Draw Weight and Accuracy?

[Crimson Arrows]

I was curious to input on how much accuracy is affected by draw weight. A patient came in a we were talking about which is more accurate and his argument was the lower the draw the steadier you can hold etc. I shoot about 70LBS with a xforce and thought about dropping to 60 after hearing him out and became curious? Never shot 60 but again haven't noticed much trouble with 70 accuracy? Then again...good is the enemy of great! Just curious what you all thought about being more or less accurate as draw weight goes up.

 

[Fishbonker]

I think it is more about how much you practice with the weight you have the bow set to than the weight itself. If you are shooting groups that you like at 70 pounds why turn it down. Somebody that is good at math can figure out the holding power you have to have on a 70% let off at 60 pounds and 70 pounds. The battery in my crapulator died. If it is a concern that you may not be able to hold your bow at full draw while you wait for the deer to move back into a lane just practice that too.

The 'Bonker

 

[River1]

Can't see where it'd be to big a deal for compound shooters. Given a bow has 70% let off @ 70lbs you're holding 21 lbs vs 18 lbs for a 60lb bow....3 lb difference at a low holding weight.
Now breaking over the peak might be a bit different for some, but accuracy comes from how well you can hold at full draw.

Now if you're talking stickbows where you are holding back the whole show, dropping down just a few lbs can make a huge difference in how well you can shoot.

 

[BOWSTRING]

I was told that if you have to grunt, groan and move to get the bow back it's too much. I think that you should be able to pull your bow back without having to move it up or down to get it back. One fluid movement while your broadhead is pointed at your target. Probably not a good explanation. I pull about 60lbs probably couldn't get 70lbs back if I wanted but for whitetails and the bows of today there's no need to strain even a little bit. More movement creates more oportunity for the deer to see you. But if you can do that with 70lbs nothing wrong with that.

 

[Crimson Arrows]

Thanks guys. Great advice. I turned to 60 just to play around and MAN...really light. I have shot a few does this fall and after 3 hours in 30 degree weather that 70 comes back a bit rough. Still back in a straight line but def have to tighten that back up. I'll play around but your right 3lbs isn't much.

 

[Iowabowtech]

In a compound, I think it's best to shoot as much as you can pull without killing yourself. More poundage equals better chance of penetration when and if the front shoulder(s) come into play. You had to know that was coming and yes I wish I was pulling 70 this year. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Anyway, I think the thing to keep in mind is a guy needs to be able to pull it a handful of times consecutive also for those occasions when you have to let off, redraw etc. May happen several times in some circumstances. AND if you typically shoot from a sitting position, that affects the game too. RiverBottomBoy hit the nail on the head. You don't want to be overstrung with trad equipment but with the letoff the compounds have, the only factor in my mind is the drawback. Should be rock solid at any weight once you're anchored.

 

[Full Quiver]

IMO, I think that the weight of the bow is what really affects how well I can stay on target and therefore, my accuracy.

I find that the really light bows are very hard to hold steady and the pin floats around a lot more that a bow that is heavier.

 

[bowhuntr311]

Full Quiver, Im just making sure that you are referring to that Actual weight of the bow and not the draw weight.

I have found the opposite. A light bow with heavier draw weight cuases me to stay on target better. I assuming that it is that Im making my back/arm muscles work that much harder holding back towards my body and Im not waving the bow around. With a 5+lb bow I tend to drop the bow after the shot.

Light bows less than 5lbs with a 55lb draw weight are hard for me to shoot a decent group. I throw them around like nothing and have trouble holding them steady.