Ideally, you should be shooting as close to the shoulder as possible, without intentionally hitting it, to ensure a double lung shot. The premise behind heavier arrows, is that if you miss forward and hit the shoulder, the arrow is strong enough to penetrate and kill the deer. No more shoulder bounce shots with light arrows and flimsy mechanical broadheads is the idea. Personally, I would rather miss forward than back if my shot is not going to be a perfect double-lung. The heart is behind the shoulder, and, if I am further forward than that, it is a brisket shot. A deer has a better chance of surviving a brisket shot than a gut shot. There is no guarantee on recovering a gut shot deer. If I am going to miss, I would rather miss in such a way that the deer has the best chance of survival instead risking it becoming a wasted kill.
I agree and yet they go out every year and kill deer and never know that they are shooting an out of tune bow...and when that cost them a deer, they chalk it up to a mechanical head failure!!
I am sure with a flimsy one it is; but I can tell you if one is too flimsy for that I don't want to be shooting deer with it anyway. I am moderately heavy at 535. Muzzy HBs are devastating with my set up and I have no problems shooting them or any robust mech like Sevr 1.5s. I just won't shoot mechs that have blades with notches cut into the back (ie Rage.) They always snap or bend really bad at those points. I am also not a fan of long aluminum ferrules like Schwackers but I never have been even when I was shooting much lighter arrows. I think at this point I have sent probably 10 Muzzy HBs into and through bucks, and while I almost always have to replace the blades I have only bent one ferrule and that was on a spine. Except for the spine which did also exit even if it didn't completely pass through; all have been complete pass throughs, and most of those also buried into the dirt at least a few inches as well. All but one of those was with a 500+gr set up. The outlier being appx. 430gr IIRC. Also, that 430gr kill and one of those 500+gr kills were with my other bow which is considerably slower...probably 250ish at 500gr+. I also killed my doe this year with a G5 Deadmeat which I wanted to try on a doe before trying on bucks. It performed excellently by completely passing through with an entry in front of the high near side hip; exiting the offside armpit low just in front of the humerus, and buried in the dirt a couple inches. I could easily have used the head again after just a clean up. The doe I missed earlier in the week and buried 8" deep into the sandy WI soil was also a G5 Deadmeat and could also have been re-used although it was noticeably duller. The short/stout ferrule on them is really strong. And has a really sharp chisel tip as well. I know they're not super popular but I was happy with the performance although for $50/3 I am not likely to buy them again. Long story short- in my experience most any reputable mech with a short steel ferrule and un-notched blades will work fine with heavy arrows. I am sure there is a point in diminishing returns in regards to low speeds/wide cutting blade diameter but 2" and under has been fine for me.
it really is. Stone cold bunker busters. They hit with the strength of 1000 retards. Perfect blend of speed, KE, and MO.
Exactly why I made the switch on my recurve. I've really enjoyed shooting the heavier arrow. Plus, trying new things is always fun. I can't imagine being so stuck in my ways and unwilling to accept anything different than what I've always done without at least giving it a throw. Ranch Fairy can be a little annoying at times but I have gotten a chuckle or two from the guy. I didn't have much time before the season started to make the switch on the compound to a heavier arrow setup but I have new arrows and plan on giving it a try this spring.
I've been shooting 670 gr woodies on my recurve, not the same FOC - but even more quiet ;-) Hope you enjoy the process after the season!
So I’m pulling 45 lbs (bad shoulder) 31.5 draw length on a Traverse (IBO 334) . Arrows are 430. I think I’m about 270 FPS—I’d like to go to 475ish. Would that be worth the loss of soled in momentum gained?
you are going to get a lot of different opinions on that one. try playing with this: https://www.westernwhitetail.com/tools/archery/arrow-speed-calculator/ I know a lot of folks are really concerned with losing too much speed with heavier arrows, you'll have to make the call on that. I guess it really depends on how far you feel like you need to shoot. Looked like 475 would give you about 260 fps, and 500 would be around 250 fps.
OK, I hadn't been back to this thread for quite a while. I checked my setup on the chronograph at the local shop. With my Bowtech Revolt set to 70# @ 28.5" dl, my 680 grain arrows clocked in at 218 fps. Trying to get set up for some 3d, I've been trying some light weight arrows. I haven't found any that fly as well for me as the heavies yet. That being said, the trajectory does get to be problematic after about 35 yards. No issue for hunting, as that is farther than I'm interested in shooting at an animal, but not real great for the 3d course. I'm thinking that I'm just going to go ahead and shoot the heavies, and I'll be ready for deer season.
680gr at 218 fps...yikes, I’m no speed freak but I’d want more than that, Different strokes for different folks tho. Also I didn’t read anything above this last post.
That's like buying a Corvette with a 4 cyl isn't it? Im just kidding man. lol, but yeh 218 fps is like 1989, but a lot of deer got killed with it.
the trick is to come from a trad bow ;-) 218 seems nice and quick, and also very quiet. And I'll take the Momentum (0.6577 M) Like you said, different strokes
Yeah 680 is on the heavy side for sure, but not as heavy as some are shooting. I look at it the same as I do loads for my .44 Mag, I'll take heavy and slower over the lighter loads. But variety is the spice of life, and the beauty is we all get to make our own choices.
I pull 47# on my recurve and my arrows are 470 gr. still quiet. I don't hunt with it anymore..I only hunted with it for one year, I just was never able to hit the damn things with it..and I practiced a lot
