I'm currently shooting Woodsman 150 gr Broadheads for whitetail hunting. I have a trip to northern ontario this september to moose hunt. I'm shooting 3555 Goldtip out of my Acadian recurve that is 50# at my draw length (29 3/4"). I get great arrow flight with the combination.
Should i switch to a two blade broadhead or is the 3 bladed woodsman a good head for moose?
Thanks in advance.
Michael
Sharp 2-blade
I'd look at the Aboywer Brown Bears.
Like the Legend says:)
Maybe and Abowyer Brown Bear or something like it nice and sharp?
I think I'd stick with a Woodsman or Razorcap personally... Might even go with a Snuffer 125 or 160... I'd probably use one of my 73# / 74# Cougars with my 75/95 Goldtips and any of the heads weighted to 200 grains. I'd be willing to bet that broadhead would be out if not sticking in the dirt out the other side. If I were to use one of my 60# - 65# Shawnees I'd opt for a 2-blade. Probably a Silver Flame DS or XL, Magnus 1, or Zephyr Sasquatch. I like the looks of the new Centaur heads but haven't tried them as of yet... If I were forced to go with my lighter Cougar (55#) I'd probably use the Steel Force 2-blades I have.
So, long story short, I'd probably go with a narrowish 2-blade if I were in your situation and had moose on the agenda... Magnus Stinger, Steel Force, Silver Flame, STOS, Grizzly to name a few, but there are others.
I have never hunted moose, but with your setup I think a Woodsman would make him want to lay down and take a nap. Hap
The set-up that worked great for me was a two blade that a good friend of mine makes that has the same profile as a grizzly, a douglas fir barrel taperd shaft,5 1/2" feathers for a grand total wieght of 675 gr and out of a 68# longbow it did the trick. Hope this helps.
I've used 3 blades for all my moose hunts. I got a pass through on one and plenty of penetration for the others. I think you'll be fine with your set up.
The last two I shot I used woodsmans on a 55/75 gold tip, 50# widow. One passed through and the other went into the feathers and turned his lungs to jello as he ran away. Neither made it more than 100 yards before they were done.
USe a bowweight your comfortable shooting accurately, razorsharp 2 or 3 blade.....put the arrow where it needs to be and enjoy some moose steaks!
Stick with the Woodsmen! I was planning a moose hunt for this fall, unfortuanately it fell through, I was planning on using the WW.
Couple of reasons why,
1-It flies beautiful
2-It is the head I can get VERY VERY sharp.
3-Many very large animals have fallen to this head (moose, buffalo, eland, etc)
4-I have killed many deer with the WW and had great penetration.
Just my two cents
chris <><
Make sure you piramid the tip and use the set up you have. If they fly great with what you have stay with it and take a good shot.
You are confident in your set up for deer so the moose is just a big deer.
Tim
Thanks for the input!
your good, sharp and in the right spot is the key....,
from the sounds of it your arrow may be too light..most agree that game of that size require arrows that weigh about 600 gr...give or take.
What's the best way to up my arrow weight?
I'm arond 434 best i guess.
434 = 150 broadhead + 8.6 gr/in * 30 inches (i shoot full length arrow + 14.6 grs (insert)+ 11 gr (knock).
so whats the best way to get to 600 without affecting spine and arrow flight?
Michael
Sounds like we have almost identical set ups. You probably can't add weight to your present arrows (35/55) without effecting spine and flight characteristics. I went with the heavier 55/75s and weight loaded the tips with 150 gr and left them at 30.5 inches long to soften the spine a little. They weigh in at 490 grains. It is all you need. Moose are not all that tough if you punch them in the chest. Like I said earlier I got a pass through with wensels and the above set up, using a 50#@30 widow at 33 yards. You will be fine with a 500 grain set up.
Bill - thanks for the info. I was hoping not to have to buy another dozen arrows. But if i have to i will.
Has anyone used the weight tubes that 3 rivers sells? Do they change spine?
Michael
I'd go with something close to what Coaster500 has. I haven't shot moose but I have shot buffalo. The outfitter in Australia doesn't even allow 3 blade heads on trad gear for buff. Abowyer (as well as lots of the other 2 blade, single bevel heads) I believe will be your best bet.
