Hey all, Recently decided to drop in weight. From 48#-53#@27" to my new bows(on order) at 41#@27" (my draw). Im actually really excited. I'll get to work on form more, shoot more etc. Im still young, 36, but really think this is the best for me. ANy of you guys drop in weight and LOVE it? ever regret it? I'll probably hang on to most of my "heavier" bows for moose or elk one day. But 99% of what i hunt are whitetails or smaller.

I started at 45# so was really 42# at my 27" draw. Went up to 60+ for awhile but smartened up and went back to about 42# again. Still shooting everyday at age 74 with no shoulder issues. There's nothing I can't kill in the lower 48 with what I use so I'm just fine with that.

I've had to drop weight as I age. I don't regret it, but I'd still shoot the heavier weights if i could. I suppose the drop in weight went along with the reduced muscle mass so it feels about equal to the way it did in my 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and early 70s.

Orion X2 I know I shot a lot better when I was able to handle the heavier weights.

Personal issue and dependent on individual physical condition. I can see potentially backing down from 66-71# in a few years, but currently happy shooting over my age, for now.

Been dropping some in the last few years and seem to have settled in on a weight that fits fo the time being. My accuracy definitely improved But I’m still dealing with the after affects of to much weight. Snap shooting.

I just debated a similar thing with a recent bow order. Couldn't decide between 50 or 45 (I know, there isn't THAT much difference but still). I ended up opting for the 45#. For me, like several of the folks above, I opted for more "comfort" in the end I think. We will see if I regret it or not

I am happy with my 46#er. I also have a 50#er but no doubt my next bow will be mid 45-48#..... I started with 60# and over 18 years have come down.

TJM, that's where im at. looking for "comfort" as ive had a shoulder issue lately and some tendonitis....i thought, what the hell, lets drop 10+lbs and see how i like it. i'll shoot around a 470gr arrow with 25+% FOC, thats more than enough for whitetail.

For health reasons i dropped from mid 70s to 62lbs. I just couldn't seem to build back up in a reasonable time. Then recently after a stay in the hospital with an infected liver and soon after that another for pneumococcal pneumonia i gave it my best building my strength back but it wasn't working well so i just bought a new 55lb bow. I as m able to shoot it pretty well. I don't regret dropping but if i were younger i never would have. And if eventually i can I'll be back at 62lbs. The 70's lb bows are in my past for good tho.

I shoot all my bows almost everyday. They range from 35 lb to 60 lbs. I like them all.I am 75, years old so I can tell the difference for sure. Probably won't last much longer shooting the 50's and my 60.

I own bows with draw weights as low as 38# @ 28" and as high as 58# @ 27" (my draw length falls in the 26.5" to 27" range). I shoot the heavier bows for 30-minutes sessions a couple times a week and shoot the lighter weight bows the remainder of the time. For a long time, I never even owned a bow with a draw weight lower than 50# @ 28", but once I got one that was less than 44# @ 27", it was hard not to have another or two. My three most recent acquisitions have draw weights of 36#, 41# and 44.5#, all at 27".

I'm still able to shoot and control my heaviest bow well, but I do so to keep my back strong and so the lighter bows will continue to feel light. I certainly don't regret having and shooting the lighter ones.

No, no regrets. Down from 60's to 48/53 at 29 and my next will probably be 43 to 45. I shoot what is comfortable and am thankful I can still shoot.

I`m with grizz, I dropped from 60# to 50# to 45#, sold my 50# hoping I didnt make a mistake, but I feel I did the right thing. I`ll drop to 40# when I need too, but I`m just glad to be shooting still. I`m only 63 but have been through both rotators hurt, a fractured bow arm elbow, and now this hernia surgery to get through. I used to think 45# was for wimps, but now, really it is plenty for anything.

No regrets about dropping weight.

No regrets here, started in the #mid-50's for a lot of years and slowly been dropping as I age (mid-60's). I can still shoot upper 40's but shoot low 40's and upper 30's a lot better! So no regrets! And Whisper, if you're having problems snap shooting I suggest Jim Casto's program. I just finished it after suffering several years with TP and SO FAR it really seems to be helping. I went thru it mostly with a #30 bow and moved up to #35 and now shooting #40-42 and I'm controlling my shots. I actually think I could go back to the higher 40's again if I choose to but probably won't on a regular basis. Don't see the need especially for whitetails.

