FPS vs. Weight

[Bill2311]

I am shooting a 485 grain FMJ at 300 fps.

[Heckler]

I am shooting a 485 grain FMJ at 300 fps.

What bow and draw weight/length?

[Schultzy]

Loosing 20 fps won't have any effect what so ever on your animals. To be honest, the heavier arrow will make for a quieter bow upon release. So many times the heavier arrow will win out. Bow manufacturers however will never push this kind of thinking. Speed Is the **** these days.

[rknierim]

So what speeds and arrow weights are some of you shooting? I know it's not all about speed, but it does play a factor in sucess. Obviously we all want to chuck 500 grain arrows at over 300 fps, but it just normally feasible. So how much speed do YOU give up for weight? I'm contemplating moving my weight from 400 grains to 450 grains, but playing with a crono I went from 279 fps to 261 fps. I've shot both for a while and honestly, there isn't much difference, just a sight adjustment.
Thanks for the thoughts all.

And yes, everything is tuned up just fine and all that stuff.

Just looking for opinions on minimum fps that you all use as a bottom line.

I'm shooting 419gr at 247fps. Seems to work fine for me. 3 out of 5 were pass-thru's last season. I think you will be fine with the new set-up

[smctitan]

What bow and draw weight/length?

My thoughts exactly. Something sounds fishy about that. I have a 31.5 inch DL and am pulling 66 lbs. My arrows are 475 grains with the BH. I have no idea what I'm getting out of my Allegiance but it's accurate and puts them down.

[Antler Eater]

Slightly over 500 grain arrow going in the neighborhood of 270 fps out of a BowTech Invasion CPX. Shot placement wins out everytime in the contest of light vs heavy but my experience has been a heavier arrow gives me an advantage in a number of areas if conditions or the shot aren't perfect.

[Bill2311]

What bow and draw weight/length?

Insanity- 29 1/2"@ 72#
485 grain arrow- 300 fps
375 grain arrow - 335 fps.

Will be using the heavier FMJ for hunting again next year.

[rcowan]

Hey Indy
I don't understand part of the question.
Why would it not be safe?

Bear in mind that I am new to this sport.

RC

Thanks guys, Bruce I think you're hitting on it again. I like my arrows at 400 grains, but I've been playing further with increasing the weight and it looks like I can get consistent 450 grains. However that reduces my fps.
Is it even safe to shoot at a deer at 40 yards at 262 fps with a 450 grain arrow?

Looking at the question, it's obvious I'm a rookie when it comes to bowhunting, I am grateful we have an avenue to ask the more experienced.

[indynotch50]

No worries. I was more refferring to safety of the animal. At 262 the arrow will be in the air for quite a while, especially at 40 yards. So if it moves at all it could move out of the kill zone. Also, will the arrow have enough velocity to penetrate. I get momentum, but there is still a velocity portion to that, half the equation as a matter of fact.

[OKhunter]

No worries. I was more refferring to safety of the animal. At 262 the arrow will be in the air for quite a while, especially at 40 yards. So if it moves at all it could move out of the kill zone. Also, will the arrow have enough velocity to penetrate. I get momentum, but there is still a velocity portion to that, half the equation as a matter of fact.

262 fps vs 300 fps at 40 yards will be a second difference in flight time. Also a 400+ grain arrow at 262 will put the smack down on a deer at 40 yards and it would have a straighter flight line than the lighter arrow would . If you ask me the heavier arrow would be a safer arrow to shoot at 40 yards appose to the lighter arrow if hitting the kill zone is your worry. I was also one of those to choose speed and lighter arrow over a heavier arrow. I just recently made the switch to a Easton axis 340's over the 400's I was using. I went from a 345 grain arrow at 307 fps to a 386 grain arrow at 293 fps. I get an avg of 3" more penetration with the 400's and not even a blink of an eye difference in speed.