> 150 was my original target weight.

When  do you weigh?

> Increased it to 155 as more of my bees wintered with larger clusters as I 
> selected breeders that wintered with larger clusters.

That is a consideration, definitely.  I found that when I ran prolific bees 
and conservative bees in the same yard that I would have some hives heavy in 
spring to the point where I had to pull feed, and some getting quite 
light -- all having started winter about the same.

> ...I increased the target to 160. So that's my minimum. As you say, there 
> are lots overweight, and some that weigh from 200-220...2 deeps and a 
> medium.

I always ran two deeps over winter, but think now that three is better for 
prolific bees.

As for optimal weight, I think that depends a lot on the management system.

We know there are minimums, but deciding on maximums is more difficult. 
Personally, I like my bees at the top in spring, but with lots of feed 
nearby.

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