Recommendations for my elk arrow (test pics pg 3)

[fnshtr]

Originally 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.

[Biathlonman]

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.

[fnshtr]

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.

[buckster]

Uncle Wayne you know you can kill em with a fish arrow!! >>>~~~~~~>>☺

[The Night Stalker]

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.

[Kris]

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

[fnshtr]

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.

[The Night Stalker]

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.

[fnshtr]

Tim: I sent you a PM.

Wayne

[jhg]

#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.

[fnshtr]

Here are my field point/bare shaft test pics.



175 grain comparison. No surprises here. More to follow.

[fnshtr]

200 comparison.

[fnshtr]

250 comparison.

[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.

[fnshtr]

Originally 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?

[Orion]

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.

[pdk25]

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.

[overbo]

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.

[halfseminole]

Weight on the nock end will raise the spine as well as the kinetic energy.

[pdk25]

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?