500gr arrow on 70lb draw?

[Cdnance]

I’m needing to get some new arrows and I was looking at going a little heavier. My question is if I go to a 500gr arrow will my shots over 30/40 yards become big arching shots? Is the added weight going to slow my arrow too much for that draw weight?

 

[Mighty Mouse]

What’s your draw length? DL also has a major effect on speed.

What arrow weight have you been shooting?

 

[HuntHarder]

Fwiw, i shoot 460 gr arrows @ 275fps. 28.5" draw, 70 lbs. 0 ragerts

 

[Geewhiz]

Seam like your draw length and your bow would make a significant difference in the outcome. My new setup is a 535 grain arrow, 75 lb draw, 30" dl, 278 fps.

 

[stonewall]

i used to shoot a 530 gr arrow. 70# 30" draw. i don't remember by FPS. shooting about 460grn now. also don't remember FPS. but my pin gaps are definitely tighter. That said, even with the heavier arrow, I was just fine with a 5 pin set up 20-60 and then could dial as needed. Never shot an animal past 45 though

 

[180ls1]

I'd take a different approach. Adjust arrow weight until your bow is shooting 270-280fps. That should balance everything out nicely.

 

[SDHNTR]

It’ll likely work just fine unless you have T-Rex arms.

 

[Cdnance]

What’s your draw length? DL also has a major effect on speed.

What arrow weight have you been shooting?

30” draw length.
I had been shooting 440gr arrows previously.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

30” draw length.
I had been shooting 440gr arrows previously.

500 gr is a very reasonable arrow weight at 70#/30”.

You’ll lose around 15-20 fps by adding 60 gr. Buy a field point test kit if you want to test out the trajectory of a heavier arrow before you commit to it.

 

[Cdnance]

Seam like your draw length and your bow would make a significant difference in the outcome. My new setup is a 535 grain arrow, 75 lb draw, 30" dl, 278 fps.

What bow are you shooting just out of curiosity.

 

[Geewhiz]

Last years lift

29.5

 

[Beendare]

I think 430g-500g is a sweet spot for an elk arrow...depending on your BH.

25-50g doesn't have a big effect on your effective trajectory at bowhunting distances 50y and in. Trajectory charts don't tell the whole story as it relates to your pins.

It does make a difference if you are shooting very long shots.

An enlightening test; set up your bow/pins for the heavier arrow. Then at 40 shoot both your heavy and light arrow. The gap at something like 40y will surprise you- hint; it ain't much

Doing the test the other way skews the results as you are effectively starting the heavy arrow on a Lower plane.

 

[butcherboy]

Why do you feel like you need to change? You’ll be fine with a 30” draw but if you are anywhere in the 400-470 grain range there is really no reason to go heavier. My arrows are 482 grains, 70 lbs, 28” draw and I don’t have a problem with pass throughs. I’m actually going to drop down to around 450 grains.

 

[Geewhiz]

Why do you feel like you need to change? You’ll be fine with a 30” draw but if you are anywhere in the 400-470 grain range there is really no reason to go heavier. My arrows are 482 grains, 70 lbs, 28” draw and I don’t have a problem with pass throughs. I’m actually going to drop down to around 450 grains.

Interestingly enough I've only ever got 1 pass through out of 10 or 12 bulls with a 435 grain arrow. Never whacked a shoulder blade, many different broadheads.

 

[Cdnance]

500 gr is a very reasonable arrow weight at 70#/30”.

You’ll lose around 15-20 fps by adding 60 gr. Buy a field point test kit if you want to test out the trajectory of a heavier arrow before you commit to it.

Didn’t even know they had these! I’ll give them a shot. Be a lot better to find out now rather than spending the money on a whole new setup!

 

[Cdnance]

Why do you feel like you need to change? You’ll be fine with a 30” draw but if you are anywhere in the 400-470 grain range there is really no reason to go heavier. My arrows are 482 grains, 70 lbs, 28” draw and I don’t have a problem with pass throughs. I’m actually going to drop down to around 450 grains.

I would just like to have a little extra weight behind the shot. First time for hunting elk and the setup I’ve been looking at bumps me up pretty good.

 

[SDHNTR]

30” draw length.
I had been shooting 440gr arrows previously.

Sounds near perfect with 500 gr. Of course, nothing wrong with 440 either.

 

[ssgjpd]

my setup for the past 6+ years is a 526grn arrow out of Halon 6 70# 28.5” draw. The arc or speed has never been a problem or concern.

I do not think you will have any issues.

 

[butcherboy]

I would just like to have a little extra weight behind the shot. First time for hunting elk and the setup I’ve been looking at bumps me up pretty good.

My set up has no problem blowing through elk. I’ve hunted elk for a long time and it’s more important to have a well tuned bow and super sharp broadheads. I would keep your weight under 500. Another option is to go with a stiffer spine and lighter arrow then add weight to the front. With 70 lbs and a 30” draw a 500 grain arrow won’t be an issue for you. To get to that 500 grain weight I would still go with a lighter arrow and add weight to the front to get you to your desired weight.

 

[Cdnance]

I appreciate the advice guys! I’m gonna look at a few other options, but it sounds like I should be good either way. If I do go heavier I’ll let you guys know how it works out!