subject: Understanding Compound Bow Draw Weight [print this page] All other components being equal, a 70# bow is going to store increased power and shoot at a faster rate compared to a 60# bow. But unfortunately, this is often a confusing issue you should consider carefully when selecting your new compound bow. The maximum draw weight of the bow is usually determined by the stiffness of the bows limbs. Firing a bow sporting a larger draw weight is the predominant method for building the volume of stored energy during the bows powerstroke. Compound bows are offered in different types of maximum draw weights, having said that the most widely used would be the 50-60# and 60-70# varieties. Although you may purchase a bow with 70# limbs, you can generally fine-tune the draw weight 1-10# down from the the highest weight. So a 70# bow could really be altered for 61#, 64#, 67#, or any specific draw weight inside of the allowable range. Additionally, it should be considered that a 70# bow, turned down to 60#, does not perform as well when compared to the same bow in a 60# model operating at its highest draw weight. Bows are likely to be more efficient at or near their max draw weight.
Draw Weight Guidlines
Here are some general rules for picking an acceptable draw weight. Naturally, every person is not the same. You need to apply your common sense in this case and interpret this chart with due regard to your own age, basic physical condition, and Body Mass Index (BMI). If you are new to the sport, I highly recommend you looked over additional discussion material on considering an appropriate draw length and weight.
High poundage bows will need heavier, stiffer arrow shafts. So although they will be able to provide added energy at the intended target, they may not in essence yield much faster arrow speeds at IBO standards. Lower poundage bows can make use of lighter weight, more limber arrow shafts. IBO standards allow for 5 grains of arrow weight for each pound of draw weight. Which means that a 70# bow could very well shoot an arrow (safely) as lightweight as 350 grains. A bow set for 60#, no less than 300 grains and so forth. So surprisingly, when set for IBO minimum measures, many bows will only be fractionally faster in the 70# model versus the 60# model. On the grounds that a 70# bow will have to shoot the heavier arrow, the benefits in arrow weight offsets the reduction of power storing during the powerstroke. Therefore effectively set-up for best speed, a 60# version of most bows will perform within 10 fps of the heavier 70# variation.
How Much Draw Weight is Necessary
A number of states require a compound bow to reach certain draw weight minimum requirements in order to hunt large game such as Whitetail Deer. Make sure you follow all of the rules and regulations for legally harvesting game in your state. However, it ought to be noted that a number of these rules have been in effect for countless years, and don't necessarily take into account the modern technology progress in archery manufacturing. The standard bow of 15 years back was struggling to shoot 230 fps, and even at those velocities a lot of bowhunters got clean pass-thrus on bigger game comparable to Whitetail Deer. In the present day the average bow is shooting in excess of 300 feet per second at 70# draw weight and 30" draw length. Because of this even bows in shorter draw lengths and decreased draw weights will be able to continue to render adequate velocity to penetrate the ribcage of a Whitetail Deer and other larger game. A modern solo cam bow that features a 50# peak draw weight and merely a 26" draw length will be able to still zip arrows well over 220 fps. However, if you are going to hunt a larger size game such as Elk or Moose, or if you plan to take shots from lengthier distances, you will need additional kinetic energy to obtain effective penetration and greatest likelihood of a humane harvest. Typically, a 40-50# draw weight will offer satisfactory power to harvest deer and a 50-60# bow will provide enough energy to harvest much bigger elk-size species. Except for when you're intending to hunt huge animals like Cape Buffalo or Musk Ox, a 70+ pound bow honestly is absolutely not recommended. You can often be just as competent utilizing a more moderate draw weight.
