70-80 pounds

[Jotis]

Looking at a new bow, I have always shot 70 pounds wondering if it's worth going up to 80 pounds. It will be used mainly for elk

 

[Topo_trekker]

If you feel comfortable pulling back and holding it, yeah sure. Depends on the bow. A short aggressive bow will be a whole lot harder to pull and hold. Shot a 80# Hoyt this year and it was a battle, didn’t like it at all, shot a Prime and it was like butter even at 84#.


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[Billy Goat]

I shot 84# for a year. Overall I didn't think it was worth it. Almost cost me a mule deer. I had a harness on in a tree over looking a lick. The harness was tight enough I had trouble getting the full movement out of my shoulder. I had to let the bow down after getting it halfway back. Reposition my tree harness. Then draw again. I could sit down flat on my butt with legs out and draw and shoot the bow. Didn't think it was worth it.

I think the efficiency of the bows now the 70's are more like 80's. My current setup makes more energy than my previous heavy setup. And is 12# less draw weight

 

[87TT]

Practice before pounds.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I am not the most experienced hunter or archer, but I am leaning toward lower poundage. I am a big guy and get to the gym a lot so the strength isn’t the issue. I have found pulling my 75# Hoyt in less than ideal circumstances to be a problem. Awkward foot placement, tree stands, sitting or kneeling. I can haul my #65 bow from pretty much any position without issue. They shoot the same arrow at 305 and 285 fps so not really enough to be a practical difference.

I am also on the wrong side of 40 where long term durability of your joints starts to take shape as a consideration. My bows are going to be under 70# going forward.

 

[nphunter]

I really think it depends on the person. If it is easy and you have no issues then there is no issue, if you feel over bowed and it's a struggle to pull back then don't get it. I shoot 77lbs with 75lb limbs I had made from the Hoyt Custom shop, I can shoot an 80 target 3D course no problem and have never had a single issue pulling it back. I shot 65lbs for a while and felt like I was shooting my kid's bow. I also worked a shovel and rake for years and have a lot of strength in my shoulders and back muscles.

My buddy recently purchased an 80lb bow and he struggles to pull it back, enough that he had to take a break from shooting because he was afraid he was going to hurt himself and was having back issues after shooting it for a few weeks. IMO he should have ordered a 70lb bow or even 65lb bow instead.

I started out shooting a 74lb bow, tore my Labrum at work and had to have shoulder surgery on my right shoulder. I ended up rehabbing shooting my wife's 30lb bow and worked back into a 60lb bow and was able to kill an elk that fall. I shot 60lbs for a couple of years and when upgrading went to 65lb limbs, after shooting them for a while I decided I wanted more draw weight and ended up ordering limbs from Hoyt so now they are 75lb. I have always shot better with more draw weight and enjoy shooting the bow more with the heavier draw weight. If I ever get to a point to where I struggle at all with the draw weight I will happily go back down in weight.

 

[JaWally91]

I currently have a hoyt defiant with 80-90 # limbs, have it set at about 88# haven't had any issues with it, but before buying I made sure I could draw it in all sorts of positions, sitting with legs straight out, on knees, etc. I did buy a spot keeton release which has made drawing much easier. overall I really like the bow and the kinetic energy it puts out! if its comfortable why not do it

 

[Zac]

I will never buy another 80 pounder. I'm on my fourth string due to timing issues. Had the bow checked out by alot of people and all I hear is that this is typical of 80 lbs. Have a threads on the way, if that doesn't work I'm buying a new 70 pound something. It's an Aluminum riser Defiant so maybe the newer bow don't have same issues.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I think a few things go into it. If you’re a 32” draw then definitely not. If you have t-Rex arms it might not be the worst idea if you’re able to draw it comfortably. I shoot 82lbs at 28”. 550gr at 278fps. I like that speed and weight, I’d love to get it out of a 70lb bow but I can’t get there with my draw length.

 

[fatlander]

It really depends. You can get some speed bows at 60 pounds that are just as fast as great hunting bows at 80.

335 IBO, 28”, 80# ~~~~~ 297 FPS

365 IBO, 28”, 60# ~~~~~ 294 FPS

Just food for thought. Brace height is obviously going to be a lot different there. But 80# isn’t the end all be all in the name of setups with the potential for higher momentum.


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[Brandon_SPC]

With todays bows I think yes it is worth going to 80lbs if you like to shoot heavy arrows. I was extremely worried about shooting 80lb until I pick up an Energy 32 with Elite 80lb option limbs and Energy Cams. It draws like butter and holds well.

