Please help me choose a hunting arrow

[aorams]

Hi Forum,

I'm in the midst of getting ready for a 2016 elk hunt in Idaho and am looking for input on evaluating different arrows. I have yet to shoot them past 10 yards but have gathered some data as a starting point. I'm shooting a Mathews No Cam at 27" and 70 lbs.

The arrow data follows below (the speeds are chronographed)...

1. Black Eagle Rampage 300 @ 445 grains with an FOC of about 18% traveling about 245 fps with a KE of 61 and momentum of .50
2. Easton FMJ Deep Six 330 @ 459 grains with an FOC of about 13% traveling about 245 fps with KE of 61 and Momentum of .50
3. Easton FMJ 300 @ 561 grains with an FOC of about 14% traveling about 230 fps with KE of 63 and Momentum of .55
4. Grizzly Stik UFOC 330 @ 654 grains with an FOC of about 25% traveling about 211 fps with a KE of 64 and Momentum of .61
5. Grizzly Stik UFOC 250 @ 660 grains with an FOC of about 24% traveling about 210 fps with a KE of 65 and Momentum of .62

Any standouts that you see here? Can someone put the momentum figures in perspective for me? Is this a good starting point for evaluating arrows? I plan to add a trajectory evaluation and also observe arrow flight and will add that to this thread as I get the info.

Thanks for your time!

 

[HJ Handy]

I think thw fmj's would have best overall performance at all ranges you plan on shooting and wont have the trajectory of a basketball like the really heavy arrows. I over exaggerated a bit. I settled on the fmjs on overall performace myself than anything else i tried.

 

[elkguide]

FMJ's are great arrows. The only other arrow that I shoot for elk are the ACC's.

 

[Cant hit em]

Easton Axis might be worth a look especially with some heavy HIT's up front

 

[BSeals71]

Have you tried shooting each set of arrows to see how the groups compare?

I'd personally do this at say 50 yards and measure the size of the group of each arrow, ideally shoot with what broadhead your going to hunt with.

 

[kodiakfly]

I'm an FMJ guy myself.

 

[OR Archer]

So have you considered the lack of range you are imposing on yourself with these extremely heavy arrows out of that particular bow and a short draw length? You would be hard pressed to get a 5 pin sight set out to 60 yards with those slow speeds and an average peep height.

 

[JNDEER]

My advice for anyone who shoots a 27" draw. You HAVE TO use a true COC head. Wac-em, Redhead Blackout, G5, VPA, etc. Not an expandable and not a "poke-cut" type head (slick trick).

 

[OR Archer]

My advice for anyone who shoots a 27" draw. You HAVE TO use a true COC head. Wac-em, Redhead Blackout, G5, VPA, etc. Not an expandable and not a "poke-cut" type head (slick trick).

Yeah I'm going to disagree with you on that. I shoot a 27" draw and do just fine with 3 blade heads. They penetrate just fine.

 

[kodiakfly]

Holy cow. Gotta admit, I didn't even pay attention to his speeds and weights.

 

[doverpack12]

Did you shoot each of those arrows through the chronograph at the same time and place? Something doesn't add up going from the Black eagle at 245 to the 14 grain heavier FMJ D6 and then going up 2 more grains from that D6 to the FMJ 300 at 230. Personally I would use the Easton Axis 340 and get your weight down around the 400-410 grain mark. This will allow you to get a little more speed and I think you will appreciate the foregiveness a little more speed will have. Absolutely nothing wrong with a 400+ grain arrow going a reasonable speed. That will kill elk all day long every single day. We get caught up in the numbers but the combo I mentioned above just flat out works. Cut the 340 axis at 25.5-26" carbon to carbon and use two HIT's a brass HIT or another brand In/Outsert for .204" ID shafts and you will be in the ballpark. Probably closer to 420 grains.

 

[Pramo]

I agree 400-410 grain arrow and not get carried away with a super heavy arrow, I'd still want to some speed to help with accuracy

I shoot a heavy arrow by my standards at 485 grains but its also out of a Hoyt CST with 29.5 draw at 64 pounds so its still going about 275fps. I've also used 380 grain arrow out of switchback and a 410 grain arrow from a Helim to take elk and one time with an expandable on the end. Placement with a good sharp head is the most important.

I use The Archery Program to help me figure our arrows and speeds its worth the money to help save me from buying arrows.

 

[aorams]

Have you tried shooting each set of arrows to see how the groups compare?

I'd personally do this at say 50 yards and measure the size of the group of each arrow, ideally shoot with what broadhead your going to hunt with.

