I think I have found my bow/arrow combo

[Cladinator]

#5468

Last year after deciding that I wanted to get into archery I decided on the Samick Phantom with 50# limbs.

After lots of practice I was starting to do alright.

However, taking the advice of others as well as self-analysis, I decided I was over-bowed.

I ended up getting a Samick Sage with 30# limbs as a practice bow and soon started to get better form and consistency (of course).

Having bought a house last April and being very busy with work, I haven’t been able to practice very much. In fact, I’m well out of practice. I realized recently that my 50# Phantom was still too much bow.

I ended up getting some 40# limbs for my Phantom. The jump from 30# to 40# doesn’t seem that dramatic. Not at all like that jump from 40# to 50#.

It seems this poundage with the arrows that I have are going to work very well.

I’m using Beman ICS Hunters with 145 grain points at the moment. Wow, it feels…right.

I’ve never had too much confidence in my arrows. I have several different types with varying weights up front.

The arrows are 400s. I thought these were still going to be too stiff but they are uncut and so far fly just right (more practice might change that).

I also swapped my bear hair string groove silencers over to the news limbs, installed beaver balls, and put on a Flemish Fast Flight string. I had never used beaver balls or a FFF string.

Wow. It is virtually silent. I have always had the issue of a very noisy bow. There was always a loud, audible twang, thump, or some other sort of annoying noise.

All I can hear is the arrow pierce the air and it hitting the bag. Awesome.

Now, I need to start figuring out what broadhead I’ll be using. Or what weight, rather. I think after some research that I want a two-edged Zwickey up front.

Should I get a broadhead as the same weight as my practice points? I think the closest I can find the Zwickeys in are 135 grain and 150 or 160 grain.

[James Harvey]

#41294

Cladinator, I remember putting a FF string on my Sage made a HUGE difference to noise and performance. That factory string is like a wet blanket. Good move!

I wouldn’t stress about a difference of 5 grains between heads. Although the Tusker Javelin is a very reasonably priced 145 grain head… Aussie made of course 😉

[Cladinator]

#41322

Thanks ausjim.

How does one usually practice with broadheads? Bales of hay?

I don’t think my Hurricane target bag will hold up very well.

Or is the difference in flight and performance really that different from field points?

I would imagine there is a noticeable difference and that practice with broadheads would be necessary.

[James Harvey]

#41389

Clad, I think it depends what kind of range you have to shoot at. If it’s your property and visibility is good and you know it’s safe if you miss or get a pass through, hay is fine. I like to go somewhere with excellent visibility, like a field or paddock and shoot broadheads there. I know fellas that go down to empty, secluded beaches and shoot them on the sand. Other guys may have more convenient ideas 😉

I certainly think it’s critical to test fire any arrow you’re going to hunt with. Just remember to sharpen it again afterwards 😀

[David Coulter]

#43325

Hi Clad,

Glad you’re getting on track. I quickly tired of buying expensive foam targets to catch my broadheads. I made a fine target out of old magazines and catalogs in a cardboard box. Several wraps of shipping tape and you’re good to shoot. When the box gets torn up a bit, add some more tape. My Tuffheads only penetrate a couple of inched into the box, but stick in straight without drooping. I don’t shoot broadheads a whole lot, but I do shoot my hunting arrows with broadheads some before and during the season. This will be my third year for that cheap box target. best to you, dwc

[Cladinator]

#50782

Thanks for the replies.

I’ve actually bought a small broadhead target. It was about $45 and feel like it will probably be worth it.

Although, that box with the magazines and tape sounds pretty awesome.

I’ve also found a better arrow setup than what I was using.

I’ve since switched to a 29″ Beman ICS BowHunter arrow in 500 spine with 145 grains up front.

These are arrows that I got for my fiance for use with her bow.

I’ve got several types of arrows ranging from 28″-uncut, 400-500 spine, and a range of points.

The one I’m currently using seems to fly even better for me than the uncut 400 spined arrow I was using before this.

The only downfall is that the fletching is pink with a purple odd feather.

It’s not the manliest looking arrow but it’s not likely to get lost in the woods.

I’ve also recently bought some 145 grain broadheads. They are Steelforce titanium two-blade single-beveled. I know nothing about broadheads. These are my first. They have good reviews though.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#50879

Cladinator wrote:

The only downfall is that the fletching is pink with a purple odd feather.

It’s not the manliest looking arrow but it’s not likely to get lost in the woods.

Q: Do you know what color arrows real men shoot?

A: Any frickin’ color they want to.

Pink is actually awesome in the woods. Unless you lose your arrow in a wild rose patch…

[David Coulter]

#55701

Yep, nothing wrong with pink. I have bright yellow feathers and they are easy to see, except for right about now with all the yellow birch and aspen leaves falling! Good shooting, dwc

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