80lbs Bows

[Thinkingman]

Plenty of guys pulling 60 that shouldn’t.

Plenty of guys pulling 70 that shouldn’t.

Plenty of guys pulling 80 that shouldn’t.

And plenty of guys that have no problem with 60, 70, 80.

I never understand the blanket shoulder comment. If I can pull 80 with less effort than you can pull 70, are you pulling too much?

Do you shoot much?
Repetitive stress on joints and tendons is cumulative.
Look at golfers who have knees and hips replaced...Golf clubs don't weigh 80lbs.
I'm 58 and pull 70lbs easily however that doesn't mean my goal is to pull 80.
Guys who have to have muzzle brakes and say the increased blast doesn't bother them will regret their choices in later years but you can't tell them that.
Some people are know-it-alls until age grants them some wisdom....Some never learn.

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

Shoot what is comfortable to you, only YOU will know what that is.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Or you can stay at 70#, but go to a more aggressive cam and shorter brace height to get more speed. Either way, you'll need a stiffer arrow, which could really end up heavier and slower if you're not paying attention to the specs.

 

[Maverick1]

I've been shooting heavier draw weights for quite a few years now. Why?

For a variety of reasons: I have a shorter draw length, am hunting bigger game animals than "just" deer (elk, moose, bear), the heavier draw weight bow provides the ability to shoot a heavier arrow at the same speed as a lighter arrow with the same trajectory, (or the ability to shoot a similar weight arrow at a higher speeds and thus a flatter trajectory, depending on how you prefer to phrase it) etc. Is this necessary for shooting deer within 20 yards? Likely not, but then again, my situation is different.

Over the years it's gotten a bit tiresome to have people say "you can't....." or "you shouldn't..."..... or “you are going to blow out your shoulder”….

It works for me, so that's what I do; do what works for you. Don’t put your limitations on me!

I've never quite understood the comments about going from 70 lbs to 80lb+ draw weight in a bow. ?

Nobody really even comments about shoulder surgeries, blowing out your shoulder, drawing in cold weather when in a treestand when someone is using a 70 lb bow. So, that 10 lbs makes that much of a difference? (It's an odd phenomenon, isn’t it? Mention 80 lb limbs and those cast of characters are brought up; not so with 70 lb limbs?)

If I’m doing pull-ups with my body weight plus an additional 75 pound dumbbell between my ankles for sets (and have been for 20 years) - your weak, flabby, skinny a$$ is going to tell me I shouldn’t add 10 more pounds to my draw weight? 70 is ok, but 80 or 85 isn’t?

It really kind of depends, doesn't it?

Are you familiar with someone else's fitness routine, physical capabilities, etc.?

Sure, sharing your experiences is a good discussion point on a forum, but it would also be helpful to know how long you were active, the types of proactive exercises you were doing, if any, wouldn't it?

Everyone's physical abilities are different. For instance, would it be a good idea for an out-of-shape, non-exercising, couch-potato, or someone with previous shoulder issues to slap on 80 lb limbs and start yanking away? Nope. They probably shouldn’t be shooting 70 or even 60! Would it be a good idea worth considering for a fit, active person that has strengthened his or her shoulders to work up to a heavier draw weight bow, whether that be 50lbs, 80lbs, or 100lbs, if they are performing shoulder-specific strength building exercises (pullups, standing or seated rows, one-arm rows) and shoulder/rotator cuff-specific, stabilizing exercises (internal and external shoulder rotations in several planes, among others), on a regular, year-round basis? Probably something they could consider.
(Obviously, there are some limits - as we age, the number and size of muscle fibers decrease, this loss of muscle mass reduces strength, it takes muscles longer to respond, tendons become stiffer and less able to tolerate stress, connective tissue becomes more rigid and brittle, etc. It's a great ball of fun.)

The OP has already stated he is pulling back a 70 lb bow. I'd say get the 70-80 lb limbs, set them at 70 lbs, and work your way up from there. If it gets too hard, back them down a bit. It it continues to be easy, crank them down to a higher draw weight.

And be sure to do your proactive shoulder exercises, regardless of draw weight, physical fitness level, or age, before an injury occurs.

 

[Reburn]

Just some quick numbers, at my typical peep to arrow and sight radius it takes 460 fps for me to drop 4" from 32 yards to 44.

A 260 fps arrow will be 14-15" low.

Just saying.

Thank you for this.
Some people seem to not understand physics or how gravity works and have clearly never looked at their drops or a cut chart.

 

[TheHammer]

Just some quick numbers, at my typical peep to arrow and sight radius it takes 460 fps for me to drop 4" from 32 yards to 44.

A 260 fps arrow will be 14-15" low.

Just saying.

I’d have to shoot it through a/different chrono with the new string but I don’t believe 10fps is yielding much a difference@84lbs. It took a long time to get this setup the way it is and figure out 32 yds was peak trajectory before the arrow plained off… the foc rabbit hole and all experiments/components interchanged… I understand there are a lot of variables… and I understand the loan pic I have proves nothing other than it’s a pic of an 2 arrows being 4” apart and this is the internet… the top arrow is 35yds the bottom arrow is 45 yds. Both shots the point of aim was identical. Was august 20th after a storm and 5mph cross wind…this shows some wind deflection. I doubt I am subconsciously adjusting my shots as it’s repeatable. If it was that big of a drop I wouldn’t be hitting the target… which it does at 52 in the bottom ring….

