Which Arrow for Elk

Phillip Fields · August 05, 2009, 06:49:00 PM

I'm trying to set up for an elk hunt. The hunt isn't until Sept 2010, but I want to use the same set up for deer this season and an upcoming pig/javelina huntin January. I am shooting an 62" A&H ACS, 55lbs at my 28" draw. I have some Grizzlystik Sitkas and some Grizzlystik Alaskas. They shoot equally well out of my bow. I am shooting 125gr Magnus Stingers on both arrows. The Sitkas weigh 505 grains and shoot about 184 fps. The Alaskas weigh 630 and shoot about 165 fps. Which arrow would you recommend.

Keep em sharp!
Phil

George D. Stout · August 05, 2009, 06:55:00 PM

Philip, either will do the job, so use the one you are most confident with and make sure they are flying perfectly. The extra weight will help "if" it is flying straight with no wobble. You can be confident with either though.

beachbowhunter · August 05, 2009, 07:11:00 PM

I shot a bull with a 620 grain arrow tipped with a 150 grain Stinger last year out of a 58lb recurve. Passthrough, dead in less than 10 seconds. I would lean that way.

You could probably load the Sitkas up with 25 to 50 more grains too without changing the arrow flight.

brackshooter · August 05, 2009, 07:14:00 PM

I like the heavier ones as well. Both will do the job, but heavier arrows sure make me feel better.....

Bjorn · August 05, 2009, 09:56:00 PM

I shoot a 53# 62" ACS and the flight with the Sitkas was weak even when the weight was down to 500 gn like yours. They were cut to 29".
The Alaskans ended up at 650 gn with a 145gn point, bareshafted pretty well and flew great fletched.
For me it would be a no brainer; the Sitkas would not fly well out of my bow unless they were set up with light adapters and light points.

elktalker · August 05, 2009, 11:34:00 PM

Keep in mind that elk are the hardest animal in north america to kill, the elk in my avatar was hit with a 665gr. arrow w/cut on contact broadhead, out of a 65 #er 20 yards and didnt pass through. make shure your broadheads are rrrazor sharp.

Missouri Sherpa · August 05, 2009, 11:52:00 PM

I am in the overkill camp too. This is one of those times where more is better, provided your arrows are flying straight. 10-11 gr per pound of bow weight is a good place to be. Me, I am shooting 69 pounds and a 730 gr carbon arrow.

Steertalker · August 06, 2009, 09:04:00 AM

I am in the overkill camp as well..........72 lb Brackenbury Quest shooting 690 gr thin carbon arrows tipped with Grizzly El Grandes

Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Brett

Jason R. Wesbrock · August 06, 2009, 10:33:00 AM

505 grains with a cut-on-impact head at 184 fps? Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Like Goerge said, both will work. So it really comes down to which one you shoot better and have more confidence in.

pseman · August 06, 2009, 11:58:00 AM

Shoot the one you are most accurate with at the distance you plan to shoot. Where you put the arrow is most important regardless of which animal you are shooting.

Tom Greenwald · August 07, 2009, 10:51:00 AM

Phillip,as George stated either will do. The kenetic energy of the 505gr. Sitkas @ 184 fps = 37.97. The 630gr. Alaskas @ 165fps = 38.09. Use whatever flys the straightest and gives you the most confidence. Bow noise and stability may also be a consideration.

Greenie

elknut1 · August 07, 2009, 12:13:00 PM

The 505 grainer all the way. For those possible 30yd shots you will eliminate a minimum 20" of drop between the 2 arrows mentioned. 500 aprox grn arrows is all we shoot in our elkcamp! 3 of us have taken 8 bulls in the last 3 years with 500grn setups! Razor sharp heads are way more important than trying to decide on arrow choice there! Good Luck!

ElkNut1

BRONZ · August 07, 2009, 01:41:00 PM

I say shoot the pretty ones! You need to be prepared for the trophy photos! LOL.

