Optimizing arrow weight for big mechanicals?

[muddyfuzzy]

Gentlemen, please don't beat me up but I am not the fantastic shot that some of you guys are. I shoot big mechanicals - specifically Rage Hypodermics because I like a little wiggle room if I fluff a shot. I am trying to see what weight arrows you guys are shooting for optimal penetration with the big broadhead. I currently shoot 405 grain TAW @ 276 FPS. I am thinking I may raise my draw weight, but if I can get better penetration by adding say 100 grains up front that would be my preference. Currently shooting a 350 spine at 27 3/8 @ 65#. What does the brain trust think?

You can easily transition to a 300 spine shaft with additional weight. 500-525 is a great all purpose weight for NA game and will perform much better in the penetration department than your current set up. Big cuts = more drag, edge sharpness and head profile to a lesser degree are also considerations to be made.


[emoji1662]

[Buffalo1]

I don't know the formula to get you where you want to go, but I would suggest you increase your overall arrow weight to 425-450 gr. and even higher if desired. You have lots of options shooting 65# bow.

Be more concerned with arrow momentum than arrow speed or KE. Therein, is were penetration lies. A plus would also be a quieter bow with the heavier arrow setup.
I am a proponent of COC BH's. However, to each his own with BH selection.

[kd350]

Forgot to add. The buck I shot this year was with a 2” grim reaper. 500ish arrow going 260-265 and it zipped right through. Used to shoot lighter arrows with rages and got pass throughs, but thats shooting behind the shoulder. Now I am in the vital v and not too worried about what I hit

[bbbuck]

Listen to the Meateater podcast “The archer paradox” believe it is pod cast 286. You will learn more about arrow penetration than you would imagine. Number one issue is mechanical’s don’t use them.

[enewman]

Let’s talk arrow legality.

1-tuning.
a- FOC. (arrow stabilization)
2-broadhead (type)
3-arrow mass.

Tuning is one the most important parts to an hunting arrow. You want that arrow to impact straight. An arrow not impacting straight will rob you of kinetic energy and kill penetration.

Broadheads are kinetic energy users. But mass is part of that equation. It takes kinetic energy and mass. But it’s easy to rob yourself of the kinetic energy. What you want is two holes (not needed) when hunting. What you do not want is the arrow to be 20 yards past. (People brag about this) When your arrow is that far past an animal means you have lots of wasted energy. You need to utilize the energy. Shoot a bigger cut broadhead. That could even mean going from a two blade to a four blade. Or from a 1” two blade to a 2” mechanical. Use physics to help build the arrow.

Arrow mass only needs to be looked at when you are still having an issue with penetration. Remember shot placement is number 1 once the arrow is built.

I know people that kill elk every year with 395gr arrow and a rage broadhead. Pure shot placement.

A 450gr arrow is a good average set up. Ive seen eland, kudo, plus many more African game taken with around 450gr arrows with rage broadheads.

So, if you are having problems with the 405gr arrow. Look at broadhead first, then mass. (Assuming tuning is good)

[Pushbutton2]

Let’s talk arrow legality.

1-tuning.
a- FOC. (arrow stabilization)
2-broadhead (type)
3-arrow mass.

Tuning is one the most important parts to an hunting arrow. You want that arrow to impact straight. An arrow not impacting straight will rob you of kinetic energy and kill penetration.

Broadheads are kinetic energy users. But mass is part of that equation. It takes kinetic energy and mass. But it’s easy to rob yourself of the kinetic energy. What you want is two holes (not needed) when hunting. What you do not want is the arrow to be 20 yards past. (People brag about this) When your arrow is that far past an animal means you have lots of wasted energy. You need to utilize the energy. Shoot a bigger cut broadhead. That could even mean going from a two blade to a four blade. Or from a 1” two blade to a 2” mechanical. Use physics to help build the arrow.

Arrow mass only needs to be looked at when you are still having an issue with penetration. Remember shot placement is number 1 once the arrow is built.

I know people that kill elk every year with 395gr arrow and a rage broadhead. Pure shot placement.

A 450gr arrow is a good average set up. Ive seen eland, kudo, plus many more African game taken with around 450gr arrows with rage broadheads.

So, if you are having problems with the 405gr arrow. Look at broadhead first, then mass. (Assuming tuning is good)

Legality or Lethality?

I'm guessing you meant lethality..

[enewman]

Legality or Lethality?

I'm guessing you meant lethality..

hahahaha I didn't catch it.

Thanks.

by the way, been a long time since we talked. I hope all is going well for you and your family.

[Pushbutton2]

hahahaha I didn't catch it.



Thanks.



by the way, been a long time since we talked. I hope all is going well for you and your family.

It has been a long time brother [emoji17]

I've lost my zest for most things.
God, Archery and Hunting are the ones I miss the most

[enewman]

It has been a long time brother [emoji17]

I've lost my zest for most things.
God, Archery and Hunting are the ones I miss the most

Yes, I myself have lost my drive.

Give ma a day or so, and I will call.

[trykonroye]

I think you just need to pick up the phone and Call ol' Jeff At cinnamon creek. He will make your eyes cross when it comes to this. I had him build and ship me my elk arrows for this year. i ended up shooting everything with them. Pigs, Deer, javis, unfortunately no elk but next year. THey are heavy 550+ I shoot big expandable! Nap Spitfires, Mega Meat, and Wasp Jakhammers.

[Jon B]

I ended up purchasing some victory arrows. They say the Inner Diameter is .245. while looking for inserts it looks like most are .244? Do I order the .244s and expect the glue to make up the difference? Thanks In advance for any help.

[kd350]

I would just go through the ethics archery website and use the shaft selector. It’ll pick the right size for you

[TX_Kevin]

Let’s talk arrow legality.

1-tuning.
a- FOC. (arrow stabilization)
2-broadhead (type)
3-arrow mass.

Tuning is one the most important parts to an hunting arrow. You want that arrow to impact straight. An arrow not impacting straight will rob you of kinetic energy and kill penetration.

Broadheads are kinetic energy users. But mass is part of that equation. It takes kinetic energy and mass. But it’s easy to rob yourself of the kinetic energy. What you want is two holes (not needed) when hunting. What you do not want is the arrow to be 20 yards past. (People brag about this) When your arrow is that far past an animal means you have lots of wasted energy. You need to utilize the energy. Shoot a bigger cut broadhead. That could even mean going from a two blade to a four blade. Or from a 1” two blade to a 2” mechanical. Use physics to help build the arrow.

Arrow mass only needs to be looked at when you are still having an issue with penetration. Remember shot placement is number 1 once the arrow is built.

I know people that kill elk every year with 395gr arrow and a rage broadhead. Pure shot placement.

A 450gr arrow is a good average set up. Ive seen eland, kudo, plus many more African game taken with around 450gr arrows with rage broadheads.

So, if you are having problems with the 405gr arrow. Look at broadhead first, then mass. (Assuming tuning is good)

Dr. Ashby disagrees with just about all of your points here. He's done more research on it that just about anyone on earth. It is hard not to listen to him.

[TylerDale]

If you’re looking for big cutting diameter, Slick Trick Magnums are always a safe bet, 2.5” of total cut without the fear of failure to open. Unless you’re shooting Grim Reaper Whitetail Specials, I don’t think you can get much more cut surface. The issue you will run into with the big mechanicals is that most of the time they are trashed on one shot with the energy that most newer bows are putting out. I’m shooting 540gr fmjs @268-270fps and they will either bend ferrules or bend blades on the big mechanicals.