Changing Draw Weight

Hey Gang… I have a quick question for you experienced bow hunters. I have a Hoyt bow that I bought last year for my first year of bow hunting. The bow was set to my draw length and to 68# draw weight. I practiced quite a bit before bow season and had no problem pulling to full draw. I do have a bit of a bad shoulder so it took a few draws to loosen things up. I have been giving some serious consideration to reducing my draw weight to 55#. This would be easier for me to pull to full draw and also to hold longer for a shot. Unfortuantely I didn’t even get a chance to take a shot last season, but its a whole new year and time to get ready…thoughts? I watch Ted Nugent’s show and he’s always talking about his bow being set to 50#, so I’m thinking I’ll be good at 55#, and will enjoy shooting a bit more… thanks all!!

I’m shooting 50 now and do fine. So is another guy that hunts with me but he has a new Destroyer too

What ever it takes to bowhunt and enjoy it good luck this season.

If you are keeping the same bow, I’m guessing you might be limited to around 60 pounds on the low end of the draw weight, but again it depends on the bow. Most of today’s bows have a 10 lb range. You will notice a huge difference even if you drop your draw to 60 lbs. I shoot 62 lbs for my hunting bow and my back up bow is set @ 70 lbs currently. I shoot 62 for hunting for the some of the same reasons/concerns you mentioned. My back up bow helps me keep my muscles toned and my hunting bow is what I use and is set @ 62 lbs and is a piece of cake to pull back, keep it back, especially in the bitter cold after sitting motionless for 3.5 hours. This is the true test and will test your muscles ability.

As far as killing whitetails @ 55 lbs, that should be no problem and I wouldn’t worry one bit. Ted Nugent, both the Drury Bros, and Tiffany Lakosky all shoot between 50 & 55 lbs. My wife Stacie shoots 48 lbs and had her broad head pass through one deer last year and the other deer her broad head lodged in the opposite shoulder.

As far as shooting 55 lbs or anything different from the poundage you are currently shooting. You will have to readjust your sights/pins.

You will have no problem killing a deer at 55 lbs. I shoot a 60lb Z 7 , if your going to drop draw weight an an can afford I. Would suggest buying a 60 or 55 lb bow. That way you can keep your limbs maxed out and get the most out of your bow. Also if you turn your down you will want to go with a lighter arrow. Make sure its the proper spined shaft for you draw length an weight.

Thanks for the input all.. I appreciate it. I didn’t realize that the bow range was about 10#, and have had more than one suggestion on maybe changing the limbs. I might see if I can’t sell the one I have and then pick on up that has 50-60# range and set it close to 60, say 58#. That’s a 10# difference and should be easier for me to handle.

Thanks again guys I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to a new season!

What model ??? You should be able to dial it to whatever you want… 55 should be achieveable without changing limbs I have a V-Tech & used to have mine set at 58 lbs, but I had the archery shop crank it to 70 to go out west

What bow are you shooting?? Also keep in mind, Going from 68lbs to 55-60 range….that will almost certainly require you to change arrows as well as your current arrows will be overspined. Not sure what you have now for an arrow, but it will be a 75/55..340 type spine to a 55/75..400 spine change over.

IMO….for whitetails in respects to being effective and having “enough bow” to do the job, there is no reason at all to be shooting a bow in the 60-70lb range. A 50-60lb bow maxed out(or 1/4-1/2 turn out) is equally as effective as a 60-70lb bow. And you’ll enjoy shooting much, much more than before.

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Thanks for the input all.. I appreciate it. I didn’t realize that the bow range was about 10#, and have had more than one suggestion on maybe changing the limbs. I might see if I can’t sell the one I have and then pick on up that has 50-60# range and set it close to 60, say 58#. That’s a 10# difference and should be easier for me to handle.

Thanks again guys I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to a new season!

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