The Trade-Off

[John Cholin]

#3644

I went to a 3-D traditional shoot this past weekend. Many of the folks there were shooting 300 grain carbon fiber arrows. I was shooting my 570 grain woodies. At the longer distance targets I had a lot more trouble figuring out how high to hold to hit while the others with the light arrows did not have to adjust much for those 30+ yard targets. Yet when it came time to pull arrows, mine went in 3 and 4 inches to their 1 or 2. Momentum counts for something!

This brings me to question: is a trade-off in going to really heavy, EFOC arrows? Do we NEED the additional momentum to make up for the loss in our ability to consistently hit at varying yardages due to the limited ability to accurately judge distance? With a lighter arrow an error I make in judging distance results in less of an error in the hit than if I have a highly arced trajectory due to arrow weight.

I’m in the process of going from 570 grain up to 620 grains by switching to the STOS 160 grain heads. I might find that I am gaining less than I thought if it results in a reduction in my ability to consistently place hits where I want them at estimated ranges.

I would welcome your feedback on my deliberations.

John Cholin

[jpc]

#23138

So does the arrows as rifle ammunition

There are ammunition for long range targets

And other ammunition for hunting

In terms of firearms nobody has found universal ammunition

Similarly , it does not exist in archery

Each archer must choose arrows depending on what he wants to do

Arrows to the target or hunting

It’s necessary to choose

Personally I draw light in 3D and I train with heavier hunting arrows before the start of the hunting season But not as same distances

It’s like a Ferrari cars and 4- X4 each can be fantastic but each have their use

Want the arrow to be the best in 3D and hunting is a utopian dream 🙄

Jpc. France

[David Coulter]

#31340

JPC said it well. In my experience you won’t find your accuracy suffers at hunting ranges. I practice up to 20 yards regularly and 40 yards once in a while. At 40 yards I have quite an parabola and I actually use the tip of the arrow to sight. At 20 and under I’m either having a good day or not.

If I were to pursue 3D I think it would benefit to create a special set up. As a hunter, I want to stay as consistent as possible all year. I admire guys who can shoot multiple set ups well.

[jpc]

#33687

A few years ago I had managed to have two identical bows that have the same arrow flight

One was 50 Lbs with 500 shafts the other one 55 Lbs with 400 shafts and heavier bullets(or blades)

Up to 20 meters I could shoot exactly the same way even without knowing which of the two bow

I used, of course with the appropriate arrows for each of these two recurve

I have to say that it was not easy and a long time to realize this twin set up , but I reached my goal

A pleasure as another one

But I think using one bow at a time is the best ( and cheapest ) way to be accurate 💡

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#21410

I always shot the same arrows out of 55-57lbs bows for 3D and hunting. My arrows have always been in the neighborhood of 630gr. I just add a 70gr weight tube for Elk hunting. I don’t like switching equipment. It messes with my accuracy.

[jpc]

#21686

recess , it is the best solution but you must train several times a week and give up shooting more than 25 meters

Here in France the 3d course ( trad bows) sometimes up to 40 m

With a hunting set that is impossible

( for me and all guys in my shooting association ):roll::shock:

[wojo14]

#10115

I guess the question I have is, Are you a bow hunter or a 3d shooter?

I am a bow hunter. I shoot 3d for practice and fun. All my set ups are for hunting. I rarely shoot over 20 yards. 8)

[jpc]

#11062

HI,

If you keep shooting 3D and bowhunt no more than 20 meters you can use same bow and arrows set for best training

But keep in mind that more than 20 meters targets are not for you

Have fun and if you keep 5 arrows in 8 inches cercle you’r on the good way

If you do not, retreat and find the distance you are eficcient

After 25 years bowhunting I nerver try a shoot more than 15 meters !:oops:

[Greg Ragan]

#10615

Everything in archery is a trade-off. Personally I am primarily a hunter and my 3D shooting is only practice to that end….just like stump shooting. To me I try to stay clear of the extremes in everything. I shoot old fashioned POC arrows and my total arrow weight is about 525 grains out of my 55 pound longbow. I get stable and excellent flight and the animals I shoot end up just as dead. I practice at long ranges and that has helped bring me some luck on some unlikely follow up shots at really long yardages. My opinion is figure out what your primary goal is and shoot the same type of equipment and arrow until it is second nature to you. Over stressing, constantly changing, and analyzing is often unnecessary and can even take away some of the joy….I know it did for me and now I stress a lot less about my equipment and just shoot.

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