Whitetail Arrow Weight

[mattflipper]

What ddowning said. Whitetail aren’t incredibly difficult animals to kill in terms of getting one to die. Back 30 years ago we killed them with much slower and less efficient setups. The arrows may have been heavier at the time but for a period when we transitioned to internal component arrows we had slow bows with light arrows and lots of animals died. Not to discredit the need to kinetic energy, but unless it’s a short draw or light draw weight most setups will kill a whitetail. If there is a penetration problem I would focus on accuracy and shot placement over other things. With “spiraling” issues it sounds more like a matter of tuning than anything. Especially with broad heads being brought into the equation. I’d focus on a good tune and practicing with broadheads. When done right they’ll fly with field points but they’ll also expose form and tune issues much quicker than field points. As a last thought, if you feel good comfortably shooting at 40 or some other distance I’d cut that by 50% and make that the new comfortable distance when in a tree. A lot goes on that gets unnoticed in our form when hunting and what pays the price is usually an animal. Not trying ti be poetic or arrogant but from a lot of years of trial and error and many long tracks picking your shot is likely the best piece of advice that someone can give when it comes to bow hunting. Focus on getting close rather than shooting long.

Good luck with it this season.

 

[RowdyAF]

I’m shooting a prime CT3 at 28.5” draw and 60#. My arrow is a black Eagle outlaw, 100 gr insert, 150 gr crimson talon croc with TAW around 540. I built it this way to be a one and done arrow setup good for elk and deer. No idea on speed, but they’re grouping just fine. Bare shafts we’re touching after nock tuning.

 

[Jpr778]

This year I built some Easton 5mm axis arrows. 300 spine 29 inches carbon to carbon. 100 grain safari brass insert, 100 grain head. Believe I’m around 545 total arrow weight. I’ve never had arrow flight as good as I have with these super heavy and high FOC arrows. Doesn’t matter what arrow weight you have if you can’t hit where you need to. Your arrow will be more lethal than mine with a better placed shot. Whatever you use, tune your bow to them, and practice a ton. Just my 2 cents.

 

[doc holiday13]

What ddowning said. Whitetail aren’t incredibly difficult animals to kill in terms of getting one to die. Back 30 years ago we killed them with much slower and less efficient setups. The arrows may have been heavier at the time but for a period when we transitioned to internal component arrows we had slow bows with light arrows and lots of animals died.

This.. However I will contend that my arrows haven't changed much in weight. They were 520g when i shot aluminums with 100g heads. Now they're 520g using easton carbons with regular HIT insert and 100g head. If i go with some of sonic 6.0 or victory arrows I can jump to 150g heads and be at 520g still.

Speeds however have changed drastically. I used to shoot 520g at 230 fps.. Now I shoot it at 290fps.. A good sharp broadhead will zip through them just as well regardless of the speed. 25 years ago I shot a doe at 40 yards. My aluminum 2317 zipped through her and the broadhead implanted into the log beyond her. She jumped in circles looking around for "the bee that stung her" and flopped on the spot after 3 seconds. I'm guessing my arrow hit her doing 190 fps..

 

[timmymac24]

Dudley recently did a Nock On Archery podcast on this question of arrow weight. It's worth a listen.

 

[doc holiday13]

Dudley recently did a Nock On Archery podcast on this question of arrow weight. It's worth a listen.

Its been covered by a lot of the big credible names, but you're correct I think Dud said the magical words "Most people are missing shots to the rear and not towards the front" And he also said "why are people making arrow decisions based around making a bad shot" . I can only think of about 3 deer i've shot that made me question the use of an expandable. Of all the deer I hit "too far back", the expandable did exactly what it was supposed to do. That

 

[RowdyAF]

Its been covered by a lot of the big credible names, but you're correct I think Dud said the magical words "Most people are missing shots to the rear and not towards the front" And he also said "why are people making arrow decisions based around making a bad shot" . I can only think of about 3 deer i've shot that made me question the use of an expandable. Of all the deer I hit "too far back", the expandable did exactly what it was supposed to do. That

It’s all personal preference and what gear you have confidence in. Confidence in your gear allows you to perform better. Worried about an expandable not opening? Shoot a fixed head. Want a faster arrow with less drop over distance? Go with a lighter arrow. I shoot a fixed blade on a heavy arrow because I want penetration in case I encounter bone before I hit vitals. Op, you need to decide what works best for your hunting style.

