Bow set up versus elk question.

[RibcageX]

My current set up is 29" draw, 61lbs, 410 gr complete arrow with head. I am guessing (totally guessing) that my speed is about 280. I shoot accurately out to about 60 yds. Question is... is this set up okay for elk to take a 60 yd shot, or should I keep it to 40? I know a sharp head in the right spot will do the job, but looking for someones actual field experience regarding elk anatomy, ducking and tuning at the sound.... Any info / advice is greatly appreciated.

[Stins]

All depends on your ability, confidence and the particular situation. Calm elk at 60 and you're confident on the shot, I would take it, but at that yardage I would also be real sure of the distance. As for the anatomy, the good thing is the kill zone is quite large.

[7sdad]

If you have the confidence at 60 you should be fine with your setup but like Stins said make sure of your distance, shooting up and down steep inclines are different than flat ground.

[docmay]

I think you are pretty good. Personally, I like an arrow in the 450-500 grain range for elk. I would use a solid, cut on contact fixed blade. My top choices for your set up would be an iron will or slick trick vipertrick. I don’t think the 60 yards is much of an issue unless you hit heavy bone. You might be a little light in that case.

[ThePecosBilly]

My only advice is try not to get stressed with that mess, like I have. I would stick with what you've got then go kill an elk. For what it's worth I shoot a little lighter and faster than you with 100gr Slick Trick. Kill list is whitetail, ibex, black bear, elk, fallow deer, pigs, and red stag. I plan on using the same setup for Moose and Caribou this September too.

[RibcageX]

Thanks guys. All good information for thought. I will be hunting around alfalfa fields (my old legs ain't what they used to be) so should be flat to slightly elevated. I will be doing my best to set up as close as possible in hopes of 20-40 yards, but I need to evaluate everything and lock down my shoot / don't shoot range, in my head. Appreciate everyone's input.

[SaltwaterSlick]

The longer the shot, the more critical tuning and arrow weight is. A light fast arrow will get there fast to a point, but a lightweight arrow will lose energy much faster than a heavier arrow. I certainly would not go lighter on your arrow. I might even go a bit heavier. I killed my first archery elk with a recurve shooting 200 fps with a 650 grain arrow and I could confidently shoot accurately out beyond 50 yards... I was prepared to shoot 50 yards, but as it turned out, I shot my elk at 12 yards. That arrow didn't even change trajectory when it went through him. Get on line and find you a ballistics for archery calculator and see what your specific arrow's numbers look like. Cut on contact is very important too and FIXED blade... and by the way, a Slick Trick is NOT a cut on contact head. A Razor Trick IS. Trouble is they don't make those anymore... That's What I shoot for deer and everything else, but I use Wensel Woodsman heads for large bodied animals like elk.
Good luck! Hoping to see some LDP's of you and your bull soon!!

[Arrowsmith]

The longer the shot, the more critical tuning and arrow weight is. A light fast arrow will get there fast to a point, but a lightweight arrow will lose energy much faster than a heavier arrow. I certainly would not go lighter on your arrow. I might even go a bit heavier. I killed my first archery elk with a recurve shooting 200 fps with a 650 grain arrow and I could confidently shoot accurately out beyond 50 yards... I was prepared to shoot 50 yards, but as it turned out, I shot my elk at 12 yards. That arrow didn't even change trajectory when it went through him. Get on line and find you a ballistics for archery calculator and see what your specific arrow's numbers look like. Cut on contact is very important too and FIXED blade... and by the way, a Slick Trick is NOT a cut on contact head. A Razor Trick IS. Trouble is they don't make those anymore... That's What I shoot for deer and everything else, but I use Wensel Woodsman heads for large bodied animals like elk.
Good luck! Hoping to see some LDP's of you and your bull soon!!

I sure wish they still made Razor Tricks. Huge mistake on the new owners (The Outdoor Group) part. Gary would have never dropped them. Tracy still has two packs, but I doubt she will part with them.

[JTeLarkin08]

Arrow is gonna pass through the elk at 60 just like it will at 40.. What matters is can you put it through both lungs at 60.. Shoot a good fixed head and you will be fine.. Also remember that elks lungs are big.. No reason to mess with the shoulder or leg bone.. \

[quackadikt]

As said above, you're probably ok. Personally, I'd want to up my weight some to that 450-475gr, but that's just personal preference. I'd definitely shoot a TRUE cut on contact head(Magnus, Iron Will, VPA, etc) and NOT a chisel tip type head.

[Smart]

I doubt all these lady hunters we watch kill elk on TV, have a setup anywhere near as heavy as yours. ... and they do fine.

[wdtorque]

This

I think you are pretty good. Personally, I like an arrow in the 450-500 grain range for elk. I would use a solid, cut on contact fixed blade. My top choices for your set up would be an iron will or slick trick vipertrick. I don’t think the 60 yards is much of an issue unless you hit heavy bone. You might be a little light in that case.

I might add, practice with your broadhead of choice in all kind of positions, good chance you won't be standing. Make sure your hunting heads are very, very sharp. Aim Small

[JB_Archery]

My current set up is 29" draw, 61lbs, 410 gr complete arrow with head. I am guessing (totally guessing) that my speed is about 280. I shoot accurately out to about 60 yds. Question is... is this set up okay for elk to take a 60 yd shot, or should I keep it to 40? I know a sharp head in the right spot will do the job, but looking for someones actual field experience regarding elk anatomy, ducking and tuning at the sound.... Any info / advice is greatly appreciated.

what arrow do you shoot? heavy front insert? is your bow broad head tuned? With a 410 grain arrow I would say you need some good front end weight to help that arrow set-up. Bow being broadhead tuned means your arrow is flying as stright as possible meaning better pass thru. I would jump up to a Victory Elite RIP 300 spine arrow with their 60 grain SS insert. Cut it down around 27.5" or so putting your arrow around 435-440 grains. I think your arrow set-up is okay but I would change it due to most Elk hunts are hunts of a lifetime caliber.

[Sackett]

Don't over-think it. Your setup is fine. Concentrate on accuracy and consistency. Confidence in your shooting will pay much better dividends when an elk is standing broadside and your heart is racing.

[Stins]

Don't over-think it. Your setup is fine. Concentrate on accuracy and consistency. Confidence in your shooting will pay much better dividends when an elk is standing broadside and your heart is racing.

This is good advise. You are not that far out from season, if your set up shoots great and you have confidence in it, messing with the set up might just put doubt in yourself. Stick with what you know, lots of elk killed with what you have.