Thoughts on arrow weight vs arrow speed

[Planner]

Fairly new archer, shooting a 2014 Hoyt Faktor Turbo at 70lbs with a 30" draw. That is the max draw length module on the Z5 cams and limbs are bottomed out.

My goal is to archery hunt for elk this fall. I've shot over 1,000 arrows through the bow in the last two months with the goal of 5-6000 by the time the season rolls around. No way will I spend 3-4 days humping around the high country only to miss a shot.

For the last two months, I have been shooting Gold Tip Kinetic XTs in a 300 spine wt. My accuracy is fairly good, enough that I had to start re-fletching my arrows. I knocked out new fletchings and then weighed the Kinetics - 479.5 grains. Specs- 29.5" carbon at 10.5gpi, plus the outsert + 10gr FACT screw in (~ 12% FOC), 100gr field point, arrow wrap cut in half, Blazer 2" vanes and the Accu-tough nock. My target weight was 450grs. Will use fixed blade broad heads when the time comes, probably G5 Montecs or Muzzy Trocars.

I was a bit shocked at how heavy they turned out. I have not chrono'd, but guesstimate upper 290s to low 300 fps, given Hoyt's traditional accuracy in their speed ratings (340 for this bow). I.e. Roughly 90+ ft/lbs of KE.

That got me thinking - a lighter arrow might shoot a tad flatter and help compensate for a jumpy animal or ranging error - but the heavier arrow will carry a lot of KE and may break bone if I hit forward on the shoulder.

I use a three pin CBE TEK Hybrid sight and the pins are fairly close (20-30-40 with 30 being the floater) already. If I went to a lighter arrow, they'd be closer and harder to see through/separate. I kind of liken this to heavy for caliber bullets. Better long range ballistics, but slower speed.

Given that this is not the mid-west where 30yds at a Whitetail is max, I don't think that laser flat arrow is such a necessity, but it am new to this so feel free to weigh in on your thoughts and experiences.

Gratuitous pictures below:

[XC700116]

Elk are actually some of the easier animals to kill with a bow (that's not to say they are easy to hunt with a bow) They have a BIG set of lungs presenting a large target. Your arrow weight sounds about perfect to me, I'm not a gold tip fan (10 years ago I had some not so great results with them for target archery so I've avoided them in general) but if they are shooting well for you, that's all that really matters. People have killed thousands of elk with a long bow, so don't over-think it, You're good to go on the equipment side of things, just shoot it, A LOT, and make your shot count.

[Planner]

Elk are actually some of the easier animals to kill with a bow (that's not to say they are easy to hunt with a bow) They have a BIG set of lungs presenting a large target. Your arrow weight sounds about perfect to me, I'm not a gold tip fan (10 years ago I had some not so great results with them for target archery so I've avoided them in general) but if they are shooting well for you, that's all that really matters. People have killed thousands of elk with a long bow, so don't over-think it, You're good to go on the equipment side of things, just shoot it, A LOT, and make your shot count.

Thanks for the feedback. I have not tried any Eastons, but have shot some Carbon Express. To me, the ability to tinker on FOC with the Gold Tip and almost universal availability works for me.

I plan to shoot as much as possible! Right now, shooting about 30 arrows per day, except when it is snowing.

[275RLTW]

Keep the heavier arrow. 290-300 fps is still very fast. Getting over 300 is dangerous, especially for newer shooters as you lose forgiveness. Do you plan on using a rangefinder? That should eliminate you yardage estimation problems. I suggest getting out to shoot a few 3D shoots during the year. You'll learn tons about shot placement, yardage estimation, winds, uncomfortable shooting positions, and such. When you start getting wrapped around the axle about speed, remember that buys have been doing this for centuries with recurves very sucessfully. Don't try to fix software issues with new hardware.

[Planner]

Keep the heavier arrow. 290-300 fps is still very fast. Getting over 300 is dangerous, especially for newer shooters as you lose forgiveness. Do you plan on using a rangefinder? That should eliminate you yardage estimation problems. I suggest getting out to shoot a few 3D shoots during the year. You'll learn tons about shot placement, yardage estimation, winds, uncomfortable shooting positions, and such. When you start getting wrapped around the axle about speed, remember that buys have been doing this for centuries with recurves very sucessfully. Don't try to fix software issues with new hardware.

Yes on the rangefinder. Probably will go with the Nikon archery specific model. 3D is in the plans once I zero in on my hunting configuration. Seems like a good way to practice.

[Firehaus]

I ran your rough numbers through the ot-2 software. Says a stiffer spine arrow is required.

Here are the screen shots that also have what prescribing are needed with the 300 spine arrow.



It's a free 10 day trial if you download it.

Sent from my iPhone

[Planner]

I ran your rough numbers through the ot-2 software. Says a stiffer spine arrow is required.

Here are the screen shots that also have what prescribing are needed with the 300 spine arrow.



It's a free 10 day trial if you download it.

Sent from my iPhone

Thanks, interesting program. 300 is what Bill Peligrino told me to get for that bow. He did not have any in stock or he would have set them up for me.

Given it is on the edge of acceptable for Gold Tip's chart, the Kinetics are still stiffer than a Hunter or Velocity in 300.

I looked at some of the 200 spine arrows, plus the Injexions or FMJs and they were too heavy for where I was targeting the weight.

What sold me on the Kinetics is they group better than the 6575 Carbon Express. A little stiffer and a little heavier.

[275RLTW]

Archers Advantage and some of the other programs are just basic guidelines and not rules. Some of my best competition setups weren't possible according to those programs.

[BigBear]

If you are in the Springs, go run by Bill Peregrino's Archery Hut... Dude is a genius and can answer/diagnose ANYTHING bow/arrow/human error related.... Did I mention I think highly of him? lol

[275RLTW]

If you are in the Springs, go run by Bill Peregrino's Archery Hut... Dude is a genius and can answer/diagnose ANYTHING bow/arrow/human error related.... Did I mention I think highly of him? lol

Bill Pellegrino is the Rob Latham of the competitive archery world. He's won just about every competition there is over the last 30 years. I've shot with him many times and still learn something new each time.