I chronographed my bow today and was shocked!!!

OK so some of you know a little about my bow. Its a PSE Deer Hunter like no other I have seen. I took it to my pro shop today which is a PSE dealer and has been for many years and they said they have only seen one other like it. I posted two pics. the first is the normal Deer Hunter and the second is mine. Cable and string system is different and the cams are different.

28" draw, 65lb draw weight, 357gr arrows.
I only expected around 220fps-230fps.
This is what I got: 265fps
needless to say I was surprised. The tech said I could get around 280-290 by turning up the lb and changing a few things on it.

here is the kicker, a guy traded me the new bow and $60 for my old deer hunter and an old Plano case. So after I spend the $60 on the NAP Apache rest I will have nothing in the bow. I believe I will just use this one this year and buy a new one next year and spend the next year deciding on a new bow.

QUESTION: is this fast enough for mechanical broadheads?

 

Yes it is im only getting about 240 to 250 out of my bow

 

I think it depends on what mech you are shooting, at what ranges and what angles. Pretty much the same with any set up, so i have been no help at all...

 

The older bows weren't "slow" necessarily. You're shooting a pretty light arrow but I didn't expect you to say 265. I figured you would say 250.

 

It Isn't about the speed In the least when shooting mechs.

 

Boodady, I swear I didn't think it would be over 230 and I thought my guess was high at that. When I shot 262 on the first one my jaw dropped. My average at the end was 265.

Shcultzy, I was told that mechanicals shouldn't be shot out of anything less than 280fps. I guess that was wrong.

 

IF you are shooting 265fps consistently then it shouldnt be an issue. Mechanicals were designed to fly like field points unlike some larger fixed heads that acted like wings during the arrows flight. Have fun!!

 

shouldn't have any problems, sounds like your bow is firing just fine...

 

that's awesome. almost time to put alittle chicky chicky bow wow on some deer.

 

What's your KE Stick? I'm by no means a compound techie but I do know they (mechs) require allot of KE to get good penetration. Like I said, It's not all about speed but rather an arrow set up that's tuned perfectly with the bow. Jeff (GMMAT) could answer your question If he was still on board here. He shot Rages for 3 to 4 years pulling 60+lbs. I know he had speeds that you listed and he wasn't getting close to full penetration with his set ups. Bruce on here I'm thinking would know If your In the ball park or not with your set up.

 

Schultz, My KE is 56. I used 5 different online calculators and they all said 56 or really close. Two said 56.68 so I rounded down. The broadheads are Carbon Express Torrid 100's. I really liked the cut on contact type lead blade it had on it. Thats why I bought them. Here is the link to them: http://www.carbonexpressarrows.com/cms/content/torrid-100

 

Yeah that's an older model deer hunter. That has the synergy wheels on it with the metal cable harness. If I remember right they only used those metal harnesses for a couple years then went to fiber harnesses. Your bow is a much better bow than that deer hunter they have now.

 

I've been shooting mecs out of bows as low as 240 fps for years with any issues. Stick with a good quality mec with a moderate cut diameter and you'll be fine. Grim Reapers, Spitfires, Rockets, ect.. I'd say stay with one no bigger than 1-1/2" diam..

 

56 sounds low to me, for using Rages anyway.

 

I think your speed is not the issue. It's that your arrows are so light that your KE (and momentum) is pretty low for a big energy sucking mechanical. If you used something like a NAP bloodrunner, I think you'd be fine. But those ones with the blades that swing out (Rage and many others) need a lot of momentum to push straight through deer. They can deflect or just get crappy penetration.

 

I guess I should also state that I keep my arrow weight in between 450 grains and 500 grains.

 

The heads I have now are 1-1/2" cutting diameter. I guess I will take my chances with the first deer and see how it goes. I plan in turning up my bow before season opens and retuning. I should be shooting around the 280 mark by then my KE should be around 62-65 then. The three tree stand locations I have been setting up this week wont have more than a 30yd shot. Thats worst case scenario. Most of my shots shouldn't be out past 20yd. They mostly range between 12yd-20yd on average. I think I will be fine. We will just have to see. I attached a picture of the broad head.

 

See above in red...


I would think this is exactly what we are hoping you don't try. With good shot placement and broadside shots you should be OK...IMO, but please don't just see how it goes. Joining a hunting website already says you aim to do more than just see how it goes.

I have been shooting rage/snyper for quite a few years. I have never (spined 2) shot a deer that was not a passthrough. I have used aggressive setups (07 guardian/70 lbs), mild setups (switchback XT 60 lbs/Switchback 70lbs), hoyt 70 lbs...etc None of the bows were higher than 66 lbs and shot more than 295 ish, but all my shots were broadside and 30 yards and in, and that is the key to me, angles and range with mechs...

Best of luck with your set up and your season, hope to see you smiliong behind a toad this year...

 

I am definitely going to focus on shot placement as I have set up my stands for broadside shots and quartering away shots. I know a deer could come in from any direction but, I am trying to stay with these shots. I have been trying to practice on my 3D target and all vital shots. I am now in the kill zone with almost ever shot. out of 100 shots yesterday I only placed 2 outside the vital area. Both were within an inch of the vitals.
As far as the see what happens statement goes I meant with the penetration, not if I hit it or not. I am striving for a perfect shot placement as I do not expect anything less of my self. I know deer move and things happen. Thats why I practice as much as I do. I shoot 200-500 arrows a week and lately (meaning the past 2 weeks) I have shot over 500 a week. I have even been practicing without my contacts in so that just in case I have a contact come out when I am in the stand I can just take the other one out and still be OK.. I am trying to think of everything I can, good and bad, so that I will be prepared for anything that can happen yet I still know there are always scenarios that you just can't prepare for. I am striving to be the best hunter I can. In every way.

 

Awsome and I meant nothing by my post, thanks for not taking it like I was telling you what to do. Over 1500 posts and I just don't roll that way. Sounds like you are doing everything you can to ensure success this year, and I will be looking forward to some harvest photos.