Is 10 GPP enough for elk?

[coastalbendbows]

#5403

First going elk hunting. I usually hunt white tails hogs and Muleys. I shoot the CX heritage 250’s 29.5 inches with a reg insert and a 175 vpa terminator. 55 pound bow drawn to 28.5 and getting 191 fps.

Obviously if I hit the right spot it will work but I’m concerned about the total arrow weight and lack of Efoc.

Thoughts and opinions please.

[David Petersen]

#40445

I suggest you graduate to the 350s, which will handle much heavier head weights. The magic numbers according to Ashby’s studies and confirmed by my own experience (I kill an elk, clean as a bird whistle, pretty much every year) and others who have actually tried it are minimum total arrow weight of 650 grains and FOC of 20% or better for best insurance in case you hit heavy bone. And of course a very strong and streamlined broadhead. Both weight and EFOC are easily attainable with the 350s, which is what I shoot, also cut to 29.5″ with 450 up front for a bit over 700 total and EFOC around 28%. That combo, with a heavy single-bevel head, has not failed me yet, and I’ve racked up a big bunch of “yets” over the years. Speed is always a bonus but really doesn’t figure in much at all to lethality on huge animals. Weight is where it’s at for lethal penetration on big tough crits like elk. This year I’m shooting a selfbow that gets about 140fps with elk weight arrows, and that’s more than enough at the close ranges I’ve found mandatory to consistently assure precise hits. Good luck.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#40484

I personally shoot 12 and 1/2gr per pound.

My bow is a very very fast 55#. My arrows are beman 340’s

With 300gr upfront consisting of the streamlined 175gr Abowyer brown bear single bevel and 125gr steel insert. My total arrow weight is 685gr. Good luck with your Elk hunt!

[Jason Wesbrock]

#40486

coastalbendbows wrote: First going elk hunting. I usually hunt white tails hogs and Muleys. I shoot the CX heritage 250’s 29.5 inches with a reg insert and a 175 vpa terminator. 55 pound bow drawn to 28.5 and getting 191 fps.

Obviously if I hit the right spot it will work but I’m concerned about the total arrow weight and lack of Efoc.

Thoughts and opinions please.

By your title and post, you’re asking if a 550-grain arrow going 191 fps is enough for elk? All day long. That’s more Ke, momentum (enter your ratio of choice) than I put completely through my elk and bull moose (twice for the moose). I would hunt elk and moose again with that setup with absolutely no reservations.

Furthermore, Fred Eichler hunts with 485-grain arrows going around 195 fps. He’s taken all 29 North American big game species, including dozens of elk and over a half dozen moose.

Whatever you do, just remember the three most important things. Get it sharp, get it flying straight, get it where it belongs. The rest takes care of itself. Good luck.

[coastalbendbows]

#40516

The set up I have now are absolute darts. This bow has foam cores so I picked up a bunch of speed so I could beef up my arrows.

I shot some more arrows today and they flew good. I took the same setup and added a 100 grain insert (90 exact minus the reg insert).

So there 640 total grains and going 176 fps. So that puts me a 11.63 GPP and who knows for KE and Efoc.

The terminator heads I use are always hair popping shaving sharp. Yes shot placement is pretty dab burn important. Confidence in my setup and faith are two others for me. Mainly faith !!

Thanks for the help guys.

[Jason Wesbrock]

#40533

Foam cores sure are nice. It sounds like you’re ready to put some serious meat in the freezer. Best of luck. I look forward to seeing your photos.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#40534

J.Wesbrock wrote: Foam cores sure are nice.

They sure are!!!

[Stix]

#41332

My setup is ~8gpi and the elk I have taken had complete pass thru’s. I didn’t have a problem with it but the elk were very concerned.

[handirifle]

#41505

Stix wrote: My setup is ~8gpi and the elk I have taken had complete pass thru’s. I didn’t have a problem with it but the elk were very concerned.

Not for long I bet:D

Whats the deal with foam cores? Never heard of them.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#41518

Elk have certainly been taken with light arrows (and conversely, many haven’t…). But personally, I like to hedge my bets by creating as much momentum/penetration as possible within acceptable flight parameters. My elk arrows are 12gpp.

[Jason Wesbrock]

#41556

Handirifle, 

Foam limb cores have been standard in FITA recurve archery (think Olympic-style) for 10-20 years or so. The first time I remember hearing about them was in the late 90s. The idea only took hold on the traditional archery side of things within the last few years. Basically what you’re dealing with is a synthetic material that’s lighter than wood and impervious to environmental issues like temperature and humidity. To me, the advantage is their stability, but due to their lighter mass weight, they can also have a performance edge over standard wood core limbs.

[coastalbendbows]

#41658

thanks guys for the help I’m going to go with the extra 100 grain insert for a total of 640 grains.

as for foam cores Jason’s correct.

Thanks Shawn

[handirifle]

#41792

OK interesting. I was just buying a small bow for my granddaughter, and saw one from a big mane company, and it was foam core. I thought that was something cheap. Little did I know.

[Leo Carrisalez]

#42790

is there a real significant difference in speed? Ive been looking at these foam core bows for a while now but Im not sure if it will make a real big difference.

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#43437

South Texas wrote: is there a real significant difference in speed? Ive been looking at these foam core bows for a while now but Im not sure if it will make a real big difference.

There’s a difference, but not only in speed, but in stability, and hand shock (lack of). I guess it’s the same with everything: some people love them, some don’t care about them. I love self bows, yew, Osage, hickory, you name it. But as far as a modern laminated longbow goes, every since I tasted foam cores/carbon 3 years ago, it’s hard to go back to “action” anything!:D:D

[handirifle]

#43653

They sound intriguing. Personally, I feel that if ole Fred Bear were still running his company, he’d embraced this new technology. He always did. He wanted more than all lemonwood bows or all glass bows (talk about hand shock) and although its questionable who made the first laminated bows, he was surely the Henry Ford of laminated bows.

I will have to give those a real close look when it comes time for another bow. Sounds like I am a couple decades behind the curve:D

[Dan Jackowiak]

#46615

South Texas wrote: is there a real significant difference in speed? Ive been looking at these foam core bows for a while now but Im not sure if it will make a real big difference.

I like em, they feel smoother but the sound at release is more tinny. You can get them quite though. Speed wise you’ll gain 3 to 5 fps but couple that with a static limb design and it gets closer to 8 to 10fps.

Back to the original question, I shoot 12grs per pound out of a 53lb bow for elk, that’s 636 grains. Way back before the Ashby studies I shot 10grs per pound with two blade heads. It worked but I only took broadside shots.

[coastalbendbows]

#47516

Thanks guys.

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