330 8.7gpi elk strong??

ivorytip

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Mar 24, 2012
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ive changed over to Easton bloodlines 330 8.7gpi, 65lb draw wght. and it has really helped my shooting. my hunting buddy is skeptical on if it will be strong enough for elk. i shoot a pse brute. now im getting skeptical myself, should I go heavier? ive shot 400 and even the 340s but im really liking these 330's. am I good to go?? I cant imagine it not making a pass through if I don't hit that darn shoulder blade.
 

velvetfvr

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May 6, 2012
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What do the arrows actually weigh? Fixed head I assume? What's your draw length. 330 is the spine and that's probably stiff enough regardless of DL.
 

ivorytip

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Mar 24, 2012
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honestly, I don't know weight of arrow all set up. 29" arrow with 125g tips. speed of bow? don't honestly know that either. not with this set up, tonight or tomorrow ill go check that out. its moving plenty fast though. and yes, fixed head.
 

Dos Perros

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Jul 1, 2015
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I'm shooting the Blue Streak 250's (7.2 gpi / 0.413" spine), 27.5" draw, 344 grains of total arrow weight at 269 fps. Haven't decided between the Rage Hypodermics (which shoot oh so sweet) and the G5 Montecs (which I haven't had a chance to shoot yet). The local archery pro with lots of elk hunting experience assures me this will be more than enough, so I'm sure you are even better with a heavier draw weight, heavier arrow.

Also, look at this diagram. There is so much real estate there to hit that you'd have to be cursed to hit that shoulder blade.

 

cnalder

Member
Dec 30, 2011
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Definitely a good choice to use the heavier arrow for elk but it also depends on your bow. The latest EBJ has a good article on arrow momentum. I'm shooting a Bowtech Expierence, 29" draw, 65 lbs, 430gr arrow and it shoots my hunting setup at 300fps. That gives me 83ft-lbs and plenty of momentum. Your heavier arrow will be slower but have more KE and maintain its momentum better after hitting something. Shooting an elk is a lot different than a deer.
 

Bonecollector

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Mar 9, 2014
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I agree with using a heavier arrow on elk; front of center and shot placement is key. I believe your stated KE is a little high. I calculate it to be 78KE. Still plenty to kill an elk and your speed would actually be 285. Absolutely nothing wrong with the setup. Women and children are killing elk with 50lb bows. :)

I calculated the optimum arrow weight & speed for your setup (in my opinion), and came up with arrow weight of 375. Thus giving you a speed of 301 and KE of 75. IMHO and for discussion point only. I spend my to much time with my setups, bowpress, chrono. lol Additionally, my buddy shoots the experience so I have the chrono numbers for this exact bow. There are plenty of on-line calcs to use for figuring what you want and they are very accurate as I've ran every bow I can get my hands on for testing purposes. I like to check the honesty of the manufactures and I'm a numbers geek. Keep in mind a heavier arrow is quieter as well.

Definitely a good choice to use the heavier arrow for elk but it also depends on your bow. The latest EBJ has a good article on arrow momentum. I'm shooting a Bowtech Expierence, 29" draw, 65 lbs, 430gr arrow and it shoots my hunting setup at 300fps. That gives me 83ft-lbs and plenty of momentum. Your heavier arrow will be slower but have more KE and maintain its momentum better after hitting something. Shooting an elk is a lot different than a deer.
 

Bonecollector

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Mar 9, 2014
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Ivorytip - Your setup is more than capable. Don't change a thing!

ive changed over to Easton bloodlines 330 8.7gpi, 65lb draw wght. and it has really helped my shooting. my hunting buddy is skeptical on if it will be strong enough for elk. i shoot a pse brute. now im getting skeptical myself, should I go heavier? ive shot 400 and even the 340s but im really liking these 330's. am I good to go?? I cant imagine it not making a pass through if I don't hit that darn shoulder blade.
 

ivorytip

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Mar 24, 2012
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thanks for the info guys, I never did weigh my darn arrow, I did take it in yesterday to have some new servings put on and a new string stop on it. I even raised it to 70 but 65 is just my sweet spot for that bow so its back to 65. it shoots great, Brodhead target hasn't missed me much since last august, had to get a new one. first elk hunt for rifle bull opens tomorrow, gonna go out with my brother to get me even more pumped for sep! thanks again! now if I could just get the stuff I ordered a long time ago id be a happy camper.....
 

Dustin23633

New Member
Jun 8, 2015
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Chico, Ca
thanks for the info guys, I never did weigh my darn arrow, I did take it in yesterday to have some new servings put on and a new string stop on it. I even raised it to 70 but 65 is just my sweet spot for that bow so its back to 65. it shoots great, Brodhead target hasn't missed me much since last august, had to get a new one. first elk hunt for rifle bull opens tomorrow, gonna go out with my brother to get me even more pumped for sep! thanks again! now if I could just get the stuff I ordered a long time ago id be a happy camper.....
If anything, placement is key. If 65 is your sweet spot then shoot 65. I did a complete pass through on an elk at 52 yards and I shot 258 FPS with a 440 gr arrow at 60lbs. I have recently made my arrow heavier for a moose hunt this fall to 550 gr. My arrow is 26.25" 400 Easton FMJ with a 28" draw at 60lbs, I usually shoot 125gr BH but switched to 175 Solid and added the brass 75gr inserts for some heavy hitters. I can shoot up to 74lbs but like you, I have my sweet spot and have never had a problem with a pass through. I worked at a archery shop and people are way to obsessed with poundage and speed. You'll be fine with your set up at 65lbs! Good luck!
 

25contender

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Mar 20, 2013
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This!! I would rather have a bow that is slower but accurate than a bow that shots fast and not accurate and untunable..

I worked at a archery shop and people are way to obsessed with poundage and speed. You'll be fine with your set up at 65lbs! Good luck!
 

gypsumreaper

Active Member
Mar 13, 2014
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I'm shooting a mathews helim, 70lb 29.5" draw, I like my arrows a little long so I have them cut to 30.5", I figure my arrows that I just ordered are around 460grains, I'm shooting 100 grain heads right now but might jump to 125, I shot a buck last year with this setup up at 40 yards and had a pass through, 2 ribs and he made it 70 yards down hill, I'm am more than comfortable with my setup for elk, the key is knowing your distance and what you can hit accurately, I can shoot my bow at 100 yards but set my max for and elk at 60 but where I hunt I'd be lucky to see an elk at 60, it's more like 40 max, if you can hit the pocket ur gonna kill an elk,


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat