I just scored 3 dozen 520's and was wondering if anyone has had good results on big game such as Elk with these?
Since the are 7.1 gpi, I am adding 3R weight tubes at 5 gpi, with about 160 upfront, to get the total arrow weight to about 525.
I will be hunting with a DAS Daala, 55@28", drawn to 27", or about 52 lbs. with Magnus heads.
Is this rig suitable in your opinion?
Maybe you could cut them shorter and put a heavier insert/broadhead combo up front. I believe that a higher FOC provides more impact to penetration than the weight tubes. Maybe do both. At 52 lbs I would want to go heavier myself.
With the right RAZOR sharp broadhead and precise placement, you will have no problem. As for me, I really like an arrow in the 650 range for elk, as well as a two blade head. I feel that it gives me a better chance of getting through ribs and other bones that may be encountered. Stay away from the shoulder obviously, and you should be ok
I used the 360 Redlines with a total of 285 grains up front and a total weight of 540 grains for a Red Stag this March. Complete pass through at 33 yards. I was shooting a DAS at 56#,183fps and 40#KE @ 29". I think you are OK with your set-up. You might want to check your fps and calculate the KE. I don't like to go under 40# but that is just personal..
Get a copy of Dave Petersen's book "A Man Made of Elk". There is a good discussion in there regarding Dave's vast experience with elk and trad bows. Bottom line, he agrees with Brackshooter. Arrow mass means more than velocity.
Thanks everyone.
Java Man, as a matter of fact, I just bough Dave's book and will look forward to this chapter.
It's an excellent read, as is just about everything he writes! I would agree from my experience, heavy, heavy, and scary sharp two blade. My elk set up is 710 grains, FOC 25%, grizzly head out of a 56 pound longbow.
Had no trouble last year with a 52#DAS, 2 blade SF, and a 420 gr arrow.
Steve
It's always good to throw an equipment question out there when in doubt, although I'd like to make a couple of observations. The general consensus among experienced bowhunters is virtually unchanged; shot placement, a reasonably well designed sharp broadhead, and the animal's "body attitude" have a great deal to do with the ultimate outcome of a shot in the field. Some current writings attempt to point guys in specific directions when it comes to things like broadhead design, however, those conclusions are based substantially upon wound channels created in dead animal carcasses which obviously have their limitations. Traditional bowhunting is, and I believe should remain, a relatively simple and creative sport, resisting over analysis of equipment which really should be personal choice - within realistic limits. "Data" can be an interesting read but should always be taken with a grain of salt as this is hardly a sure science. I believe more emphasis should be placed on developing overall hunting and shooting skills which lead to a greater sense of personal accomplishment and ultimate success in the field. Don't forget woodsmanship!! As far as arrow setup, I personally lean toward the opinions of bowhunters who have had consistant success hunting a wide variety of critters in "the real world". There are many different arrow-broadhead combos that have proven lethal on the deadliest of game, in fact, a lady friend of mine recently put a Cape Buffalo down after a short 70 yard sprint shooting the smallest of the Simmons Sharks. Shot placement was once again a key element. Remember, develop woodmanship and shooting skills first and you will have a real sense of accomplishment!
Thanks Gary, words to live by and appreciated greatly.
Good luck in your quest to figure out what works best FOR YOU. It certainly won't be your last will it? The setup you describe can cleanly take just about anything you'll likely come up against providing you get close and put the business end of the arrow in the right place . . . some things never change;^)
Well said Gary - we have excellent results with all of the simmons heads - I like to see woodsmans & razorcaps too - and all of them on arrows that shoot straight - medium/heavy weights.
Later<><