Not yet, it's been raining buckets out here non stop but I plan to test trajectory when it clears up next. Thank you for the broadhead tip! I'll be sure to do that!

 

[aorams]

So have you considered the lack of range you are imposing on yourself with these extremely heavy arrows out of that particular bow and a short draw length? You would be hard pressed to get a 5 pin sight set out to 60 yards with those slow speeds and an average peep height.

I guess the best way for me to answer that question is that I started by choosing the bow that fit me best and that I could shoot the best, after doing a side by side comparison of about half a dozen bows. Unfortunately, my draw length is what it is and I understand the limitations it will present. I am now in the process of choosing the best and most humane arrow I can find and once that is settled I imagine that I will have to mitigate the trajectory problem by using a different sight or by limiting my effective range. But I'm pretty new to this whole endeavor and am looking forward to applying the input I receive to building the best setup I can!

Thank you!

 

[aorams]

Did you shoot each of those arrows through the chronograph at the same time and place? Something doesn't add up going from the Black eagle at 245 to the 14 grain heavier FMJ D6 and then going up 2 more grains from that D6 to the FMJ 300 at 230. Personally I would use the Easton Axis 340 and get your weight down around the 400-410 grain mark. This will allow you to get a little more speed and I think you will appreciate the foregiveness a little more speed will have. Absolutely nothing wrong with a 400+ grain arrow going a reasonable speed. That will kill elk all day long every single day. We get caught up in the numbers but the combo I mentioned above just flat out works. Cut the 340 axis at 25.5-26" carbon to carbon and use two HIT's a brass HIT or another brand In/Outsert for .204" ID shafts and you will be in the ballpark. Probably closer to 420 grains.

Yes. I shot these at the same time and place, but I think you may have misread the weight as the FMJ is 100 grains heavier than the D6. Can you elaborate on the "forgiveness" you mentioned? Is this in regard to trajectory or arrow flight? Again, thanks for your input! I'm taking all of this into consideration!

 

[OR Archer]

I guess the best way for me to answer that question is that I started by choosing the bow that fit me best and that I could shoot the best, after doing a side by side comparison of about half a dozen bows. Unfortunately, my draw length is what it is and I understand the limitations it will present. I am now in the process of choosing the best and most humane arrow I can find and once that is settled I imagine that I will have to mitigate the trajectory problem by using a different sight or by limiting my effective range. But I'm pretty new to this whole endeavor and am looking forward to applying the input I receive to building the best setup I can!

Thank you!

I also have a 27" draw. My arrows that I use for hunting weigh in at 420grains. Easton Injexion 330s at a 27" cut with a standard D6 insert and a 100gr head. Works phenomenal. I personally think an arrow around 425gr would be a better arrow out of that bow than the super heavy arrows you are considering. You don't need that kind of weight to kill and elk effectively.

 

[doverpack12]

Yes. I shot these at the same time and place, but I think you may have misread the weight as the FMJ is 100 grains heavier than the D6. Can you elaborate on the "forgiveness" you mentioned? Is this in regard to trajectory or arrow flight? Again, thanks for your input! I'm taking all of this into consideration!

I did misread the weight. However a 14 grain change in weight will amount to a change in speed and none was recorded. The foregiveness I mention is in relation to arrow speed and therefore tradjectory. There is nothing at all unethical about a 400+ grain arrow. The arrow spines of the arrows you have listed will be very very stiff for your setup. They may shoot well or they may not.
I'm not trying to criticize the equipment and decisions you have made up to this point merely trying to share some experience.

 

[aorams]

I did misread the weight. However a 14 grain change in weight will amount to a change in speed and none was recorded. The foregiveness I mention is in relation to arrow speed and therefore tradjectory. There is nothing at all unethical about a 400+ grain arrow. The arrow spines of the arrows you have listed will be very very stiff for your setup. They may shoot well or they may not.
I'm not trying to criticize the equipment and decisions you have made up to this point merely trying to share some experience.

Thank you for that! I am appreciating all the input I'm getting!

 

[aorams]

I also have a 27" draw. My arrows that I use for hunting weigh in at 420grains. Easton Injexion 330s at a 27" cut with a standard D6 insert and a 100gr head. Works phenomenal. I personally think an arrow around 425gr would be a better arrow out of that bow than the super heavy arrows you are considering. You don't need that kind of weight to kill and elk effectively.

I will order an Injexion like yours this week to try!

 

[bhylton]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qa4ZdIZsJk maybe weight and broadhead design can make up for being slower? no personal experience. just stuff i turned up in my own research.