PSA: Hunting Elk With An Arrow Under 450 Grains Is Unethical

[Mighty Mouse]

Hot off the press from the heavy arrow hucksters at ABF:

 

[George Hamrick]

I tend to lean more towards the heavy over light side when it comes to arrow weight. 700 grains is still pretty crazy imo. In a perfect world where every shot was 20 yards, I’d give it a go. Too many variables though for me to feel comfortable at that weight. I’m all for planning for plan b hits, but with elk, if you hit near the front of the shoulder blade, I don’t think a 1000 grain arrow is getting through.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Lol

 

[MattB]

So, a 400 gr, arrow is too light for deer? No thanks on all that.

 

[sndmn11]

They got chupacabra correct.

 

[stonewall]

 

[Jacack]

That's comical

 

[Dennis]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[CJF]

You don't get an "A" rating for Elk until 650 grains?

Mind blown. I'm ordering new shafts today.

 

[jimh406]

If you didn’t know, arrow weight like bullet weight does affect penetration. However, it seems that site is about longbows/recurve bows.

That probably means it affects almost nobody on this thread. There are a lot of reasons to use heavy arrows with longbows/recurve bows.

The chart without the context means nothing.

 

[Dennis]

I think it important that all bowhunters read/review the Ashby studies which are about the arrows and not about the type of launch device. It seems to me that a 20 year study of arrow performance on game animals should at least be considered.

I only wish I had read the actual study earlier.

 

[Evol]

The only thing that I agree with on that chart is the bottom.

"ABF recommends using the heaviest arrow possible with a trajectory you find acceptable."

 

[Mighty Mouse]

If you didn’t know, arrow weight like bullet weight does affect penetration. However, it seems that site is about longbows/recurve bows.

That probably means it affects almost nobody on this thread. There are a lot of reasons to use heavy arrows with longbows/recurve bows.

The chart without the context means nothing.

Ed Ashby's original studies were primarily conducted with longbows. The foundation that bears his name is attempting to continue his research and focus more on compound bows. The ABF claims that their newly released arrow weight chart is universally applicable regardless of bow type or draw weight.

 

[OR Archer]

Here we go again

 

[TripleJ]

Although I use a heavier arrow now (465 grains), my buddies and I have killed a lot of elk with a 390/400'ish grain arrow. I guess I didn't know any better. It sure as heck wasn't unethical. I had pass throughs on multiple broadside elk, and on a frontal shot on a Roosevelt bull, the broadhead was 1 inch from poking out the back of the ham after going through the heart and other vitals. I understand the difference between KE and momentum and I know arrow weight is important, especially at slower speeds/lower poundage. I also know, however, the damage a 400ish grain arrow with a sharp broadhead and sufficient energy will do to an elk. You definitely don't need 600 or 700 grain arrows to kill elk.

 

[waldo9190]

Currently at 437 grains with a 25.5" shaft carbon to carbon....pretty stout for a 26" draw setup. 650 grains and my trajectory would look like a mortar shell...no thanks.

 

[BBob]

I'll proudly take the F rating. I like many killed elk with an even lighter setup years ago. I've moved to heavier but still get the F.

 

[Rob5589]

Lost me at 500 is the "A" threshold for yotes.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I think it important that all bowhunters read/review the Ashby studies which are about the arrows and not about the type of launch device. It seems to me that a 20 year study of arrow performance on game animals should at least be considered.

I only wish I had read the actual study earlier.

Ashby/ABF have put out some good pieces of information...but this ridiculous arrow weight chart is not one of them.

 

[Super 91]

I'm in the 600+ grain for elk, but that is my own personal preferences. Whitetails I can be in the 450 rainge and be very happy. 3D I am in the high 200's and love it.