Most adult bow hunters shoot around 60 to 70 lb, which is more than adequate to kill the common big game animals in North America.
So an obvious question arises, 60 or 70 lb bow for hunting, which one is better for me and will give a better performance in the long run?
A 70-lb bow has more speed, accuracy, kinetic energy, and killing range than a 60-lb bow. But added poundage in draw weight will result in a stiff draw and require more energy from the hunter. If drawing more weight occurs to be a negligible factor, go for the 70 lb bow.
I am sure this short answer won’t serve your purpose. So, hold on a little longer with the article to know each feature of them in a wider sense.
A Quick Comparison Between 60 and 70 Ib Bow
Apart from the obvious reduction in draw weight, the 60 and 70-lb bows have some comparative features.
Let’s have a quick glimpse at those differences to have a summarised overview.
| Feature | 60 lb bow | 70 lb bow |
| Shooting quality (effective range) | Good (30-40 yards) | Good (50-60 yards) |
| Speed | 335 ft/ sec | 355 ft/ sec |
| Accuracy(How many feet drop) | Lower (11 feet drop) | Higher (6 feet drop) |
| Distance | 365 yards | 360 yards |
| Draw & holding | Easier | Harder |
| Ideal arrow weight | 300-grain | 350-grain |
| Kinetic Energy | 74.3 ft-lbs | 83.5 ft-lbs |
| Animals you can hunt | Whitetails, mule deer, pronghorns | Cape buffalo, grizzly, moose |
Now that you have looked over the data, you have a slightly general idea about the bow of your preference. Let’s dive in to get an in-depth view of this most talked subject.
The Detailed Comparison Between 60 and 70 Ib Bow
No hunter wants a bow with an absurd draw weight that can kill the enjoyment of the game. Perfectly shot arrows don’t pierce the target completely rather stay stuck in it to leave a blood trail for tracking.
So choosing the best draw weight is fundamental to emerging victorious. Let’s compare the aforementioned features in precise to get you the perfect draw weight for your hunting bow.
Shooting Quality:
Whether you’re competing in the big leagues or joining a fun hunting party, the quality of shooting should be one of the key factors of your bow.
Both bows have decent shooting quality. If we narrow it down to the effective range, the 70 lb bow has 20 yards more in its killing range than the 60 lb one.
Also, the bigger weight provides more penetration power ideal for larger animals like buffalos and grizzly beers. The 60 lb bow is perfect for smaller animals like rabbits and deer.
The 70 lb bow clearly has better shooting qualities.
Speed:
A faster arrow will have advantages over a slower one. The more the speed the less the margin of error becomes for a hunter. Faster arrows have flatter trajectories so the range remains perfect for shots past 25 yards.
The farthest your target is, the more accurate your range estimate should be. A speedy one will not drastically improve the range but it at least makes up for some yards.
For every 10lb weight added to the draw, you will gain 15-20 fps more speed. A 60lb bow arrow has an average speed of 355 ft/sec, while the 70 lb one has an average speed of 355 ft/sec. These measurements are acquired by using the same arrows.
In terms of speed, the trophy goes to the 70 lb bow.
Draw & Holding:
In layman’s terms, a 60 lb bow means the equal workload of picking a 60-pound object from the ground. So the more weight added to the draw the harder it will be to pull off successfully. Improper draw and shoot will make the arrow wobble during flight.
You can measure the optimal draw weight of your bow by keeping the other variables like draw length, and arrow weight unchanged. Keep the draw length to the standard 30 inches and measure both the draw weights by holding each for 1 minute.
What did you find? Yes, the 70 lb one was harder to draw while your shoulders were at ease drawing the 60lb one. Even while holding, you need to give out more force for the bigger one.
The lighter one is easy to draw and hold. It will not stress your arms and you can aim for a longer period of time. So, 60 lb is the winner here.
Kinetic Energy:
The potential energy from drawing converts to kinetic energy which helps the arrow to travel further and penetrate harder. It is affected by the arrow weight and the draw weight.
The expression for kinetic energy is, KE = (m*v2)/450,800. Here, m refers to the mass of the arrow in grains and v is the arrow speed in ft-sec.
The higher the energy, the more boost an arrow will have. A 60 lb bow will deliver an arrow with an average of 74.3 ft-lbs energy while a 70 lb one will increase it to 83.5 ft-lbs. The arrow weight has been kept constant for this measurement.
Think of kinetic energy as the hammer for your arrow as the nail. Since a 70 lb bow will deliver more penetrating power, it is the winner in this segment.
Ideal Arrow Weight:
The weight of an arrow is measured in grain. According to IBO (International Bowhunters Organization), an ideal arrow will have 5 grains per pound.
So, a 60-pound bow’s ideal arrow will be 300 grains and a 70-pound bow should have arrows weighing 350 grains. A lighter arrow is unable to absorb the bow’s potential energy completely. So it will produce noise and recoil more.
Moreover, a heavy arrow has a higher killing range and can penetrate the target better at a further distance. Always go for the heavy one when it comes to heavy vs light arrows.
In terms of arrow weight, the 70 lb arrow will be ideal in the hunting game.
Accuracy:
Accuracy of a projectile motion is mainly derived from factors like projectile speed, wind force, and the time required for traveling. The faster the arrow the less it’s affected by wind. So the amount of drop is also reduced.
The 70-pound bow has an average drop of 6 feet at every 100 feet distance while it rises to 11 feet for the 60-pound one. Also, the arrow travels faster when shooting from the 70 lb bow.
Also, keep in mind that added poundage increases the strength and pressure required of the archer. To avoid injury you should always know how to reduce the draw weight on your bow.
The 70 lb bow is the more accurate one, verified the extra weight is handled perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a heavier arrow better for hunting?
A deer or other game animal should be more responsive to penetration from a heavier arrow. This is crucial when an arrow strikes an animal’s bone like the shoulder blade after a less-than-ideal shot.
How do you know if your draw weight is too high?
During drawing the bow, you’ll know if you’re carrying too much weight if your head moves over your back foot and your hips move in the direction of the target. It’s likely that you’re shooting too much draw weight if you have to “sky draw” your bow.
How many arrows should I shoot a day?
You should shoot 100 arrows per day. But if you’re not satisfied, you can shoot a maximum of 120 arrows per day. And remember shoot 5 times a week. This practice will lead you to be a great archer.
Final Words
I am expecting that you’ve got a clear idea between 60 or 70-lb bow for hunting.
You should choose according to your purpose because both of them have pros and cons. If I would have to choose one, I’ll go for 70lb undoubtedly.
However, pick one as your preference. Stay safe and Happy shooting.
