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Started By
Message
60lb Bow shooters input needed
Posted on 10/6/20 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 10/6/20 at 3:44 pm
After this season I'll be in the market for a new bow. Shooting 70lbs right now and I must be getting old because I've been imagining how nice it must be to pull back 60lbs. Also my bow is 8 years old and advancements in technology have been made since I purchased my bow (Hoyt).
I only hunt whitetails and choose to only shoot 30-35 yards max. I would like to hear from hunters who shoot 60lbs or even 65lbs. What is your experience like? Arrow speed, kills, penetration, pass through's etc.
I only hunt whitetails and choose to only shoot 30-35 yards max. I would like to hear from hunters who shoot 60lbs or even 65lbs. What is your experience like? Arrow speed, kills, penetration, pass through's etc.
11
Posted on 10/6/20 at 3:51 pm to SkintBack
Pulling somewhere between 60-62 and I haven’t had an issue so far on any deer that has presented a shot to me. I’m relatively new to bow hunting so I’ve only killed a few, but all shots were 25-30yds with no penetration/pass through issues.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 4:08 pm to sloopy
I’m pulling 63 and have never had those problems, though I try to keep everything under 30yrds
Posted on 10/6/20 at 4:10 pm to SkintBack
Just remember that plenty of women hunt elk successfully with less than 60 lbs. You will be fine with 60, especially with a new bow.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 4:22 pm to SkintBack
When I picked up my Mathews Switchback XT from the shop in 2007 the guy forgot to crank the bolts back down before I started sighting it in. It was pulling 57 lbs and I told him to leave it. I shot like that for several years before I went on an elk hunt. I cranked it up to 65 lbs and that is where it sits today.
I have killed many deer and even an elk with it like that. The pass through is fine if I shoot well. Shot placement is the key and I only use fixed blade broadheads.
If you have ever heard of Dwight Schuh, he was the editor of Bowhunter magazine for a long time. He shot his compound at 57 lbs for many many years and he killed some of North America's largest big game animals.
I have killed many deer and even an elk with it like that. The pass through is fine if I shoot well. Shot placement is the key and I only use fixed blade broadheads.
If you have ever heard of Dwight Schuh, he was the editor of Bowhunter magazine for a long time. He shot his compound at 57 lbs for many many years and he killed some of North America's largest big game animals.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 4:33 pm to SkintBack
i went from 70 to 58 after shoulder surgery 15 years ago. used thunderhead broadheads at both weights. no issues at all. i did change from 2216 to 2213 easton arrows.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 4:59 pm to SkintBack
Have had both shoulders replaced and a 1/2" of collarbone removed from my bow shoulder in the past few years, so dropping into the 50's/60's was a necessity.
Up till last year was shooting a Hoyt Maxxis 35 at 58 lbs. While I shot off the wall and could handle the bow it was one of the more unforgiving set-ups I have shot.
Went to a Hoyt Helix Ultra and the difference in pull, ease of draw is unbelievable. I'm currently shooting a 400 gr arrow, puling 59 lbs at 28" and 260 fps. I currently have the 85% let off mods on that the bow came with but am getting 80 % put on tomorrow to increase backwall and gain a couple fps.
Killed one at 39 yds the other morning with a 3 blade Grim Reaper BH that stuck the opposite shoulder so no through penetration but the deer went less than 40 yds and dropped dead as a stone. Will be going with an Exodus 3 blade after the mod change and should be at @ 262/263fps.
Now that the collarbone has healed up I will be switching back to the 55-65 lb limbs that the bow came with for next season, and hoping to wind up at 63 lbs/400 gr arrow/270 fps when done.
There is no comparison with the new set up and the old when comparing ease of draw/shooting/etc. I know there are others out there that will offer an easy draw as well, such as the PSE Evoke and the Matthews VXR, which both have great reviews. Just depends on your draw length and your ATA desire for short/longer ATA bows. I prefer longer ATA so I went with the Hoyt Ultra, which is 34" ATA, but the regular Helix may be a better fit, depending on draw length and hunting style. I will say all the newer bows, aside from maybe the PSE , are definitely heavier than bows a few years ago, so be mindful of that. I have swapped rests, sights stabs around to minimize additional weight and finally got it to what I feel is reasonable.