Yea e too I dropped from 63 to 61 I'm glad I did I'm 67 yrs old n shoot everyday

I can still shoot 45lbs, recurve or self bow, but for target shooting ,and maybe slinging 100 to 150 arrows in a day I shoot 35lbs. long 66,7o inch target style bows. Gutpile you are a strong man at 67 years old. Good for you.

If I shoot alot I like 55-60 POUNDS .With my short draw of 27 ,I dont like going much under 50 pounds for hunting .I guess it's better to hit the spot rather than missing with too much weight causing a misfire .

I dropped to 48# this spring because of a shoulder injury from construction. I have been shooting 53# for years. I think after that shoulder heals more I’m going to move back up to 53 again. I’ve got too many bows at that weight and don’t want to lose the ability to shoot them. I’m 64 and I’ve found I need to maintain those muscles. To me 48 is lightweight.

I recently dropped from the 62# limbs that I have been shooting on my Widow for 30 years to a set of 58# and immediately noticed an improvement in consistency. My new bow from Al Kimery has 54# and 47# limbs and I feel very comfortable with them. Even the 47# longbow limbs of which I was skeptical. I hunt elk mostly where I live and I wouldn't hesitate to use the 47# on an elk hunt. 45# is minimum in my state. I have another bow being made, a 56" 53# Goshawk from Harvey Archery. I am trying to think of my own future and aging(I'm only 53), but still keep me on the elk.

In fact, just today I sent my Black Widow and both the 62# and 58# limbs off to 2 bears to get reduced to 53# and 57#. No regrets here.

yea im really excited to have the option to practice form, work on strengthening on the 41# then work up to my 50# and 53# again. thanks so far everyone !

I'm happy with dropping from 50 to 45 and 40 pounds. Been hunting with 45 lb limbs for the last 3 years. Killed just as many deer and pigs with the 45.

I am the odd one. I wanted to drop weight, 55#-45# to see if I would be more consistent like the theory says. But my shots are all over the place, just can’t seem to find a sight picture. Won’t even mention how my longer shots end up in the dirt.

I have had lighter bows but always end up back at around 60. If I ever need to drop weight, I will and it won't worry me a bit, but for now ~60 is what i like.

Shoot what you like and enjoy

I’ve regretted it - usually shoot around 60+#s and, in what seems to be the latest rage of shooting very light weight bows in the low 40#s and even now 30#s, I bought a 3pc Pronghorn that I’ve always wanted and went with 48#s. To say I’m disappointed is the least. That brand new bow is cased in my closet and I’m back to shooting a 63# bow. My accuracy suffered and I was overall underwhelmed by the shooting experience and it’s not the Pronghorn because I’ve shot another 58#er and I loved the bow. I think the more important advice out there should be shoot what you’re comfortable and accurate with because ultra lightweight bows aren’t the answer for everyone.

If you have to drop draw weight...... But if you can shoot heavier, why not? A 40# bow/400 grain arrows cannot match a 50# bow/500 grain arrows for hunting. So many times you hear the statement "good enough". When was the last time that you admitted "good enough" was really not what you wanted?

""I think the more important advice out there should be shoot what you’re comfortable and accurate with because ultra lightweight bows aren’t the answer for everyone.""

That has always been the advice from most experienced archers for the past fifty years, and it's a good policy to follow. But the thread wasn't about "ultra lightweight bows"....it was about dropping weight...and likley to "what is most comfortable and accurate for them".

No regrets here. Shoot much better. Yes, there are 2 regrets, which are bows that I really liked but had to let go because too heavy after surgery.

Never changed for me. First two bows in 1962 and 1963 were 48 and 32lb. Have a rack bows now that vary from 30 to 45 lb Haven't changed much.

Oh yeah, keep a mid-twenty lb'er target bow I bought for my wife 'bout 45 years ago. A few family members who don't shoot, have enjoyed killing paper plates with it a few times.

Heaviest bow I owned was 49lb and it was a target takedown bow I used for hunting also.

Might go to 18lb someday when they have to change my britches for me at the old foggies home, so I can shoot it down the hall.

