Will the arrows I use for whitetails be OK for hogs, too? I'm OK with overall mass weight (I think) at +/- 10GPP. Correct me, if I'm wrong.
My main inquiry is in footing. Is this a good idea (I've never attempted this)? Needed?
I'm shooting a 52# (@ my DL) recurve.....arrow weight (total) is 524gr.
Don't want to take a knife to a gun fight.
I'm certainly no expert Jeff, but I've killed a few and I've learned a bit about arrow performance along the way. Doc Ashby and I don't agree on everything, but I have found his comments regarding arrow mass to hold true no matter what broadhead you choose. First, I would recommend shooting what you are best with and tuned as good as you can, weight would be a second consideration. Second, I like arrows that are 630+ gr for pigs (and most everything else now too). I have never had an arrow above this magic (for me) number fail on anything. Just seems hard to stop that weight and anything heavier. At least 75-80% of the shots I've ever had at hogs were 15yds or under...arrow weight is not an issue at that yardage, imo. Third, footing can't hurt but I don't think it's needed. Any arrow I've ever broken was broken by the hog rolling or running through brush/trees, not at the end from impact that footings protect. Fourth, low and forward!
Go get 'em.
Yes they will do. No need for footing on hunting arrows. The only thing I would recommend is more weight up front on your arrow. Another 100grs would be even better. The shields on big boars are tough. Using your current set up I'd only take a perfect angling forward shot at a real big one. You don't mention broadhead choice, I like good 2 blade for maximum penetration.
what jc just posted fits the hog killin bill to a T.
practice good shot placement.
use a really sharp cut-on-contact broadhead.
use as much arrow weight as your accuracy can handle.
go get 'em!
That is more than enough arrow weight for any size hog you are likely to run into in our part of the world. jmo
No footing needed.
That depend on what '@ my DL' is.....no if its 24 inches, yes if its 29.
What Bhead you planning on using would also help.
When and where ya going?
Stick with the arrow that you shoot the best. Hogs have a small kill zone and you have to hit it or you will probably loose it. Shoot straight up the leg on a broadside shot. Good luck.
Sorry for not giving all the pertinent info.
Terry....my DL is 28-3/4".
I'm already going to purchase silver flames for my CO elk hunt. So, I will be shooting them for hogs, also.
T - I'm talking to Ray, right now (emailing). I'm not "sure" I can pull it off. But, I'm looking at springtime (this).
Thanks for your help, guys.
I love Silver Flames, but I would save them for elk. Any good 2 blade - STOS - Magnus etc will be plenty for hawgs.
I really like arrows with EFOC since I had great results with 55/75 Gold Tips with 50gr brass inserts and a 200gr Muzzy phantom up front. Total arrow weight was 535 grains and i had complete pentration on two big sows and about 10 inches of arrow sticking out of a 130lb boar after going through both shields. I would have even went heavier but since these were flying so well I didn't want to play with another arrow setup.
It will be shot placement that will make a difference. See Terrys thread. Shot Placement (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=084174)
Be warned more then a few have seen the perfect flight of the arrow smack the shield of a bog ol nasty boar to see only a couple of inches of penetration. Hog are tough.
RE: the EFOC/More weight up-front......
As much as I love hunting (my main focus), I also love traditional 3D. I've found I love the flight I get with 10GPP arrows.
I see this (personal opinion....and I could certainly be swayed) as a POSITIVE (shooting ONE arrow) all throughout the year. I never have to give elevation a second thought.
Just my way of thinking...........currently.
Jeff.....now with the rest of the info(DL and Silver Flames)....no worries, you don't need a thing...but to get close and close the deal. You are there.
I also hear ya on consitency of equipment and flight path. Confidence in what you already know also means a lot.
Best of luck...and let us know when you are going to Rays.
QuoteOriginally posted by GMMAT:
RE: the EFOC/More weight up-front......
As much as I love hunting (my main focus), I also love traditional 3D. I've found I love the flight I get with 10GPP arrows.
I see this (personal opinion....and I could certainly be swayed) as a POSITIVE (shooting ONE arrow) all throughout the year. I never have to give elevation a second thought.
Just my way of thinking...........currently.
i still think yer main concerns will be shot placement, sharp coc broadhead, as heavy an arra as you'll feel confident shooting those good shot placements.
i hit a hog in what i saw as the perfect spot at the front leg joint, about a 15 yard shot, with a 585gr arrow, 55# bow (firefly), razor sharp snuffer up front, and it only went in maybe 6-8", lots of blood on the road, lost pig. terry found the arra ...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/snuff1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/rfdee/archery/snuff2.jpg)
Since you hit the right spot your combo is enough,but for hog i prefere anyway a heavier arrow.If you hit the wrong spot i guess that footing 2 blade etc. could not be enough,but once again too many variabilities.
Seems to be a lot of good info added.I`ll add some too.As most all have said its more important where you hit them. Most lost "double lunged" hogs were hit to high.If your hitting him high enough in the sheild you need single bevel 700 grain arrows your probably much to high to start with.Shoot for his elbow in the pocket and you`ll get him. I`ve shot mostly Magnus I heads from bows around 52@27 with around 600 grains arrow weight for years and can`t blame any critter I`ve lost on lack of penetration but on poor shot placement.Truth is the biggest boar in the swamp probably only has a chest thats 14" thick.Most 10 or less.RC
I agree with Hunt it. Silver Flames are pretty fancy to be used on a nasty ole hawg. Any sharp two blade put in the right spot will do the trick. Save the S.F.'s for the elk...
