Arrow weight

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

I need to decide on what arrows I will be taking with me. I did a lot of research on arrow weight for elk on different sites last year and Google searches. Everything said you want at least 450 grains of arrow. My draw is 28 inches so I only get 280 fps out of my bow. For years I have shot gold tip pro Hunter 7595s with 125gr tip they weight 405 grains. With the thought of needing heavier arrows I bought some gold tip knitics pros with 125gr tips they weight 475 grains. After shooting them a lot the only thing I don't like is the pin gap with a slower arrow. So what is your opinion is 405 grains enough arrow weight? What is your arrow weight and the farthest you have shot an elk?

[BrentLaBere]

My last set up was a 28.5" arrow, 280 fps and was only moving a 380 some grain arrow with a 100 grain tip. I have since changed bows and overall arrow setup but the old one worked just fine. My opinion on the 405 grain arrow is you will do just fine.
Current weight is 494, 125 tip @ 284 fps. It made my head spin following the different debates and studies on whether KE or Momentum is the best way to go, and then you'll dive into the broadhead arguments. Choose a setup that you shoot best with and are comfortable with. Then get your broadheads flying great. Put the broadhead in the vitals and you wont need to worry about all the other stuff.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Thank you for your input. Yes sometI messed reading threw all the information I felt more confused my biggest concern with the 475 grain arrows is limiting my shotgun opportunity because of the arrow arc. What bow are you currently using to get that heavy arrow shooting 284?!

[BrentLaBere]

Elite Impulse 34 with a 30.5" draw
Shooting the easton axis full metal jacket deep six at 12 grains per inch. The arrow was recommended to me to be cut a little shorter than I wanted, which might be why im getting a little more speed.

It ranged from 281 to 284 when I shot through the chrono at our local shop. I rounded up...it was rated right at release for the most part. They aren't too fond of people shooting the graph down range.

[Mukbowhunt]

I am shooting a Hoyt nitrum 34 27.5" DL with 70 lb limbs maxed out. I don't actually no what it is pulling.

I stay heavy and quiet. I don't mind the pin gap.

It launches a 27" gold tip xt hunter that is weighing in at (500 grains; 100 grn brass insert plus 100 grain tip/bh) down range with ease. Great FOC and awesome KE.


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[CurlyTail]

I am sure your old arrow is adequate, but perhaps not optimum.

My plan is to optimize my arrow for penetration, and make sure that I only take a high probability shot angle, at ranges that I cannot miss. I think the heavy arrow will have better penetration.

Most shot opportunities when calling in Elk are going to be 30 yards or less, so the arc of the heavier arrow won't be a problem most of the time. On longer shots, you will just have to take the time to get a good accurate range or not take the shot.

My arrow is 477 grains, so I like your new arrows specs

[Swede]

I have sent arrows weighing less than 360 grains completely through an elk at 40 yards with a far less efficient bow than we shoot today. I don't consider a 356 grain arrow optimal, but the two most important factors are broad-head sharpness and shot placement. Bow draw poundage and arrow weight will not make up for a problem with either.

[pointysticks]

i have one arrow size. it is 430 grains. i use it for everything.

[Ryan Conkle]

Your old set-up will work just fine...a heavy arrow is not a good thing and a light arrow is not a good thing, you have to have a balance of both speed and weight to optimize kinetic energy, which is what will determine the penetration of your set-up. My set-up is as a Mathews DXT at 70 lbs. and a 29 inch draw shooting Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350's tipped with a 100 grain Slick Trick Standard Broadhead, bringing my total arrow weight in at 390 grains, when I put this set-up on the chronograph last year, it came in at almost 280 F.P.S, which If I remember correctly calculated at 68 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy. Although a little heavier might be optimally better, as in my case as well, I believe it is more important to focus on shot placement and to not make major changes' in your set-up and would in turn shoot with what you are must confident in and comfortable with. Dead is dead and if you put the arrow where it needs to be, the elk will be dead just as fast with your 405 grain set-up as it would be with your 475 grain set-up, likewise if a poor shot is made, I do not believe that 70 grains' of arrow weight is going to be the difference in recovering the elk or not.
My bull from last year I shot with the stated set-up and easily had a complete pass-thorough and buried the arrow into the dirt at approximately 30 yards'.

[Tigger]

I have wondered about this as well. I shoot a Matthews Z7 Extreme. Chrono at 268 fps with 412 grain arrows. Last year, I shot a bull at 40 yards (fairly steep downhill so arrow flight was longer) and he piled up in about 150 yards. It wasn't a complete pass through though, we found the last 9" of arrow pushing out the hide on the back side. as my arrow supply is dwindling, I might switch arrows this year.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Thank you all for your input. I have decided to go with my original setup. So if any one is interested in some gold tip kinetic kaos 300 message me. They weigh 475 grains and they are cut to 26 inches. Half a dozen have never been shot and the other half dozen have been shot 300 times or so. Nothing wrong with them I shot at different spots not to bang them up. I paid $180 would like a $100