i shoot about 38 lbs at my draw length and have had to put 200grains up front to get full length 1535 or 600 carbons to tune. This gives me a 490plus grain arrow and about 12.5 grs per pound. I hunt whitetail and have had good results w this combo, but also shoot 3d and stumps. Would I realize benefits from going to 9-10gpp or should I stick w the current set up? Just not sure if going lighter wouldn't be more efficient in terms of flattening trajectory etc. for hunting I've kept my shots within 15 yds.
if you can hit what your aiming at, its good.
12.5 is fine. A lighter arrow would give you a flatter trajectory but less penetration, at least in theory and I believe for real. Regardless of draw weight, I want at least a 500 gr arrow. 490 is close enuf.
Physics says,"Yes, it will flatten the trajectory." Common sense says, " If it ain't broke, don't fix it." :biglaugh:
Your setup is likely not on the heavy side for hunting whitetails with 38#s.
Nope, not too much. I'm in a similar boat and shoot about the same set up, and it works, twice last year.
If the 3D's are in your comfort range then like others said leave well enough alone. If you are going to shoot longer ranges, over say 25 yards you might consider lighter arrows. Unless the shoot is sanctioned the ranges may vary. Then there is the joker that puts a skunk at 35 yards!
I use lighter arrows for 3D. I do practice about a month with my hunting arrows before season.
I have shot 3D with 15gpp arrows...there is no such thing as a flat shooting bow...only flatter
DDave
To a large degree, its all what you are keyed in to shooting with. Too heavy? Not at all for deer. Im shooting right now a 44 lb longbow, 860 gr arrow, with 26% FOC... thats 19.5 GPP. I havent changed my "aim" (instinctive ) point of impact at all out to 20 yards.....I think you are good.
For 3D, with shots longer than normal hunting range, I think you would see a benefit. For hunting, I think you would see results less positive than with the heavier arrow, esp at that low of a draw weight.
Bisch
What's your point on distance? If it's hunting or common 3D ranges I would stay stuck with it. Mines literally 60 yards, gives me fits occasionaly at close range, but I have a long draw, and shoot heavy bows, so I have trouble getting enough spine to get to 9gpp and tune acceptably.
No, mine is 12.7gpp.
What kind of bow do you have? I pull about 37-38# and shoot the same arrows, but I have 175gr up front. Been struggling a bit with tuning...
For hunting I like heavy - the moose in my avatar was taken with a mid-50s longbow and 750 gr. arrow. I shoot everything with my hunting setups for the practice it provides. Not very competitive in 3D.
I have shot deer with 42lbs and 500 grain 11/32 woodies 12gpp and got pass thrus.
I shot 3 deer and 1 turkey last year with 40lb on the nose and 410 grain GT trad 15/35 with 150 grain snuffers all pass thrus from 4-19 yards.
This year I am shooting 44lbs with a 400 grains that is 9gpp
What I have found that at 9gpp I can shot 25-30 yards, it shots flatter and I really like that,
Not gonna run around looking for long range shots, but if situation was ideal I could mark that shot.
I'd say ur good unless u maybe want to shot a tad further lighter might help u there.
It's hard 2 build a 400-425 grain arrow for 40lb bows, and still shoot decent weight up front.
I wound up getting some gold tip entrada so I can still shoot 150 plus up front.
They are a good arrow and priced right, they are lighter in the correct spines
12.5 will help a lot with hunting penetration.My setups are 13-14.Trajectory though,is a personal preference thing.You won't notice much difference 20 yds and under but you will see a difference beyond that.
My brain isn't good at switching back and forth so I have one arrow setup per bow and all have pretty much the same trajectory.
Trond my bow is a Toelke Whip. Thanks all for your input. This set up has been working for me and it sounds like many of you shoot similar gpps. Sometimes my inclination to tweak and change things can lead to chasing my tail... I'll keep using this combo--- longer shots for me are 30-35 3d and I am learning them. For hunting I stick to CLOSE shots and you are right---weight is a good thing.
Thanks again.
I like the flatter trajectory with arrows right around 500. But there is nothing wrong with shooting heavier as long as your shots are closer.
I'd say no! I'm running 11.5 gpp this year
The challenge remains in selecting the responses that appear most logical and performing your own testing verses just selecting a response that appears to match what you wish to hear.
There is no substitute in knowing the lethality of your own particular setup for a particular application.
The quarry we pursue deserves nothing short of our best effort.
My wife is in the same basic boat, lowering arrow weight for 3d immensely helped her score where she is having to shoot shots farther than what she would take hunting. She is about to win the buckle series at our club, last shoot is Saturday, after that she is going back to her hunting arrows and sticking to shots at hunting range.