Critique Bow, Arrow & BH Hunting Set Up

[AlabamaMountainMan]

New to the traditional archery world but making great progress in my daily shooting. Expecting to be hunting this fall with how my practice is currently going so I am now looking at possibly increasing draw weight and purchasing a dozen arrows to build out. I wanted to get some feedback with those who have more experience to see if what I am considering makes sense and get some recommendations.

Bow is a Vista Monarch Takedown Recurve - 62" bow - 40lb @ 28" draw - I draw about 28.5 so maybe more like 41-42 lb.
I am drawing and holding at full draw for some time (not snap shooting) with ease and can shoot for extended sessions without noticeable fatigue so I do have room to increase draw weight and limbs are pretty easy to come by to accomplish this. I don't subscribe to the theory that I need 70lb to make a clean kill on white-tail sized game and under at 20 yards max or less, but I don't want to sit right on the line of "barely enough". I want to be likely to get passthroughs and good penetration the majority of the time.

The arrows and BH set ups I am looking at are:

Victory RIP 5mm arrows
- spine dependent on draw weight and BH weight
- BH: 100 or 150 gr Magnus Stinger Buzzcut 4
- 3 AAE Trad Vanes

Could be looking at:
- 496 total weight and 19.72% FOC with the 150 gr BH
- 457 total weight and 15.72% FOC with the 100 gr BH

I already own 40lb limbs and a bunch of the 100gr BH's. My main questions are:
- Would I see a significant benefit from increasing the BH weight to 150 gr? If I did increase to the 150, would I NEED to increase poundage to recoup some of the lost FPS or would the loss be negligible for hunting 20 yards and under?
- Would I see a significant benefit from increasing the draw weight to say 55lb with or without increasing the BH weight?

Of course if someone has a totally different recommendation, I am all ears. I am not ready to buy a new bow at this time, but would buy new limbs. I will likely buy a new bow next year and splurge on a nicer brand and model once I have had time to develop an idea of what my preferences are.

 

[nevadabugle]

I'd go with the heavier of the two arrows. Penetration from stickbows is more correlated to arrow weight than arrow speed. I feel that 500 grains around 50lbs is more than enough for good penetration as long as the arrow is tuned and flying well.

Broadheads should be two blade (breeders are fine). I cant explain why, but I would not want to shoot serrated blades.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I'd go with the heavier of the two arrows. Penetration from stickbows is more correlated to arrow weight than arrow speed. I feel that 500 grains around 50lbs is more than enough for good penetration as long as the arrow is tuned and flying well.

Broadheads should be two blade (breeders are fine). I cant explain why, but I would not want to shoot serrated blades.

Do you think it’s worth jumping up to 50 lb ln draw as well? Currently at 40 lb.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Do you think it’s worth jumping up to 50 lb ln draw as well? Currently at 40 lb.

With your draw length starting out, no.

9 grains per pound is plenty for a stick bow, 10 if you want penetration, have a short draw, low draw weight etc.

For real a 450 grain arrow with smoke through critters at 40lbs 28.5 draw with a sharp 2 blade or a long tapered 3 blade.

I shot my first mulley at 31 yards years ago, that bow was 41-42 on my finger, Magnus 100 grain stinger, 75 grain insert…..at my 25.5 draw length, arrow was right at 500 grains. Broke the off side shoulder. Going like 140-150 fps.

Tune it, go hunt and kill stuff.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

With your draw length starting out, no.

9 grains per pound is plenty for a stick bow, 10 if you want penetration, have a short draw, low draw weight.

For real a 450 grain arrow with smoke through critters at 40lbs 28.5 draw with a sharp 2 blade of long tapered 3 blade.

I shot my first mulley at 31 yards years ago, that bow was 41-42 on my finger, Magnus 100 grain stinger, 75 grain insert…..at my 25.5 draw length, arrow was right at 500 grains. Broke the off side shoulder. Going like 140-150 fps.

Tune it, go hunt and kill stuff.

That’s what I wanted to hear! Thank you!

 

[Ohiohuntr]

If you already have a bunch of broadheads that work just get heavier inserts, like the kind that you can snap off 25 grains at a time and use what u have, unless you just want to buy broadheads out(which I understand, I like to tinker). You can get the weight without having to necessarily get the heads

 

[nevadabugle]

Do you think it’s worth jumping up to 50 lb ln draw as well? Currently at 40 lb.