Kingwouldbe · August 07, 2009, 02:06:00 PM

With all do respect guy's, I have a hard time sitting back and reading some of the recommendations for killing big animals.

As I have said before WE ARE NOT FLY FISHING, I don't want the lightest tackle I can get away with and still land the fish.

I want to use a BAZOOKA ( more than I will ever need )figuratively speaking.

If a Bull is brodeside at 10-15 yards and stands still, I can kill it with a 40lb bow and a 300 grain arrow.

However we don't live in NARNIA, this is the real world, and in the real world poo poo happens, and this dude MURPHY has this law he found, and that law says: if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong.

Now what happens when this same bull drops at the shot?............. decides to spin at the shot?............... whorls at the shot?..................... or just flat out EXPLODES at the shot?

Now your perfect shot has turned into a bad shot ( at no fault of the hunter ) I want more penetration than I need, with a heavy arrow you will be able to drive your broadhead deeper in this 800-1,000lb bull.

Just like MORPHY'S law, we also have the law of physics, and that law say's, mass in motion has a tendency to stay in motion ( for those who live in Rio Linda, it keeps going )

Can you kill a bull elk with a light set up "YES"

Why take the chance, when we know better, we have those who have gone before us and shared what it takes to turn a less than desirable shot into a killing shot.

Doctor Ed Ashbey has so unselfishly shared his findings on what it take to get maximum penetration, with over 650 big game kills recorded in just the last 25 years ( he does not have records for the first 25 years)

For me, I have just cooked up my arrow for elk this year, 300grain grizzly El grandy with a 1716 shaft over a carbon for a total arrow weight of 765 grains out of my 60lb Centaur, with 28.07% EFOC, my point on is 40yards, which I could shoot out to, but probable wont, more like under 20yds.

Now with perfectly tuned, supper duper razor sharp, heavy arrows, I stand a much better chance of a kill if something go's wrong, and if it don't, I just pick up my arrow 20-30 yards on the other side.

Just my two cents

elkbreath · August 07, 2009, 03:38:00 PM

king, i,m with you. Overkill camp only makes sense and IME it pays off often.

70# caribow, 800ish grains, 31" AD hammerhead+310 gr grizz. bring on the ribs.

shoot the heavies. 20" drop seems a bit on the pessimistic side. can someone do the math? either you shoot well @ 30 or you don't, know your limitations.

All of the data scientifically and I would argue theoretically is in the ashby camp on this one. If you like lighter arrows good on you. I got a pass thru with bemans and a 125 gr razorcap, shooting a 65# saluki.

however I also got complete penetration AFTER cutting an unforseen limb with 750 gr arrow tipped with a 290 gr ribtek. thats when I appreciate the extra umph.

SteveB · August 07, 2009, 04:51:00 PM

I'm with Elknut - the 20" drop are real numbers and could make the difference between a great shot and a tough trailing. And his results seem too work.

Steve

L82HUNT · August 07, 2009, 05:29:00 PM

Kingwouldbe as always

Bjorn · August 07, 2009, 05:47:00 PM

All arrows 'drop'; the 'drop' does not exist if that is what you shoot regularly. My set up is 12 GPP, works great on big hogs and should work equally well on Elk.

elkbreath · August 08, 2009, 12:19:00 AM

I'm honestly curious, how do you arrive at the 20" drop difference? Gotta be some wicked trig to figure that out?

elknut1 · August 08, 2009, 09:00:00 AM

Dan, I was using the arrow tip as a reference on equal length arrows of the various weights when I did the testing. Take a 500grn arrow & any other heavier arrows of equal length that tune out & you'll see the results for yourself.

Not saying there's anything wrong with shooting heavier equipment, but I am saying don't disregard setups that are proven & may differ from others. Weight of an arrow within reason of course is nothing when compared to a truly razored up broadhead that is tuned beautifully to ones arrow! (grin) Just ask me & I'll tell you! (grin)

Guys, use what works for you!

ElkNut1