Heavy Arrows

[Penntradarcher]

#6593

While speaking with Jerry Brumm of Great Northern today, I inquired about best methods to quiet down a bow, such as string silencers. Jerry stated he doesn’t use them, rather his method of quieting a bow is through the use of heavier arrows. Using his advice, I’m going to move up from my standard 125 grain points and try both 145 and 175. With a 2117 cut to 28″, I can be at about 525 grains total (with 145 field points) and 555 (with 175 points). With my 44# bow, this works out to 11.9 and 12.6 grains per lb of draw weight. Should be more than adequate for PA whitetail deer. What does everyone think about the heavy arrow concept? Do you think my set-up sounds good? Always open to feedback from others. 😀

[Troy Breeding]

#52908

Your new setup sounds like one heck of a thumper. Should be able to handle anything you want to hunt with that setup.

Troy

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#53519

I used the same 650g carbon arrow for 3 years, on my 55# bow that really is a 58 pounder in disguise, along with tiny 1 inch wide woolies!It’s a great combination! So is your setup.

[David Coulter]

#53530

I’m using 625 grain arrows with my 46# longbow. I have cat whiskers cut short, as installed by the bowyer and it’s very quiet. I went to a heavier arrow for other reasons, but it’s quiet, too.

[Jason Wesbrock]

#53611

As long as the broadhead is sharp, the arrow flies straight, and you can shoot it accurately, you should have no problems.

[Penntradarcher]

#54033

You guys that are shooting the arrows of 600 grains and more, are you using wood, carbon or aluminum? Alex, I see that you referenced carbon arrows. How do get them that heavy, i.e. 600 grains and over?

[wahoo]

#54076

what Penn said . I shoot a 54lb bow @ 25″ and my woodies will go 650grn – my graphite will go 540 if I want more which I do for elk I have to add tubes and can get 650 . I have been shooting Gold Tip Traditional 400 with 200 – 250 grn head for my 550 and as said tubes for more.

[archer38]

#54106

as far as quieting the bow goes, I believe our moderator posted on a previous thread about something called Heterodyning. Its pretty cool, and simple and best of all….IT WORKS !

Most of us have tried various types of string silencers. Some folks have trouble getting any of them to work. Here is the solution, no matter the type of bow or type of silencer material. Measure the distance from where the string leaves the bow limbs top and bottom. Divide that distance by four and also by three. For instance and simplicity let us say your measured length is 60 inches; divided by four equals 15 inches and divided by three equals 20 inches.

Attach your top string silencer 15 inches down from where the string leaves the bow, and attach the bottom silencer 20 inches up from where it leaves the bow. Doing so cancels out the sustaining frequencies that would make a naked string hum or twang when released. The quartering distance (15 inches) cancels out all even multiples of the frequencies and the distance in thirds cancels out all the odd multiples of the frequencies. The end result is a string that resists vibration after the shot and goes thump instead of twang.

By the way, the same principle applies to whistling broadheads. Using a thin strip of fine sandpaper to buff the leading edges of the rear of the vent cutouts kills the sharp edges that create the whistle. Sometimes only one vent has to be done, sometime one a bit more than the other.

This, combined with the heavy arrow, should make your bow as quiet as it can possibly be.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#54118

Penntradarcher wrote: You guys that are shooting the arrows of 600 grains and more, are you using wood, carbon or aluminum? Alex, I see that you referenced carbon arrows. How do get them that heavy, i.e. 600 grains and over?

I’m shooting GT Trad 5575, w/ a 100gr. insert, 225gr. head and 10 gr. washer, for a total arrow weight of 630gr. and 23.6% FOC.

Carbon is definitely the easiest way to achieve higher weights and EFOC, but it can be achieved with wood as well, just not as easily.

[Troy Warner]

#54667

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=Penntradarcher]You guys that are shooting the arrows of 600 grains and more, are you using wood, carbon or aluminum? Alex, I see that you referenced carbon arrows. How do get them that heavy, i.e. 600 grains and over?

I’m shooting GT Trad 5575, w/ a 100gr. insert, 225gr. head and 10 gr. washer, for a total arrow weight of 630gr. and 23.6% FOC.

Carbon is definitely the easiest way to achieve higher weights and EFOC, but it can be achieved with wood as well, just not as easily.

Like Smithammer I use carbon but I have Easton traditional only cut to 30&3/8″ with 100 grn brass inserts and 300 grn steel force broad head, with the 3X4″ fletching and wrap they weigh in at 731 grns +/- 3grns in a dozen. I use a light set up for deer that come in at 652grns +/- 3 grns on a dozen.

I used a test kit to experiment with different set ups to see what worked best with my bow, I enjoy testing different set ups and when I get a new bow to hunt with I get to start all over again. Sometimes it is frustrating but in the end knowing what different configurations will do in your bow helps your confidence that you have the set up for the game your hunting. And having the more experienced hunters here confirm what you have come up with gives another boost to the confidence level. To me the confidence in your equipment and shooting ability is the top priority to go hunting with a stick bow.

Listen and take to heart the advice given by the folks here, practice and experiment to get the best arrow set up for your bow in my opinion is the best advice I have.

Good luck

Troy

[David Coulter]

#54963

I’m shooting a 46# Leon Stewart longbow with Beman ICS Bowhunter 400 shafts, with 50 gr insert, 75 grain adapter, 225 grain Tuffhead, for 625 grain arrow. I’m getting about 28% FOC. I built up jodos with a 100 grain insert and 125 adapter to get me in range with my broadhead set-up.

I bought some easy pull 300 grain field tips for practice as they pull from my homemade targets easier than glue on field tips. Ain’t it a blast? dwc

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