Arrow penitration?

[6haase6]

Been heavly kicking around the idea of switching to archery as my weapon of choice. Was wondering about ways to test and see if my girlfriends setup will do the job? Some sort of target that would be close to the density of an elk?

[D-Rock425]

any legal bow for Washington will kill an elk with a solid hit.

[WSU]

Also, some broad heads (like Magnus) will penetrate better than others. 

[RadSav]

Here are two targets with close to the density of an elk.

What is her draw length and draw weight? 

[RadSav]

I don't think you would ever have a problem with a legal setup if you choose your shots, arrows and broadheads wisely.  But if you want an expert on the subject of women and light draw weights PM Annette.  My wife shoots rather heavy weight for a woman so Annette would probably have more relevant real experience and information.

[6haase6]

Her draw weight isn't all that light for anybody. Her draw weight is 55 lbs she is gold tip 3555 with a 75g three blade muzzy (she had to have pink and found these) I would prefer her shooting a heavier grain head. This could be my chance to get her to ditch the light heads. Not sure on her over all weight and length of arrow.

[RadSav]

55 pounds nothing to worry about, she's good to go.   Is that Muzzy a Phantom or MX-75?  Arrow length would regulate weight though more sure wouldn't hurt.  The WASP Queen is also 75 grains, but great blades and 1" cutting diameter for light draw weights.  G5 makes a pink Montec in 85 and 100 grains.

[6haase6]

Looking at 350 total arrow weigh with an foc of 9.9. Just the straight muzzy three blade. With her lighted nocks they weigh 362 with a foc of 7.9 will this foc or the 3555 arrows be a problem if we bump her to 60 pound draw weight?

[D-Rock425]

what do goldtip 3355 weigh gpi?  I think a 100 grain tip would get you over hunt legal weight 75 grain tips may be cutting it close.

[6haase6]

Not sure what the gpi is but with her 75 grain heads with the cheapo Allen lighted nocks puts her at 362. Two grains over legal at 60. But that foc falls to 7.9. I was more worried about spine.

[Styles]

My wife shoots 85 grain slick tricks and FMJ 500's...total arrow weight is right at 350 and pulling 50 lbs !! Lethal combo!!

[D-Rock425]

She may be a little light on spine.

[6haase6]

Kinda what I figured on spine. Styles what bo does your wife shoot? Rad how's that foc 9.9? What do you guys think is the max effective range on this setup is? Personal ability aside.

[Skyvalhunter]

Arrow PENETRATION is an often debated topic which I am sure this will turn into.

[Bean Counter]

  

[ridgefire]

Would crank the arrow weight up to about 500 grains and slap a coc broadhead on it and you should be good to go.

[RadSav]

Kinda what I figured on spine. Styles what bo does your wife shoot? Rad how's that foc 9.9? What do you guys think is the max effective range on this setup is? Personal ability aside.

.500 spine doesn't sound out of line, but we still need draw length and arrow length to know for sure.  Not sure why a woman would need to shoot 60# draw weight.  Usually that is only required to meet the man ego requirements.  Ladies don't usually suffer from that issue.  9.9% FOC is pushing it if you ask me, but it is one heck of a lot better than 7.9%!!

Best not to get into the effective range topic on the internet.  Nothing brings out the judgmental ethics Nazis' like effective range topics.  I'll just say she won't have issues at any reasonable range she will want to shoot.  The Angry Squaw has racked up an impressive amount of animals with short draw lengths and light for men poundage.  Never an issue with effectiveness!

[6haase6]

Arrows are 24.5 bare shaft and I want to say draw length is 23.5. You don't think upper the draw weight will get us anywhere. She can pull 55 no problem.

[RadSav]

Arrows are 24.5 bare shaft and I want to say draw length is 23.5. You don't think upper the draw weight will get us anywhere. She can pull 55 no problem.

At that draw length and arrow length the .500 spine you have her in should be just fine

Most women I know will try to go heavier than they should only because the husband or boyfriend seems to make a big deal of it.  We as "manly men" need to realize there is a big difference between wanting to ensure our ladies success and taking the fun and joy out of the sport.  High poundage and struggles will ruin that enjoyment faster than anything I know.  And the results of that high poundage and struggle usually only serves the inefficiency of our manly ego rather than the efficiency of our ladies success.

Would I like to have my wife shooting 60# and 300 fps with a 500 grain arrow?  Sure I would - she may want to shoot a hippo some day!  But the reality is 60# of draw weight is not enjoyable for my wife to shoot.  She can do it fine - she just doesn't care to.  And she shouldn't need to as the past 25 years has proven she is dang good at filling the freezer and having fun doing it!  Many of those years she has been better at it than I have been   And she enjoys those years more than the average year

How does your wife measure up to mine?  Well, that I have no idea   However, it does appear that they are similar in draw length as Lorraine shoots a 24.5" draw length.  So if she can shoot 55 or 60# and continue to have fun and not struggle with it let her make that decision.  Just be careful that the decision is not motivated by a desire to please the husbands ego instead of her enjoyment of the sport.  Because she does not need the extra weight to be successfully efficient at tagging animals on this continent!  Lorraine and Annette's long history of successes should go way beyond enough evidence for that!

[6haase6]

Thanks guys!!

[Come Get Some]

My wife shoots 64lbs at 28" with a ACC349 and a Shuttle T broadhead. Has killed everything it has come in contact with. She shoots lighter weight in the winter when she wears heavier clothing. David Powers wife Doneeta has killed plenty of elk with 45 lbs of draw weight and an acc. Complete pass thru's on many elk. Proper arrow placement is key. Sharp broadheads, proper arrow spine, and arrow placement will do the job.