How Important is Kinetic Energy in Bows?

[Smossy]

KE

[lghtnquik]

Not too bad do a little research on KE vs momentum and you'll be surprised. Don't get hung up on meaningless numbers the indians were killing 2000lb buffalo with 40lb recurves for hundreds of years.

[turkeyfeather]

Not too bad do a little research on KE vs momentum and you'll be surprised. Don't get hung up on meaningless numbers the indians were killing 2000lb buffalo with 40lb recurves for hundreds of years.

I was kinda thinking the same thing. It does seem that sometimes we all get a little to hung up on numbers. 

[bowpredator]

I read somewhere that it take something like 35-40 lbs of kinetic energy to kill your average deer, not sure on elk. My Bowtech D/350 is putting out almost 80 with the way I have it set up. But that's for elk hunting, my thinking is more is better.

[RadSav]

Numbers are important to me.

I thought you were suppose to be out killing some bear 

Think of the numbers in regards to arrow KE this way... If you could eliminate all friction from an arrow/broadhead how much KE would you need to shoot through a tree?  The answer would be less than one!

Unlike a bullet you are not trying to transfer energy to the target.  You want as much of the energy to stay in the arrow.  Shoot a few animals with your bow first before you start worrying about KE.  It won't take you long to realize that the amount of energy left in the arrow after it passes through your target makes little difference.  And that KE, like speed, is far more important to the sale of goods and to those who never shoot anything than it is to successful bowhunters.

[turkeyfeather]

Not too bad do a little research on KE vs momentum and you'll be surprised. Don't get hung up on meaningless numbers the indians were killing 2000lb buffalo with 40lb recurves for hundreds of years.

I was kinda thinking the same thing. It does seem that sometimes we all get a little to hung up on numbers. 

Numbers are important to me.

It's more important learning to be a good shot and a sneaky bas****.

[earlmarne]

i am no expert.
im broadhead tuning the old ladies bow today.at 45 lbs and 26 inch draw she is well below you in terms of KE.
in my mind proper and perfect arrow flight is more important.if i can get every last grain of that arrow behind a sharp blade without waisting too much of its energy in correcting flight i have complet faith that she will be getting pass throughs if she stays out of the shoulder.
i have piles of arrows laying around for my bow.from 575 grains down to 350 grains.i am generating just under 90 lbs of KE on release of my 420 grain arrow right now and it is overkill by a long shot.
my next bow will most likely be much lower poundage.
focus on tune and i believe you have nothing at all to worry about.but as said i am just a new guy to this whole sport

[RadSav]

I knew you would chime in.  Im only worried about KE because Im trying to build some good arrows that I can stand by for as long as possible and shoot anything I need to. With my bow I'm barely pushing 230fps, that kinda bothers me.

Where are you getting 230 fps?  When your bow left my place it was shooting just under 260.

[RadSav]

If I'm not confident with my gear, There's no way I can be confident with myself.

What is going to give you confidence in your equipment?  Is a high KE number going to do it for you?  If that's all you are worried about it's time to get an 80# PSE and Piledriver arrows.  And perhaps you need to start shooting a bow that is 2" too long in draw length for you 

Myself I think it's about time you shoot something besides targets.  A month from now you should have some meat in the freezer and your confidence should be plenty in your KE.

[SemperFidelis97]

Smossy you will be fine if you put as much mental energy into finding critters as you do breaking down how your bow works.  I have had the privilege of taking a few animals with my bow, and I have always been suprised by the devistation a properly placed arrow will do.  Simple truth is if you can put your arrow where it needs to go when you have the oppurtunity you will have no problem ethically killing any animal.

[RadSav]

Smossy you will be fine if you put as much mental energy into finding critters as you do breaking down how your bow works.  I have had the privilege of taking a few animals with my bow, and I have always been suprised by the devistation a properly placed arrow will do.  Simple truth is if you can put your arrow where it needs to go when you have the oppurtunity you will have no problem ethically killing any animal.

Well said SemperFidelis97 

[RadSav]

I knew you would chime in.  Im only worried about KE because Im trying to build some good arrows that I can stand by for as long as possible and shoot anything I need to. With my bow I'm barely pushing 230fps, that kinda bothers me.

Where are you getting 230 fps?  When your bow left my place it was shooting just under 260.

IBO is 295. With every fps calculator in existence, with my draw weight, length, arrow weight, and everything added to the strings. That's what I'm getting. like 228fps
62lb Draw Weight, 28" Draw, 28 3/4 arrow length, arrows weigh 398grains, D-loop, brass insert nocking point, string silencers. Approx 30grains

Did you change from the GoldTip XT 5575 spined arrows?  Did you add wraps?  I'm trying to figure out why they are 16 grains heavier than what I had here.  At that time they were 382 grains with about 11.3% FOC.  NOt sure what fps calculators you are finding in existence these days.  Mine says even at 398 grains you should be above 255 fps.

Velocity loss due to D-Loop, string Leaches and brass nock point is well over stated in the crapazines and on Archery lies and arguments website.

[RadSav]

lol @ I can barely afford to shoot targets, led alone anything that has a heartbeat. Id be doing more harm then good right now.

Are you smoking crack again!

[Austrian Hunter]

Smossy, confidence will come from the first kill.  I do understand what you saying but don't get hung up on these numbers.  All your practicing should give you plenty of confidence to put a well placed arrow behind the shoulder.  Just put some meet in the freezer and you wont worry about that again    Good luck to you!!!! 

[RadSav]

Are you smoking crack again!

Wtf?

    Oh goodness, You are entertaining and fun! 

If you can make it down here to work two days between Tuesday and Thursday I can help you out.  We can probably make it out to the range one afternoon and get a real fps on that bow too!  We can also go over Google Maps and I can give you details of where those poor little deer will be hanging out opening day. 

I think you just need to get an arrow bloody.  Everything will start to make sense again after that!