For your bow I recommend one of the nano tube 400 grain carbons with a VPA terminator up front razor sharp in the 250-300 grain range (Bare shaft tune until very slightly spine weak). I have shot a boat load of hogs with carbon, AL, and woodies and most glue on heads. Snuffers are great heads, but even with a 77# bow penetration can be a challenge on the big guys. Anything magnus works well and I just killed 2 with a 200 grain grizz el grande last week, however a three blade is better medicine on single stomach animals like bear and hogs. So that is my recomend high FOC and long narrow head for penetration and 3 blades for more damage and better blood. Second choice BH would be magnus II four blade.
If you want woodies see surewood tapered douglas fir from archery past. Heavy and really slam home.
This thread is making me realize that my arrow selection may be a little on the light side. I have been shooting some Carbon Express Maxima 250's cut to 28", with 245 grain head up front, for a total weight of 495 grains. This being shot out of a 60" Mojostik, 54@27, and I draw 27". I am considering getting some Maxima 350's cut to about 29", with 260 grains STOS up front for a total arrow weight of about 555 grains. For you more experienced hog hunters out there, I would really love to have one arrow that does it all. Oh yeah, the FOC on both of these is above 22% due to their light GPI. Any thoughts are appreciated. Mark
QuoteOriginally posted by flatlander37:
This thread is making me realize that my arrow selection may be a little on the light side. I have been shooting some Carbon Express Maxima 250's cut to 28", with 245 grain head up front, for a total weight of 495 grains. This being shot out of a 60" Mojostik, 54@27, and I draw 27". I am considering getting some Maxima 350's cut to about 29", with 260 grains STOS up front for a total arrow weight of about 555 grains. For you more experienced hog hunters out there, I would really love to have one arrow that does it all. Oh yeah, the FOC on both of these is above 22% due to their light GPI. Any thoughts are appreciated. Mark
imho,
10gpp is the minimum magic number, so yeah, a 555 grain arra for sure.
holding at 55#, i'm shooting 645 grain arras - quiet and smooth on the release, and the penetration is much more than a 500+ grain arra.
Flatlander, I believe you'll need a heck of a lot more weight up front than that with the 350's.
Heck, I bet you could bump up your point weight on the 250's and get where you need to be.
That's stiff for a 28" arrow out of a 54# bow...just food for thought.
I think what most guys don't realize it that for "most" hogs, any regular ol' deer hunting arrow will work just fine.
Young boars and most any sow will be pretty easy to shoot thru if hit where they're supposed to be hit.
So in 90% of hog hunting situations, you can get away with "normal" equipment.
BUT....
If you ever get a chance at a big, tough, mature boar hog, you'll appreciate every pound of bow weight, and every grain of arrow you're shooting!
Hog hunting by nature is a very up close and personal hunt. So a good, heavy arrow is always best....just in case a big ol' boar hog shows up.....
Curt, I thought that I would need to load the front more also, but my Mojostik is cut past center or at center, and bareshafts good with that setup. It wouldn't really hurt my feelings if I had to go to 285 grains up front on the 350's either, though. Thanks for the input from Rob and yourself.
All this time I've been killing em with 125 grain heads. Whoa is me.........
QuoteOriginally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
All this time I've been killing em with 125 grain heads. Whoa is me.........
you tell 'em, mr big! :bigsmyl:
Big buddy,
That's why I said "a good heavy arrow"....I think some are getting way too carried away with "foc"(not saying it doesn't help)...Heavy arrows no matter how they're weighted have been killing critters for a long time!
How much do those long 350's that you shoot weigh anyway? About 40" ain't they? :notworthy:
Big Redneck...everyone don`t have a 32" draw.RC
They only weigh about 500gr with the head.
I use them like skewers and try to line them up 2 or 3 deep. I never get passthrus that way 8-(
Just a Question, Ever held a 50gr or 100gr brass insert or point? Not alot there, I Fully understand all the numbers (100gr is 20% of a 500gr arrow) At times I find it real hard to understand that an extra 50gr will make or brake the outcome. I'm no expert on this, just thinking out loud....I'm off to hunt Hogs at 7th age place in Texas, my set up is 54# Recurve @29, 510gr arrow with 225 up front (21%foc) super sharp 4 bld stinger. This set up flys perfect and the bow is quite. Now my head hurts from all this thinking......
Don't sweat it Mark(I know you've changed bh's at least 3 times in the last few months in anticipation of your trip), you'll be just fine with that arrow...in the end it's all about putting the arrow where it needs to be bud...bottom line
:thumbsup:
I like a lighted nock. they are kinda of a pain to use. I select smaller pigs so I can handle them by myself and I have a mile or so pack out. For samller pig I use a rather light bow. arrow is 10 ggp but because of the draw weight is still light for big pigs.
For big pigs even with very good shot placement nothing replaces draw and arrow weight.
for lighter draw bows with lighter weight arrow on smaller pigs, nothing replaces shot placement. when i was having some neck and shoulder issues I shot two 50#ers with a 28# draw and alloy arrows 12 ggp.
Only thing more fun than pig hunter is calling in elk. :) . Pigs were made for bow hunting (IMO)
rusty
Mark,sometime we make too much Philosophy and few hunting.Do you think woman and boys can't kill them with their equipments?
28" Carbon Express 250, lighted nock, Eclipse 125 double bevel bh. 57# @28 SAX. I'm at 516gr by my calcs.
How many grains/in is that? Just shy of 10?
Am I too light?
Here's my calculations:
Approximate Arrow Weight Calculator:
CXH 250 Shaft Weight per inch (grains): 11
Arrow Shaft Length (inches): 28
Point Weight (grains): 125
Insert Weight + BH adapter Weight (grains): 43
Lumenok Weight (grains): 19
Number of Fletchings: 3
Fletch Weight per Fletch (grains): 4
9" Wrap Weight (grains): 9
Approx. Arrow Weight Total grains : 516 grains