[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Concerns regarding speed and kinetic energy #20787

Cameron wrote: 140fps just sounds slow and I was not sure it would have the necessary force to effectively take larger game.

Heavier arrows will tend to be slower. But heavier arrows will also pack a lot more punch, or momentum. Despite the popular bumper-sticker jingo-ism, speed isn’t actually what kills. Speed is one factor of momentum, and it’s momentum that kills.

My advice is not to get too hung up on chronographs. I used to graph my bows, I really couldn’t care less any more. I shoot a #57 recurve, with a 600+gr. arrow (24% FOC) and a 2-blade broadhead. I know it’s a very powerful combo that packs a whallop, and I have no concerns about having sufficient penetration on N. American ungulates or pigs.

Rather than speed, I’d suggest paying attention to the amount of penetration you’re getting with that setup at normal hunting distances (and increased FOC will help with that). You can even buy a side of meat (ideally w/bone), and shoot into it at 10, 15, 20 yds. and see what happens.

But in the end, keep in mind that many, many animals have been killed with bows that aren’t any “faster” than yours.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Concerns regarding speed and kinetic energy #20758

Cameron – I’d say your arrows certainly seem plenty heavy for the small game you’re going after. What’s your FOC?

Personally, I prefer to think about momentum, rather than kinetic energy.

Can you be more specific about what your actual concern is? Not having enough force for larger game?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: fletching tape #18291

Never had a problem with tape. Give the shaft a light sanding with extra fine, wipe it down with denatured alcohol, fletch it, and then put a dab of glue (I use Gold Tip arrow glue) at either end of the feather.

Maybe you got a bad batch, but I would send it back and give it a second try. It’s so much easier and quicker than glue, imo.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: arrow weight for elk #18287

600 gr. w/24% FOC.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Where Would You Live? #14930

If it’s going to be in the lower 48, I can’t imagine living anywhere other than the northern Rockies.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Turkey Video #14198

Well done. It’s nice to see a quality vid featuring trad bows.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Looking for a good broad head #12179

Anyone used the new VPA two-blades yet?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: It's getting CLOSE! #11566

Unit 9006, which encompasses a pretty huge area, from the Montana border down past the South Fork and way out past IF. They only issue 125 tags for that whole area. Needless to say, I don’t tend to see many other turkey hunters.

I’ve always heard that the north, and out toward Lewiston area, has a ton of birds. One of these years I need to make the trek over there.

Looking forward to more of your videos, Clay. Especially a spring gobbler vid!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "New Bad Boy in Town" #10866

“The Edge… there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.”

– Hunter S. Thompson

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: where are the heavier bows at??? #10589

tkohlhorst wrote: ….would you take a 45-50# bow to go moose hunting or caribu hunting?

No, but I wouldn’t feel the need to take a #60+ bow, either. I think that something in the mid-to-upper #50s, with a proper, hard-hitting arrow/broadhead setup, will work for anything in N. America (and not just in the idealistic realm of perfect shot placement).

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: where are the heavier bows at??? #10569

skifrk wrote: While others have pointed to possible reasons by the buyer I will swing the other way and say certain bowyers in developing there new bows have developed bows that are smoother to draw and more efficient at the lower wights. i.e.

I would agree with that too. There are so many very efficient designs to choose from now (and other related improvements), that I believe that for most applications, there really aren’t significant gains to me made above #60, which can’t be made up in other ways (string choice, arrow weight, etc) that still allow one to use an easier drawing bow that will still get just about anything done. Why pull more weight than you have to?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Sheds #10514

SDMFer wrote: Instead, being the first really nice day of the year found lots of !@#$’s on ATVs and jacked up trucks tearing up our public lands.

:evil::evil::evil:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: where are the heavier bows at??? #10510

Interesting. Personally, my #57 recurve is the heaviest I shoot, and I’ve seen no reason to go heavier than that.

On a related note, Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear (bow shop in Colorado & online) recently had a post on their blog regarding their stats with the bows they sell. Among other things that it points out, if you scroll down, is that there is a pretty sharp drop-off in sales of bows above #55. And according to the owner, the vast majority of their bows are sold to hunters, not target shooters.

Personally, I attribute this to more people (re)discovering the virtues of EFOC arrows, rather than compensating with heavy bows…:wink:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: "Horse Bows" #10409

I’ll be curious to hear about your experiences with it, Moe. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting one myself. Are you using a thumb ring with it?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Noteable Quotes! #9324

“For what it’s worth, a wilderness area should be handled as follows:

First, remove the “sanitary facilities,” also known as outhouses, plow up the roads and parking lots, re-seed the trails, and otherwise vacate the interior. Then build a dirt parking lot at the area boundary and erect the following sign:

Howling wilderness beyond this point

CAUTION

Bad weather

Rough terrain

Bears that act funny

No rescue facilities available

Enter at your own risk

Have a nice day”

– John Geirach

[Author]

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