 

[MightyWhitey]

Do you shoot much?
Repetitive stress on joints and tendons is cumulative.
Look at golfers who have knees and hips replaced...Golf clubs don't weigh 80lbs.
I'm 58 and pull 70lbs easily however that doesn't mean my goal is to pull 80.
Guys who have to have muzzle brakes and say the increased blast doesn't bother them will regret their choices in later years but you can't tell them that.
Some people are know-it-alls until age grants them some wisdom....Some never learn.

Ha! No way I’ll be looking at golfers as any sort of gauge or reference of physical fitness, strength, durability etc.
I saw some golfers yesterday that were too weak to even carry their club bag. It’s was motorized and scootin along in front of them.

 

[LostArra]

There are a lot of factors besides "overuse" that contribute to cartilage loss, arthritis and one's pain tolerance.

Little ladies whose only lifetime activities have been quilting bees also have their hips and knees replaced.

 

[Billy Goat]

I’d have to shoot it through a/different chrono with the new string but I don’t believe 10fps is yielding much a difference@84lbs. It took a long time to get this setup the way it is and figure out 32 yds was peak trajectory before the arrow plained off… the foc rabbit hole and all experiments/components interchanged… I understand there are a lot of variables… and I understand the loan pic I have proves nothing other than it’s a pic of an 2 arrows being 4” apart and this is the internet… the top arrow is 35yds the bottom arrow is 45 yds. Both shots the point of aim was identical. Was august 20th after a storm and 5mph cross wind…this shows some wind deflection. I doubt I am subconsciously adjusting my shots as it’s repeatable. If it was that big of a drop I wouldn’t be hitting the target… which it does at 52 in the bottom ring….

I'm curious on exactly how that's working. Maybe you have a weird anchor, but high point of the arrow flight shouldn't be between those numbers.


I shoot with my peep 4 5/8" over the shaft. Here's the visual on how that would fly for me.




The higher the peep is off the shaft, the more gap you are going to have from high point to zero, however, it also allows for more distance before you get shaft/sight contact. It's not like I set a peep for it, just where my anchor works out to.


I'm just saying it because your results aren't typical in my experience. If it's working for you, great, but I don't think many are going to be able to make that work, and it's unrelated to poundage, it's just a speed/sight line thing.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

45 tabs open on your phone's browser. i thought i was bad with my desktops, but that's next level.

 

[Ucsdryder]

L

Do you shoot much?
Repetitive stress on joints and tendons is cumulative.
Look at golfers who have knees and hips replaced...Golf clubs don't weigh 80lbs.
I'm 58 and pull 70lbs easily however that doesn't mean my goal is to pull 80.
Guys who have to have muzzle brakes and say the increased blast doesn't bother them will regret their choices in later years but you can't tell them that.
Some people are know-it-alls until age grants them some wisdom....Some never learn.

ok so you shoot 70, pretty standard.

Let’s try and put it in perspective. If you went out right now and did max pull-ups and push-ups how many could you do? If, let’s say I could do 2-3x as many as you, then should we shoot the same poundage or should I shoot more? If Cam Haynes came out and doubled what I can do, should he shoot more than me, or the same?

The average guy walks into the shop, the shop hands them a 70lb bow. Why is that standard? Why is it not 60….or 80? If 2 guys walk in and 1 can bench press 135 and the other guy 315, guess what, here are your 70lb bows. Should it be that way? I don’t think so.

 

[William Sublette]

With age comes wisdom.












But sometimes age shows up all by itself.

 

[Billy Goat]

45 tabs open on your phone's browser. i thought i was bad with my desktops, but that's next level.

I got a lot going on man.

 

[Billy Goat]

I'm curious on exactly how that's working. Maybe you have a weird anchor, but high point of the arrow flight shouldn't be between those numbers.


I shoot with my peep 4 5/8" over the shaft. Here's the visual on how that would fly for me.

View attachment 557485


The higher the peep is off the shaft, the more gap you are going to have from high point to zero, however, it also allows for more distance before you get shaft/sight contact. It's not like I set a peep for it, just where my anchor works out to.


I'm just saying it because your results aren't typical in my experience. If it's working for you, great, but I don't think many are going to be able to make that work, and it's unrelated to poundage, it's just a speed/sight line thing.

For reference, here's a crossbow setup.

 

[EMAZ]

I currently shoot a Mathew’s Halon 32, 70lbs, and 28in draw. Total arrow weight is about 515 grains. Last year I played around with my arrow setup and got it shooting good with the heavier arrows and single bevel broadheads.

The heavier arrows work great. Clean pass through a all the deer I shot last year. I pull the arrow out of the ground, sharpen the head, and it’s good to go. I just don’t love the pin gap.

