bigcountry

I posted this in reviews but figured it would belong here better. I am planning on buying a guardian. I have been pulling 70# bows for over 20 years, and starting to have shoulder issues from other activities. Does anyone know what kinda drop in velocity/performance a 60lb guardian might get compared to a 70lb. I am not talking about simply dropping from 70lbs to 60lbs, talking about difference between 50-60lb limbs compared to 60-70lb.

Or on average what is the difference IBO or AMO wise.

I was reading specs on a elite archery bows, and he showed only a 10fps difference. Thats hard for me to believe.

KodiakArcher

You've got to take into consideration that you're going to be using a different, lighter arrow. I think you could keep the velocities nearly the same but what you're giving up is penetration. For deer it's just not going to matter, for brown bear, moose and mt. goats I'd stick with the 70's. Otherwise, I'm looking at getting a 60#er myself.

BGfisher

That's right. Comparing apples to apples (60 to 70) if you keep the same ratio of arrow weight to bow poundage the velocities should be similar.

I shoot all my 3D bows at 5 gr/lb. I get pretty near the same speeds at 53# as I used to get when I shot 67#. And the best part is I can shoot a harder cam without tearing my shoulders apart.

For a hunting setup it's still the same, keeping things in the proper ratio.
However, I don't agree that anything walking North America requires anything more than 60# anymore. All this equipment has improved over the last 30 years to a point that efficiency is sky high.

You know, 30 years ago a 70# bow was unheard of. With 20-25% letoff people just couldn't handle them. And there was a lot of heavy game shot back then. The bows of today are capable of about 30% more penetration "potential" just due to improvements in the equipment.
There's a lot of difference betweentoday's speed cam and a round wheel of yesteryear.

Roskoe

I did the same thing recently. Went from a 70 lb. PSE to a 61 lb. Hoyt Pro Tec. Lost 11 fps with the same arrow (Carbon Express). Went to the 400 series ST Axis and gained back 9 of those fps. So far, I'm not seeing any difference in performance and I can shoot a lot longer without rotator cuff pain.

bigcountry

I hate to go down in poundage Roskoe, but every doctor I have consulted, highly suggests I hold off on this cuff until I absolutely can't take the pain anymore. Thanks for the advise.

JoshKeller

I just recently went from 70 on my protec, down to 58 - 60 (variances of scales). I lost 12 fps, but to be completely honest, penetration didnt fall off much at all - around 1" at most. I have found that I hold steadier, draw much smoother, and can shoot all day if I want to.

My new bow will be a 60 lb max most definitly.

DROCK

I bought a 70# Guardian earlier this summer. I was shooting a 29" arrow, 416grains at 282fps. Although I was pleased with the speeds, after awhile of shooting my groups were getting larger and I was getting a pain in my shoulder. It just wasn't fun to shoot.

So I contacted my dealer and he ordered me 60# limbs. I am now shooting 28.5" Easton ST Epic 400, 394grains and I am shooting 270fps. So I only loss 12fps. (I did shoot my old 416grain arrows and I was getting 262fps).My groups are much better and I can shoot my bow for a much longer time. It is fun to shoot again.

I only hunt whitetails and will be hunting turkey next spring. I don't see the need for 70#

Good Luck.

DROCK

I wanted to add that my Birth Certificate on my 60-70#limbs was 350grains @ 312fps.

Average Guardian 50-60# 300grain @ 307fps

Also, I wanted to note that I did not have to adjust my sights at all. I expectedthat I would, but they are right on.

The Rev

Mark, come on down. I turned 58 today, and I am having Bowtech make me some 60'sfor my target bow.I can turn my bow down to 62# and shoot around 277 FPSwith a 430 grain arrow ( for ASA ). But I'd rather tweek it to 62 than to have slop on the 70's.

There isn't anything in North Amercia you can't take down with that set up.

bigcountry

Wow, your cookin at 277fps with a 430gr arrow. My liberty at 70#, 29.5" draw with a 430gr arrow shoots 255fps. But after I figured it up, from Bowtech's calculation for speed loss, I am right where I should be.

Happy B-Day Rev. Hope you have a real good one.