Thanks George and others for getting me off the babbling regarding topic. What was the most comfortable draw weights for me are round the high 30's as oppseed to the high 40's. If I don't shoot for a while my heavier bows take a few days to used to them. Never a problem with a mid-thirties 63-inch old 1962 rosewood target bow. It's always compfotable. 'Bout what I know

What does shooting more has to do with dropping draw weight? If you use good form, the 53# or 48# will shoot just as good. In reality you fool yourself into a more comfortable draw weight, but your body will adapt and it will become heavy again. Use the heavier bows more often. The 53# in summer and the 48# for the colder hunting mornings. When you are trained for 53, 48 will feel good even when cold and the trajectory will be almost the same for relevant hunting distances. To what draw weight do you want to drop at 65 or 70 years old? If you just punch paper, draw weight or correctly:kinetic moment does not matter.

George You seem to be offended by me calling bows in the 30-low 40# range “ultra light weight”, to which I’d guess that’s the range you shoot in. It’s merely a matter of personal opinion, not criticism to those that shoot that weight because if it’s what works best for them then I’d say their approach to consistent archery is an accurate one. If a bow being used for hunting scrapes legal limits then I’d call it ultra low weight, I’m not taking a knock at anyone shooting those bows. To suggests it’s off topic though I’d have to respectfully disagree with. You spend enough time on Internet forums to know that people seem to equate lighter weight with better form and therefore better shooting. The OP in this case has stated exactly that. The general recommendation on trad sites is to shoot a lightweight bow, specifically for this reason. I once took that advice and stated that I regretted it, answering the question posted. If you’re more comfortable with me calling a 41# bow heavyweight then I’m happy to do so, but my assessment that it won’t necessarily lead to better shooting still stands.

I'm shooting a 40# Martin Stealth longbow, a 45 pound Texas Recurve and a 44# Great Plains longbow. I wished I would of never shot the heavier bows. Would of saved a lot of wear and tear on my body.

My only regret was that I didn't drop weight sooner.

My elbows and shoulders are glad I did it. I should have done it when I was in my 30’s like you. Be thankful you’re doing it now.

Thanks everyone! Yea, ive been getting hints that the heavier bows are not worth it long term. A bit of shoulder pain, tendonitis (which may be casue by my IT job on the computer and NOT archery) but i still think dropping in weight will be better for my form, accuracy, body wear and tear etc.

I shoot 3d's most of the summer with my 50#, too many shots with my 55#! About 3 wks before season I'll change my limbs back to 55# and hunt the rest of the season! Hunting I am only shooting a few arrows so the 55# isn't a problem! I am 71 yrs old and I shoot 3 times a week just to keep in practice! Use to shoot 72#s but about 10 yrs. ago dropped down! I have a 29" draw, so I gain a few pounds out of my bow! I am shooting a long at the present but I can put either long bow limbs or Recurve limbs on my riser! Just Practice and Pick a Spot! Good Luck this Fall!

I love shooting lower weight bows that are approreate for what I am doing with them. My accuracy is on par with good compound archers.

Most of my bows are now in the forty-seven to forty-eight pound range. At my draw, fifty or fifty one. Plenty for these small Texas deer and enough weight to put some zip in the shot. I bought a 38 pound longbow a few weeks ago and was offered a 43 pound recurve this week. Both are Schafers and both are the lightest that I have ever seen come up for sale. I bought the recurve also. I like to start my day with a heavier bow then switch to one a few pounds lighter if I'm in the mood to keep shooting. I have bought some light weights that were so wimpy that I didn't keep them. I certainly regretted buying them. A well designed light bow with tuned arrows is a pleasure to own.

A couple years ago I dropped from about 57-58 lb at my draw to about 46 lb at my draw. I like it because I could shoot longer without my fingers giving out. I was not any more accurate or consistent - in fact, my accuracy and consistency went down. As it turns out, my release isn't all that good, and a heavy bow tends to hide a poor release. I've been working on improving my release, and I have been making some progress. Do dropping weight isn't necessarilly the end all be all... but it is nice to be able to practice for more than 1/2 hr at a time.... I could always handle the weight in my arms and shoulders, but my fingers could never really get used to 57 lb.

