Please Advise

[Nice Racks]

I know questions like this has been on here before; but here's my set up and question. I'm shooting a 29 1/2 inch Carbon Express Maxima Hunter arrow at 70lbs with a 100 grain Steel Force Phat Head. I'm not worried about making weight, but whether if I would benefit in any way by moving up to a 125 grain head? I love hunting elk and shooting my bow, but I just don't know a lot about the technical aspects of shooting. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Greg Mullins]

What arrow are you shooting? 350 or 450.I shoot a 29 in 350 with a 125 grain tip and according to the specs it's spine correct. The benefits to having weight in front is accuracy. The weight forward is kinda BS.If you cut one in half the to pieces weight the same.Im not trashing on the arrows I use them and think there great. The extra weight in front seems to make a pretty big difference at longer range 40+.

[Nice Racks]

Woops. Left that bit of info out.    It's a 350 spine.

[RadSav]

A lot is going to depend on what insert you are running, what fletching you are using and if you have a wrap or not.

If I run the numbers as a generic configuration you should be about 10% FOC.  Not bad!  Especially if you are not shooting a lot in bad weather conditions or at extended distances.  But if you were to go to the 125 grain head you will probably be between 12 and 13%.  In my mind that's perfection squared

[Nice Racks]

Thanks RadSav and Greg for the input. My arrows has Blazer vanes and the insert it came with; no wraps.  Not sure if I'll try a lighted nok or not.

[xXLojackXx]

Stay away from lighted nocks. All it's going to do is add weight in the back, and a significant amount at that. Know where your arrow will shoot and forget the illumination.

[nw_bowhunter]

What's the weight on the insert? What is your actual weight on the arrow? Just wondering.

[bullfisher]

Stay away from lighted nocks. All it's going to do is add weight in the back, and a significant amount at that. Know where your arrow will shoot and forget the illumination.

Agreed,
 Illuminated knocks make me peekaboo my shots.

[Nice Racks]

With a 100 grain head my arrow ways in at 424 grains.

[RadSav]

With a 100 grain head my arrow ways in at 424 grains.

The calculation I used put your arrow at 408.  Are you sure that those are cut to 29.5.  These calculations are rarely off by 16 grains.  Usually 2 or 3 grains for glue variance.  Depending on where that 16 grains is it could make a big difference.  If it's on the back you could have troubles.  If on the front you should be great.

That weight would be closer to the Maxima KV shafts or the Mayhem.  Also, Phat heads aren't known for being super consistent in weight.  Might want to check that too.

[Smossy]

Stay away from lighted nocks. All it's going to do is add weight in the back, and a significant amount at that. Know where your arrow will shoot and forget the illumination.

Compensated easily by heavier head inserts. Problem solved. I have 23 grain brass inserts. Literally makes the 10-11g increase from the lighted nocks non existant.

[Nice Racks]

With a 100 grain head my arrow ways in at 424 grains.

The calculation I used put your arrow at 408.  Are you sure that those are cut to 29.5.  These calculations are rarely off by 16 grains.  Usually 2 or 3 grains for glue variance.  Depending on where that 16 grains is it could make a big difference.  If it's on the back you could have troubles.  If on the front you should be great.

That weight would be closer to the Maxima KV shafts or the Mayhem.  Also, Phat heads aren't known for being super consistent in weight.  Might want to check that too.

Strange. I had my arrow weighed last year at Sportsman's Warehouse. So, if the new ones I purchase end up around 408 grains, will a 125 weight broadhead still put me at an optimal FOC, or will I have to add a little more to the front? Life was much easier in the late 70's when all I  did was have Game Getter 2117 cut and throw on a good ole Bear Razorhead    

[RadSav]

At 408 you should be perfect!

It's the 424 grains I worry about.  Mainly because I can't figure out where that 16 grains is coming from.  If it's spread throughout the arrow you will still be fine.  If it is the Phat Head being over weight that should be fine too.  If it is on the nock end of the arrow it could be trouble.

[nw_bowhunter]

So at 408 he wouldn't make legal hunting weight? He needs 420 based on his draw weight. Maybe I missed something.

[RadSav]

So at 408 he wouldn't make legal hunting weight? He needs 420 based on his draw weight. Maybe I missed something.

So maybe that's how it got to be 424   I didn't even look at that column.  That's an easy fix though. Just drop two pound of draw weight and Shazaam - Washington Legal!  Or, if the inserts can be taken out just replace them with 23 grain Beman Vi-Brake inserts.  Goes to show how ridiculous that law really is.

I was more worried about the spine.  If it's a modern bow 330 IBO or more that arrow at 29.5" is pretty dang light in spine.  At 340 IBO/29.5" it gets a little dangerous.