Whats Your Arrow Setup?

[RadSav]

I know a guy that has a bunch of 2419 ?  , maybe for that bow .......

I love Lincoln Logs.  They're fun!

[sneakyjake]

Hey Russ, I have the hunters and have always felt barely legal with a 70# bow. This year I put 3gr/in inserts in all my arrows with 4 in vanes.  I bumped my BH's to 125s and the arrows flew great. They came to 485gr.  I couldn't believe the penetration on my elk this year at 40 yards.  I would ask those of you who have gone from a 70 to 80# bow, what were the differences that you noticed?  Was the trajectory on a heavier arrow that noticeably? 

[RadSav]

Going from 80# to 70# I noticed my arrows were only five yards on the other side of where the elk stood instead of 5.5 yards on the other side  

I also noticed I hit the heart more often and the liver less leading to shorter blood trails.  If I have to blood trail at all!  I also noticed I could hold steady enough, long enough that I could shoot when I wanted to instead of when I needed to.  Of course those heavy arrows out of the 80# bow did break bricks and stacks of glass better than my 70# bows.

I've also noticed that my effective range is longer with the 70# bow than it was with the 80# bow.  And actually it is even better now with 63-65# than it was at 70#.  But some things are the same.  When I shoot an elk at the base of the scapula, just above the ball joint, my arrows stick just like they did at 70# and just as they did at 80#.  I now break the ball joint when I hit it solid just like I did when I shot 70# and just as I did at 80# too.

I was always amazed that no one was impressed when I missed when shooting 80#.  But I have impressed myself with all the hearts I've hit with these new wimpy bows   I quit shooting 80# when I tore a rotator cuff hunting in below zero temperatures trying to shoot back over my left shoulder.  Not that I wanted to give the impression that my wiener shrunk, but because I had to.  I finished my season shooting 55# left handed and put a spike in the freezer after a 45 yard shot and a 10 yard blood trail.  That's when I realized the injury just might be the best thing that ever happed to me. After the pain was gone it really was the best thing to happen to me. 

I'd happily shoot 80# again if I ever decided to hunt Cape Buffalo or hippo.  But until then I'll be happy losing those "Man Points" and replace them with trophy points.  I am married after all so Man Points buy me NOTHING!  A full freezer does buy me a happy wife though

[coachcw]

my option is a 80 lb bow will shoot heavy arrows flatter and have more ke. they also fly better in windy conditions and if you clip a twig the arrow has a better chance of finding its mark . frontal shoots often end with a exit hole . I feel that with the higher let off bows I have a harder time being stable . the 80 limbs feel better at full draw in my opinion. by all means everyone is different  like different feels . I saw Russ draw that 80 turbo tech like it was butter so I don't see any reason to change them. lighter limbs for 3d and practice are better as you near the end of a round and fatigue sets in but while hunt the 80s are champ !

[RadSav]

Shoot in sub freezing temperatures or after charging up a hill to cut off a bull and you may wish you had a 70# bow.  Although if you're a lucky bass and just drive up to your raffle bull with the truck...

[D-Rock425]

Im going to start hunting with 80# because 63# just doesn't get it done for me.

[Encore 280]

I've been watching this thread since it started so I guess I'll jump in. I just bought a PSE 3G out of Cabela's this last December. I had it set up for me at Spts. Whse. and started at 42# with 500 spine Gold Tip Hunter Expeditions and 100gr field tips. After a couple weeks I set it to 50 then 55 and now I'm up to 60# and the 400 spine GT HE's and feel pretty confident at 50yds but not sure that I'd go for an animal at that distance. I'm 66 years old, 5' 8" and 175#. I don't know that I'd be able to use a bow set at 70# and wouldn't even think of an 80#. I plan on archery deer this year and really want to go for elk also but we'll see. I plan on using the same arrows and with the Savora Triple Sec 100's that I just got a couple weeks ago. I really want to find someone and I know I should go to Cabela's or someone that really knows their archery stuff and get this bow fitted to me just so I feel better about it. I don't think I'm getting enough draw out of it cuz it seems like it comes up just a little too short. My anchor point is just under my right ear and my left arm isn't totally extended. I don't know if it should have just a little bit of a break in it or not but at least I'm not getting snapped by the string like my kid did a couple weeks ago on his bare forearm. It just seems like I'm pulling too hard against the bow and I start shaking too soon before let off. Ok there ya have it. I think I need some serious coaching from an expert. Any help and or advice is greatly appreciated. I'm retired so anyone that has time to give me some pointers that would be great. I know, I should get to Tulalip Cabela's and check them out. Does anyone know if they have a good archery department up there? Thanks guys.

[RadSav]

Encore 280 - The guys at the Federal Way Sportsman's get good reviews on getting you set up well.  A little far but Denton at Rock Creek Archery in Enumscratch would really get you dialed in.  As would The Nock Point in Mt Lk Terr.  Those are just the first ones off the top of my head.  Sounds like you are doing pretty good so far!

Up until last year the Idaho state record was taken with a 58# compound bow with a 26" draw length.  Also with a 100 grain Savora broadhead, BTW   So you should have plenty of bow if you can find the time.

[Encore 280]

Ok thanks for the info, I'll see about the guys at Mt. Lk. Ter.. I see these guys on the huntin shows and they draw these big bows back and they make it look so effortless! I don't know how these guys do 80#'s! They must be part gorilla!! I have nothing but time so I try to shoot every day but it doesn't always happen. I've got 5 targets set at 30, 40, and 50yds. and have a dozen arrows and shoot probably for an hour or so.

[Russ McDonald]

My first bow was a Reflex Bighorn (made by Hoyt) maxed out a 73lbs draw.  I went to the Bowtech Destoyer 340 maxed out a 63lbs.  I noticed the draw felt the same between both the bow even though they are different draw weights.  The difference axle to axle distance.  The Reflex was 35" the Bowtech is 32".  Now that Turbotec is I believe 36 or 37" axle to axle.  Yes it is a pretty easy draw.  I guess being 6'1" 300lbs you could mistake me as a gorilla 

[Encore 280]

Ok so the more distance between the axels means easier draw? My 3G is 33" between axels so I guess that would explain it then. I'm gradually getting used to it though. Next step is 65# maybe in a couple weeks or a couple months I'll crank it up a turn or two.

[Russ McDonald]

Ok so the more distance between the axels means easier draw? My 3G is 33" between axels so I guess that would explain it then. I'm gradually getting used to it though. Next step is 65# maybe in a couple weeks or a couple months I'll crank it up a turn or two.

That is what I have noticed.  I might be wrong though.  I am surely not an expert here 

[coachcw]

Shoot in sub freezing temperatures or after charging up a hill to cut off a bull and you may wish you had a 70# bow.  Although if you're a lucky bass and just drive up to your raffle bull with the truck...

I used to shoot a 100lbs martin fury so I guess dropping down to a 80 lbs bow makes it feel like butter . Rav its ok if your weak your still a good guy . 

[Encore 280]

Ok so I was just outside shooting and I'm thinking "60# draw weight on a bow so what does it matter if the axel distance is 33" or 37", you're still pulling 60#" Right? Ok I'm going back out and shoot some more.

[Russ McDonald]

Think of the angle of string when you draw.   With a shorter axle to axle you have more of a drastic string angle then you would at a longer axle to axle.  I know the 2 bows are different poundages but they felt the same when you draw back. To the expert please correct me if I am wrong.   I am looking at this on how it felt to me and them looking at the design of the 2 different bows.  Also the cam style between manufactures is a big thing in how the draw fellas on a bow to.  At least that is what I think.