I have a mental block about hunting with arrows under 500 grains. I just recently realized my draw length is only about 26.5" so that puts my draw weight at 47 to 48 lbs on my bows. I'm just curious if my arrows will get good penetration on hogs if they are 470 grains for my longbow and 490 grains on my recurve and tune perfectly. Thanks in advance, Jeff.
The "rule of thumb" is 10gpp it sounds like you are right in there, again another "rule of thumb" is don't go below 8gpp because it is said to be bad on bows.
yada yada yada what is important especially on hogs is to be aware of the location of it's shoulder shield, plus a Hogs heart is a little lower than a Deers heart.best shot on a hog is in his "armpit" when broadside.
I forgot to add I shoot 60# bows but draw right at 57 to 58lbs, and my arrows are right around 500 give or take a couple.
I shoot 475 grn arrows out of my 55lb bows and my 58lb and 60lb bow. all get good flight. But I like a fast arrow for what I hunt. I think your fine.
No, but that is a product of shooting bows in the mid to upper 60# range. You should be fine.
I shoot 480-500 gr cedars out of my 50# Hill. Excellent cast and penetration.
If the arrow flying straight, it will be up the broad head. Just pick one that will do a deep number on a nasty pig and have at it.
So judging by the picture under you're name with what appears to be a 300# hog. I'm guessing you already are getting good enough penetration. :archer:
It never hurts to have a heavier arrow and it's very easy to do with carbon shafts. Or just get some woodies!!
A well tuned arrow and good release results in a straight flying arrow. That does a lot to help with penetration. Momentum is not lost as with an arrow that hits at an angle. You can also go to a thinner arrow shaft to cut down on resistance as it passes through.
I don't hunt hogs but I can't see where your rigs would not do the job nicely.
Arrows under 500 grains can't kill anything but bunnies ! :knothead: :laughing:
ChuckC
Actually that hog in my profile pic is the only thing I've ever shot with an arrow less than 550 grains. I shot it with my old longbow a couple years ago with a 495 grain arrow. The lighter arrows shoot great but I just have to get it into my head that they will do the job. Thanks, Jeff
The whole group I hang with hunt everything from hogs to deer to elk to buffalo with arrows from 380-410 grains... with 41-46 lb bows to boot. Sinners... all of us.
470 grains out of my 45# longbow,10.4gpp
QuoteOriginally posted by manitou1:
The whole group I hang with hunt everything from hogs to deer to elk to buffalo with arrows from 380-410 grains... with 41-46 lb bows to boot. Sinners... all of us.
You are all doomed. LOL.
I would love to see some pictures of elk and buffalo killed with arrows in this weight range. "Shoot what you like and like what you shoot" is what I say.
I know many folks who hunt with arrows 400-500. Not all of them will confess their sins in a post though.
My arrows are 470 - 570 gr from 51 - 57# bows
Jeff,
If it's not broke don't look for a fix. You are one of the best shots that I have ever met. Your arrows are well tuned and we both know that you can put them where they need to be :)
That's just my 2 cents worth... Remember trophy hogs weigh around 80lbs :thumbsup:
Thanks Ben. I hope to try out my new setup on some hogs this weekend.
The first 3 deer I killed with a bow were with a carbon arrow and a 100g broadhead... I'm sure that arrow(same for all 3)was way less then 450g. When I got "serious" about bowhunting I learned my arrows weren't heavy enough to hunt with..... :knothead:
Too light for my taste, but if shot placement is right on, then you will have no issues. I have a 26.5 inch draw with a longbow, 27.5 with a recurve. I have never shot a pig with an arrow below 500 grains, and never will. I doubt you will get a complete pass thru, that would really surprise me unless it was a small hog. You can kill pigs without a pass-thru, but two holes lead to a better chance of recovery on any game animal. Pigs are tough and thick, way tougher than deer. I just like more arrow weight on board for more of a punch in case I hit bone or encounter the thick shield. I would recommend a 3 to 1 BH and if you are shooting carbon try to shoot a light shaft with most of the weight on the front for higher FOC. I have never heard a bowhunter complain about too much penetration.
