Unless I purchase new arrows, here are my options for arrow weight and FOC.
1) 175 grain BH will give me an arrow weight of 564g and an FOC of 20.9%.
2) 200g. BH = 590g. arrow and 22% FOC.
3) 225g. BH = 614g. arrow and 23% FOC.
4) 300g. BH = 640g. arrow and 25.44% FOC.
I'm shooting 53# @ 28" draw. 29" 55/75 GTs.
What is your opinion on the best of these options for elk?
Thanks!
If they fly straight any of them will work fine. However, 55/75s might not have enough spine if you put 300 grains up front. I'd probably go with # 2 or #3.
QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
If they fly straight any of them will work fine. However, 55/75s might not have enough spine if you put 300 grains up front. I'd probably go with # 2 or #3.
Yeah... they are a little stiff with 175g. BH but I have not shot 300g. point yet.
Thanks!
If they were well tuned,I would use #4 but if they are slightly stiff with 175,I doubt if you can go that heavy.Perfectly tuned and a quality broadhead should be a priority.
Every one of those will work great if they are well tuned! What JimB said above is spot-on!
Bisch
I shoot 53# @ 27" for elk and use about a 540 gr arrow. As long as they fly good you don't need to be super heavy.
So sorry to mislead you guys. I meant to say a bit stiff with 125 g. (not stiff at 175 as stated). 175 shoots great. Bareshaft too.
I have not shot more than the 175... the shaft weights and FOC were calculated.
Ordering the test kit from 3 rivers that include the heavier tips.
Thanks for all responses.
I killed an elk in 2010 with a 630 grain arrow and 125 grain head... wanting to up the FOC if practical.
#1 or #2 would be my choice then
QuoteOriginally posted by kadbow:
I shoot 53# @ 27" for elk and use about a 540 gr arrow. As long as they fly good you don't need to be super heavy.
x2
QuoteOriginally posted by beachbowhunter:
QuoteOriginally posted by kadbow:
I shoot 53# @ 27" for elk and use about a 540 gr arrow. As long as they fly good you don't need to be super heavy.
x2 [/b]
I would choose #4, maybe I'm the odd man out
:dunno:
#4 and build the sideplate out to get them to tune.
QuoteOriginally posted by Prairie Drifter:
#4 and build the sideplate out to get them to tune.
Thanks for the thought.
I ordered the test kit and will see how the heavier tips fly. I would like to get as much FOC as is practical.
Next I'll be testing BHs.
Thanks all!!
I like heavy and high FOC, but perfect arrow flight trumps all other factors. Shoot the one that has perfect flight.
#3.. over 600 grains and you shouldn't notice much difference in arrow flight/distance. The % FOC is about perfect from what I've found. Shoot the heaviest arrow that flys well.
Hey Wayne, You know my preference. Heaviest and highest FOC that flies well and has a tolerable trajectory for the shooter. Sounds like you might be planning another attack on my elk this year. Have a great adventure!
I'd use #1 with a 2 blade single bevel
Good thread on the subject.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=128480#000000
I like 10gr/lb for my arrow weight. So I would choose #1 and #2.
I would be much more concerned about arrow flight/tune and a scary sharp broadhead than the weight. All listed will kill an elk.
QuoteOriginally posted by Doug Treat:
Hey Wayne, You know my preference. Heaviest and highest FOC that flies well and has a tolerable trajectory for the shooter. Sounds like you might be planning another attack on my elk this year. Have a great adventure!
Hey Doug!!!
Yeah... looks like Brandon is going to join me. Maybe Tim also. Been shooting great today. New to me BW in my signature.
Hope you are doing well.
Thanks again to all for your suggestions.
QuoteOriginally posted by old_goat2:
Good thread on the subject.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=128480#000000
Yep... read it through many times. Really appreciate Randy's posts. Leaning toward either the 175 or the 200g. BH. The 175 bareshafts perfectly.
I'll see how the heavier points shoot when the "test kit" arrives.
Are you sure about your shaft weight and FOC numbers? Unless I'm missing something I think your figures are about 50 grains heavy overall and foc is also high. I shoot a similar spec bow with a 29" draw. 30" 5575 traditional with 7" reflective wrap, 3-5" feathers and. 275 grains up front is showing 600 grains on my scale and calculated out to about 20 percent foc on all the calculators I found.
Regardless I like around 600 grains of arrow at the bow weights we're shooting.
Biathlonman:
I used the GT FOC Calculator that is available on-line. I have no cap wraps and my arrows are actually only about 28.6" long (measured the carbon shaft only rather than BOP to throat of nock).
I will measure actual weight on lab scales where I used to work.
