How Important is Kinetic Energy in Bows?

[Austrian Hunter]

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

Hey, sorry if I hit a nerve.  Was just poking a bit of fun at ya being worked up about KE.  KE really is nothing more than a made up number to assist manufacturers in the sale of bigger, badder, faster and more expensive bows and arrows.  Makes very little difference on this continent.

I personally am thrilled with the way you have your bow set up.  Good arrows, good bow, great accessories...you should have all the confidence in the world with that.  You should also be pleased with yourself for doing such a good job getting it so well fitted and balanced.  I was very impressed when it was here.

However, if you can not seem to find confidence in what you have there I doubt an arrow change will make much of a difference.  In that case you would probably need to upgrade to a different bow.  You do have a bit of spine to work with using your existing arrows.  I think you could add another 12 to 15 fps before you needed to start looking at a stiffer spine. 

Both Lorraine and I have been eye balling those awesome boxes you have been making.  She wants one for her collection of small gems and I would like to get some custom arrow boxes and maybe a takedown recurve bow case.  I'm sure we could work up a trade if you feel the need to upgrade!  Might not be a Hoyt though

[mountainman]

Smossygirl, it is more important to have a truly sharp broadhead that you can put in the right place, then how hard it "hits" the animal. My friend Dwight Shuh shoots a relatively light poundage bow and relatively light arrow with light "kinetic" energy, but kills many large animals a year. Hunting skills, an accurate arrow, and knowing range limitations with your set-up go much farther in gaining that confidence then what the energy levels are! And if ever up in Wenatchee, stop by my shop to help out with any problems or concerns with your setup...

[270Shooter]

I am shooting a bow that ibos at 312 fps. Shooting 60lbs at a 28.5 inch draw with 27.75 inch gold tip kinetic xt arrows. I know it's not that fast. Doesn't have a ton of ke. But to 50 yards I know if I do my part and put that arrow right behind the shoulder it will zip right threw a bull elk. I think sharp blades are important too. And g5 strikers are just that!

[DoubleJ]

Smossy-

I shoot this:

Bear Legend
26" draw
48lbs draw
Beman ICS 500 w/ Savora 100gn broadheads weighing 340gn. total
233fps and 40lbs KE

Super sharp broadheads and it kills deer just fine.

[yajsab]

Smossy,

You are 28" in draw length and you are worried about KE.  I can tell you this.  You should focus on momentum and your target more than KE.  I am 2" DL short, and I used to care about speed (KE).  I have harvested many elks, but several years ago I started to pay more attention to momentum.  I up my total arrow weight from 370 to 430 grn.  Almost all my shots after that were passed through.  This is on elks.

[D-Rock425]

I had the joy of shooting a few arrows with you at the BBQ you shot just fine.  If you are shooting a hunt legal arrow in Washington you have enough KE to kill anything in the state.  Just worry about shooting straight and not the numbers you'll be just fine.  Its all about shot placement no if, and, buts about it.

[Song Dog]

Take one of them baseball pitching machines and set it at 120 mph  Stand in front of it and then you will know what Kinetic energy is

[dreamunelk]

Take one of them baseball pitching machines and set it at 120 mph  Stand in front of it and then you will know what Kinetic energy is

Ping pong ball or base ball?  Now momentum kicks in!

[coachcw]

look on the bright side at 255 fps your broad heads will fly great . the biggest peace of advice I'd give a new bow hunter is , while shooting at game don't hold too tight to the shoulder . there's plenty of kill spot further back and you don't want  to stick one in the shoulder. your arrow will get it done if placed well. Remember it's about hemorrhage !

[alwinearcher]

Smossy,
Here is a picture of my wife with a zebra she shot a couple years back.
She was shooting 44 pounds, 25" draw and a 400 grain arrow at a speed she wouldn't be ok with me posting
He ran 100 yards and tipped over dead... Its not about how much power is behind it! Make sure your broadheads are sharp and shot placement is good and they wont go far!

[RadSav]

Wow!  That's one of the more beautiful zebra I've seen.

[alwinearcher]

Wow!  That's one of the more beautiful zebra I've seen.

No, her name is Shannon

[huntnnw]

 

[RadSav]

I wasn't going to say nothing about someone else's wife.  

Though I am certain that animal looks one heck of a lot better in her pictures than it would have in mine.  Absolutely no question about that!