I have no issues pulling back a 70lbs bow. I just was thinking if I got a 80lbs bow I can keep the heavy arrows and cut down pin gap.

Looking for input.

What is your sight setup? I prefer a 3 pin slider with a dual indicator (MT Black Gold) where when it’s at the top, my pins are 20, 30, 40 (dual indicator reference is for top & bottom pins). This allows for an uncluttered and easy to identify pin/distance setting.

Might be better off looking at sights than poundage—especially since you’re already pulling 70.

I have one bow at 65lbs (RX-4 Ultra 70lb limbs 29” draw) and another at 73lbs (RX-7 Ultra 80lb limbs 29” draw); both with same sight setup and same arrow setup…my pin gap is negligible between the two with the 8lb draw weight difference. I get an extra 10 yards (120 versus 110 for my bottom pin when max dialed) out of my dial with the 73lb and a little faster/slightly deeper penetration. Both are further than I’ll hunt at and plenty for distance practice for me.

 

[khavok]

I currently shoot a Mathew’s Halon 32, 70lbs, and 28in draw. Total arrow weight is about 515 grains. Last year I played around with my arrow setup and got it shooting good with the heavier arrows and single bevel broadheads.

The heavier arrows work great. Clean pass through a all the deer I shot last year. I pull the arrow out of the ground, sharpen the head, and it’s good to go. I just don’t love the pin gap.

I have no issues pulling back a 70lbs bow. I just was thinking if I got a 80lbs bow I can keep the heavy arrows and cut down pin gap.

Looking for input.

I've sold many high end bows when I worked at a pro shop. Some people like th 80lb limbs based on their need for the fps to be as high as possible. The main bow sold is 60-70lb draw weight as it will get you the same result as any other bow. 80lb is usually suggested for exotic game. 80lb limbs with 1400grain arrow for Elephant, water buffalo, etc. For everything else, your 70lb bow will do everything you need it to. Save the money and upgrade other components.

 

[Wilderlife]

It never ceases to amaze me how few people understand resistance training and how it can benefit any sort of physical activity.

How about the blokes shooting trad bows? A 55# trad bow is harder to shoot consistently and for extended periods than a 70# compound bow, all other things being equal. I shoot trad bows over 65# reasonably well (and reasonably consistently) and I'm 5ft 7in and only weigh about 175lb.

Lots of good chat in this thread for sure and a lot of great insight, but this shouldn't be overlooked. The stronger you are and the more you understand the pulling and pressing movements, the easier you will shoot a bow and the longer you will be able to do it for. There are stacks of 'old crusties' with destroyed shoulders from shooting trad bows, but you only need to watch them shoot a couple of shots to see why. Incorrect form from the start and not knowing any better.

 

[Thinkingman]

L

ok so you shoot 70, pretty standard.

Let’s try and put it in perspective. If you went out right now and did max pull-ups and push-ups how many could you do? If, let’s say I could do 2-3x as many as you, then should we shoot the same poundage or should I shoot more? If Cam Haynes came out and doubled what I can do, should he shoot more than me, or the same?

The average guy walks into the shop, the shop hands them a 70lb bow. Why is that standard? Why is it not 60….or 80? If 2 guys walk in and 1 can bench press 135 and the other guy 315, guess what, here are your 70lb bows. Should it be that way? I don’t think so.

Should you shoot more poundage?....Not necessarily.
For a lot of archers, it's a braggin rights thing.
If you're capable of hiking with a 40lb 50BMG rifle, does that mean you should be shooting it at blacktail deer?
You seem to have missed the point of cumulative damage.
I refer back to my muzzle brake example....Just because you've convinced yourself you're not damaging your hearing doesn't mean it's not going to catch up with you later.

 

[Thinkingman]

Ha! No way I’ll be looking at golfers as any sort of gauge or reference of physical fitness, strength, durability etc.
I saw some golfers yesterday that were too weak to even carry their club bag. It’s was motorized and scootin along in front of them.

I am referring to professional golfers that swing a club maybe 500 times a week, every week.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Should you shoot more poundage?....Not necessarily.
For a lot of archers, it's a braggin rights thing.
If you're capable of hiking with a 40lb 50BMG rifle, does that mean you should be shooting it at blacktail deer?
You seem to have missed the point of cumulative damage.
I refer back to my muzzle brake example....Just because you've convinced yourself you're not damaging your hearing doesn't mean it's not going to catch up with you later.

So why aren’t you shooting 60 or even 50? It’ll kill an animal just fine in most situations and the cumulative effect on your body is less. My wife shoots 40 pounds and had a pass through on a 6x6 bull. She also weighs 117 pounds. Should she shoot 70? Should I shoot 40? Of course not, because our bodies are different.

You put every human being into 1 category. The 70lb category. My point is everyone is built different so to say 70 is ok but everything else isn’t ok. The Muzzle brake analogy is dumb. Everyone’s ears are the same. Everyone’s body is different. Your bmg example is dumb too actually. What does that have to do with anything at all unless 80lb bows weigh more than 70lb bows. Or, are you saying a 80lb bow isn’t necessary to kill an animal? That’s a different argument than the tired old argument about shoulders.