Sir Steve — I think we had a thread on this recently, but of course I have no memory (a blessing in many ways) and rely on Robin for brain cells. I can say that the first clean pass-through shots I ever experienced on elk, and the first two elk (after killing at least a dozen before that with stickbow) I watched die within a few yards, were with the same hick shaft (recovered and used again) at 743 grains as I recall (2-blade head). These were very skinny shafts, not easy to warp but not easy to straighten. I may still have a couple. But since then I’ve proven to myself that a lighter shaft, 650 or slightly more, with EFoC gets even better penetration without the total weight, thus a bit flatter and faster, etc. So while I once praised hick shafts, in my own little bowhunting world I’ve gone beyond that, seeking 650 or so overall with as little of that as possible in the wood and as much as possible in the broadhead. But then, keep in mind that my whole world is designed around killing elk, and what works for me in that world may not be the best bet for others hunting deer, pigs, etc. But I think it’s safe to suggest that for most purposes hickory is more weight than it pays its own way for. dave