Thanks for the thoughts.
Uncle Wayne you know you can kill em with a fish arrow!! >>>~~~~~~>>☺
I did not draw so if I go, it will be OTC. I have a new bow so I will be testing arrows over the summer.
All will do the job; the one with he best arrow flight and the one you have the most confidence shooting...all things considered. Always a hard call, only you can know which one you feel best about.
Best of luck!
Kris
Barry... As long as you are on the hunt, I do fine with any arrow!! You are welcome in my camp anytime!
Tim... my offer of hauling your gear still stands (if you want to fly)... I'll even pick you up at Denver and drop you back off (no charge). Would sure like to have you in camp.
Kris... thanks. As stated, I'll try the test kit, see how they fly and go from there. Right now I think #1 or 2 is how I'm leaning.
Thanks again to all.
Wayne, I am still undecided. I have working on my gear list and I obtained a nice scale from work. I have a new pack and bow that is for the back country. Without food, my pack weight is 28 lbs. I have been researching over the counter units. I wonder if I can switch my flight reservations.
Tim: I sent you a PM.
Wayne
#3 or #4.
#3 will give reasonable trajectory out to 30 yards and IMO its never better to go lighter for elk (stuff happens)unless the trajectory is simply awful after 25 yards. Weight is your friend. Use it.
Joshua, 54#'s @ 31, 625-ish total arrow wt.
Here are my field point/bare shaft test pics.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/175compare_zpse4295f24.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/175compare_zpse4295f24.jpg.html)
175 grain comparison. No surprises here. More to follow.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/P1050620_zpsbdcd3db3.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/P1050620_zpsbdcd3db3.jpg.html)
200 comparison.
(http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/fnshtr/P1050617_zps62ca818c.jpg) (http://s429.photobucket.com/user/fnshtr/media/P1050617_zps62ca818c.jpg.html)
250 comparison.
While it is not REAL apparent in the above picture comparing 250 bare and fletched shafts... I shot many times and actually noted weakness indicated in the fletched shaft... just not as extreme as the bare shaft.
It appears to me that 200 grains is my maximum head weight. The 200 grain fletched shows no weakness where the 250 grain does.
I also shot a mix of all three weighted points, fletched, and the 175 and 200s grouped well and compared well as far as alignment goes.
QuoteOriginally posted by fnshtr:
While it is not REAL apparent in the above picture comparing 250 bare and fletched shafts... I shot many times and actually noted weakness indicated in the fletched shaft... just not as extreme as the bare shaft.
It appears to me that 200 grains is my maximum head weight. The 200 grain fletched shows no weakness where the 250 grain does.
I also shot a mix of all three weighted points,
fletched, and the 175 and 200s grouped well and compared well as far as alignment goes.
Any other thoughts?
Can go heavier points if you want to. Either build out the side plate on your bow, or jump up to the next shaft spine size.
As I said before, any of the combinations you mentioned initially will get the job done. Need to start thinking about trajectory as you get into a heavy arrow though. If they fly flat enough for you out to your maximum hunting distance, nothing wrong with going heavier.
Had to imagine much of a difference in performance in your first three setup if tuned. I would imagine with a 300 grain head you would have some improved penetration, but getting them to tune would likely be in issue. Haven't been hunting elk with a trad bow, but from what I hear it isn't uncommon to be shooting some longer distances, where trajectory can have an effect. I think I would stick with the setup that is tuned with the 175 grain heads, but it wouldn't be difficult to tune up to 225 grain heads if you have a little room to cut the shafts down a little. One way or another, good luck on your hunt.
Don't know the distant you did your test but if it's less than 20yrds? I would step back to 30yrds and give it a try.
Either way,
I'm one that shoots what tunes the best. All this FOC or OFC stuff means nothing to me if I'm shooting 9+grs per# of bow weight that tunes well.
Elk are big and so are their kill area and a archer will stretch their range a bit so a well tuned set up is paramount IMO.
Weight on the nock end will raise the spine as well as the kinetic energy.
Ummm, that is not really true regarding kinetic energy, unless you consider potential miniscule changes in bow efficiency with a heavier arrow. Perhaps you meant momentum?
Build the strike plate out or go up in spine. Ive found moving or adding string silencers can make a difference as well. That is assuming you want the heavier arrow. I would think the any of those arrows would do fine.
Miniscule changes still equal changes, but yes momentum would adequately describe it. Fifty to a hundred grains isn't out of the realm of possibility, and nobody would dispute that change being inconsequential. However, spine is not my area-there's no real concept of it in the style that I practice. Arrow weight, length and balance are counted, but they aren't ever tested for spine. It certainly makes for easier math in building arrows.