Arrow Question

[ElkBOW79]

I was wondering if I could get some help on some arrow questions.  I just recently got back into bow hunting and I'm looking to purchase new arrows.  I currently have gold tips that are probably 10 years old.  I'm looking for an arrow that I can shoot out to 60yds (I hunt sage lands so longer shots won't be uncommon) and that shoot straight consistently.  How should I go about picking an arrow?  What gpi should I be looking for to shoot longer distances?  Any and all help would be appreciated!

[D-Rock425]

Gold tips are fine arrows.  Used them for years.

[Broken Arrow]

Take your set up to a pro shop. They can get you back up to speed.

[coachcw]

at 70 lbs I shoot 7595 gold tip pro hunters with a ten grain insert and a 100 tlock three fletch max hunter vanes . They fly like darts and are right at legal weight.

[D-Rock425]

The only problem with goldtips is  making legal wait and having properly spined arrow.

[et1702]

Need to know more info.  Bow type, draw length, BH type and weight, etc.

One thing to keep in mind is that WDFW requires 6gr per lb of draw weight with 300 gr arrow min. weight.  So, for instance, if you shoot 70lb draw weight, you need 420gr arrows (total weight; including nock, arrow, inserts, BH and fletching).

ET

[ElkBOW79]

@ET1702..my draw is 70lb..I shoot an older Hoyt cam & 1/2, draw length is 28 (I'm guessing since my arrows are 28.75).  Not sure what BH type is and not sure where the weight is.  I've been looking at the carbon express maxima hunter, I've heard good reviews..they are 350 grams..I've been shooting a 125 gram muzzy broad head, lumenok nocks (I believe they are around 22 grams) and older gold tip arrows..

[coachcw]

maxima hunter 350,s with a lumina nock and 125 bhs should be legal .they are good arrows .

[Come Get Some]

Seems like the general opinion is just legal weight arrows. Heavy arrows carrry more kenetic energy,penetrate better and are tougher. There is always a middle of the road. If you can afford them ACC's are Tough and very consistant for grain weight and straightness. Alot of guys will say they are not any better,That usually means they have never shot them. Hopefully you only have to shoot 1 or 2 arrows a year at animals. In that case buy the best arrrow you can afford. Tip them with Shuttle T Broadheads and it will be a deadly combination.

[et1702]

@ET1702..my draw is 70lb..I shoot an older Hoyt cam & 1/2, draw length is 28 (I'm guessing since my arrows are 28.75).  Not sure what BH type is and not sure where the weight is.  I've been looking at the carbon express maxima hunter, I've heard good reviews..they are 350 grams..I've been shooting a 125 gram muzzy broad head, lumenok nocks (I believe they are around 22 grams) and older gold tip arrows..

I have almost the same bow; mine is a Hoyt Trykon XL.  The Maxima 350's should shoot very well, as I've used them before with almost the same setup.  Since you are using a Luminok (i.e., extra weight in the back of arrow) I would stay with the 125gr BH's (i.e., don't go lighter than 125gr).  If you go with a lighter BH, you may not have enough FOC (i.e., you want the arrow to have more weight "forward of center" for proper flight).  The maxima 350's are 8.9gr per inch.  So, shaft is 249gr + 125gr BH =374gr, +22gr Luminok =396gr.  If you add approx 12 gr for BH insert and 10 to 15 gr for fletches, you are just barely at legal hunting weight of 420gr.  So, if you want to stay with a light arrow, make sure it is apporx. 9gr per inch (gpi) and at least .340 spine and it should shoot ok and barely make legal hunting weight.

As other's have mentioned, I personally like a heavier shaft (i.e., approx 10+ gpi).  I also shoot a heavier BH (150gr) and currently my total arrow weight is approx 525gr.  A heavier projectile will retain more downrange velocity and momentum vs a lighter projectile.  So, its not going to drop as much as you might think at your 60yrd max.  KE is off the charts with this setup, but momentum and FOC are more
important for penetration and exceptional arrow flight. 

Personally, I'd recommend the Maxima 450's which have a .300 spine and a 150gr BH (I shoot Strickland Archery's Helix two blade BH).  The 450's are only 9.7 gpi and your total setup w/125gr BH should be about 450 to 460gr.  If you want to keep your BH's but increase FOC, use a brass insert for the BH and you will still be less than 480gr.  But, your arrows will fly like a dart!

Hope this helps.

ET

[lokidog]

@ET1702..my draw is 70lb..I shoot an older Hoyt cam & 1/2, draw length is 28 (I'm guessing since my arrows are 28.75).  Not sure what BH type is and not sure where the weight is.  I've been looking at the carbon express maxima hunter, I've heard good reviews..they are 350 grams..I've been shooting a 125 gram muzzy broad head, lumenok nocks (I believe they are around 22 grams) and older gold tip arrows..

Just a note ElkBow, the "gr" stands for grains not grams (g).   1 g = 15.43 gr

[et1702]

@ET1702..my draw is 70lb..I shoot an older Hoyt cam & 1/2, draw length is 28 (I'm guessing since my arrows are 28.75).  Not sure what BH type is and not sure where the weight is.  I've been looking at the carbon express maxima hunter, I've heard good reviews..they are 350 grams..I've been shooting a 125 gram muzzy broad head, lumenok nocks (I believe they are around 22 grams) and older gold tip arrows..

Just a note ElkBow, the "gr" stands for grains not grams (g).   1 g = 15.43 gr

Also, the "350" designation for Carbon Express (CE) arrows doesn't mean that they weigh 350gr.  CE's 350 designation is more closely aligned with the arrows "Spine" or stiffness.  That being said, CE's numbering system is backwards from what most other arrow manufactures.  For instance, CE's .300 spine arrow is a Maxima 450.  Most other manufacturers would call this a 300 series arrow.  CE's .400 spine shafts have a 250 designation.  Note, the lower the Spine number the stiffer the arrow.

If you are shooting a bow with two "hard" cams (like the hoyt Cam & 1/2 system), I found the maxima 350 is right on the edge of not being stiff enough for 125gr BH's and 70lbs draw weight.  Before I switched to my heavier arrow setup a few years ago, I just cranked the draw weight down to 67lbs and they shot awesome. 

ET

[troyspinetar]

Following

[ElkBOW79]

Thanks ET1702 and everyone for your help!  I really appreciate it!  I definitely learned a lot!  I think I'm going to take your advice and buy the maxima 450's..I will experiment with the BH's and see which one my bow shoots better. 

[D-Rock425]

Seems like the general opinion is just legal weight arrows. Heavy arrows carrry more kenetic energy,penetrate better and are tougher. There is always a middle of the road. If you can afford them ACC's are Tough and very consistant for grain weight and straightness. Alot of guys will say they are not any better,That usually means they have never shot them. Hopefully you only have to shoot 1 or 2 arrows a year at animals. In that case buy the best arrrow you can afford. Tip them with Shuttle T Broadheads and it will be a deadly combination.

I've shot them and others didn't think they were worth the extra money.