Arrow Build/FOC for upcoming moose hunt

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Dec 16, 2021
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I have a question about arrows, specifically FOC and I was wondering if anyone could share some insight on it?

I recently built an arrow set up for a moose hunt in Alaska. I have a 31.5” draw length, 75lb bow, 250 spine VAP SS arrows, with a 55gr titanium insert, and 100gr points. I’m getting about 272 fps with a total arrow weight of 550gr. My FOC is coming in around 9.5-9.8. Some people say this shouldn’t matter, some say it will. What is RS thoughts and what would you do to increase FOC if you think it’s not sufficient? I will say, with the insert, my arrow sticks out about and inch past my riser.

I’m just nervous that I’ll hit a moose and not get enough penetration. This is my first moose hunt ever.
 
Cut the arrow as short as possible and dump the outsert. Use a heavier insert and heavier broadhead. There really is no reason to go that heavy for moose. Your standard arrow weight for something like elk would be fine. Shoot for something 430-470 grains.

Edit: I just reread your post and see that you aren’t using an oustert. Use the 55 grains insert and go up to 125-150 grains on your broadhead. To have a higher foc it works better with a lighter and stiffer spined arrow.
 
If the arrow flight with broadheads is good then you could ignore the calculated FOC. Penetration will be good as long as the shaft follows directly behind the tip and you hit consistently where you aim.

But, you should be able to cut the shaft down to approximately 30” nock to insert, add tip weight, and use lighter fletch/nock, to increase FOC. I like to add weight to the insert and use a smaller profile head. You could instead increase head weight to 125 or 150 to achieve the same thing.
 
I have a question about arrows, specifically FOC and I was wondering if anyone could share some insight on it?

I recently built an arrow set up for a moose hunt in Alaska. I have a 31.5” draw length, 75lb bow, 250 spine VAP SS arrows, with a 55gr titanium insert, and 100gr points. I’m getting about 272 fps with a total arrow weight of 550gr. My FOC is coming in around 9.5-9.8. Some people say this shouldn’t matter, some say it will. What is RS thoughts and what would you do to increase FOC if you think it’s not sufficient? I will say, with the insert, my arrow sticks out about and inch past my riser.

I’m just nervous that I’ll hit a moose and not get enough penetration. This is my first moose hunt ever.

There is nothing on this continent that you cannot kill with a 550gr arrow going 270. Tune tune tune


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I have no doubt that you'll arrow will perform great as is, however to boost that FOC I'd defiantly toss the ss shafts and switch to the HLR or TKO platform while keeping your inserts comprised of titanium. I prefer to shoot for 14%+ . Also if your are worried about penetration, the most important thing by far is your broad head choice. Not to say a large expandable wont work, but It's indisputable to say that a smaller fixed blade will penetrate deeper. I suggest the micro hades, iron-will, or any other super tough fixed blade. Like dkime said you'll kill anything with your setup, but that doesn't mean stop tinkering.
 
I have no doubt that you'll arrow will perform great as is, however to boost that FOC I'd defiantly toss the ss shafts and switch to the HLR or TKO platform while keeping your inserts comprised of titanium. I prefer to shoot for 14%+ . Also if your are worried about penetration, the most important thing by far is your broad head choice. Not to say a large expandable wont work, but It's indisputable to say that a smaller fixed blade will penetrate deeper. I suggest the micro hades, iron-will, or any other super tough fixed blade. Like dkime said you'll kill anything with your setup, but that doesn't mean stop tinkering.
Thank you, I talked to a few guys who’ve hunted moose with a bow and they suggested QAD Exodus broadheads. So I think that’s what I’ll go with.
 
This was a 40 yd group, two broadheads, two field points, from when I was broadhead tuning. I can definitely tighten these groups up through the summer with practice but I thought it was a pretty good group for having not shot in a few months.

You’re in a good place as it stands, I assume this is your first moose hunt? Find a good broadhead that won’t rust, relative humidity in AK will get you faster than you expect. I’ve had fresh heads get rusty in a week just riding in a quiver.


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You’re in a good place as it stands, I assume this is your first moose hunt? Find a good broadhead that won’t rust, relative humidity in AK will get you faster than you expect. I’ve had fresh heads get rusty in a week just riding in a quiver.


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Yes, this is my first moose hunt. Drew an archery only tag! Very excited! Thanks for the tip!
 
Unless you LIKE to tinker and have the time and money to do so, there is no reason to change anything with your setup. 40 yard group looks great and that moose will be in big trouble. Chasing the numbers is only for fun, and mental masturbation to kill time in the off season. It is not for results. That arrow going 270FPS with a straight flight and good tune will not be beat by anything else you switch up that you can quantify on an animal.
 
Your setup is excellent as long as you do your job on placement

Spend all your time practicing, get your tune dialed, and don’t worry about tinkering anymore

Good luck and return to the thread with your stories
 
If you’re shooting like that now at 40 yds then I wouldn’t change anything. Only thing I would tinker with is maybe just shortening your arrow a little bit but that’s just my personal preference. QAD exodus is an excellent choice for a broadhead. I shoot the 100 grain swept but it’s considered barbed in some states. The full blade is a good choice.
 
You could probably cut 2.5" off your shaft if it's past your riser an inch, 2" anyways.

That will change your FOC by 1%, do you really think it will change anything in how that arrow penetrates?

No.

It will stiffen shaft, might make it easier to tune.

Ignore the FOC numbers, I don't think they have much merit with long arrows especially from long DL archers.
 
You could probably cut 2.5" off your shaft if it's past your riser an inch, 2" anyways.

That will change your FOC by 1%, do you really think it will change anything in how that arrow penetrates?

No.

It will stiffen shaft, might make it easier to tune.

Ignore the FOC numbers, I don't think they have much merit with long arrows especially from long DL archers.
Thanks, that’s what I was thinking when I was reading online. All the “experts” online are referencing much shorter draw and arrow lengths.
 
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