Try out some of the new bows. While the price tags definitely put more hurt on the wallet, the upgrades in draw cycle and speed made it worthwhile for these old/battered shoulders of mine.
Also the grips on the two that my choice came down to, the Hoyt and the Matthews, are astoundingly better than days of old.
Up till last year was shooting a Hoyt Maxxis 35 at 58 lbs. While I shot off the wall and could handle the bow it was one of the more unforgiving set-ups I have shot.
Went to a Hoyt Helix Ultra and the difference in pull, ease of draw is unbelievable. I'm currently shooting a 400 gr arrow, puling 59 lbs at 28" and 260 fps. I currently have the 85% let off mods on that the bow came with but am getting 80 % put on tomorrow to increase backwall and gain a couple fps.
Killed one at 39 yds the other morning with a 3 blade Grim Reaper BH that stuck the opposite shoulder so no through penetration but the deer went less than 40 yds and dropped dead as a stone. Will be going with an Exodus 3 blade after the mod change and should be at @ 262/263fps.
Now that the collarbone has healed up I will be switching back to the 55-65 lb limbs that the bow came with for next season, and hoping to wind up at 63 lbs/400 gr arrow/270 fps when done.
There is no comparison with the new set up and the old when comparing ease of draw/shooting/etc. I know there are others out there that will offer an easy draw as well, such as the PSE Evoke and the Matthews VXR, which both have great reviews. Just depends on your draw length and your ATA desire for short/longer ATA bows. I prefer longer ATA so I went with the Hoyt Ultra, which is 34" ATA, but the regular Helix may be a better fit, depending on draw length and hunting style. I will say all the newer bows, aside from maybe the PSE , are definitely heavier than bows a few years ago, so be mindful of that. I have swapped rests, sights stabs around to minimize additional weight and finally got it to what I feel is reasonable.
Try out some of the new bows. While the price tags definitely put more hurt on the wallet, the upgrades in draw cycle and speed made it worthwhile for these old/battered shoulders of mine.
Also the grips on the two that my choice came down to, the Hoyt and the Matthews, are astoundingly better than days of old.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 5:19 pm to Shaken not Stirred
Good write up. That was a nice deer you killed a few days ago. That was killed with the Helix at 59lbs? My arrows are 432 grain, so pretty light. I'll probably keep it that way when I switch. The Helix is my preferred bow right now, but I havent shot or held any yet. I also like the Prime's.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 5:24 pm to SkintBack
My draw weight is 63lbs with a 26” draw length. I’m shooting 400gr arrows at 273ft/sec. I have to watch what targets I shoot at cause I will get pass throughs on foam targets. I’m shooting victory VAP TKO’s
Posted on 10/6/20 at 6:01 pm to SkintBack
Accuracy kills, don't be so swayed by the speed ratings. Many deer have fallen to the slower solocam bows. hunt the wind, and use a heavier arrow with more kinetic energy. You will get more pass throughs that way.
I still shoot a slow Mathews Switchback XT and use Easton FMJ arrows with 100 grain a fixed blade broadhead.
Look at the Diamond Edge 320 RAK bow package by Bowtech. The draw weight adjusts from 7lbs to 70lbs with one allen wrench. The draw length is adjustable from 15-31 inches. Price $400
LINK
I still shoot a slow Mathews Switchback XT and use Easton FMJ arrows with 100 grain a fixed blade broadhead.
Look at the Diamond Edge 320 RAK bow package by Bowtech. The draw weight adjusts from 7lbs to 70lbs with one allen wrench. The draw length is adjustable from 15-31 inches. Price $400
LINK
This post was edited on 10/6/20 at 6:04 pm
Posted on 10/6/20 at 6:41 pm to SkintBack
I pull 60 lbs and my (heavy) arrow flies at ~230 fps. I rarely shoot past 30 yards. This is plenty enough for whitetail. Had a full pass through on a 200+ lb buck on opening day. Busted through the shoulder. I used to pull 70 but I quit worrying about speed. I can practice a lot more and shoot sitting down much easier.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 6:55 pm to boudinman
I hear what you are saying, I just prefer to stay at the upper range on the limb rating. For example my Hoyt limbs are rated 60-70lbs, but I dont want to shoot 60-65lbs with it. Its just backed off way too much. Would prefer to shoot 50-60lb limbs at 60.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 7:09 pm to SkintBack
quote:
Would prefer to shoot 50-60lb limbs at 60.
