How much kinetic energy should I need for a buffalo?

[Jordan guyer]

I drew a buffalo tag here in Wyoming and wondering how much ke I need

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I'm sure anything in the 450+ grain range would be fine. Momentum is more important than KE. KE will get you through the hide but MO will carry your arrow into the vitals through bone ect...

 

[rutfest]

I had a Montana tag last year and got a complete pass through with my Athens AffliXtion shooting a 490 grain arrow at 285 fps

 

[Travis Bertrand]

You lucky dog! I drew 25 on non res list, only 22 tags though.

 

[dryflyguy]

I'm sure anything in the 450+ grain range would be fine. Momentum is more important than KE. KE will get you through the hide but MO will carry your arrow into the vitals through bone ect...

I might be misunderstanding this statement, but doesnt kinetic energy encompass momentum? I guess I am just not sure why it is more important.

 

[Aron Snyder]

I might be misunderstanding this statement, but doesnt kinetic energy encompass momentum? I guess I am just not sure why it is more important.

You can get good KE with a light arrow (high speed), but the momentum will be horrible.

 

[fire arrow]

Look up a bullet in slow motion on YouTube going into ballistic gel. One bullet is lighter and going faster , the other is a heavier and slower. Same type of bullet. When they hit the ballistic gel the light faster bullet has a much more violent reaction and larger wound cavity.

When it comes to arrows its a little more complicated. Super light all carbon arrows are fast, but quickly loose speed at long distances. And cant buck the wind as much. A heavier arrow is slower but carries its speed longer than a lighter arrow.

So the trick is to get an arrow that has some good mass to it, and for it to also have a good amount of speed. Find the happy medium. A moderately heavy arrow that is going fast will carry its speed/energy longer, and penetrate better.

 

[dryflyguy]

Link I found helpful: http://www.tuffhead.com/education/formulas_momentum.html

Guess I got hung up on the fact that KE does factor mass but doesn't emphasize it in a proportionate ratio as compared to velocity. Hence, the "more important" statement.

Now that I contributed to the derailment of the OP question, I'll ask that we get back on track here.

 

[fire arrow]

Shoot a FMJ Dangerous Game. If you are shooting a modern bow around 65 pounds at 28 inch draw and a cut on impact broad head you will be good to go. Not sure what the KE will be, but this set up worked for Cape Buffalo

 

[jmez]

Use your elk set up. Anything that will work for elk will work for a bison as well.

 

[CaseyU]

Elk setup will be fine. Ke is very important. The momentum helps carry the arrow through the animal instead of a fast wack and losing all power because no weight behind it

 

[Jordan guyer]

I just got new arrows gold tip pro hunter weight is 388 grains with a 100 grain tip at 288 fps if I put on a 125 grain tip will this be enough

 

[Maxhunter]

Congrats on the tag! I would beef it up some and get a good cut on contact head. Good luck!

 

[rutfest]

You should be ok but like what was said before a good broad head will be key! The Solid S30v is my broad head of choice. They are spendy but you get what you pay for with these heads!! Check out www.sandsarchery.com if you are interested

 

[wileybrew]

At 65lbs and 388gr your ke should be fine. The hide is not a worry with the broadheads available now. What you are worried about is the ribs on a buff.
They are thick and wide. Your set up sounds good but you need to look into a good cut on contact head and make a decision on a 2 or 3 blade. In the 2 blade the steelforce is a great choice and affordable also the new muzzy is a great choice. As for 3 blades the wacums and the shuttle ts will hold up and punch threw what you need them to. Last note you want to get as close as possible or you ke fades fast. Good luck and can't wait for the pics.