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hello!
How important is arrow weight? I’ve been experimenting with adding weight to my arrows today. Im shooting st epics with 125 grain heads. according to my chart these arrows are about 275 grains. So thats only 400 grains. All the articles in tbm say 10 grains per lb of draw weight and im shooting 67#. I inserted 3 .223 bullets at 55 grains each and a wooden dowel to get to at least 600 grains. I should be around 605 to 610 grains.
Sooting into the rump of my 3d target with no holes im only getting an extra inch of penetration. Is this the wrong test medium or what? They don’t seem to drop off much more at 20 yards either.
Any oppinions, help or suggestions would be appreciated. thanks All! -
Others here are much better at and more qualified to reply but I felt the need to relay my worry as to what shooting 400 grain arrows out of a 67 lb bow may OR WILL do to it.
Until you have accurate weights that are actually measured by even a cheapie scale, I would strongly suggest that you NOT shoot them any more. This is just my recommendation and my opinion.
Dr. Ashby’s full report is online and has in depth results of FOC, head types and arrow weight.
Also note, please, that your 3D target is MADE to stop arrows using arrow shaft friction and is not in any way an excellent comparison to a game species or a good penetration comparison test. An “extra inch” in such a medium computes to much, much more in flesh and bone but weight is not, of course, the ONLY factor for good penetration.
I can quickly tell you my own recommendation by telling you that I shoot 600 grain arrows out of a 50lb bow for hunting.
If you’ve not read Dr. Ashby’s report. Please do. Much of my “feelings” and what “comom sense” told me is explained in detail in his works as to the HOW and WHY things work concerning arrow penetration and the damage arrows do.
Instead of “figuring so” as I had for decades, I now have his extensive results to explain “how come”.
All of us owe a HUGE debt to this gentleman and his dedication and it’s all there FREE for us to capitalize on.
All above is offered in earnest. No offense is intended in anyway.
Your own use for your equipment will be a determining factor, and will be your decision, but I did feel it important to speak up due to the fact that I would NOT expect your bow to have much longevity shooting 400 grain arrows. I’m positive you do not wish to destroy your bow.
God Bless
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I,ve read Dr. Ashby,s article’s in TBM. Thats why I started my own Experimentation. These are the only arrows I,ve shot from this bow for the two years I’ve had it. They were on the paper from the manufacturer with arrow recomendations. They penetrate fine on deer but I will increase the weight for elk and moose this fall. I didn’t realize lite arrows could wreck my bow. Your oppinions are all appreciated. Any others? Thanks!
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Latrans? As in, coyote? Clever!
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Steve is on as usual. By combining Ashby’s research results and my own experiments, I feel that FoC is more important than total weight … up or down to a point. Specifically, with all else equal I get better penetration with 680 grain arrows and 20+ percent FoC than I do with 750-grain arrows and -20 percent FoC. What you are hunting counts for a lot here. All of this research and talk is focused on getting lethal penetration with inevitable heavy bone hits on really big game like elk. So indeed, as many will point out, you don’t need as much Ashby Umph! for a 120-pound whitetail. But as Doc and others point out, when the goal is full penetration no matter how bad the hit, there is no such thing as over-preparing or overkill, so long as you maintain perfect arrow flight, the beginning and end. My own opinion is that your overall weight is low for any big game. I humbly suggest you may find happy results with 550-grains overall, more or less, and bumping up to at least 145 for broadheads. My own rule is to pile as much weight up front as the arrow will handle accurately. More FoC = improved stability and accuracy in my experience, as well as enhanced penetration, so there’s really no loss. Check out the Ashby Arrow Lethality forum here form more input from those who have tried it. Dave
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Thanks David. Is 550 enough not to wreck my bow as Steve said? Can you suggest a good 145 gr single bevel broadhead? Traditional heads are near to impossible to find here and when you say single bevel they look at you like you just escaped from a nut house.
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