Elk arrow selection

Joined
Oct 20, 2021
Messages
78
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
 

Ron.C

WKR
Joined
Jan 25, 2021
Messages
320
Location
Vancouver Island British Columbia
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.
 
OP
S
Joined
Oct 20, 2021
Messages
78
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

WKR
Joined
Apr 27, 2012
Messages
415
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.. )
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2014
Messages
1,256
Location
Kirtland, NM
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.
 
Joined
Apr 27, 2024
Messages
6
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.
 
Joined
Sep 30, 2017
Messages
907
I wouldn’t think twice about that arrow put it where it counts and have fun packing it out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Elkhntr08

WKR
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Messages
1,150
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.
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2017
Messages
2,057
Location
Eagle River, AK
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

FNG
Joined
Oct 10, 2019
Messages
22
Location
Chesterfield, VA
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?
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2017
Messages
2,057
Location
Eagle River, AK
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 :)
 
Last edited:

johnw91

FNG
Joined
Oct 10, 2019
Messages
22
Location
Chesterfield, VA
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
 
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