A Beginners Guide to Buying the Right Bow in 3 Simple Steps
| Archer Weight | Approx. Draw Weight (Compound Bow) |
|---|
| Small-Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) | 25-35 lbs. |
| Medium-Frame Women (130-160 lbs.) | 30-40 lbs. |
| Larger-Frame Women (160+ lbs.) | 45-55 lbs. |
| Small-Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) | 45-55 lbs. |
For example, a bow with a 70-pound peak weight and a 80% let-off should have a holding weight of around 14-pounds. Being able to hold a bow at full draw for 30 seconds is great, but if you're shaking, struggling, and exhausted at the end of that time, then you're not going to be able to make an ethical shot.Nov 5, 2014
Draw WeightRecurves and longbows have incrementally heavier draw weights the farther they're pulled. The standard for determining their draw weight is taken at 28 inches of draw length. The draw weight is marked on the bow's lower limb with the pound sign (#),such as 35# @ 28â€.
Aug 1, 2017 The recurve bow is the only one used at the Olympic Games. A recurve archer pulls the string towards their face with their fingers and aims at the target through a sight.Aug 9, 2021
​The best type of bow for a beginner is a recurve bow. This will enable you to learn the basics of archery with the most versatile and cost effective type of bow before you consider getting a more expensive compound.Mar 16, 2021
Now that you know what draw weight you should go for, check out one of the following lists: Best recurve bows (top 10 chart) – divided by price range. Beginner recurve bows list.
| Archer's Weight | Suggested Draw Weight |
|---|
| Large-Frame Females (160+ lbs) | 30-45 lbs |
| Large Frame Men (180+ lbs) | 45-60 lbs |
The Mamba is also exceptionally light. At 1.8 lbs, it's the lightest recurve bow of this caliber that I have ever carried in the field. At 58″ long, it's also very easy to maneuver between trees, and especially in a tree stand.
Recurves offer both more power and speed than longbows. They are generally much more accurate than longbows. Takedown recurve bows allow you to shoot at a lighter draw weight and then increase the draw weight by simply buying new limbs – instead of having to buy a whole new bow.
Before you choose your bow, keep in mind your draw length and how that affects the equipment. The overall height of the recurve bow (in inches) should be roughly your draw length plus 40in. Standard setups usually range from 66in-72in, although there is more variety for youth archers.Jan 24, 2017
You do not need a specific license to own or possess a bow and arrow. However, use outside of a controlled archery setting can be impacted by local laws and regulations. Using a bow and arrow to hunt requires you to have a hunting license and follow hunting laws.
The “Olympic recurve†is the type of bow Olympians shoot. Olympic recurve bows have three main pieces: the riser and two limbs. The bow quickly disassembles for travel, or to switch to heavier or lighter draw-weight limbs. The riser includes the bow's grip. The riser also includes mounts for sights and the arrow rest.May 22, 2019
How Far Can a Bow Shoot? | Ranges by Draw Weight (With Chart)
| Bow Type | Draw Weight | Maximum Range |
|---|
| Recurve bow | 30 lbs | 200 – 220 yards |
| 35 lbs | 220 – 240 yards |
| 40 lbs | 260 – 280 yards |
| Compound bow | 30 lbs | 150 – 200 yards |
Archery is not an expensive hobby, but you may find yourself spending more money after getting better at it and becoming more competitive. Most of the expense in archery is getting a good bow. Arrows are not nearly as expensive and are reusable. Safety gear is also cheap, and bows thankfully last for a long time.Dec 6, 2020
Table 1 Top Bow Manufacturers in the U.S. *
| Rank | Company Name | Year founded |
|---|
| 1 | Daisy Outdoor Products | 1886 |
| 2 | Mathews | 1992 |
| 3 | Martin Archery | 1951 |
| 4 | Darton Archery | 1947 |
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : an archery bow with tips that curve away from the string side when the bow is not strung Primitive bows are simply a stick and string; a recurve adds a curve on each limb of the bow.—
New archers often ask for a recommendation as to the proper draw weight to start with. The common recommendations for adult males that I observe are 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 pounds (25 and 45 pounds being the least recommended, though common enough across the forums).Oct 21, 2013
Your Bow Could Literally ExplodeMinor bow damage is far from the worst thing that could happen. Dry firing a crossbow, compound bow, or recurve bow could cause a literal explosion!