In all honesty I would rather shoot an 80lb bow vs a speed bow set at 70lb any day of the week. If you find a good drawing 80lb bow that doesn't have aggressive cams, like an Elite Energy bow, you hardly will notice the difference from 70 - 80lbs. Now bows with aggressive cams that is a different story so choice your bow wisely.

Speed difference between my Energy 35 at 70lb with a 600 gr was at 251 fps and my 80lb Elite Freedom build shoots a 600 grain arrow at 268 fps.

 

[Thunder head]

It really depends on your size and strength.

You certainly don't need it. And when you get old your shoulder will thank you for taking it easy on it.

I always tell people. Bend over at the waist and point it at the ground like your shooting straight down out of a treestand. If you can draw it easily your good. If you struggle, you need to lower your poundage.

 

[Beendare]

I shot 80# compounds for many years, my take;
Now-a-days the bows are so efficient there really is no advantage. A guy shooting a 500gr arrow out of a 70# bow is already shooting the equivalent to a 300 win mag....do you really need a .375 H&H?

My thinking has changed over the years. I still want a very efficient powerful arrow...but you can get that AND a very quiet setup by just bumping up your arrow weight. Adding bow weight to the same arrow gives you more bow noise.

..

 

[sodaksooner]

I just don't see the point. I have never been over 70, and with a 450 grain arrow and a 28" draw still zipping it out there at 280+ fps. Shoot Ive blown through a couple of deer with a 42 lb recurve and a 500 grain arrow.

Maybe when I was younger it was a big deal because bows were much less efficient, but even then I couldn't understand it.

But, if you want to go for it. Nothing wrong with it if it is what you want to do.

 

[HookUp]

That PSE Evoke at 80 has my attention. I can draw my 70 lb Bowtech RealmX no problem on an extended back country trip. Not sure what the benefit would be though?

 

[5MilesBack]

With a 32 1/2" draw I've discovered that at 80lbs........things just don't hold up all that well. Broken limbs, problems with strings, broken d-loops without any notice.........it just might not be worth it in my case. I just replaced bent axles. I'm back down to 70ish lbs. But 80lbs at 28" draw, that would be the equivalent energy of me drawing 60lbs. So for a shorter draw, it shouldn't take near the toll that a long draw length does on everything.

 

[jhm2023]

I've never shot an 80 pound bow but I don't see it as necessary. My 70 with a moderate speed and arrow weight with some ramcat diamondbacks still blow through critters like piss through snow. I even got a complete pass through on a big bodied caribou at 97 yards. If it suits you well and you can draw it CORRECTLY when you're freezing your ass off and in a really goofy position, then I wouldn't imagine it to be bad idea.

 

[Beendare]

With a 32 1/2" draw I've discovered that at 80lbs........things just don't hold up all that well. Broken limbs, problems with strings, broken d-loops without any notice.........it just might not be worth it in my case. I just replaced bent axles. I'm back down to 70ish lbs. But 80lbs at 28" draw, that would be the equivalent energy of me drawing 60lbs. So for a shorter draw, it shouldn't take near the toll that a long draw length does on everything.

good example^
A guy going on a Cape buff hunt with a 800-900 gr arrow can really improve his arrows efficiency with an 80# bow.

A guy using a 450-550gr arrow in an 80# bow is getting a little more speed...but also creating more wasted excess energy in that bow which equates to more friction/vibration/noise- etc.

The 80# thing -and I was guilty of this- was a decision based on one thing- speed. Now that I know better- /grin- I think a guy is better served considering all of the factors that make for a smooth efficient killing machine.

Lets face it...even a 60# modern compound generates more than enough energy to blow a decent weight arrow through big hogs and elk.

..

 

[ahlgringo]

Instead of black and white yes-good, no-bad. This like many instances is really all gray. It all depends

what bow, what arrow, what draw length, how comfortable are you pulling 80, etc

Personally,
I shoot an 80 lb elite synergy with a 29.5 DL

Why? cause I like my 530g arrow combo, and I want it to go fast enough that I have narrow-ish pin gaps

But- its a slow bow, its a heavy-ish arrow, the bow draws butter smooth and feels much easier to draw and hold than many 65-70lb bows out there.

If you want to try it out, go for it, but many good points have been made on this topic thus far. Figure out whats best/most comfortable FOR YOU, that should lead to the best results in the end.