Which is always preferred for many reasons.
You didn't say what your draw length was. If 29 1/2" or more the Helix would be a good fit for you (Shooting a 432 gr arrow) If your that or a longer draw length that would get you probably 270 fps or more with that arrow. ATA is 2" shorter than the Ultra so the bow weight would be down a few ounces, which is good with these.
The Hoyt limbs don't go over stated poundage like most older bows used to , so 60 is what you will max at out of 60 lb limbs.
Also the limb bolts on the newer Hoyts are shorter than they used to be, so the closer to the lower limit you get the more chance of a limb going South. FWIW where a full turn off a limb bolt used to be @ 3 lbs now it's @ 1/2 a turn or less for the same poundage change...ball park.
This post was edited on 10/6/20 at 7:13 pm
Posted on 10/6/20 at 7:35 pm to Shaken not Stirred
Good to know. My draw length is 29". I like the 55-65lb bows too, but I think 60 will be plenty. I got busted on the ground last year drawing back. I cant easily and smoothly draw it back anymore. I'm thinking a new bow at 60lbs should let me easily draw with very little extra movement.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 7:50 pm to SkintBack
In my opinion it is much easier to draw a bow at 60lbs without spooking the animal compared to 70lbs. If i have to pull hard when i am nervous the deer end up seeing me and blow or haul arse. I find 60 is perfect.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 7:53 pm to SkintBack
You'll be amazed at how much smoother the draw is on these new Hoyts.. Night and day. Pulling 60 on the Helix feels like pulling 54 or less on the Maxxis.
I did calculations and for your arrow weight, at 29" draw/432 gr arrow you should be at least at 260 fps if not in the mid 260's. I would love to shoot that arrow at those speeds any day of the week. Will be silent and smooth with some real whopping power at the business end.
I did calculations and for your arrow weight, at 29" draw/432 gr arrow you should be at least at 260 fps if not in the mid 260's. I would love to shoot that arrow at those speeds any day of the week. Will be silent and smooth with some real whopping power at the business end.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 8:06 pm to SkintBack
FYI, the vxr and vertix both have the switch weight technology. Easily change draw weight without a bow press and it doesn’t change anything else. I’ve changed mine a few times. I haven’t had to buy any. The shop Where I bought my vertix just changes them and keeps the ones that were on it They come in 5lb increments.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 8:14 pm to Shaken not Stirred
Well I'm sold! Ha. Ready to do it. But im waiting until 2021. 2020 is a dumpster fire.
Posted on 10/6/20 at 8:31 pm to SkintBack
I shoot a 60lb Mathews Z7. Up until this year I've shot a 350 grain setup with a 2" rage. Never lost a deer(never missed one, never had a pass through) out of 6 deer shot at. I chronographed my old arrows at about 280 FPS IIRC(I don't really care how fast I shoot anymore).
I've begun practicing with a 450 grain arrow this season.
I know I'll have a FPS dropoff(exact amount TBD, don't really care), but I'm not too worried about it as my average shot distance is <25yds.
I've begun practicing with a 450 grain arrow this season.
I know I'll have a FPS dropoff(exact amount TBD, don't really care), but I'm not too worried about it as my average shot distance is <25yds.
This post was edited on 10/6/20 at 8:40 pm
Posted on 10/6/20 at 9:23 pm to HerkFlyer
quote:
I know I'll have a FPS dropoff(exact amount TBD, don't really care)
I figured it for @ 246 fps FWIW.
But if most shots inside of 25 yds will not matter one hill of beans the speed difference.
Did the kinetic energy calculation and believe it or not they both have almost the same exact KE numbers.
Surprising
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