 

[BowHuntingFireman40]

Dudley recently did a Nock On Archery podcast on this question of arrow weight. It's worth a listen.

Very good video along with his most recent videos on arrow set ups.

 

[2001precision]

This.. However I will contend that my arrows haven't changed much in weight. They were 520g when i shot aluminums with 100g heads. Now they're 520g using easton carbons with regular HIT insert and 100g head. If i go with some of sonic 6.0 or victory arrows I can jump to 150g heads and be at 520g still.

Speeds however have changed drastically. I used to shoot 520g at 230 fps.. Now I shoot it at 290fps.. A good sharp broadhead will zip through them just as well regardless of the speed. 25 years ago I shot a doe at 40 yards. My aluminum 2317 zipped through her and the broadhead implanted into the log beyond her. She jumped in circles looking around for "the bee that stung her" and flopped on the spot after 3 seconds. I'm guessing my arrow hit her doing 190 fps..

What bow, draw weight and length do you have to get a 520gr arrow at 290FPS?

 

[duece1616]

What bow, draw weight and length do you have to get a 520gr arrow at 290FPS?

Good question, 480 grain arrow @ 70# only 258. Im confused

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Good question, 480 grain arrow @ 70# only 258. Im confused

Draw length also has a major impact on speed.

520 gr @ 290 fps is fast for sure but very much within the realm of weights/speeds achievable with a modern bow at 70-75# and 30-31”.

 

[Bump79]

What bow, draw weight and length do you have to get a 520gr arrow at 290FPS?

Seems crazy off the cuff but not really with a longer draw and a healthy shoulder. Pretty easy to do. I could get there with a 80# bow at 30" or someone with a longer draw at 75#.

 

[2001precision]

Seems crazy off the cuff but not really with a longer draw and a healthy shoulder. Pretty easy to do. I could get there with a 80# bow at 30" or someone with a longer draw at 75#.

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Gosh, I wouldn’t say pretty easy to do, but you are right. I’m pushing 520gr at 281FPS with 75# and 30”. the reason I asked, is because I knew 520 at 290 was definitely on the upper end of things… just interesting to see what other people are at.

 

[Bump79]

Gosh, I wouldn’t say pretty easy to do, but you are right. I’m pushing 520gr at 281FPS with 75# and 30”. the reason I asked, is because I knew 520 at 290 was definitely on the upper end of things… just interesting to see what other people are at.

Fair I shouldn't have said pretty easy as 80# might not be easy. I shoot 70# at 30" with a smooth bow. My point was that guys with a longer draw can do it without much difficulty. I have friends with 31"+ draws and they land in that speed range without difficulty. Maybe just a hair lighter but not much.

 

[doc holiday13]

80# @ 31" draw ventum pro33

Draw length also has a major impact on speed.

520 gr @ 290 fps is fast for sure but very much within the realm of weights/speeds achievable with a modern bow at 70-75# and 30-31”

What bow, draw weight and length do you have to get a 520gr arrow at 290FPS?

 

[2001precision]

80# @ 31" draw ventum pro33

Well that clears the air!! Thanks. You’re launching some serious energy downrange…

 

[Elkhntr08]

Sorry, but I’m probably not the best to ask about a “whitetail” arrow.
I build one arrow that tunes and flys great with a broadhead and that’s what I shoot. Don’t worry about a 3D, whitetail or elk arrow. My current setup is a 490 grain arrow at 66#. Works just fine for me.

