should I switch to a heavier arrow - BowCountry.com Forums

bowfreak · 10-19-2009

First off I would like to say sorry have been busy this summer and never visited this forum. Anyway, On 1 of my bows which is a Parker hunter mag maxed at 60 lbs draw. I have never gotten a complete pass through on a good shot. I have killed many deer with it and have changed broadheads and arrows over the years, but have never got a complete clean pass through. Sunday afternoon I was hunting and shot a spike horn at 21 yards, and again no pass through. The arrows I was using cabela's xtreme stalkers tipped with 125 grain slick tricks. The total weight of this 360 grains and I only shoot a 26.5 draw length.

My quest is do you think I should try a heavier arrow, do you think I would get better penetration?

dino · 10-19-2009

I would say go lighter if your looking for a pass thru. You could safely go as low as 300 grns with the poundage you are shooting and speed things up a lot!

crablegs · 10-19-2009

I dont see why you would have trouble getting a passthru at all, people have done it at almost half the poundage. Are your broadheads new and sharp? How is your bow tuned? Seems odd. I try to stick to the 5 gpp deal.

BULLZ-i · 10-19-2009

360 SHOULD DO THE TRICK, HOWS YOUR SHOT PLACEMENT? HITTING ANY BONES??

X-er · 10-19-2009

should have absolutely no issues with that setup. ive got pass throughs shooting 55 lbs and 410 grain arrow and slicks......is your bow shooting bullet holes when you papertune it? poor arrow flight can really hamper penetration.....

hoosieroutdoorsman · 10-19-2009

You should have zero problems, double check the bow flight tuning, how is your front of center? I am assuming you shoot a fairly short arrow and with the 125 tip you could have to much FOC and your arrow is dipping at penetration. Maybe add a arrow wrap to the rear of your arrow and get a little more back end weight to it.

bowfreak · 10-20-2009

well first off sorry for posting in wrong place, must have been really sleepy last night. Anyway, My tuning on this bow is fine. I've used 100 grain broadheads in the past, and I alway's sharpen them even when they are new. I have shot with easton shockwaves, rage 3 blade, wasp sharpshooters, magnus 2 blade, and maybe some others I can't remember right now. From this setup and when having a correctly placed shot have never gotten a complete pass through.

I have a 52 lb@28 recurve that I shoot with 125 grain magnus suffers on 28 inch cedar shafts and have gotten complete pass throughs. My draw length is less than 28 so I probably only pulling at most 48 lbs most likely less.

The reason why I'm thinking about a heavier weight arrow, physical arrow weight in grains not spine weight. Is my heavier arrows on a lighter poundage bow give me better penetration. Traditional archers shoot heavier arrows than modern archers often with lower poundage bow's and get excellent penetration. Traditional archers start out @ 10 grains per pound of draw and often go higher, while modern seem to stay about 7 grains per pound.

dino · 10-20-2009

Yes, I shoot heavier arrows with my recurve as well. Don't know why you are not getting pass thrus.

7 GPP is heavier than my liking. Most I know shoot 5.5 GPP or there abouts. Others still (such as myself) like to live on the edge with 5 GPP. Go to Goldtip's website and play with their KE calculator. Try different grain arrows and see what kind of KE you can get with your setup. Might help out.

dino · 10-20-2009

Ah, I see what your talking about. I checked out the calculator myself. Heavier arrow more KE. I had it turned around. Was thinking faster was better for KE. It really has me puzzled as to why your not getting pass thrus... I checked 360 grns and if you were shooting 250 FPS you would be getting 50 pounds of energy. You think that would punch right thru a deer.

Deerminator · 10-20-2009

Try shooting some AL XX75 arrows and you will see pass threws. Prolly cheaper for ya to. Keep the 125gr heads. Go with a 5" helic vain.

Go Bucks · 10-20-2009

360 gr should do the trick. i am not surprised with no pass thru on a 3 blade rage. they make a nice hole but lose alot of energy trying to get thru.

bowfreak · 10-21-2009

I agree Deerminator I was thinking of trying some xx75 next season

willy1 · 10-29-2009

is your arrow flying tru? im 26 draw ,60 pounds ,331 total grain. no probs on passes with tricks or muzzys.

tigerhunter · 10-29-2009

I would do exactly as Deerminator said...Shoot the heavier, larger diameter aluminum arrows...A far greater transfer of energy

droptyne1 · 10-29-2009

I'd go with a heavier arrow with a 100g. tip. JMO I shoot a 60# with 27.5" draw and my arrows for hunting weigh in at 454. I haven't had one not go through yet.

Franko · 11-01-2009

Your set up is more than addiquit. Shouldnt have any problems. As far as heavy arrows, I shoot a 535gr finished arrow and love it. Some say i'm nuts but I like the KE. Only had a few arrows in over 50 that didnt completely pass through. Usually passes through and sticks into a tree of burries deep into the ground. I am however setting up another bow with carbon arrows and see if I will make the change.
Good luck,
Frank

meathunter13 · 11-01-2009

i got a pass thru with 43 lbs. 24" draw, and a 300 grain arrow, and my vane hits my cable every time i shoot.

how do you not get a pass through?