I use to shoot mid 50,s with my recurves. Now I'm down around 43. But I really haven't shot in 3 years. Just ordered that new widow and considering having the lbs changed. This 43lb widow is wearing me out after just a few shots.Just wondering if anyone is ok with 38 lbs. I don't want my bows to feel to easy but no sense in over bowing either. I'm hoping more practice should build me back up. If I change the order to 38 from 40 I would still have my other bows at 42 and 43. Your opinion based on experience would be great.

I have a very old Bear BearCat thats 66"- 38#. I use 1916 alum arrows with it. It shoots a pretty fast arrow, and its fun to shoot. I`m still shooting 45#, between 80 and 100 shots I start getting weak.(I`m not shooting every day right now with winter)

The next time I need to drop in weight, I`ll be going to 40#. I would shoot 25#`s if it gets to thats all I can just to keep shooting. Granted, my hunting days would be over, but the fun of shooting isnt defined by poundage.

Strictly a spot shooter, for bowhunting, both?

It would be kjyst fir spots and 3d. M y 43 kb would be fir hunting.

I need to remember to proof read. Dagonnit

It will work just fine. I have a set of 38# limbs right now on a takedown bow and they will shoot the 60 yard target just fine. Of course I have to be the one to hit it but it gets there okay. :) Don't know what else you would be looking for but I would be very confident with it on any 3D course or even on whitetails.

Sharp broadhead 38 lb will kill deer fine. The problem you may find as you go down in weight it is harder to get a clean release. 38 lbs shouldn't be terrible though on the release with practice. I shoot 41 lbs and I do not feel under bowed.

It is all about shot placement when hunting.

At my draw length, some of my bows are probably around 38lbs.

Guess I could leave the order at 42 and if I had to I could have it lowered 4 to 5 lb in a year or when my body tells me to.

I actually have no problem with my 43 lb bow, I just can't shoot but a few shots.Im sure a 300 round would tear me up if I made it through.

I have a 37 lbs widow that shoots and works just find.

I am pretty much in the same boat I guess. If I don’t shoot often I seem to lose strength. I had a heart procedure last month that cost me about 15 days not allowed to pull any bow. Now I go back next Wednesday for the same procedure but they are going to zap the other side of the heart to get it back in correct rhythm. That means another 10-15 days of no bow shooting. Those 42# limbs I have are lookin like my future. So now I am seriously considering 40#’s if I order a new bow.

Nothing wrong with 38#s!

My lightest bow is 38 pounds and my heaviest is 45#s.A few scattered in between.

The 38#s is nice for form shooting and working on things.Or when I am tired or sore or want to shoot alot of arrows.Its definatly good enough for deer as well.Its high performance.So I think that helps a bit when going lighter.

Ideally maybe you get a set of 38 pound limbs eventually to go with your 43 pounders and a one bow do it all bow.

Hope you work into the 43 pounder.Take time between shots to recover.Its not a race.

just make sure you dont get sloppy and use bad form and ingrain bad habits with a bow thats too heavy.

I have 2 recurves and a RD longbow that are all only 32#. They shoot great with 800sp carbons. Yesterday I clocked the RD longbow at a consistent 175fps. The arrow easily sticks into a burlap bag at 20 yards using combo points. No plans to add more draw weight. I doubt I would ever go over 35#.

I shoot mainly 45 to 50# bows. Last spring I bought a ilf setup w/38# lbs, limbs rated for the 25” riser (mediums) shoots real good and it’s pretty quick, but if your wearing out at 43lbs after just a few shots, ya might wanna even drop down to 35lbs , with the right arrows for that poundage I don’t think you’ll notice much difference in performance between 38 and 35 lbs

“ I actually have no problem with my 43 lb bow, I just can't shoot but a few shots.Im sure a 300 round would tear me up if I made it through”

I guess the question that comes to my mind is whether you really think that cutting back 4 or 5 pounds is going to make that big of a difference?

Hmmmm. Nothing wrong with 38#, of course, but if you haven't shot much in several years, just about anything is going to feel a bit heavy. As you shoot more and get your muscles into shape, your 40# plus bows will feel lighter.

On the other hand, since you already have bows in the low 40s, might be a nice change of pace to have something a bit lighter for targets.

Depends if you want to shoot a lot an enjoy it or only shoot a little an get worn out. If your gonna spend that kind of money on a widow. I'd go with the 38. You'll want to shoot it more an longer. All this is just my opinion of course. Had a fella explain it to me as may as well shoot something lighter an enjoy it. While your shooting your lighter bow. Use the heavier one an shoot it periodically. My form an over all shooting gets better with my lighter bows. Stay safe. God bless Mark

All I shoot any more are bows in the 35-40# range for everything.

I have a 38 # Robertson Coy Pup that shoots great.

I shoot 47# for hunting and have an ILF target bow with 36# limbs for indoor and field archery. My 3-D bow is 43#. You may find those 38# limbs on the indoor spots will test you. It all depends on your archery activities all year.

I no longer hunt, shoot a lot of 3Ds, but I have dropped weight down and down, now shooting about 30-32 and the lower the poundage, the more accurate I shoot.

It's ok with me (not that you need any ones permission).I shoot between 35 and 40 lbs all year, and it suits me fine, archery should be fun, not painful. Lightweight arrows will flatten the trajectory, and don't worry if the bow doesn't seem quiet "enough", targets can't hear that well. Tell them not to exceed 38 lbs and you'll be fine. Heck if they sent a 36 lb bow I'd be happy.