Mar 9, 2020 Check your accuracy with bows of varying draw weights. If you're pretty consistent at 40 pounds, but then notice erratic arrow groups at 50 pounds, then 50 pounds is probably too much weight. Those who shoot one-piece recurves or longbows are going to have to switch bows.Nov 13, 2015
60 pounds is plenty to pass through any whitetail at 40-50 yards. They are much more comfortable to draw and shoot and usually quieter and less vibration if you are shooting them maxed out at 60lbs.Mar 1, 2008
Wildman, on average the 50# to 55# recurves shoot 175 fps.. I tend to agree you need a little heavier arrow, about 550 grains. To answer your question. All my recurves shoot between 160 and 200 fps with arrows that match and are of good weight.Nov 27, 2006
Yes. Outside of compound and longbow I only know one or two archers with bows over 40 pounds and they've been shooting for years. You might be able to draw it back, but you risk injury and your form would really suffer. Assuming you're fully grown you'd be better starting around the 20 pound mark.May 5, 2017
Most bowkills are within 20 yards anyway. Good luck and dont bother with anymore weight. Tiffany Lakowsky shoots 55 pounds and she kills all kinds of stuff at 30-45 yards.Apr 8, 2011
What Draw Weight Do I Need? A comfortable draw weight is different for each shooter. Some shooters are capable of shooting 70, 80 or 90lbs, but most adult males shoot between 60 and 70lbs. For larger game such as elk or moose a good recommendation is at least 60-65 lbs of draw weight.
As a rule of thumb, 40 pounds of kinetic energy efficiently kills whitetails, and 50 pounds or greater is required for larger game such as elk, moose or bear.May 12, 2014
On average, a recurve bow will shoot arrows at around 140 to 200 fps, and compound bows will shoot arrows at 230 to 280 fps. To increase the speed of your arrows, you should use a higher draw weight and draw length, and lower grain arrows.
A powerful compound bow is easier to aim than a powerful recurve as the string forces at full draw are reduced due to let-off. The recurve bow is cheaper, easier to maintain, more stylish and the bow you'll normally be taught to use as a beginner. It is also the only bow currently allowed in the Olympic games.Mar 9, 2021
However, his also means that a recurve with a larger frame is harder to pull the string back. Recurve bows are lighter and easier to transport than compound bows, which often makes them great hunting bows. They're also easier to maintain in most compound bows, due to less parts.Dec 20, 2014
45 pounds is just fine for whitetail deer and the Martin Hunter is an excellent choice. I have never shot more than 48 pounds and have killed any number of deer, bear and hogs. With your 29" draw lenght, if you keep that with a recurve bow, you will get a little extra horsepower in any case.Aug 12, 2009
What Type of Arrows Should I Use for a Recurve Bow? Carbon arrows are probably the all around best choice for most recurve bows, whether it be for practice target shooting, competitions and even hunting. Carbon arrows tend to be accurate, durable and are more safe than cheaper alternatives like fiberglass arrows.
All depends on where you want to hunt. In Wyoming, elk must be hunted with a minimum of 50#, whether it's compound, recurve, or longbow. Mike Treadway killed a big elk with a 45# recurve so it can he done.Oct 11, 2018
Sights for recurve bows and longbows is nothing new. For as long as a bow has been shot a sight of some style has been used. Bow sights are great for beginners as they help build confidence and help improve shooting form.
All bows, except permitted crossbows, used for hunting deer (recurve, long, and compound) must have a draw weight of at least 40 lbs.
