Optimizing 60#

[judojudd]

I shoot a Bowtech Guardian with max pull at 60 lbs. I only hunt elk with this bow and really love it. I shoot a 400 grain arrow with a 100 grain broadhead (slick trick). I know speed is an important part of the equation, but I know I'm not going to get super fast speeds with 60# pull. I'm wondering if shooting a heavier arrow or broadhead would be worth trying. Unfortunately I haven't gotten to see what my setup will do to an elk as I've yet to be successful.
What do you think? Keep the current setup? Go lighter and get a few more fps or load up the arrow to get more smack downrange?

[Button Nubbs]

Last year I had a pass thru on my bull at 19 yards 60lbs 82nd airborne 440gr arrow. This year my arrow stopped in the offside rib of him at 15 yards, same set up. Put it in the sweet spot and hell die.

[ellensburgpo]

I'm only pulling 60lbs and its enough to kill an elk.

[JLS]

Your 60 pounds with your Guardian (which may be more if your limb bolts are bottomed out) is still shooting as fast or faster than my Mathews Q2 set at 65 pounds.

If anything, I'd play around with your FOC to get it as high as you can without being underspined.

[RadSav]

I think you have the set-up just about right.  Though I would ask what length arrow you are shooting and if FOC is between 10 & 15%.  My hunting partner Larry and I have both killed a couple elk using almost the exact same setup as you.  Only difference is we shot the Admiral FLX 60#/400 grain arrow.  We shoot 3 blade 100 grain broadheads and 23 grain inserts giving our 27.5" arrows an FOC of 11.7%.  Larry shoots his at 28" and mine at 28.5" draw length.  Arrows are spined at .390.  Not sure about Larry, but mine is shooting a decimal point above 274 fps.

Of the four elk we have taken with that setup none went more than 50 yards.  The biggest bull I shot at 18 yards and still managed to F'up my shot hitting him in the leg bone about two inches below the ball joint of the front shoulder.  Broadhead still managed to make it through the heart and out the other side even though the arrow remained in the animal.

Slick Trick is a pretty good head.  But, I'd rather see you go to a little longer 3 blade to achieve the additional penetration than go heavier in overall arrow.  Unless you are shooting a longer arrow than we do that lays weak on spine and light on FOC.  Then I would change to a stiffer arrow.  Which may then give you more weight and/or may require a slightly heavier tip weight to achieve proper FOC.  You are at 6.7 grains per pound right now.  No real reason to go above 7 to hunt anything Washington has to offer.

[coachcw]

i'd play with a few different arrow wieghts and a chronograph . just maximize your ke between 20 and fifty yards .

[sakoshooter]

Sounds like you've got all you need. Practice and take care on your shot placement.

[MLBowhunting]

No need to change anything.  As long as your arrow doesnt smack dead center into the shoulder bone you should be fine.   

[Stick em]

Sound like a great setup. Shot placement is the most important thing. My son took down a nice Blacktail this year with his bow at only 42lbs. I almost always get a pass through and I only shoot 55lbs. Like many said already, put it in the sweet spot and you will be happy. Placement of that broadhead is paramount for a quick, clean kill.

[yajsab]

I think you have a good set up already.  I wouldn't go lighter on the arrow though, from my experience.  Heavy arrow at a lower speed penetrates much better than light and fast.  I've tried both and I'm sticking with the heavier arrow.  When I was shooting 370 grain arrow at 60# and 26", my arrow went about halfway or 3/4 only.  I switched to 430 grain arrow with the same setup and almost every shot was pass through.

[pianoman9701]

"Sir, can you please tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice son, practice."

[deerslyr]

Yuh know I drove myself nuts trying to optimize my "slow bow" 70lb mission maniac. Literary couldnt get over the absolute premium arrow for my bow and the dudes at the archery shop would just laugh at me.  I ended up shooting a 420 grain arrow at 250.1 fps. I didnt really like what it was and kept working around it but in the end thats what I went hunting with. Opening day 65 yard pass through on a blacktail. I realized I was over thinking it though and through and my buddies at the archery shop will tell you how I drove them nuts. Any arrow over 400 grains going 250+ fps with a sharp broad head will kill anything in NA.

[demontang]

With a good tune, broad head, and a. Good arrow I doubt youll have a problem at 400 grns

[scotsman]

You have a lot of power... Don't over think it. I shoot a 54# longbow with 540 grain arrow at about 180 fps. I get pass through on deer, elk and bear and your bow probably has twice the energy imparted to the arrow as my bow. Just practice, pick your spot and stay within your practiced yardage. Youll do just fine.

[asl20bball]

Sup Chris...if you really want to get technical then what you need to be more concerned about is your arrows Knetic Energy which is: (arrow weight / 450240) x (velocity x velocity). 

 Changing arrow weight or velocity or both with have an effect on your KE...obviously the more KE the better. However, with the set-up you currently have u s/b just fine for elk.