Long story short, I'm going to the MO/Iowa border at the end of October and plan on using the following:

55# @ 29" Toelke Whistler
XX75 2018 with standard RPS
Aluminum adapter with 165 gr Treeshark
TAW around 610

This arrow setup shoots really really well out of my bow. I'm very accurate out to 30 yards.

The real question is that I have never taken down a midwest caliber deer with this setup. The deer down here in TN tend to be much smaller. I did take a decent 9 point last year with a Cutthroat up front on a 2117 shaft. He may have weighed 130-140 lbs. I did get a passthrough but the shaft did snap in half. The deer made a death run of about 65 yards and crashed into a brush pile. Double lung, textbook, etc.

Does the combination of the aluminum shaft and wide diameter of the treeshark give you any pause? Again, accuracy is so good with this setup, and I do not want to change it up. If I limit myself to high % broadside/quartered away shots, I'm good right?

Any first hand experience with larger bodied deer with a Simmons/Aluminum combo would be great to hear!

Thanks!

You shouldn't have any worries with that setup, you could kill an elk with that.

I'm in MO and I wouldn't hesitate with that setup up. I'm hunting MO bucks with a 49# longbow and wood arrows and have no worries. 

No worries about setup , I'm 45 miles from IA border , bro killed 2 pretty good bucks last year with a 42@28  D/R bow and 500 grain arrow with a 3 blade VPA

First buck the arrow fell out first jump, second buck arrow stuck in dirt...

Put it where it needs to be and all good...

That's awesome to hear. I generally don't like to make posts like this, but it does boost my confidence. Thanks, guys. 

All the advice above is very sound.  Hit them where you would a TN deer and you'll have a good day.

As long as your setup is tuned (and it sounds like it is), you will do fine.  I am in SE Iowa, if you need help dragging .

Your set will work just fine. I've hunted Southern Iowa with traditional equipment for 42yrs. The last few years with bows in the 45-50lbs range and 2016s aluminum arrows. No problem at all. Good luck hunting. If you need help with something let me know. Greg 

Nice! That really solidifies my thinking if you're using the 2016 with a slightly thinner wall.

Indeed plenty when you place it in the goodies... Been doing it awhile here in Iowa with 52-57lbs @28" draw from small to Jumbo. 575 to 650 Grain, Single Bevel 1-1/4" 2 Blade to VPA 1-1/4" 3 Blade. Focus confidently and enjoy. Good Providence

Shooting aluminums too?

Over the years, aluminum, carbon, and FMJ Carbon Core Aluminum outside...

Quote from: NinjaVanish on July 15, 2023, 07:40:10 PM
Shooting aluminums too?

Aluminum arrows are hands down the most consistent arrows on the market for spine and weight from one arrow to the next, and are very easy to tune. The 2018 has a good thick wall, as well as the 2016 and should hold up pretty well. Once you start going down to lighter aluminum arrows such as the 2015 or 2013, they bend pretty easily by comparison.

With that being said... I've killed quite a few elk with 2013 arrows, but these were short arrows moving very fast.  Your set up would kill elk no problem.

The only down side to aluminum arrows is that once they are bent, they are worthless. Straightening aluminum arrows is a waste of time. They will never fly the same again, and should be broken over your knee so you aren't tempted to use them again.     Kirk

Quote from: NinjaVanish on July 15, 2023, 07:40:10 PM
Shooting aluminums too?

Some arrows, and some materials, are tuffer than others..... no need to go down that rabbit hole so no need to worry about that.

610 grains is what speaks the loudest. 

Here, let me further set your mind at easy.....

I shot this last year.... the lightest bow weight kill of mine by far .....

50#@28 - 535 grain arrow - 4 Blade Z.....  Pass through....

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Nice!

So, over the weekend, I was doing some shooting and sent a couple through a pretty beat up target. Both arrows bent hitting TN rock. Down two arrows in about a half hour. Don't like that too much... These are the 3rivers Autumn Orange ones too. Too damn pretty to be bending on me.

And I agree with the poster above about not wasting time trying to straighten. Been there done that.

Quote from: NinjaVanish on July 17, 2023, 09:21:52 AM
Nice!

And I agree with the poster above about not wasting time trying to straighten. Been there done that.

Yes, that's why I hunt mostly with carbon. My choice is tuffer than aluminum and is either straight or broke. 

Damned O'l 4 blades....


[attachment=1,msg3035451]

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If it will boost your confidence, I killed this Bull last year w a 40# Bear TD. 560gr arrow w a Cutthroat BH. While not a pass thru it was double lung. He died in sight after making it about 45 paces.

A little twinkie whitetail?! Piece of cake!

That's awesome. Yeah, the weight isn't the concern, it's the aluminum. Even so, I built up some carbons last night with a GS outsert, brass behind it with about 310 total upfront for a 588 TAW. My target needs to be replaced, but i tried to squeeze one in... the arrow blew threw it, hit a huge rock, shot up into the air up the hill and rattled against a fence. Took me a minute to find it through some tall brush, but it was unscathed. I bent two aluminums the other day with just the arrow going through the target and hitting a small rock. I think I may have answered my own question... I'm sure the ally would be fine through an animal one time, but I shoot a lot. Bending is just going to happen where I'm at. There is rock everywhere, even when you can't see it, it's there.

Shut up and go hunting, you're fine.