Up to you. 40 is probably plenty for deer/antelope. My wife has killed several elk with a 46 pound recurve. She always burries arrows in an offside rib.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Honestly, you will be surprised by the hit to accuracy when you first jump bow weight. I'd suggest just nailing your arrow tune and making sure the broadheads are razor sharp. Bump up to slightly heavier heads since you're concerned. Can't overstate how much confidence affects your shooting with a trad bow.

Also, FWIW I'm not really a Magnus stinger fan. They seem to break mid ferrule pretty easily. There are better heads available for a similar price point.

Edit to add: I really like the Magnus black hornet, funnily enough. The ferrule is way tougher, and it's just a beefier head at a great price.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Honestly, you will be surprised by the hit to accuracy when you first jump bow weight. I'd suggest just nailing your arrow tune and making sure the broadheads are razor sharp. Bump up to slightly heavier heads since you're concerned. Can't overstate how much confidence affects your shooting with a trad bow.

Also, FWIW I'm not really a Magnus stinger fan. They seem to break mid ferrule pretty easily. There are better heads available for a similar price point.

Edit to add: I really like the Magnus black hornet, funnily enough. The ferrule is way tougher, and it's just a beefier head at a great price.

I’ve pretty much decided to stay at 40 lb for now. At some point I’ll buy a nicer bow and probably jump up in weight then. Seems like general consensus everywhere I look online is that draw weight is just not that big of a deal. I am going to look into heavier BH though. Worst case scenario, the stingers I have are flying perfect, but I should be able to get a 150 flying right with new arrows. What do you like about the hornets over the stingers?

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Up to you. 40 is probably plenty for deer/antelope. My wife has killed several elk with a 46 pound recurve. She always burries arrows in an offside rib.

Thanks! I think I’ll just stick at 40 lb for now and maybe bump up in draw weight when I get a better bow later on.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I’ve pretty much decided to stay at 40 lb for now. At some point I’ll buy a nicer bow and probably jump up in weight then. Seems like general consensus everywhere I look online is that draw weight is just not that big of a deal. I am going to look into heavier BH though. Worst case scenario, the stingers I have are flying perfect, but I should be able to get a 150 flying right with new arrows. What do you like about the hornets over the stingers?

A much beefier ferrule and main blade. I've broken stingers shooting them into plywood with a longbow. I've shot a Black hornet into a stone garden wall (on purpose, I swear ) and the tip curled but the ferrule didn't break.

Don't get me wrong, I've killed a nice buck with stingers... but I won't risk it any more.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

Also, FWIW I'm not really a Magnus stinger fan. They seem to break mid ferrule pretty easily. There are better heads available for a similar price point.

I find this to be very true with the 4 blade stingers, but not so at all with the 2 blade. I think the extra cutouts in the ferrule for the bleeders in the 4 blade really weaken it. I love the 2 blade stinger buzzcuts. They’re one of my all-time favorites!

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I find this to be very true with the 4 blade stingers, but not so at all with the 2 blade. I think the extra cutouts in the ferrule for the bleeders in the 4 blade really weaken it. I love the 2 blade stinger buzzcuts. They’re one of my all-time favorites!

Me too, all I own is the 2 blade version. I have prolly 2 dozen, have bent some ferrules but never snapped one like I have using the 4 blade version.

For heavier heads the vpa 2 blades are bad ass. I’ve killed a bunch of critters with thier 200-250 grain 2 blades.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

And if you bend them or destroy them, Magnus will just send you a new one.

 

[Beendare]

I wouldn't worry about going up in Bow weight or arrow weight...a 2 blade BH turns any arrow into a penetrating monster.

I've shot deer with 40#/440g....blows right through them.

I shot those Magnus Buzzcuts and straight 2 blades for 2 decades...Recurve and compound. I've never broken one- bent a few for sure on rocks after a pass through but never broken. The straight 2 blade is most likely stronger since it doesn't have the 2 piece ferrule of the 4 blade. My buddy buried a 4 blade Magnus in the backbone of an elk and severed the spinal column. Good heads.