A number of years ago I read about Bob Morrison experimenting with upping carbon arrow weight by adding weight to the front end. Nowadays it's referred to as EFOC. I tried it and found that his premiss that this increased penetration held true for me. Ever since then I have been shooting arrows with 200-225 grains of weight up front. I did the same for my wife who shoots only 45# and she shoots thru everything she has killed so far and she uses four blade Phantoms. If you are willing to put a little time into it I would go with a stiffer arrow with a heavier weight on the point end. I am not sure you need to change your broadhead as shot placement is what is going to make the biggest difference in outcome. There are lots of ways to get the point weight up, the easiest being using the 100 grain bh adapters available from 3Rivers or Morrison. I would also go with a skinny shaft like the Axis, Beman MFX or Full Metal Jacket and for your set up I think the 400 spine would be suitable. If any thing you may have to add a bit more weight in the front but that would only enhance penetration....not a bad thing. You have plenty of time to get ready so have fun. No matter what you wind up with a straight flying hunting arrow should trump all other considerations...even if the arrow seems a bit on the light side. A poor flying heavy arrow will disappoint you. Most important consideration is accuracy and scary sharp broadheads.
When all is said and done...
A 2 blade head will out-penetrate a 3 blade head on the same hit (assuming like-sized heads). With moose, it's all about penetration. Act accordingly.
Does the WW fly well in your setup?
If it does, don't even ask the question. If you still need that reassurance, check the replies from the AK gangers......my guess is, if they bothered to reply, they have used them multiple times (nice place to live - moose country).
I believe folks fret entirely too much about whether or not this broadhead or that broadhead is more appropriate for this species or that species.......any well made broadhead these days that will actually fly well and tune with your setup will no doubt take most game that one would be willing to fling an arrow at.
Any broadhead NOT in that category is probably a marketing ploy designed for the wheelie bow crowd that seems more concerned with what the advertisement claims and how it looks than if it will actually kill something.
Back in 1980 when I shot my moose in Canada, I used a 55# Wing Comp II, 2117 arrow, Zwickey Eskimo broadhead,he piled up at less than 100 yds,
tatersalad,
If you want to up yourtotal arrow weight and do not want to fuss with another set of arrows, then fill those 35/55 with either a 2gr. or 3gr. weight tube.
I have not had weight tubes effect spine with my setups.
If you do want to fuss with all new arrows, then I would recommand the 55/75 with 100gr. inserts.
chris <><
Check out the new Centaur broadheads. Watch the video on his website. You will be impressed. I bought 3 of them to try out and they are tough,cut a huge hole and sharpen well.
The broadhead sounds o.k., but I would switch to a heavier arrow. Beman MFX 400, around 30.5" with 100 grain brass insert. That would get your arrow wieght up nicely and should fly well out of your set-up.
Adding weight to Gold Tips the inexpensive easy way...
50' of 1/8" poly rope from fall apart Mart is less than $3.00... 50' will do a bunch of arrows.
Cut to length (remember to subtract the insert and nock lengths inside the shaft) melt the ends to prevent fraying and insert.
I've used this method for years and the rope at least for me has never messed with my tuned arrow spine. Adds right at 100 grains to my 28" arrows.
Quick and easy..
John III
You'll be fine. Use what you have confidence in. I've shot four with 3-blade (two with Snuffers, two with Woodsman)and one with a STOS. None have gone more than 70 yds.
Sounds like the weight tubes or Fall Apart Mart solution will be the best for me. I've always struggeled with getting good arrow flight and for whatever reason...if i use the typical weight charts i don't get good arrow flight...i've really pulled my hair out trying to understand why my arrow flight doesnt match the recommend arrow weights. All i know is that for some reason the 3555's fly great in my 45 lb Zipper and 50 lb Acadian woods bow..and that i hate to mess with a good combo!
