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60# or 70#?

It's simple for me, Kinetic Energy. I could shoot a 350 grain arrow at 70 pounds at 300 fps and have 69.96 lbs KE, or I could shoot a 300 grain arrow at 300 fps at 60 lbs and have 59.97 lbs KE. Now that is just an example, I shoot heaview arrows anyways.

It doesn't really matter how far your arrow sticks in the dirt on the other side of the animal, but it does matter when you make a bad shot and put one in the shoulder, or the hams. I also think heavier arrows fly better, especially in strong winds. Plus I am going elk hunting this fall
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Why do I shoot 70 lb bows, because I can, if my bow is shooting 280 ft per sec, why do I care about noise, my arrow will be there before the deer hears it anyway, especially if you are over 300 fps.

Is it easier to pull a 60lb versus a 70 lb sure it is that is a given. Also depending on your build 70 lbs might not be all that bad to pull. Not all people change arrows when they change poundage also, that is a common mistake, you have to take in your draw length/arrow length you shoot also so technically you might be slowing your self down by dropping poundage.

The day of age is SPEED, that is what is selling these days and 1 manufacturer started the trend and look at all the others "following" the speed craze
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They are getting speed and quietness which for those who want it they get best of both worlds.

Only reason I would shoot a 60 lb bow is if I knew I was going to keep it for long term so as my body ages I can still pull it back and not get a hemroid
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Like you have already stated more K.E. I like that since I am not a perfect shot all the time so if I hit a bone or something I like that extra punch at the end.
 
Typically, the bigger the animal, the more KE that you should want. This is usually done with heavier arrows and a higher peak weight with your bow. I will agree that with whitetail sized animals or for a small bear that 60# is more than enough most of the time. But, I will add that no matter how big or small of an animal, there is hardly ever any such thing as too much KE. Arrows stuck further into the dirt is not a bad thing. Now if you are straining to pull back that bow, no matter how much weight it is, it is a bad thing.
 
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Why do I care about noise, my arrow will be there before the deer hears it anyway, especially if you are over 300 fps

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Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. The speed of sound is 1128 ft/sec so the sound will definitely get there before the arrow. It has been proven that a deer can easily duck a 300+ FPS arrow even inside 20 yards. Point being, a quiet bow is extremely important as you can't outshoot the noise. Whether you shoot 60# or 70# is up to you, if you can easily handle the 70 then go for it!

A 60# bow will shoot the exact same arrow 12-20 FPS slower than a similarly equipped 70# bow. In jumping to 70# you will probably have to use a stiffer arrow which can weigh from 27-42 grains more and that extra arrow weight will slow that 70#er down from 9-14 fps. so basically, a 70# bow with properly spined arrows will be less than 10 FPS faster that a 60#er. You will have more kinetic energy with the 70#er and heavy arrows but for must of us and what we hunt, we have more than enough kinetic energy. And don't forget, a 50-60# bow set at 60# will be faster and quieter than a 60-70# bow set at 60#.

Sales here are pretty much evenly split between 60 and 70# bows. I hate seeing someone buy a 70# bow just because they think they are wussing out by getting the 60, its just not true. Plenty of people can easily handle 70# bows but we've all seen plenty of examples of people shooting too much weight and struggling to pull it back or having to "sky" the bow to get it drawn. Try this test, sit flat on the ground with your feet straight out in front of you and pull your bow back very slowly and straight out, not skying it upwards. If it's a struggle you are probably overbowed and may benefit from a little less poundage.

Sorry this is so long, just wanted to get the facts out in front of people so they can make their own informed decision on the right bow for them. Don't get what your buddy bought or buy one just because of an ad or commercial without trying to find the perfect bow for you. Bow fit and feel and the right bow for you is a very individual thing, try several and get what "you" like.
 
Reading your post I see that you are the owner of Buck Hollow Sports that I have heard about. I will have to take the drive and come see your shop. You are a very knowledgeable man. Look forward to meeting you.
 
Just for a little perspective. Most longbow/recurve "hunting setups" put out KE between 30 - 40 lbs. Just an average, ultimately depends on the setup though. Anyhow, my bows are all near 55lbs of draw weight with around 35lbs of KE, (170fps). My arrows passthru and stick in the dirt just like anyone elses.

Quiet is gold. You can't beat zip'n an arrow through one and they only take a few quick steps, stand, stare, and drop.
 
I would take as much kinetic energy as I could get just from the stand point if you make a marginal shot its going maximize the potential for you to recover your deer. That being said you should also be able to draw your bow without doing a dance in a tree.

I pull 62 pounds and have 59 pounds of KE in my set up. Its effortless and a deadly setup.
 
Another reason I like to shoot 70#'s is to shoot easton Axis arrows and watch my buddies try to pull them out of 3D targets, while I keep score
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I shoot #70 becuz its easy for me to pull back smoothly... if i lower it... ill just jerk it back to much and have MORE movement... so i just like havin it set at #70
 
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Another reason I like to shoot 70#'s is to shoot easton Axis arrows and watch my buddies try to pull them out of 3D targets, while I keep score
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Targets? I remember several backstops.
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I think a great compromise between 60 or 70 lbs, and probably great for the bow companys too, would be to make a bow that would be 55 - 65 lbs. I think a bow like this would be a good seller, maybe I'm wrong.
I've got a 70 lb bow and don't have a problem pulling it back, but pulling at 65 lb is a lot more enjoyable to shoot, IMO.
 
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The reason I shoot 70, is because I'm a MAN!!!!
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LOL. EVERYBODY shoots 70#. Real men shoot 80#, 90#, or 100# bows. 70#'s is childs play.
 
I shoot 70 pounds, because it is not hard for me to draw 70 pounds. I agree you should not shoot 70 pounds just because you think it is manly, you should shoot a bow that fits you well and a draw weight that is comfartable for you to draw.

I cringe everytime I see someone shooting a bow and having to raise it up to draw it back. If you can't draw it straight back and slowly, then it is too heavy for you. You need to reduce the poundage. Shooting that way just causes bad habits.

It is all about form and technique, not if numb nuts thinks you are a wussy or not for shooting 60 pounds. Split one of his arrows, that'll shut'em up.
 
If a deer is ducking a 300 fps bow, you have one loud bow IMO.

I understand they can duck a arrow, but is it because of your movement they caught or the sound of the arrow spliting the air around it as it flies through the air?

Also my arrow weight wouldnt change if I switched to a 60 lb bow because of my draw length and I would be properly spined.

So I would be shooting slower and have less KE correct?

Even if I did switch arrows my gpi would only change by .3 gpi of a inch so I doubt I would be effected that much.

So if I can pull back 70 lbs, and gaining speed and KE plus they both cost the same then why not shoot 70?
 
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