Bowhunters often obsess over draw weight, trying to pull a little more poundage than the week before. Sixty pounds of draw weight is about average for bowhunters, with 70 pounds seen as better and 80 or more optimal. At the end of this post is a video that compares three shooters with three levels of draw weight, comparing speed and arrow penetration. It is well done and very informative, but first, I’d like to capitalize on my 50 years of archery experience with a few pointers.
Think “Form First.”
How much weight you pull depends on your age, strength, and physical characteristics. I once hunted elk with a native Alaskan woman who was barely five feet tall, yet she could pull a 70-pound bow with ease. If you have to raise your bow above your head, called air drawing, you are pulling too much weight. If you see a big buck heading your way, you should be able to hold the bow level and draw slowly, coming to your anchor. How long you can keep the bow at full draw is another consideration. Practicing extended draw times can save a hunt and will increase muscle strength.
Arrow Weight and Penetration
Will increasing your broadhead weight from 100 to 125 increase penetration? The added weight may tighten your groups, yet the deer won’t notice the difference. If you shoot 100, 125, and 150-grain target points at 20 yards, you will barely notice a difference in penetration. Increasing arrow weight will decrease speed and increase momentum, which is a better measure of arrow penetration. To instantly increase penetration, reduce the diameter of your arrows. I’ve experimented with Easton’s slender diameter shafts, and the penetration differences are dramatic.
Crossbow Experiments
In 2017, I booked a Cape buffalo hunt, planning to use a 330-fps crossbow. I experimented extensively with various arrow weights up to 700 grains and was dumbfounded at how little penetration improved in foam targets with added weight. Since the crossbow does the “holding,” it’s not an issue for crossbow users, yet excessive speed comes with its challenges. You will blow through standard targets, and arrows will melt inside many foam blocks. If you experiment with heavier arrows, be sure to use a speed-variable scope so that your point of impact matches the scope reticle. The bull elk shown above fell to the added penetration of Barnett’s .204-diameter arrows, which increased penetration, allowing me to achieve complete penetration on the bull with a 50-yard shot.