So I just got my bow yesterday and decided to shoot a few arrows through it today. After a couple shots I began to wonder what kind of penetration I would get shooting a deer. Seems to me like I wouldn't get great penetration and it has me worried. My set up is a Ben Pearson cougar 50@28. I'm shooting a beman ics hunter 400 with a 100 grain brass insert and a 125 grain head. So my total arrow weight is 468.6 plus my nock,wrap,and fletching weight. Maybe it's just the type of target I'm using, as it's a self healing foam style that is rather stiff.

By the way, my draw length is 28" on my compound, so I'm guessing I'm closer to 27.5 on this recurve.

With the right shot placement you shouldn't have any problems.

A very sharp broadhead will cure most penetration problems,as long as you put it in the rib cage.

Sharpen the broadheads adequately, put the arrow in the right spot, and you are good to go.

go with a sharp two blade single or double bevel and you'll be surprised. I have lots of buddies to get complete pass throughs consistently with that setup...the only risk you might run it with the shoulder and that tuff with any setup

I've blown through 5 of 6 whitetails with less draw weight and less arrow weight and a 26" draw. You should be great with as others reminded .... sharp on sharp broad heads.

The weight of the arrow should be fine but are you sure the arrow is tuned with the bow? That arrow seems too stiff for that bow with your setup. I would think you would need at least a 175gr tip with the 100gr insert for the beman 400 to fly correctly.

Have you tried shooting a shaft without fletching?  (TARGET POINT - DO NOT TRY WITH A BROADHEAD!)

One of the big robbers of penetration is a shaft that enters anything but straight-in.  If you're arriving at the target with a yaw component it will kill penetration.

QuoteOriginally posted by Mint:
The weight of the arrow should be fine but are you sure the arrow is tuned with the bow? That arrow seems too stiff for that bow with your setup. I would think you would need at least a 175gr tip with the 100gr insert for the beman 400 to fly correctly.

What about leaving the arrow at 31"? Would that have the same effect.

QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
Have you tried shooting a shaft without fletching?  (TARGET POINT - DO NOT TRY WITH A BROADHEAD!)

One of the big robbers of penetration is a shaft that enters anything but straight-in.  If you're arriving at the target with a yaw component it will kill penetration.

I have not shot it bare shaft. All the shafts that I ordered were already fletched. I do have some other shafts that are very similar I could strip down and try though.

My concern may also stem from me still using a compound. I'm used to the setup that I have now that will blow through a shoulder with no problem. Not that I shoot at the shoulder, but I tend to hug very tight to it. I actually shot well for the little that I did shoot earlier. Having shot a recurve some a few years ago may have something to do with that though.

Jake another way to check your arrow flight is the BAB(big A$$ broadhead) test.  Mount a broadhead on one of your arrows and shoot it first into your target, then shoot a couple of target points.  They should impact and align the same.

Mike

QuoteOriginally posted by wingnut:
Jake another way to check your arrow flight is the BAB(big A$$ broadhead) test.  Mount a broadhead on one of your arrows and shoot it first into your target, then shoot a couple of target points.  They should impact and align the same.

Mike

I'll try this shortly. I just checked a spine selection chart and it's showing that my arrow should be fine for the setup. Like I said, I may just be paranoid. I like blowing through deer when I shoot them.

That's close to the same as my setup.  200 total weight up front 30 inch 400.  It's the sweet spot in my rig, I draw 29 on the button

....

As an example I guarantee you that bow will bury a field point to the threads in a piece of pressure treated 2x4 at 20yds, what do you think it will do to a deer with a razor sharp broadhead?  I would imagine your target is purpose made to catch arrows, like others, so why judge penetration with something like that?  Trust your gear.  Guys transitioning from wheels always question stickbows.  Shoot some waster arrows at some junk items and watch how well an arrow from a stickbow goes through some things.  I've had a field point arrow go completely through a 5 gal bucket of paint at 25 yds.  A deer is less tough than that.

You are going to go straight through a deer

Shot placement is the only thing that truly matters.

You will be fine, don't expect your arrows to penetrate a target with field points like your compound did