60 lb or 65 lb dilemma

[WyoBowhunter21]

So I am in a dilemma. I am buying a new bow but cannot decide if I want 60 or 64 lb limbs. I am looking at new and used but found a good deal on a used bow at 60 lbs. I have a short draw, 27" so I don't ever get much speed. I have some shoulder issues but I want to start shooting past 70 yards. Most of my antelope shots have been 70+ so I am worried if I drop down to 60 lbs I will not be able to effectively and efficiently shoot that far. What are some thoughts? I just got a new mbg accent 4 pin slider so that makes me nervous as well. Any help?

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

5lbs of draw weight is not going to make or break a kill shot on a antelope IMO. Shooting 70 + yds consistently is more of concern but that's all on the shooters skills...

 

[Bughalli]

5lbs is only a difference of 1lbs at full draw assuming 80% let off. The diff in 5lbs is negligible from a speed and drop perspective. At those distances you'll be compensating a lot regardless. I would focus your efforts on figuring out how to get closer than 70 yards. That's a long shot on a small target, especially when more often than not you're dealing with cross winds as well.

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Sadly in the area I hunt antelope it is all plains with very little hills. I have tried to close the distance past 70 but every time it's always 69-72 yards. I play the wind, get on my belly but that's as far as they will let me get. I am not worried about the 70 yard shot so much, it's I want to have enough penetration (kinetic energy) at those distances. In practice I usually do 100 yards. Never that for a animal.

 

[5MilesBack]

I wouldn't worry much about penetrating an antelope even at 100 yards. Stick with the 60lb and use a rangefinder and you're not going to lose enough to worry about over 65lbs.

 

[KMT]

Probably less than a 3 feet per second difference. Not worth worrying about.

 

[GotDraw?]

My draw length is 27.5 and I TOTALLY agree with KMT above.
A couple pounds of draw weight at our draw lengths will not measurably change arrow speed for a given bow. Therefore, if you want fast (for 27 inch draw) you'll probably have to break down and start by buying a new speed bow. This will buy you some speed, but you may not be able to shoot a short brace height as well.

Your challenge is that your kinetic energy at 70 yards with 27 inch draw and 60-65 draw will not be high. Since Antelope are a smallish target, accuracy must be your goal

Before you even consider a new speed bow or choosing between your two current options, there are plenty of free internet IBO speed calculators out there that can tell you within 1% accuracy how much your speed changes if you change any variable... draw length, draw weight, arrow weight... Here's one: http://archerycalculator.com/estimate-bow-speed/

Input the bow you are analyzing's advertised IBO speed, your draw weight, your total arrow weight and some other variables, then you can figure out what any bow will be able to deliver. Then you can also calculate your energy down range at 70yds and determine if you have enough to ethically take a shot. FYI- You may also want to consider a 2 blade broad head, it has less frontal area to push into the animal than a three or four blade and thus, better penetration.

Hope this helps!

JL

 

[MTarrowflinger]

If you have the opportunity to shoot each of them and you have the arrows you'll be using, chrono them for even more accurate info. KE or Momentum (different debate altogether) at 70 yards should be your main concern. Figure that out and then just go with what feels best.

 

[camelcluch]

What is your desired maxed out weight? Seems bows like being maxed out. So, if you want to shoot 61 or 62# I would get a 60#'er. Most bows peak out a little over the listed weight.

 

[roadrunner]

best way to figure your downrange arrow performance is to place a chronograph about 1-2 yards from the target, then shoot from varying distances to get a trendline. That'll tell you what to expect at 70 yards.

 

[dotman]

Crap most 60lb bows have way more speed and power then 80lb bows 20 years ago, you'll be fine with a 60lb setup.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

60lbs will work fine for you.

 

[Pramo]

I went 60 this year with a Hoyt CST maxed around 63. Got pass though on 3 whitetails, Muley, Cow and bear with 29 1/4 inch draw and 485 grain arrow.

I doubt I'll ever shoot 65 or 70 again