27]

Alright thanks, was thinking between 40 and 45 being this will be my first longbow didn't want to start too heavy.

 

[LostArra]

Remember though that all bows especially longbows vary in performance/efficiency. Draw weight is only one factor. When I first started making selfbows I made some that measured 45-50# on the scales but were DOGS. I wouldn't hunt rabbits with them.

 

[Jmp209]

Like lost said, there are a lot of factors. Aside from the ability of the equipment is your personal ability. When I first switched from modern to traditional archery I realized how poor my form was and how heavy 45 lbs really was. It took me a while to be able to comfortably shoot at that weight and be confident enough to hunt with it. 45 lbs seemed minimum to me before I started but I'm glad I didn't go any heavier and found it was more than capable of taking a whitetail and black bear.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

Draw weight will change with your draw length too: a bow is usually measured at a 28” draw length. If you draw shorter, the weight will be less. If you draw longer the weight will be more.

I draw about 29.5” to 30” and shoot a #45 bow, so I pull it closer to 50# in reality. I don’t hesitate to hunt elk with it.

 

[Beendare]

I hunted with 40# for awhile and killed a couple critters....they were just as dead as my heavier setups.

And I was only shooting a 475-485 gr arrow....COC 2 and 3 blade heads though.

An efficient BH makes up for a lot.

______

 

[LostArra]

I hunted with 40# for awhile and killed a couple critters....they were just as dead as my heavier setups.

And I was only shooting a 475-485 gr arrow....COC 2 and 3 blade heads though.

An efficient BH makes up for a lot.

______

Did you notice any difference in the 2 blade vs 3 blade with 40#? I've been sticking with 2 blade on my lighter traditional rigs but I have zero data to backup that decision.

 

[Beendare]

Did you notice any difference in the 2 blade vs 3 blade with 40#? I've been sticking with 2 blade on my lighter traditional rigs but I have zero data to backup that decision.

Yeah, I do.

I almost always get a full pass through with the 2 blade heads. The big Snuffer and 150gr VPA's create a little more friction....and I've had less pass throughs with those. Those are pretty big heads. I think sticking to a tapered 2 blade with a light bow is a good idea.

FWIW, I have shot a hog with those Kustom King Trailmakers- a longer tapered 3 blade with less cutting diameter ........and those act like a 2 blade.

 

[bjfoxhoven]

@Beendare i shoot a 47lb recurve at 31” draw 550gr arrow. (170ft/sec roughly I believe) I want to do a two blade with bleeders like the black hornets... I want to use them with compound too. Or should I just get the two blades and know I should always get a pass through. I love the compact hornet, but I could go with buzz cut also.