Draw weight vs range (warning, stupid question alert!)

[SpecialCop]

Hi Guys

Just a quick question. I was wondering if someone was shooting with a low poundage bow would they have a problem reaching targets that are quite far away i.e. 100 yards? An example would be my other half shoots a 16lb bow, would she be able to hit a target at 80 or 100 yards without too much difficulty or can this only be achieved with much higher draw weight bows?

I suppose if you wanted to shoot that far with a small poundage bow you would need more elevation in order to achieve the range. Just wondered what your thoughts are. Oh, by the way we are talking target archery here rather than field archery, dont know if that makes any difference in respect of techniques etc.

cheers

steve

[Shirt]

Depends on the arrows.

For useful scores I'd say you need 40# and whatever arrows you like, or 34+ # and ACEs, although this is also dependent upon arrow length - shorter ones being lighter, and all.

Definitely can't get 100 yards accurately with 16#, I know for a fact.

[Murray]

You can shoot target in a clout-manner, but your accuracy will suck as you won't be able to get the sight on the target... in my experience, with aluminium arrows, you will need a minimum of 32# to reach 80 yards with any accuracy at all. 100 yards - I have to ask ... why? but shirt's estimates are close enough

[rod]

there is a lady archer at one of my clubs who shoots 19lb on the fingers, and she can only just reach 60yards, she was a good archer but can no longer hold the poundage she used to.
i do feel sorry for her watching the arrows arcing so high in the sky and landing all over the target, shes not crap just has not the strengh anymore.

with 16lb you might get 50yards, 80 yards no way

[Thunk]

A lady at my club shoots with 26lb on the fingers and has Bowman status - but she is shooting ACEs - the lack of weight in the arrow makes a hell of a difference.

[rod]

Originally Posted by Thunk

A lady at my club shoots with 26lb on the fingers and has Bowman status - but she is shooting ACEs - the lack of weight in the arrow makes a hell of a difference.

easton chart only go's down to 24lb for ACE so she has a problem

[GreenSteve]

good news is though if your other half is female then she doesn`t need to shoot 100yrds 80 is max range for female ranges
and 16lb would be difficult to do 80yrds
my daughter draws 16lb and max range she can hit is 40yrds without turning the sight backwards she`s 11 so still has some growing to do which will increase her draw length and will eventually give her more range,
personally my 1st bow a few months back i could not hit the target at 80yrds with 32lb and ally arrows best i got was 6 arrows between the legs, set of acc`s and increase poundage to 36 and i`m on 100yrds
for ur other half probably will need to up poundage certainly lighter arrows would help

[Woodie]

Originally Posted by Murray

You can shoot target in a clout-manner, but your accuracy will suck as you won't be able to get the sight on the target... in my experience, with aluminium arrows, you will need a minimum of 32# to reach 80 yards with any accuracy at all. 100 yards - I have to ask ... why? but shirt's estimates are close enough

Unless your name is Frankie and you shoot 20inch jazz knitting needles with about 22lbs on the fingers. he shot 342 for 70m round on saturday which is just gents 2nd class. Not bad considering he is not 10 until september.

[Murray]

Ah but Frankie is a superstar in the making... there's always the exceptions to the rule

[SVL]

I shoot 28lb off the fingers (32 lb bow) with ACC arrows, Hoyt Avalon bow and have no problems making the 80y distance.
I do think you would have problems with a 16lb bow to get the 80y. If you can start to increase the poundage and get nice light arrows.
Sandra