How to Choose the Right Bow Weight for You

Today we're talking about what's the best bow weight for you. Now, one thing to note is you want to know what your draw length is because a bow's pull weight is going to adjust depending on what your draw length is. Most adult bows are rated at 28 inch draw, but if you have a draw length that is shorter, it's going to pull less weight, say 2 to 3 pounds less per inch. And if you draw further, 29 inches or so, it's going to be 2 to 3 pounds heavier than what the bow is rated at. So, once you have your draw length determined, then it's best to figure out what weight you need. Now, this will determine where you are in your shooting level for it and then what you're looking to do. Are you just shooting for fun, recreationally in the backyard? Are you a competitive shooter? Are you looking to be a bow hunter? Now, for how I like to break it down also goes with level. So, if you are just starting out, have never shot a bow before or if it's been decades since you've shot a bow, you're going to want to stay on the lighter weights. I'd recommend 25 to 35 pounds in weight in that range. Now, the reason for this is the muscles used for shooting a bow, they're not used in a lot of other things. So, your body's going to have to adapt to shooting and if you've not shot or you don't shoot regularly, that takes a bit to get comfortable there. Now, what I really like to recommend is a takedown bow. Like the Karin Recurve here is nice because they come in a lot of different bow weights and you can easily change the limbs out and everything else stays the same. So, as your body gets more comfortable shooting, you're able to up the weight. Now, that 25 to 35 pound range is also great for competitive shooters. Now, as a competitive shooter, you're going to be shooting hundreds if not thousands of arrows in a setting and you want that lighter weight because of the muscle fatigue and the use on your muscles. So, having that lighter weight makes it easier for you to focus on your anchor point and you're not wearing out your muscles on your back and arms in that shooting. You'll be able to shoot longer. So, at the end of the day, your body will thank you for having that 25 to 35 pound range shooting-wise. Now, for recreational shooters in the backyards, a good over average around weight is going to be that 35 to 45 pounds. And this is also for someone that has a bit of experience of shooting. Whether that's traditional gear or compounds, that 35 to 45 pound range seems to be the best fit to where you're doing, you know, a couple hours of shooting for fun, backyard, you know, group settings like that. One, you've got enough power to the bow, but you're not going too heavy to where you're fatiguing yourself and you're not too light to where you can't feel the bow. Now, and that's a good point right now to mention is if you're a compound shooter coming over, I like to go anywhere from 10 pounds to 15 pounds less than what you were shooting there. And usually that should end up in this 35 to 45 pound range as well just because it's a comfortable weight to shoot, especially as you get shooting, those muscles get stronger and get more comfortable with bow weights and drawing. It ends up to be very enjoyable. Now, are you a bow hunter or somebody that's been shooting for a long time? 45 pounds and up. On bow hunting, you need to look at your local regulations for the game that you're looking to pursue to see if there's any restrictions there, minimum bow weights, things like that. Now, that can range a lot in what you'll shoot for bow weight. What I like to recommend is you want to have heaviest weight that you can comfortably shoot and most importantly, accurately shoot. There's no point in shooting 60 pounds plus if you can't put it where it needs to be. What I usually recommend for whitetail deer hunting, 45 pounds to 50 pounds in that range for it. But if you're looking to hunt bigger game like elk, that's where 50 pounds plus, 55 pounds in that, can really be good because of the body of the game. Look at your local regulations and then another thing you can great or great to do is have lighter weight bows to get warmed up with and then practice with your hunting weight bow. That way you're not just jumping right into a cold and you can train your body and your muscle memory to be able to handle those heavier weights. Now, other things you can do because it can sound like maybe you want to buy a one-piece bow like this longbow here is, man, I can't change the limbs out. You know, I got to have that one pick. Well, a great thing for that is to get archery training tools. They're usually stretch bands that are adjustable to the weight that's going to be on them and that's a great way of not having a full bow to stretch your muscles, warm them up, get them trained in there and ready for bow weights, heavier weights. So if you go, man, I want to shoot a 45-pound bow, but I don't know if I'm going to be ready, get the training tool along with your bow. That's a great warm-up. You can do it in your office, you know, sitting at home watching TV, things like that and that gets your muscles stretched and make sure that you're not hurting yourself jumping up to a weight you're not comfortable with. And that's that. If you have any questions on how to determine the best bow weight for you, please put them below. I'd be happy to answer them. If you liked the video, please give it a thumbs up. If you really liked the video, please hit that share button to share with your friends and family. I'm Jonathan Karch with 3Rivers Archery. Thanks for watching.