I am new to archery and bowhunting; have been practicing now for a little more than a year.
About 3 months ago I hurt my shoulder and realized that I was developing poor form from shooting too heavy of bows (45#-50#). I have really long arms and I wasn't getting proper alignment or full draw. I finally, talked to Dan Toelke and got a 66" Whip that is 43# at my 31" draw. It has been tough rebuilding my form from the ground up but I have improved greatly in accuracy.What a difference!
I want to (try) spring turkey, deer season, and wild pigs in the fall or winter. I have been doing a lot of messing around with bareshafts and point weight to try to get the best flight. So far the best I have found is full length(31.5") ICS Bowhunter 500s with 250 or 300gn fieldpoints. Total arrow weight is 525-575gn.
What do you guys think of this setup? I know it seems like a stiff spine and a heavy arrow for the poundage I am shooting. But I have been shooting a lot of bareshafts from 5-20yds and they group right with my fletched arrows.
I already know that I like heavy arrows and I am fine with the trajectory(part of my problem is that the weaker spined shafts often come in too short of lengths for my draw)
I already have some VPA 3-blade "terminators" and 2-blade "penetrators" that I am thinking of using with this setup. So I am looking for advice or opinions on whether or not I should try to hunt Turkey, Deer, and wild pig with this setup.
Thanks for the help!
The setup sounds good to me with your 31 inch draw for all species you plan on hunting.
For the hogs I would lean toward the 575 grain arrow and the 2 blade head.
Ditto on Steelheads comment. You're going to pick up some efficiency with your longer power stroke. Also, using front loaded, high front of center (light overall arrow and heavy point) carbon set up gains you major penetration points compared to the same bow with wood arrow of 550 grains and 125 grain point.
I'd agree. If your arrows are properly tuned to you bow then that's what matters, plus you'll be fine with that heavier arrow.
I have taken plenty of game w/ sub 45lb bows, and I have a 26" draw!! Your fine. Here's what 44@ 26" can do w/ a wood arrow @ 500gr and an foc of only 10%. Complete penetration.
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh236/Prairiedrifter/hunting/Picture019.jpg)
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh236/Prairiedrifter/hunting/Picture018.jpg)
Look at my signature for the poundage and arrow weights I bowhunt with using my two recurves.
They both get the job done with ease on the animals which I hunt and those are whitetail deer, javelina and small feral hogs.
I have a long draw and it is amazing what a long arrow will do to weaken spine. If it is shooting well and, it sounds like it is, I would think go for it. Confidence seems to produce more than #'s when it comes to kills.
I have wondered about my set-up, especially if I were to go after elk, and these threads help me out. Especially the guys who post pictures of what they've done with their lighter set-ups (the proof is in the pudding).
I draw 31", and shoot a 48# @ 31" bow these days, with a 600+ grain arrow. It's so nice and easy to shoot, but doesn't pack all the heat that a 60-pounder does.
With the heavier points, I don't believe the long 500's are too stiff. Setup sounds right to me and should be plenty for the game you are after.
you'll be saying "dang, i don't think that arrow even slowed down when it zipped through that deer!"
43 @ 31", you'll probably get as much juice outa that as someone doing 50 @ 28. Not to much I wouldnt be scared to shoot with that!
Eric
41@28 thunder child draw is 31 and shooting beman mfx 500 shafts with lots of point weight ( you wouldn't believe if I told you ). Total weight over 800 grs also shoot this from my 42 and 45 lb bows .
Thanks for all the input guys. It's good to hear that my setup should be fine for what I'm looking to hunt.
Now I just need to practice my ass off so that I can do my part and put the BH where it needs to go!