Should I be upping my poundage?

[Mikido]

I’ve been shooting the same Matthew’s creed xs since ‘14. Always had it set at 58lbs, 29.5 draw. It goes up to 70. 475gr arrow. Have migrated back and forth between fixed and mechanical, shooting mechanicals lately. Always killed dear with a double lung shot, yet to arrow an elk.

Really enjoy being able to hold at full draw forever, and shooting all day at the range with minimal fatigue.

A few months ago, I heard a guest on cliff grays podcast say that 65lb minimum for elk….

With elk in mind, should I be pulling a higher draw?

 

[Billy Goat]

Your goal should be accuracy, maybe not obsessive accuracy like hitting a quarter every time at 25 yards, but i don't really ever want to sacrifice accuracy for something else, tho I guess at times maybe I do, probably more unknowingly.


I know a few guys who are elk killers with a lighter setup than you are using. Hitting where you want will fo you more good than having 5, 10, or 15 more pounds of DW.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend, especially just across the board a mechanical for elk being fine at your numbers, but a decent broadhead you will be fine.


That said, shoot some scores. Try going up 5 or 7.5#, see if they go down.

 

[Billy Goat]

Another thing to consider, if you were 68#, but 27.5 DL, would you be asking the same question?


5 more pounds, inch shorter DL is going to have you in roughly the same spot. Arrow doesn't know if its getting shot by 60# @ 30" or 70# @ 28". The length of the powerstroke is a big factor.

 

[MallardSX2]

No. And I would NOT shoot a mechanical on an elk.

 

[Joshk358]

Your goal should be accuracy, maybe not obsessive accuracy like hitting a quarter every time at 25 yards, but i don't really ever want to sacrifice accuracy for something else, tho I guess at times maybe I do, probably more unknowingly.


I know a few guys who are elk killers with a lighter setup than you are using. Hitting where you want will fo you more good than having 5, 10, or 15 more pounds of DW.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend, especially just across the board a mechanical for elk being fine at your numbers, but a decent broadhead you will be fine.


That said, shoot some scores. Try going up 5 or 7.5#, see if they go down.

Agree with that. Accuracy trumps draw weight, speed and those things. Hit what you are aiming at with a good broadhead and its a dead animal.

 

[TheTone]

Completely up to you on upping poundage, if you’ve been shooting it for years I’m sure you have the strength to shoot higher weight and you could always go up a couple pounds for a bit and see what you think. If you don’t like it, it’s easy enough to go back down. I wouldn’t do it simply because a guest on a guides podcast says to…

 

[Healthy Scratch]

I wouldn't get too hung up on poundage; I would focus more on accuracy. I know several older guys that have killed elk with trad bows that are pulling lower poundage. As for mechanical vs fixed blade, keep in mind that mechanicals use energy to deploy. Lower poundage bows should steer more toward fixed blades.

 

[LostArra]

Find a different podcast.
Bow poundage rarely, if ever, makes up for inaccurate shot placement.
If a 65# compound was required to kill an elk then I've witnessed multiple miracles with my 51# longbow.
Fixed heads are a safer bet for elk.

 

[KHNC]

What you should consider, is to buy a bow with 60lb limbs. Your bow is most efficient at its max draw weight. If you dont feel comfortable pulling 70 then thats what i would do. As for DW for elk. Hell, 50 is fine with a good hit. Women archers kill a lot of elk. 60 is definitely plenty. Kinetic energy is more important than DW. Shoot a heavier arrow if need be.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

What you should consider, is to buy a bow with 60lb limbs. Your bow is most efficient at its max draw weight.

OP, I like this option if you're going to change anything. You'll get more speed with new tech plus more speed with limbs being maxed out and more efficient AND you get a new bow!

 

[Coveyleader]

My Matthew’s is almost 15 years older than yours, and it maxes out at 60lb. It no longer makes it to 60lbs, I think after a string change it’s in the 55-57lb range at 29 inches. It’s slow, same arrow you shoot is in the 245-250fps range. I keep my shots close, but I have no issues with shooting right through most elk. Same with the moose I shot. There are times I wish I had a bit more speed, but I stick with this setup due to a shoulder issue as most new bows simply hurt to draw . I drew a cow moose tag this year, and I won’t be changing anything. Odds are I’ll shoot through it, or at least get full penetration.

Keep in mind, I only shoot mechanicals at deer, bears, and antelope.

I think you’re fine unless you want a new bow. Typical results for me shooting a three blade fixed at elk, in this case 25 yds, down in 20.

 

[Maxhunter]

I’ve been hunting elk all my life and I’m just 65yr young. I currently shoot 65lbs but I only have a 27”. With your draw length you’ll still get more speed than me. Killing elk is putting the arrow in the boiler room. If you shoot accurately and can hold a long time that’s what you want imo. I see to many guys shooting to much weight and can’t hold it very long. I’ve had a couple guys sit flat on the floor and they have to sky drive to get it to full draw. If I was in you shoes I’d maybe bump your poundage to 60lbs and call it good. You have more than enough to kill elk all day long.

 

[Dryfly1]

What you should consider, is to buy a bow with 60lb limbs. Your bow is most efficient at its max draw weight. If you dont feel comfortable pulling 70 then thats what i would do. As for DW for elk. Hell, 50 is fine with a good hit. Women archers kill a lot of elk. 60 is definitely plenty. Kinetic energy is more important than DW. Shoot a heavier arrow if need be.

This and a good fixed blade head!

2Gbl

 

[doc holiday13]

you setup is 100% good for just about anything. First deer I ever kill was with a 60# bow. 40 yard shot. I think the arrow was leaving the bow at 210 fps. arrow zipped right through the deer

 

[sodaksooner]

If you wanted to purchase a newer bow, the new Mathews can change draw weight, letoff and draw length with cam mods. Super easy to change out and not ridiculously expensive. Might be a good option for you to play with those numbers. Obviously expensive for a new bow, but right now you can get last years models (lift x) for a much more reasonable price. Other than that, you are good at that weight. If it shoots well for you, I wouldn't change anything.

 

[anonymous22]

A few months ago, I heard a guest on cliff grays podcast say that 65lb minimum for elk….

With elk in mind, should I be pulling a higher draw?

it’s not an must but it’s solid recommendation.

I find that with these forums, you might get answers, opinions and recommendations on particular bias. Everyone thinks where they hunt is how it is.

Places like Idaho for an example, could have you on wildly different type of hunt, just for elk. You could be hunting front country ag, back country forest or wilderness, high desert open country etc and run into wildly unique distances, stalking limitations and opportunities.

With that in mind, when in comes to 50-70 yard shots, which is not uncommon in like an open country environment, I would say you want a 70 lb bow. while not the end all be all, I say it’s necessary to increase success and capability.