 

[2001precision]

Sorry, but I’m probably not the best to ask about a “whitetail” arrow.
I build one arrow that tunes and flys great with a broadhead and that’s what I shoot. Don’t worry about a 3D, whitetail or elk arrow. My current setup is a 490 grain arrow at 66#. Works just fine for me.

If it works fine for you, then that’s really all that matters.
What If you took 2 different hunters, with the same draw weight and length. One was looking for mule deer in the high country, and one looking for Roosevelt elk, in dark timber. Wouldn’t you recommend they shoot a different arrow weight at different speeds?
If you are shooting significantly bigger bodied animal, at a lot closer range, a heavier arrow weight seems like a clear winner. Especially where a flatter trajectory won’t matter much.
If you are shooting an animal 2-3x smaller than a bull elk at 2-3x the range, a lighter arrow seems like the clear winner to me.
I ended up on these “whitetail arrow weight” and “elk arrow weight” threads, because I’m considering pretty much the exact situation I gave you already. I’ve got a high country hunt in September for mule deer, in an area where success rates are like 2% for rifle hunters. Stalking in the steep, dry deadfall type country is almost impossible, the deer will likely see you hundreds of yards before you get a shot opportunity. Shots are almost certainly going to be at longer ranges. I’m considering an arrow weight of 450-475, putting me in the 295-305 FPS range.
I also have a season later in September for elk, and it’s going to be thick dark timber, calling for bulls. Most shot opportunities should be 40 and under. Definitely might be frontal or quartering shots. Now, I could just use my Mule Deer setup, and I’m sure that would absolutely smoke any elk on the planet. But why wouldn’t I change to a heavier setup, more ideal for penetrating and that’s style of hunting. I’m considering a ~520gr arrow at 280-290FPS.
Of course, shot placement and tuning are always first priority.

 

[Elkhntr08]

If it works fine for you, then that’s really all that matters.
What If you took 2 different hunters, with the same draw weight and length. One was looking for mule deer in the high country, and one looking for Roosevelt elk, in dark timber. Wouldn’t you recommend they shoot a different arrow weight at different speeds?
If you are shooting significantly bigger bodied animal, at a lot closer range, a heavier arrow weight seems like a clear winner. Especially where a flatter trajectory won’t matter much.
If you are shooting an animal 2-3x smaller than a bull elk at 2-3x the range, a lighter arrow seems like the clear winner to me.
I ended up on these “whitetail arrow weight” and “elk arrow weight” threads, because I’m considering pretty much the exact situation I gave you already. I’ve got a high country hunt in September for mule deer, in an area where success rates are like 2% for rifle hunters. Stalking in the steep, dry deadfall type country is almost impossible, the deer will likely see you hundreds of yards before you get a shot opportunity. Shots are almost certainly going to be at longer ranges. I’m considering an arrow weight of 450-475, putting me in the 295-305 FPS range.
I also have a season later in September for elk, and it’s going to be thick dark timber, calling for bulls. Most shot opportunities should be 40 and under. Definitely might be frontal or quartering shots. Now, I could just use my Mule Deer setup, and I’m sure that would absolutely smoke any elk on the planet. But why wouldn’t I change to a heavier setup, more ideal for penetrating and that’s style of hunting. I’m considering a ~520gr arrow at 280-290FPS.
Of course, shot placement and tuning are always first priority.

First of all, you’re nitpicking over peanuts. The difference between a 475 and 520 grain arrow is minimal. The difference between 290and 305 fps is minimal. Couple things to keep in mind. A heavy arrow will retain energy and velocity better than a light weight arrow. It will also stay on track better in a cross wind. Second a light faster arrow is more critical to tuning and form issues.
If rifle hunters have that low of a success rate and taking hundred yard shots, what’s your maximum effective range with your bow? You should definitely participate in the Cold Bow Challenge this year. If you’re honest with it, it will humble you about how far you should be shooting.