Arrow Weight Preference?

Cobbhunts · Jun 26, 2014

Bowtech Invasion @ 74lb DW

502 gr total arrow weight with a 125 gr BH.

I like the weight. When I got away from lighter arrows I started shooting better. Its probably just me, but it seemed to work. The first doe I shot with this set up sold me too. She was broad side at 25 yards. I shot and seen the arrow sink true, but heard a nasty thwack. She ran about 15 yards and stopped. Stumbled and expired. I got down and went to look for my arrow and couldn't find it anywhere. Went to the deer and it was a complete pass thru - double lung. I had my friend come down the mountain (Ohio mountain haha) and help me drag. After telling the above story he said "I seen your arrow on my way down man". So he took me back to about where the doe was standing and it was buried in a tree really deep. About half of the broad head deep. I dug it out and have been shooting the heavy set ups ever since. The 2nd deer was a brute of an 8 point. He was slightly quartering to me at 15 yards and I missed left about an inch and got that front shoulder. Crushed it at kept on trucking out the other sides rib cage and down through the woods. Took me 4-5 months before I stumbled across that arrow.

You know that 430 gr set up isn't that light wither though. Especially for 63lbs. That's probably optimal if your spine is correct for your DL and weight. Good luck and sorry for rambling!!!

Cobbhunts · Jun 26, 2014

Too light would be around 300 grains total weight. 430 is mid-high range for your set up in my opinion.

Cobbhunts · Jun 26, 2014

No problem! Comfortable is much more important than draw weight. I am blessed with a tremendous amount of upper body strength. I could go heavier if I wanted. I am also blessed with a huge beer gut and can't run more than a mile anymore haha. Need to fix that part

tdcour · Jun 26, 2014

I'm shooting 453 grains at 70# draw from an Insanity CPX. I shot a mule deer last year at 23 yards at a very steep downhill angle. I literally rolled the deer down the hill. Punched through one shoulder and half way through the other. I have a good feeling that if I hadn't shot at such a steep angle it would have been a pass through, but it looked like it deflected a little due to the angle on the offside shoulder. Anyway, they hit really hard. I'm only shooting a 100gr head as well. I think I have a good mix of weight and speed as of right now and am not planning on changing my setup anytime soon.

25contender · Jun 26, 2014

I am shooting 70# arrow wt 473gr A good combination for 28" draw.. 125gr Slicktrick broadhead.

RUTTIN · Jun 26, 2014

Shooting a Beman MFX 28 inches, 100 grain Slick Trick Magnum at 436 grains out of a Hoyt Faktor Turbo at 68 lbs. gives me plenty of speed and still have that down range punch. I like a heavier arrow for when maybe that shot wasn't quiet perfect and maybe you might get those few extra inches of penetration to make a difference.

ssliger · Jun 26, 2014

Shooting 80# with a 470 grain arrow. Works well for me.

Maxhunter · Jun 27, 2014

Draw weight 66Lbs.

I like my arrows to weigh about 400 to 425. Good flat trajectory and still hits hard.

RockChucker30 · Jun 29, 2014

I'm shooting a 72# Carbon Overdrive with 460 gr Easton FMJ's. My #1 arrow has passed thru two does and a bull elk.

Bonecollector · Jun 29, 2014

I'm the odd man out.

I shoot regularly and practice out to 150 yards, although I never attempt big game at said distance. It simply makes >80 yard shots feel like driving "push pins"

I did shoot a nice 10 pt at 53 yds and my doe at 67 yards this fall. Recovery was less than 50 yds. Additionally, my profile picture is a turkey I took this past turkey season at 74 yds.
I shoot a 29" Hoyt Spyder Turbo at 72lb. I shoot 355gr Easton Hexx sticks. Flatter trajectory for distance shooting, less "doping"/more accurate in hunting situations, and I've had nothing but pass throughs. Bumping the arrow weight up to about 385 would give me +1KE, but the speed drop would be 3-4fps so I've just left it as is for now. Yeah, I'm a numbers junky, but I do test the theories and use what works for me. When I go after elk (hope next year), I'll change this setup just a little.

