Help....New bow/arrow set up.

[Toby]

I've decided to use a compound for our Wyoming elk hunt this fall. I just purchased a Hoyt Charger, price point bow, but very nice. It is 50-60#'s, IBO--325 FPS, and I draw 28-28.5". It is really the arrow/broadhead that I need help with. I have a dozen Easton Axis .400's that weigh 9 gpi. With a standard insert and 100 grain bh it weighs 393 grains. 418 with a 125 grain bh, and 438 with a 145 grain broadhead.

I also have some 50-75 grain break off inserts that I could use, which would add considerably to the weight and FOC, but would also slow the arrow down quite a bit. I'm not a speed freak, but want a decent trajectory.

As far as broadheads go, I have some 145 grain Trailmakers, they are a pretty big COC three blade, made by VPA, and are about the same dimensions of the VPA 175. They are a wicked head, but I am concerned being able to stabilize them with 3 Blazer vanes. I am also considering Slicktrick Viper Tricks, and Magnus Stinger Buzzcuts.

I'm also looking at a new sight. When I shot compounds in the past I have used an HHA single pin slider. Nice sight, but would like to hear what others are using and what they like about it.

[ElkNut1]

Toby, 55# with 400 grains, no problem! I personally love the Viper Tricks, awesome razor sharp head out of the package. Our last 8 bulls are with that head in 100 & 125 grain! I'd stay with the 100.
My sons first bull was 40# compound with 390 grain arrow with 3 bladed head, took a 6 point & buried arrow to the fletching!

As far as sights go we use the Montana Gold Ascent sights & are very happy with them! Lots of good ones out there though, sights are merely personal preference!

ElkNut1

[Deafirishman]

I purchased a Hoyt Charger 2 years ago. Love it. Not a real spendy bow and it does the job. My first year with it, I was skunked that season (whitetail and elk). This past season I arrowed a 4x5 at 11 yards in Idaho and arrowed at 10 point, 137 inch whitetail in MN at 20 yards.

My Charger is set at 65 pounds . I shoot 350 grain Carbon Express Maxim Hunters with a 100 grain Shuttle T Locks and blazer vanes. Shoots awesome with this set up. The Shuttle T's fly just like my field tips so I don't have to make any adjustments once I start practicing with the broadheads. As for sights, I have 5 pin Tru Glo but am looking to make the switch to the Montana Gold Ascent.

Good luck with finding your personsl set up that you are comfortable with.

[ElkNut1]

An additional thought here is your KE, it's not an end all but a good measuring stick as to the energy produced with a 55# bow & a 400 grain arrow. You should be in the 260' per second range at your draw length. This combo will produce aprox 60 ft lbs of KE (kinetic energy) -- One thing to consider is that with recurves & longbows in the same 55# draw wt with speeds more like 180 fps you will receive around 36 - 37 lbs of KE, this is enough to have pass thrus on elk, this is from actual experience. So in your case & setup you will be well setup to take any elk as long as you do your part in shot placement! This latter applies no matter how powerful the bow & weight on an arrow!

ElkNut1

[Wyo67]

Toby,

I also purchased the Hoyt Charger a little over a month ago. Love it. Your draw length is the same as mine, but like the Deafirishman, I'm also pulling back 65#. I'm shooting the Easton Full Metal Jackets, 100 grain Slick Tricks and blazer vanes that weigh-in at a total of 415 grains. Shoots great at this set up I've swapped from field tips to practice broadheads and it is rock solid with no adjustments out to 40 yards. Haven't had the opportunity to go further yet. Wyoming's been breezy the last couple of weeks...

With regards to the sight, I'm sold on the Spot Hogg brand. Great sight and great warrantee. I've got the Right-On sight with 5 pins - sized 0.019 ranged from 20 - 60 yards. Like Elknut said, it's all about personal preference. Now that my arrows are flying faster, my pins are closer together and if I would buy a sight now, I would look at a 4 or even 3 pin model.

Mike

[Toby]

Good info. Paul, good comparison with the KE.

Wyo, glad to hear you like your Charger. Three Charger owners on here, neat.

[welka]

Having hit and seen shoulders demolish BHs, I am in a different camp. 400 is good for non-bone hitting shots - which rarely happen. Even though you will lose some speed, get your weight closer to 450 to help if you need to plow through a bone hit. I like how VPAs sharpen, but I couldn't get them to group with a small crosswind. Switching to Vipertricks this year (if Paul uses it, I am in!).

[Toby]

I like both the VPA's and the Vipertricks. I enjoy sharpening things, but the configuration of the Vipertricks is very appealing.