I have never hunted with anything under 700grains. Now with that said I have a buddy who has taken out small game with light weight carbons. For big game though I believe in all the ashby stuff, >650gr mass, >2.6MA heads, and so on.
I shoot 48 to 52 lbs and usually shoot cedar shafts around 450 grn, 26 1/2 bop with 125 g. BH for my 25 1/2 in draw. This is my Deer set up and works fine if you put them in the right spot. Hogs I go to 600 g. Not sure how they work because I haven't shot a hog yet!
I Draw 29" and I'm using 462gr (1916) arrows for my 45# bow. I've had other trad shooters say they are flying OK but I may go up a size (2016) and that would make them 485gr. I will not being hunting with them until October so while I haven't done it yet I will be.
Big Hen, 20yds. Shot was in mid. of where wings meet. Cedar arrow Ace 200g BH. 5.5" feathers 575g total. Very low penetration, and lost bird. This year staying with the 125's...
My draw length is 26". My arrows range in length, depending upon tune, from 27"-27.5". All my bows, at my draw length are 46-50 pounds in draw weight.
I've only been back to curves in the last four seasons. The first three years back my arrows weighed (MFX Classics) 414-424 grains. Complete pass throughs on 5 deer. I hunted with 535 grains this past season and got complete pass-through on another deer. I went to the heavier arrow last season because of plans to moose hunt.
All these deer died within sight except one. The doe this past season made it about 100 yards or so including a 90 degree turn. I didn't see it fall.
Any comparison in penetration set-up needed for deer in relation to a hog is not relavant. Way different critters, hogs are much tougher to penetrate.
Heavier arrow, more # bow. . .all the better. . .
I shot this hog in October 2013. I was shooting 26.5" draw, Sunset Hill Longbow, 57#, grizzly 150 grain and 75 grain woody weight. Spruce arrow. Over a 500 grain arrow for sure.
I hit the hog right behind the shoulder with just a slight quartering away shot. I got the heart, so he did not go far. I got about only about 8" if that, of penetration and the tip curled on the BH when it hit the opposing shoulder.
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/23924bfe-465c-47aa-a6e1-6b659b057406_zpsca1791cf.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/23924bfe-465c-47aa-a6e1-6b659b057406_zpsca1791cf.jpg.html)
Here is what you have to go thru. Layer of fat that gets scarred and becomes a shield. This is a view from the back of the hog down. I have grown fond of skinning them by cutting down the back and laying them open to get back straps, shoulders, and the hind quarters. It takes some punch to get thru that.
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/a104fd74-5d40-4b66-881e-cf57db0d0890_zps4dabd67e.jpg) (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/jeffbschulz/media/a104fd74-5d40-4b66-881e-cf57db0d0890_zps4dabd67e.jpg.html)
I am not saying it cannot be done with a light arrow, if everything is perfect. I have just never been happy with the penetration from the set-ups I have shot in the past. I am working to shoot heavier bow and arrow combination now, and hopeful to get a shot soon to see how it does.If it will go thru a pig than other game in my neck of the woods is no issue.
QuoteOriginally posted by dragonheart:
I am not saying it cannot be done with a light arrow, if everything is perfect. I have just never been happy with the penetration from the set-ups I have shot in the past. I am working to shoot heavier bow and arrow combination now, and hopeful to get a shot soon to see how it does.If it will go thru a pig than other game in my neck of the woods is no issue.
Ditto. As I posted on heavy bow thread and a broadhead thread- I also am re-thinking this entire discussion even for deer, etc. I think most of us realize placement is a given. HOWEVER- fact of the matter- we don't always get the perfect placed shot in real life hunting. Seeing a 550gr arrow out of a 55# 30" draw recurve getting stopped by a PY deer shoulder blade at 5 yards will make you re-think the weapon's ability. I can only imagine what it takes to consistently kill hogs.
Dan in KS