draw weight question

[12thman]

I read recently that it is best to use a bow at it's maximum draw weight. I am currently shooting 61# on a 60-70 lb bow but I am plannning on a new purchase. I wouldn't mind going up a few pounds but it is not critical. Should I get a 50-60 and set it at the max of 61-62 or stick with a 60-70? Also, if I want to hunt larger game (elk, mule deer) is the extra draw weight beneficial?

[tvc184]

If you are going to shoot around the same weight, I think you should stick with the lower weight bow. I shoot a 50-60 Diamond Marquis at 60 pounds and am getting 288 fps with only a 28 inch draw. I am sure that I could kill an elk with it. I usually shoot Grim Reaper 1 3/4" and have never had one not be a complete pass through on whitetails. If that won't kill an elk, I need to bring a gun instead.

[12thman]

how much benefit would I get by going up to 65 lbs? I am planning on getting a hoyt turbohawk at 28".

[rocky]

Get a 60 lb bow and max it out.
You can always get 2-4 lbs extra by advancing cams, but it will also affect DL, usually making it slightly longer, and making draw-cycle slightly harsher.
I put together my own bows, usually using a slightly higher deflection limb, and set the bows up at 63-65 lbs, so that I can maintain accurate DL and create cleaner draw-cycles.
If you back a bow off close to 10 lbs, you are taking the designed pre-load out of the limbs, and lengthening DL, while creating a "loose" and most of the time noisier bow.

[angrybroadhead]

You will probably gain a maximum of 2-3 fps with each pound drawn depending on your DL. When you look at KE for larger animals, you are probably fine. I shoot an AlphaMax32 at 60#, 27.5 DL. When I calculate out speed and arrow weight to get KE...I shouldn't have any problem with an Elk per stats and a guy who shoots a similar set up to me killing more than one over the years!

[texag93]

Stick with a 60. Plenty of KE for anything short of brown bear and easier to draw on a cold morning.

[Brushpopper]

I have the Hoyt power hawk 60-70# it is set at 61#.I like it .Should work for whitetail or mule deer

[Bill]

If you like to shoot around 60#, get a 50-60 bow. The difference in killing ability is minimal if at all. You're trading off slightly larger pin gaps so range estimation will be a little more important out at farther distances. When I added a D loop and they shortened the draw length an inch on my 70# PSE it shoots great and is now around 60# and its a little nicer to pull back the 1st time on a hunt.

[DrenalinJunkie]

LIke said above......... get a 60# bow and max it out..... if not, it is like buying a 350 motor and tuneing it down to run like a 305....... kinda pointless

[sfcbaker]

A well placed shot from either a #60 or #70 bow will both take down an Elk, its all about how well you can shoot it. My 2 cents.