ultramag · Jul 8, 2014

I'm shooting 525 grain (total arrow weight) out of PSE Omen, tipped with a 125 slick trick magnum.
It really hammers them!

sleepymoewi · Jul 8, 2014

Bonecollector:

What kind of site setup you use for the long distances? I've got a 7 pin from 30 to 90 but I suppose I could space farther. Don't know how much room I have to lower the set

micropterus79 · Jul 8, 2014

How fortuitous Husky started this thread. I just got my bow back from the shop a couple days ago after getting a brand spankin' new set of Winner's choice cables and strings. With that, my draw weight increased from around 58 lbs. up to 63 which is good except I was solidly within the 400 spine range and now I'm on the line betwen 400 and 350. I know most archers are going tell me to error on the side of a heavier spine and therefore a heavier arrow and I understand why but here is the problem; I can consistently put three broadheads in 3" x 3" sticky notes taped to my target at 20 and 30 yds and I never had to adjust anything from shooting field points so I am a little afraid to change anything at this point without hearing some compelling and practical reasons why.

Current set up: Bear archery domain, 63# dw, 27.5" arrows which are Victory V3's (400 spine) and 100 gr points (using monotech broadheads). All in all the arrow mass totals appx. 343 gr. All else being equal, a 350 spine will total about 359 gr. This is still quite a bit under what I am seeing on these other posts but I guess my arrow length and draw are shorter.

I wish I had some cool stories about how this set up has brought down some game but this is my first year archery hunting so I am seeking advice on whether or not to up the arrow mass/increase spine stiffness or leave well enough alone for now.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice on this one.

Bonecollector · Jul 9, 2014

If you're on the cusp in spine weight, you wil be fine with your current arrows. All things considered, spine is least important (in this case). I know some will argue, but I've done the testing.

Physics do not lie. Same is the case in arrow weight. You must find the point of diminishing return and your set.

Bonecollector · Jul 9, 2014

I use an HHA single pin (0.10). I am shooting out to 150 yds. I'd never taken game that far, but dropping dear at 75 yards is a "near knife fight". (in the correct situation)

sleepymoewi said:
Bonecollector:

What kind of site setup you use for the long distances? I've got a 7 pin from 30 to 90 but I suppose I could space farther. Don't know how much room I have to lower the set

Bonecollector · Jul 9, 2014

Just some data for discussion; everyone has their opinion on what works and why. I happen to like numbers and self testing.

Assuming a 30" draw set at 70lb, your packing 110 ft/lb of KE. NICE! However your speed is only 307 ft/sec. out of a 366 ft/sec bow.

Just a thought:
Reducing the arrow weight to 400 gr = 105 ft/lb KE with a speed of 344ft/sec (I'd use this arrow on anything bigger than a whitetail-diminishing return)
Reducing the arrow weight to 350 gr = 100 ft/lb KE with a speed of 359ft/sec (Give up too much KE for the speed on larger game like ELK)

(You can drive through any large game with a mere 66 ft/lb KE) All of the above arrows will do the job.

Theoretically, you could reduce arrow weight and increase speed, thus assist in shot estimation (as in flatter shooting). Also helpful at longer distances on those pesky antelope that won't stand still.
KE = speed * speed * weight (grains) / 450,240

Shot placement and a good broadhead are key. Arrows do not have a knock down factor...unless you spine an animal.

Looking forward to other's opinions and why. I'm always wanting to learn to become better.

ultramag said:
I'm shooting 525 grain (total arrow weight) out of PSE Omen, tipped with a 125 slick trick magnum.
It really hammers them!

ultramag · Jul 9, 2014

Not a numbers junkie, but I know that I have center punched a rib on a mature bull at 80 yards & got a complete pass thru & quick kill.
I also shot much better groups when I switched to the heavy setup.
This is just what I've found works best for me where I hunt.
(It was a lot of fun though with my lighter setup target shooting at 150 yards !)

25contender · Jul 9, 2014

Here is a simple KE calculator for those that are interested.

http://www.1728.org/energy.htm

Arrow Weight Preference?

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