Alright so let's talk arrow weight. It's no secret that a lighter arrow will fly faster, but have less kinetic energy and that a heavier arrow will fly slower, but have more kinetic energy. That being said, there's a lot of opinions on the internet from some top name professionals and top of the line arrow companies, but there is no clear cut answer from anyone as to an ideal all around set up. Understanding that not everyone shoots speed bows, or can afford them, let's clear the air on this issue and discuss it in depth. Aside from everything you've ever read on the internet, and what any "professional" has ever told you, what are your FIELD PROVEN ideal arrow weights for what size game? Field proven meaning, 99% or better recovery rate, and pass-through rate. I shoot a Fred Bear Attack 29 1/2" draw, 70lbs, with 350 grain maxima hunter arrows, and 100 grain Rage 2-blade expandables. 100% recovery rate, 100% pass-through rate. 315 fps cronographed. That recovery rate, and pass-through rate ranges from Javelina, to Trophy Feral Hogs, to Axis, White Tail, Mulies, Elk, Yotes, the whole 9 yards. For me, that's an ideal, next-to-perfect setup. What's yours?
KE vs velocity. I think of this as the 9mm vs .45 debate when talking about a self defense pistol lol
Actually, momentum is the word you are looking for, not KE. A lighter arrow can quite possibly have more KE than a heavier arrow that can and will penetrate more, due to momentum. Considering KE in an arrow debate is laughable at best, IMHO. All KE does is show how fast an arrow can slow down when it hits something. That being said, my optimal arrow weight is no less than 400 grains. Preferably in the 420-450 range for any and all animals. Plenty of speed (260fps) and total penetration power.
I'm with you about momentum but most are absolutely clueless what role ke plays. In short,it does playt a role in penetration,just not the role that many think. I have become an FOC proponent with carbon arrows. IMO,you can do more with less.
Ok, I guess I could have been more clear.. Figured you would be along before long Just irks me when people solely base penetration factors on KE. As long as I'm in the neighborhood of 60+ft/lbs I couldn't care less. As far as FOC, I should have mentioned that. In my findings you can take two totally separate arrows, of the same weight, and the one with the higher FOC will penetrate further. For my arrows this year I aimed for a 430+ grain arrow with a +15% FOC. I ended up with a 438 grain arrow with a 17.2% FOC. Extremely forgiving and built for penetration.
It's completely welcomed. Our crazy Spring weather has be socked into the house. I need some constructive conversation.
Good thing I have a smart phone with highschool baseball getting into full swing. Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
I'm shooting Easton fmj 300 spines 12 gpi tipped with 100 gr heads. With arrow wrap, fletching, D6 insert and lumenok they are coming in around 532 grains total weight. The Z7X is slinging them 262 fps through the chrono. I'm shooting about 10 fps slower than I was with my lighter PSE bowmadness/Easton epic setup from last year, but my arrows are penetrating into my block target 4-6 inches deeper now. I'm excited to see what they'll do to a whitetail.
This is an interesting topic for me. I hunt mostly whitetails and honestly, today's bows generate more than enough energy to blow through a deer given the right setup. I want a setup that is fast, but I don't want to give up momentum. So, for me, I try to find a happy medium where I get good speed and more than enough pentrating power. I will certainly give up a little speed to gain KE, momentum of penetrating ability. I wonder sometimes if its just a matter of playing the numbers, the gpp numbers to find a decent setup. For instance, would 6gpp be a happy medium here?
6 grains per pound is the standard but to be honest,a whitetail isn't that difficult to get a passthrough on. My son gets passthroughs with 335 grain arrows at 40# and<25 draw length.(cut on contact heads and 15% foc) Tune and broadhead design are WAY more important when it comes to penetration on a whitetail.Bigger game you add FOC and arrow weight to the equation. When it comes to bone hits on whitetail,arrow weight and FOC has more bearing but a few grains will not be the be all end all.
Agreed 100%. I have gotten a pass through on deer from 380 grains to 420 grains. Put it in the right spot, with a good head, and your set. For elk I put a little more "science" into my arrow. Hence my current setup. I want to KNOW that I can get through the edge of a scapula.
IMO, with these "what arrow weight" discussions the purpose is always the focal point. By that I mean the purpose of lighter or heavier discussed is "will it get the job done better". That can be, and has been, discussed ad nauseum. If the purpose discussed was "which arrow gives you a better margin for error" then I think the disussion changes. Will a light,fast arrow kill deer? Sure, so will a heavy slow arrow. But, which one gives you a better margin for error? With other factors (FOC, DW, DL, poundage, etc.) being equal which arrow reacts more (adversely?) to bad form? Which arrow reacts more (adversely?) to outside elements. Which arrow reacts more (adversely?) to bone? Which arrow reacts (adversely?) more to any combination of those? I choose slower and heavier because I believe it greatly increases my margin for error. When you add in other factors ( such as much higher FOC ) then you can really start increasing your margin for error.
There's a lot of truth there bruce, however we don't all shoot the same poundage etc. It would be nice if we could. Take my sons setup for instance. He's shooting over 8 grains per pound and regardless of his arrow weight, he wont passthrough heavy bone. ( atleast up till this years rig) I set him up to give him the best chance for a passthrough under normal circumstances. I shoot low poundage as well and could probably bump my arrow weight up to 800 grains and passthrough heavy bone but imo the trade off isn't worth it. I'm shooting 6 grain per but it is just coincidence. I wasn't shooting for it. If I were hunting elk, I would definatley be around the 500 grain mark with an foc around 25%. Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
While we're on this subject. Does anyone know if and where I might be able to get some brass hp inserts for my Easton ACC Prohunters? Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
Not that I disagree with you but my point is: At any given poundage the margin for error increases, only to a point for sure, with the arrow weight if the other factors (FOC etc.) are the same. Shooting low poundage you could also decrease your arrow weight to gain speed but is that trade off worth what you would lose in forgiveness?
Its all about the balance. Taking the application into consideration, of course. 6-8 grain per pound is a good compromise for most in the deer woods. Imo, broadhead design is more important than arrow weight. Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
LOL Well, I certainly agree with this. I just thought this was another light versus heavy thread and advantages/disadvantages of one over the other.
And to answer your question. I love the flight characteristics of a 420 grain arrow with 20% foc and feathers. That's why I want some brass hp inserts. Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
It is bruce but as you know, there is MUCH more to that discussion than heavy verses light. We're doing pretty good as this discussion goes so far. No name calling yet.:p Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