I just bought another 21st century longbow at 53# (the first is 64#) From a gentleman that said it was too light. He couldn’t shoot it accurately, he prefers 70# and above. He said it was hard for him to anchor correctly with too light of a bow. So as stated, weight is a subjective subject. There are some people out there that 70# is light. And 50# is heavy. For me 45#- 65#

Anchoring and releasing certainly feel different with lighter bows. However, as stated before heavier bows tend to mask a sloppy release. I think too many times people don't realize how much work and effort it takes to work through the problem

I've never regretted stepping down in weight. Had to do it in order to stay in the game. My 40# Great Plains is a joy to shoot.

Dropping down in weight = less arthritis Paine, shoot a lot more, and a new/newer bow. This is a no brainer.

I normally shoot 55 to 65 lbs but if I shoot my daughters 40lb recurve I can feel TP starting as I can hold forever and trying to muscle the bow for perfect. Never had problem with heavier bows.......

JFM just because you can hold longer doesn't mean you should. You should shoot that arrow from the 40# bow with the same rythym and timing as comfortably with the heavier bow. I struggled with this as well and it all boils down to that rythym and timing we've ingrained in our experience.

Dropping weight for target shooting and deer, heck yes. Dropping weight for bigger thick skinned game, heck no.

After I got my 55lb CariBow and shot it a bit I saw black widow had a pmax that would be 55 at 31. I ask about the test drive on that particual one and since they had no test bows like it they sent it to me. After seeing it and shooting it for half an hour I called BW from the range n told the guy I had gotten finger prints all over it so would have to keep it,lol. Roger said "I hate when that happens" thanked me and marked it down as mine. So I guess that say I don't regret dropping to 55lbs. For some reason my draw is 31 on it same as my longbow but I'm happy. And if whatever change my draw length changes back I be stronger by then so 58 will be fine. I'm 66 so hopefully I can stay healthy enough to not drop further.

you gotta go with what you are comfortable with -its relative

my brother can shoot 80+# easier than I can 49# )different body type only one year different in age

I agree with Andy Man, weight is just a number and not the same for every person.

2x Andy Man.

I just dropped weight and got a set of Border CV9 37# at 27. They are a joy to shoot and have more than enough power for whitetail. I don't regret it one tiny bit.

For me I don't think I'll ever go heavier unless I go hunting somewhere where the legal weights are higher.

No, best thing I have ever done. Deer in the frezzer, life is good.

I don't bowhunt for deer anymore because of spinal issues. However I do shoot everyday and I find no loss of enjoyment in pulling about 32 pounds. My bowhunting is restricted to small game and stumps. I'm thankful I can still get out and do that, to walk the woods with a bow, to shoot 3D, and shoot at home. Like said before, it's a personal thing but still in the realm of brothers who shoot trad.

My take; I don't regret dropping weight. I was shooting 55# plus...but now with Uukha Vx's I'm at 48-50#. I've been blowing through everything with 585gr arrows and 2 blade BH's. By that I mean, those arrows hardly slow down going through a decent size hog. I'm only shooting slightly slower at 10# less weight.

I've got elk and moose tags this year and have no doubt I will blow through those...I will let you know.

I'm no different than many as we age. I used to shoot 70#, then backed off to 58#, and 55#s. I have arthritis in my hands, and some back issues. The best thing I did was back on down a little more. I currently shoot 48#s at my 30" draw. I kept pushing myself, and finally knew I was sacrificing accuracy, and having some form issues beginning to develop as I forced myself to work through what I knew full well was not a good thing. I backed off a couple more pounds, and now I'm back to shooting decent. Injuries, and wearing my body down to make an honest living has caused my roll back on poundage. I am not fighting the rule of not over bowing myself as I age. I learned the hard way that fighting poundage, and related form issues from that fight is no way to have fun.

Only a few on here regret dropping bow weight,so for most it is probably the correct decision. Personally,I do not know of anyone who has regretted shooting a lower poundage.

As my age goes up my bow weight goes down. As long as it keeps me shooting I'm happy.

Hey if you enjoy shooting, draw weight should not matter. I'm in my 78th year, have shoulder and hand problems, the lower weight allows me to keep shooting with much less pain. I'll be shooting with a rubber band and paper wads some day and enjoy it to.

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