Simia,
I can not give you the answers, but they are already in this forum.
If you have any question, use the search function.
in case of the compound bows, type the word compound in the bar, check the other weapons, (or uncheck the rest) and set the maximum days on something like 999 and hit the search button.
After you looked through the results, try again, with another word, different number for minimun days and so on.
Much fun as well as direct answers.

Willeke

You can test the draw weight using your typical bathroom scale (what you weigh yourself on)  Take a lenght of board(atleast 2"*4") put a notch in the top that will hold your bow at the handle.  Mark on the board the inches you would draw it back to.  Now may need to make a foot for the board to create even pressure. Place this on the scale, place your bow in the notch and pull the string to the mark that is your draw length.  The pressure that you are pulling down on the bow will transfer to the scale and this will be your poundage.  Confused? 

I just use a long stick with a small  "v" of branches at the end. I then put the handle of the bow in the v, put the stick on the scale, and pull down to 28", just read the number off the scale. Not precise but very close.

Compound bows were invented in the late 1960's by some guy named H. W. Allen, 1967 or so. I have a compound made in 1969 with wood limbs.

WOW! 70lbs!

Well I suppose your using a compound bow, but if your not, you must be a monster. With muscles to spare. I feel more comfortable with 45-50.. be Carefull you can damage your back with too much strain. Shoot safe.

Sounds like a decent war bow. 50# is what I'm most comfortable with, but I hope to move up, if just for the experience.

In one of the Traditional Bowmakers Bibles, they show a huge yew longbow that pulls 150lbs. The poor guy looks like he's about to snap in half when he draws it.

I want that book but im too cheap

I think 60 pounds is really the ideal draw weight.  I feel like a pansy with 40 - I know that I'm not, that 40 pounds is adequate to kill, well, most things, and that it is smoother and all that; but at 60, I can maintain accuracy whilst still feeling macho.  Which of course is the important thing.