Elk arrow selection

[Sitting in trees]

I’m trying to decide if I should switch arrows for my elk hunt next fall. I am going OTC so I doubt I will see anything but I am still hopeful lol.

My bow is tuned up really well shooting Easton Sonic’s with an overall weight of 430 grains.

Shooting Mathews V3X 33 at 65lbs with a 30.5 draw.

Arrow setup has performed awsome on several big body whitetails I’ve shot.

I was planning on just using this setup for everything; TAC, whitetail and elk.

Any reason I should add some weight to my arrow for elk. I have it tuned up and shooting really well so I was hoping to just go with with what I’ve got

 

[DB29]

I would say you are good. Use it for everything.

 

[Ron.C]

agree with DB29, you are good. For comparison, I shoot 27.5" draw, 56 pounds and my arrow is around 390gr. Shot a number of elk with this setup (including the bull in my avatar) and passthroughs are not a problem.

 

[Sitting in trees]

agree with DB29, you are good. For comparison, I shoot 27.5" draw, 56 pounds and my arrow is around 390gr. Shot a number of elk with this setup (including the bull in my avatar) and passthroughs are not a problem.

Ok cool. Next question….can I go elk hunting you

Awsome Bull man!

 

[Jaquomo]

Yep, you're fine. That's the arrow weight range my partner and I have used to kill 68 elk with a bow, mostly from longbows and recurves in the low-mid 50# draw weight range. (Which I've been told by some internet "experts" is not an adequate setup for killing elk.. )

 

[butcherboy]

You’re fine with that set up. My arrows are heavier but that’s just because I like shooting Easton FMJ’s. I also have lighter arrows that I’ve killed elk with that blew through them no problem at all. I just really like the fmj’s.

 

[randy.carr]

I’m trying to decide if I should switch arrows for my elk hunt next fall. I am going OTC so I doubt I will see anything but I am still hopeful lol.

My bow is tuned up really well shooting Easton Sonic’s with an overall weight of 430 grains.

Shooting Mathews V3X 33 at 65lbs with a 30.5 draw.

Arrow setup has performed awsome on several big body whitetails I’ve shot.

I was planning on just using this setup for everything; TAC, whitetail and elk.

Any reason I should add some weight to my arrow for elk. I have it tuned up and shooting really well so I was hoping to just go with with what I’ve got

You won't have any issues with your set up.

 

[Next Ridge]

Your arrows are fine. If you shoot mechanicals I would consider using fixed blade broadheads for elk. Find a model that shoots good with your setup. I like viper tricks.

 

[DanimalW]

Don’t fix what’s not broken

 

[Miflatlander91]

I wouldn’t think twice about that arrow put it where it counts and have fun packing it out


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[Divide93]

I would not change a thing! Good luck!

 

[Sitting in trees]

I wouldn’t think twice about that arrow put it where it counts and have fun packing it out


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Thanks! I hope I get a shot opportunity this time

 

[Miflatlander91]

Thanks! I hope I get a shot opportunity this time

Good luck!!


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[Elkhntr08]

Nope, you need 600+ grains and 20%+ FOC. Don’t you watch YouTube experts?
I’m pulling 65#, 490 arrow and 29” draw. Been hunting this setup for 8 years now and have not failed to get a pass through on anything I’ve shot at.
Remember, a well tuned arrow penetrates best.

 

[jchamwv]

If it's shooting well and you're confident with it don't change anything.

 

[Randyb]

I would say you are good. Use it for everything.

i agree

 

[wildwilderness]

I’m trying to decide if I should switch arrows for my elk

My bow is tuned up really well shooting Easton Sonic’s with an overall weight of 430 grains.

Shooting Mathews V3X 33 at 65lbs with a 30.5

Any reason I should add some weight to my arrow for elk. I have it tuned up and shooting really well so I was hoping to just go with with what I’ve got

What Broadhead are you planning to use? This is a more important question than changing arrow weight of your setup.

A super sharp fixed head can get a way with a lighter arrow, while trying to push something like a shwacker or some other big mech will need a lot more momentum (probably won’t be enough anyway)

I don’t recommend a big mech or large cutting diameter or a gimmicky over hyped head. Stick with a proven fixed head imo.

 

[johnw91]

What Broadhead are you planning to use? This is a more important question than changing arrow weight of your setup.

A super sharp fixed head can get a way with a lighter arrow, while trying to push something like a shwacker or some other big mech will need a lot more momentum (probably won’t be enough anyway)

I don’t recommend a big mech or large cutting diameter or a gimmicky over hyped head. Stick with a proven fixed head imo.

What heads do you suggest?

 

[wildwilderness]

What heads do you suggest?

Oh you will get a lot of recommendations! A regular Iron Will vented double bevel with bleeders is a great head but pricey!

I don't like a small 2 blade for elk unless you have low KE and need penetration.

A 3 blade is nice, like a QAD exodus swept. I have killed a few elk with wac'em tritons but the cut is on the smaller side. But something like those work well.

A 4 blade like the slick trick standards will also work great.

If you must use a Mech I would look for the smaller cut. A rage hypodermic +P, Sevr 1.5 cut, Grim Reaper fatal steel 1 1/4 "

The elk I have shot (and seen shot) with Mechs did not get a complete passthrough. The vast majority of animals take off running like crazy if an arrow is sticking in them.

To me the ideal scenario is a clean complete pass through (arrow in the dirt) The vast majority of these animals have no idea what hit them and tend to stand around or stop after a couple steps. All the elk I've shot like that I was able to get a second arrow in, and very short tracking jobs.

On a side I used to live in Chester

 

[johnw91]

Oh you will get a lot of recommendations! A regular Iron Will vented double bevel with bleeders is a great head but pricey!

I don't like a small 2 blade for elk unless you have low KE and need penetration.

A 3 blade is nice, like a QAD exodus swept. I have killed a few elk with wac'em tritons but the cut is on the smaller side. But something like those work well.

A 4 blade like the slick trick standards will also work great.

If you must use a Mech I would look for the smaller cut. A rage hypodermic +P, Sevr 1.5 cut, Grim Reaper fatal steel 1 1/4 "

The elk I have shot (and seen shot) with Mechs did not get a complete passthrough. The vast majority of animals take off running like crazy if an arrow is sticking in them.

To me the ideal scenario is a clean complete pass through (arrow in the dirt) The vast majority of these animals have no idea what hit them and tend to stand around or stop after a couple steps. All the elk I've shot like that I was able to get a second arrow in, and very short tracking jobs.

On a side I used to live in Chester

Thanks for the detailed reply !! I plan on using the qad exodus swept heads this year while in montana so im glad to see those on your list.

And small world!! I have spent my whole life in chester and live just a stones throw from the route ten and one interchange