Recurve draw weight?

[Hawker]

Planning my first moose hunt for this fall and was wondering how much weight should I be pulling?
Here's my set up-
52lbs draw weight
Axis arrows
Arrow weight 540gn
Arrow speed 188fps
Broadhead single bevel 2 blade

 

[Mofarmboy]

I have no experience moose hunting but would want as much weight as I could accurately shoot to increase penetration and increase arrow weight. I shoot a 500gr cx heritage out of my 52lb recurve and get excellent penetration on deer sized critters. Good luck!!!!

 

[justinspicher]

I don't have any experience shooting at moose either, but I think Fred Eichler only shoots about 54lbs when he goes after bigger animals like moose, grizzly and musk ox. He does some work on his arrows to make them hit a bit harder, but I think he is more concerned about accuracy. I would be in the same boat as a heavy arrow shot into a gut doesn't do anymore or less work on an animal than a lighter one.

 

[Hawker]

Justinspicher
I read an article that Fred Eichler wrote about hunting big game with his recurve. I think he said that he has killed 18 moose with his set up (that sounds high) . I shoot pretty much the same set up as far as speed and weight go.

 

[sneaky]

I've met Fred several times and he shoots between 52-54lbs. It's plenty of weight for any N American critters and he said it's his limit of what he is most comfortable and the most accurate with. Like has been said already a heavy arrow out of a high poundage bow that misses its mark is no good at all. The best shot is a well placed shot to the vitals the second best shot is a clean miss.

 

[Huntfun]

I am headed to Alaska in September to hunt the river Jay Massey made famous...the Moose John. I will be bringing my Caribow that is 57# @ 29" as a back up and shooting a Dale Dye that is 57# @ 27". I pull just over 28". The Dale Dye bow was my fathers before he lost his battle with cancer so I will use it in his memory. I have made all new Douglas Fir (sherwood) arrows. Went with 80-85 spine to get more grain weight in the shafts and using 200gr single bevel Kodiak's. My finished arrow weight in over 750grs using a 190gr field point. I personally would want more than 52# but I am sure it will do just fine with a razor sharp broadhead. I would suggest upping your arrow weight. But as others have pointed out a well placed shot with a sharp BH will do the job. Moose ribs are tough!

I took a Moose in 2001 in NE British Columbia back in my compound days. Bow was 70# and I used carbon arrows with a 3 blade muzzy BH and it went down in less than 30 yards. I do not know what the weight of the arrows were but I am sure they were very light but they were coming out of a 70# bow.

 

[Shot]

Your set up is perfect for Moose, in fact, any north american animal. Perfect arrow flight and shot placement matter way more. I'm sure you knew that already. Get your two blades super sharp, hair popping sharp, and you're good to go. Good luck!

In regards to Fred, yeah he shoots 54-55lbs, but his draw length is long, gives him a larger power stroke. I can't recall his exact arrow weight, somewhere in the low 500g, but shoots it at 200 fps.

 

[SDHNTR]

Your set up is perfect for Moose, in fact, any north american animal. Perfect arrow flight and shot placement matter way more. I'm sure you knew that already. Get your two blades super sharp, hair popping sharp, and you're good to go. Good luck!

In regards to Fred, yeah he shoots 54-55lbs, but his draw length is long, gives him a larger power stroke. I can't recall his exact arrow weight, somewhere in the low 500g, but shoots it at 200 fps.

And above all else, Fred can split hairs with that stick bow. I shot with him on his home 3d course and he damn near beat me with my compound. He can shoot! Everything else is secondary.

 

[hockey7]

Can I ask what make of bow your shooting. 188 with a 540 gr arrow and 52 pounds is really moving.
thanks

 

[G Posik]

The order I look at trad shooting when setting up a bow is as follows. 1.) Accuracy. 2.) Arrow flight, want no fish tailing. 3.) good cut on contact broad head and ultra sharp. Arrow weight, I prefer 20-25% FOC on the weight. 4.) draw weight.

My set up is 72# at my draw weight. I shoot a 715 grain arrow either a wood or Easton FMJ with 23% FOC. I have shot many critters with this set up. I shoot a lot of hogs right in the shield and should and get full penetration with it. Like I said being accurate is the number on thing in my opinion. you can pull a 125# bow and not hit the vitals that does you no good. The picture below is my groupings at 40 yards. With the set up you have, if you feel confident with your shot you should be fine.

Glenn

 

[_Nick_]

The picture below is my groupings at 40 yards.

Wow that's quite a group! The only way I could get a group with a recurve that tight from 40 yards would be to first walk towards the target 40 paces and then stick 'em in it by hand ;-)

 

[G Posik]

I shoot just about everyday. I do a lot of blank bale work to keep my form consistent.

Glenn