arrow set up

[currie]

been thinking about some new arrow set ups for elk and was wondering what works for you guys

[Charina]

I'm not very experienced with this, just now getting back into the archery game after a 20 year break, but I have recently gone through my own arrow analysis. I debated between carbon express and gold tip, and others. Read tons of threads, compared this, that, and everything else. The options are almost overwhelming.

You could probably ask 10 people and get 11 different opinions. All the options out there can work. What I consider important for building an accurate and effective elk arrow include: Overall weight above 400 grains (heavier is better for bow efficiency and penetration, but comes at cost of speed - here is a good read on effectiveness of increasing weight); Moderately high FOC (10%+); consistency across all your arrows - meaning: straight, align spine stiffness, weigh and match lightest inserts with heaviest shafts, etc. None of that is truly critical, but I do like to maximize those variables I can control.

In the end I decided to get a dozen GT Velocity Hunter (+/- .006) shafts, 50 grain inserts, 100 grain heads. Here's a few thoughts why: The Velocity arrows have a lower gpi, allowing me to get close to, but stay under, 450 grains total on the arrow, and yet have a high FOC (pushing close to 13%) with the 50 grain inserts. I considered the CE blue streaks given their light gpi, but the nocks and setup on those put a bit more weight on the tail whereas the GT Velocity's nocks are very light. Not a significant matter, but the cost difference was! 100 grain heads gives me option to easily adjust up if I later decide I need more overall weight, or want to play with higher FOC.

I couldn't see the need, at least for me, to step up from the Hunter to the XT or Pro to get the straighter arrows. Watch this GT video on how to get good straight arrows even out of Hunter (.006) arrows. https://youtu.be/NVjeyAVfVSs He also goes through weight sorting shafts and inserts to get consistent arrow weight.

I'm not a fan of fletching arrows. Almost hate it. Yet, I don't like pre-fletched arrrows! I want to be able to align my cock vane with the stiffest spine of the arrow so that all are going to flex similarly on release. My solution is to use NAP quickfletch. It adds about 6-10 grains to the tail over fletching alone, but the ease and convenience of application is amazing. Used them last year on my wife's arrows (she likes to shoot groups, so refletching was needed occasionally), and I'm not sure I'll ever go back to standard fletching. I personally choose the quickspin variety and have had good success with them on the wife's setup last year. I have yet to apply them to my dozen arrows and shoot them from my bow.

There was a recent informative thread on Rokslide regarding arrow weight worth the read. See http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?43302-Arrow-weight-for-elk

The CE Maxium series arrows, with differing spine sections were tempting. The idea seems to have merit. I almost went for it and spent the extra $. In the end though, if this was truly a significant advantage, I would expect some more evidence of effectiveness from CE. Their promotional vids show one slow motion comparison, and a shot grouping comparison. That's all great and well; however, what were they comparing the Maxium to? An underspined arrow? The lack of details is telling. This lack of technical details in comparisons eventually led me to believe it's more a marketing ploy than real advantage. Were there truly an advantage, I think CE could, and would be anxious to show it, so I conclude it must not exist. But if spending an extra $80 for the latest idea gives you confidence, more power to you.

[currie]

thanks Charina

[Ridge Ghost]

Most importantly- shoot whatever tunes well out of your bow.
I would recommend at least staying above 400gr in total weight. My arrows are about 420 grains and they have worked well on elk.
I like helical fletching steering a fixed-blade broadhead. Keep that broadhead nice and sharp, and shoot it at the right spot.

[CurlyTail]

I am also a newbie archery. But this is the arrow I settled upon:

VAP V1 Elite ultra-microdiameter arrows, with the 92gr. stainles steel insert, an 85gr. Magnus Stinger 4 blade broadhead, Blazer vanes, and a Nocturnal lighted nock. Total weight about 465.

My thinking was to maximize penetration with a slightly heavy arrow, skinny diameter, a sharp fixed blade broadhead with a long narrow geometry, and good FOC. The lighted nock is to help me see shot placement so I can make a decision on how much time I need to wait before I start tracking.

After overthinking this to the extreme, I realize that shot placement/shot angle at the moment of truth is the only thing that really matters. I don't think you can think enough about shot angles, and shot placement as a new elk hunter

I hope to be able to share with you the effectiveness of this combo after September

I honesty do not know of two archers who shoot the exact same arrow

[Wyoklaelk8]

I recently got the full metal jacket deep 6 arrows and i really like them. Shooting in the wind is great as i have noticed they arent affected by the wind nearly as much. My arrows weigh 458 gr , drawback is the threads are different, so you'll have to get new broadheads made for the deep 6 arrows.

[Brendan]

I run gold tip hunter pro 300's right now. I get them spine indexed, cut and fletched exactly to my specs from South Shore Archery.

I am currently running 3 3" flex fletch vanes fletched helical, but am going to test some other vane combos to see if I get the same flight with less drag.