My WW do fly great but you guys got me second guessing on the 2 blade broadhead...i definately agree 2 will out penatrate 3 any day. Guess i'll have to experiment with different heads to see if i get good flight with 2 blade broadheads...been a while since i shot my 2 blade Zwickey and Magnus heads. From my memory the arrow flight was not as good as the 3 blade WW for me. Could have been a result of bad arrow spine match with my bow.
Doing a little more research on the Ontario bowhunting regulations it appears that the requried draw weight is 48.5lb draw weight at 27.6 inches or less. The metric units are 22kg at 700mm.
I think my bow is going to just miss it! I'm guessing they don't consider draw length in the analysis becaues a bow hunter could fake a long draw lenght to get above the pound weight number.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Its obvious at my draw length i would be shooting more weight than someone shooting a 48.5 lb at 27.6 inches....but the way i read the regulations it doesn't allow for draw length consideration.
Thanks
michael
Michael:
I hunted Moose in Ontario last Fall and read the regulations just the way you do -- I do not think they consider the fact that you draw the bow further than 27.6 inches. I was using a bow marked 47# at 28" but I draw 30". As a result, I used a heavier bow so I didnt run into a problem. I am not sure how they would ever check it in the field but I didnt want there to be any question as to whether my setup was legal.
Looks like its time for a new bow :) If it is sharp and flies well AND you have confidence in the set up, don't change it. Make a good shot from a reasonable distance with a sharp head and eat well.
I've killed a lot of moose. I prefer a heavy arrow and use a two blade.
Nooooooooooooo new bows! My wife would file for a divorce for sure...i definately can't afford that!
Ken - thanks for the advise...i'm definately adding weight...just got to play with the 2 blade broadheads to find the right ones!
Looks like I'm off to have my bow pulled to 27.6 inches to see what poundage i'm at! I'm guessing I'm going to be a pound or two low for Ontario's regulations.
What would you guys do....hunt with the 50 pound bow at 29 1/2 inches and risk being caught for being under by a couple pounds...really kind of stupid rule if you ask me...but rules are rules! Or would you follow the rules and pick another bow from your stable?
I'm torn...i waited about 9 months to get my new Acadian Woods bow built specifically for this trip....and i may be forced to leave it at home....that's not fair (yeah who said life is fair...i know i know). It's like asking the homecoming queen to the prom, her telling you yes and than taking your sister!!!
Michael
Michael; get your arrow weight up to 500 gr. and you will be fine with the WW and 50# Bow !! Good luck!
Stay with the woodsman and sufficient arrow weight or consider the new solid 1 pc terminator/woodsman.
Tater, I think moose were invented to be hunted with a longbow. Can you shoot a longbow?
If you can, I have a couple with a little more weight that I'll loan you to try. The last guy I loaned one to killed four elk with it. They just hang on the peg, otherwise.
Mark U
Thanks for the offer...i've shot and made several longbows and find i shoot better with a curve. I do have one heavier curve...just hate to draw back anything greater than 50 pounds.
Thanks again for the fine offer...4 elk...almost consider borrowing one just for the mojo that you got on them bows!
Michael
tatersalad.............sent you a pm!
The carbon express heritage 150's are the same spine and weigh 10 GPI. I think you would be right on the money weight wise if you wanted to be closer to 500 grains or 10gpp setup.
Bob
I would contact them directly with the question.
In the yukon they allow this:
Bowhunting
When hunting big game with a bow, hunters must use a bow having a draw weight
of at least 20 kg (45 lbs) at your draw length, and must use broadhead arrows at
least 710 mm (28 in.) in length.
This is what I am trying to change below - GIVE ME A BREAK - is there a ARMOUR PLATED BISON OUT THERE...
Bison hunters are not permitted to hunt with a bow.
I am sure it would be tough to hunt them with JUST A BOW.
Well what about a bow and ARROW you idiots
Sorry - we have so much game up here that you can't hunt unless you have a permit (draw) or trappers licence.
Heck you have to win a lottery to buy land.
One of the draw backs, but I am working on it
jer Bear
jer bear - Thanks for the advice...I think I'll give them a call. Based on my last experience they were helpful but not very informative. I also kind of hate to hear the answer...you know what they say...forgiveness is easier to get than permission!
Michael