You can always get another set of limbs at 38# or even 35# if need be. If the 40# limbs are too much after you get your shooting muscles back I think 40# widow limbs would be pretty easy to sell and recoup most of the money back. Widows hold their value pretty good especially very lightly used.

I'm thinking I call Roger and have him change the order to 39 lb with a +-1 lb. I've still got 4 months and 3 weeks so I don't think the is to far along if started. LOL Thanks guys.

If you go with 38# I think that Widow will become your favorite bow. As my wife says " do you really think that you are going to get stronger as you get older". Having a bow in the mid 40's to shoot here and there will keep you where the lighter bow seems easy and you will have the heavier one for hunting. It is rare that you see a bow being sold on here because it is too light.

My Widow is 37 and shoots good.

4-5 pounds at those weights(43) feels like a ton difference. You could get a 45 pound sage while you are waiting for you widow. After a month or three using that weight your new one will feel pretty tame

I am refinishing a 38 pound Browning right now. Fun little bow but too short for Me. Gonna be wall hanger I guess.

John Sullins

"I no longer hunt, shoot a lot of 3Ds, but I have dropped weight down and down, now shooting about 30-32 and the lower the poundage, the more accurate I shoot."

Me too, exactly; my two "go to" bows are 30# and 32#, at my 30" draw.

My arrows are carbon, 700's and have a total weight of 325 grains; they shoot very well off these bows and quite happy with them.

I retired in Nov. 2018 and spend quite a bit of time at the club, throughout the week. The combination of these bows and the arrows make long shooting sessions quite enjoyable.

I have had some health challenges and arthritis. Unlike some, even though I shoot a lot, I don't seem to "condition up" to more weight, so I welcome something I can enjoy shooting.

When I was in my 20's, in the 1870's, I had and could shoot a 60# @ 28" bow, likely about 65# @ 30", but those days are well behind me.

If you’re happy with 38#’s then shoot it. Personally I found myself down to 43#’s and while enjoyable to shoot, I’m not willing to do that yet. I’ve been shooting my 53# bow trying to build strength and it’s working. I’m not a heavy bow type but would like to stay around 50 for as long as I can. Nothing against lighter bows, it’s just what I like.

Used 35 pounds for years long ago for all target shooting and that was at 90 meters. No problem reaching the target with 1816 aluminum arrows. Have 37 pound as one set of limbs on my Bear take down, shoots great. I start rebuilding with it every year and work up to 43 pounds by summer then hunt with it in the fall. Would not hesitate to deer hunt at 37, sharp broadheads and get close is what bowhunting is all about anyway.

I agree with George. I hunted with a 38 pound bow 7 months after shoulder surgery and it did just fine

I think the order at 39#s + - 1 is a sound one.Possibly you can go with the carbon limbs they now offer to pick up performance similar to a widow a few pounds heavier.

I have been shooting a 62 inch Widow PAX lately thats 40#s at 28.Shooting Easton aluminum 1916s.It shoots real nice and spits em out pretty good.All glass limbs.

For spots and 3D 38# @ 28 will be fine. I have a 38# PMAV 64" and draw 28 to 28.5. Shoot 30" 600 spine with either 100 or 125 gr tips and normal aluminum inserts. Very comfortable setup. You need no more for practice and 3D. A side benefit is it will tear up the targets less and arrows pull easier.

Tim Cosgrove with a 35# Shrew Classic Hunter

The only hunters that say that a properly tuned set-up with a 38# bow is not effective as a hunting bow, has never killed a deer with one.

My 37# 1957 Kodiak is faster than my 40# 69 Grizzly with the same arrow. Nothing wrong with a lighter bow.

I hunt with a 38# Holm-made Osprey and have not shot a deer with it but I have no doubt if I do my part, it will get the job done.

40 for me. You’ll be fine.

Hey, a couple of my bows are in the low 30's and are a lot of fun to shoot.

38 is my go to weight. Although my Toelke lynx is closer to 40 at my draw but it’s so darn smooth you’d never know it has 2 extra lbs.

I'm at 35. Minimum legal weight where I hunt. With a f/f string, it like 45-50 cedars.

I'm at 35. Minimum legal weight where I hunt. With a f/f string, it like 45-50 cedars.

I mean I only hunt foam with it and shoot 1416 knitting needles but I easily get 55 yards in my site picture window and it’s only about 17 pounds at my 26.5” draw...

1967 Wing Presentation II

Just shot this 35# bow this AM. It’s a pleasure to shoot

I have a 38# Browning Medallion that I plan to hunt with when the time comes.

I don't think dropping in # is detrimental, but I think this conversation should be more about you getting your muscle memory back. By your own admission, you haven't shot much in the last couple of years. I think, if it was me, I'd buy a cheap bow in the #35 range to get my muscle memory back and keep the BW over 40#.

I personally would never shoot 38. 37, 39 sure but 38... Come on man. : )

I have had some pretty bad shoulder trouble the last few years and now shoot a #35 recurve at targets. I enjoy shooting the bow immensely. I have a short #43 tree stand recurve and from a ground blind I have a #55 recurve. For still hunting I shoot a #45 recurve, The #35 is my now everyday bow during winter indoors. Here in my part of Canada #40 at my draw length is the legal draw weight.

My wife has a WhippenStick Marauder takedown RD longbow, 38lb at her draw, and low 40's at mine. She shoots 1916's and it's got some serious giddy up!

That Marauder was Ken's masterpiece, and if he ever decided to get back in the biz, I'd snap one up. If I ever had to drop down in draw weight to stay in the game, I wouldn't hesitate to hunt with that bow!

38 lbs will kill em dead but if you want them deader 80-90 is more better.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here