minimum arrow weight for elk

[grousetracker]

I know 6grns per pound is legal but concerned with my set up, partial tear of rotator in shoulder caused me to drop my poundage and arrow set up. I shoot 49# and arrow at 303gr 28''draw.

[RadSav]

I know 6grns per pound is legal but concerned with my set up, partial tear of rotator in shoulder caused me to drop my poundage and arrow set up. I shoot 49# and arrow at 303gr 28''draw.

303 grains at 28"!  Are you sure that's right?

[lokidog]

That does seem awefully light, my 28 1/2" arrows are 470 gr with 100gr tips (10.0 gpi).  My 20" crossbow arrows weigh 412, they are thicker though.

Your setup sounds like it will be fine.  You might want to make sure your arrows are spined correctly if they were purchased to go with a heavier draw weight on your bow.

 

Oh yeah, also make sure you have some really sharp broadheads, I here Savora makes some good ones....   

[Cap.Silver]

http://www.goldtip.com/arrowcontent.aspx?page=chart
Maybe this would help . Just curious ...do you weigh your arrows on scale ?

[grousetracker]

ya the arrow with 75gr. 500spine at 28'' draw 49pounds, weighs 303gr. tried 100gr tip and the bow was untuneable and tore paper terrible. not enough poundage to shoot 400 spine.

[RadSav]

What arrows are you shooting?  For a 500 spine arrow that is still crazy light.  The wife shoots a 500 spine at 25" and she isn't anywhere close to 300 grains.  Even with a 75 grain point she would be over 330 grains.  I have to take her to a 620 spine to get in the 300 grain range with her 25" arrows.

400 spine with 28" draw and 50# should work out well.  Might show slightly stiff on the charts with a 100 grain broadhead and an older bow, but they should still shoot good.  Plus you will see a bump in penetration with the stiffer arrow.

[D-Rock425]

You must be shooting a arrow thats right around 8 gpi or under.

[grousetracker]

I shoot easton lite-speed arrows and they weigh 6.5 gpi, 75grain tip 500spine ,the bow is drenalin L.D.28'' draw 28''arrow the bow shoots 256fps with this setup.

[Gamblin Guy]

What do you have for fletching?  Wraps too?

[jpharcher]

I shoot 428 grains. ACC pro Hunter 340, 28"s, 4 " crest wrap, 3 2inch flex fletch flash, 100 grain muzzy 3 blade, chromos at 280 fps off a 70# 28 inch draw DXT. 72 ft lbs Kinetic energy.

[grousetracker]

3 blazer vanes no wraps,i could put wraps on.

[RadSav]

I shoot easton lite-speed arrows and they weigh 6.5 gpi, 75grain tip 500spine ,the bow is drenalin L.D.28'' draw 28''arrow the bow shoots 256fps with this setup.

Wow!  I think you have something wrong with that bow besides way too light of spine and arrow.  At 49#, 303 grain arrow and 28" draw length you should be 10-20 fps faster than you are.  How long has it been since you had the cable guard roller bearing replaced?  Are you seeing excessive wear in the area of the cable rollers?  Something just isn't adding up!  Do you have a really good Mathews dealer you can take it to for a complete clean and tune?  Has to be some bearing issues going on in the system somewhere.  That or a string issue of some sort.

As far as arrows are concerned...IMO you are WAY too light for repeatable performance on elk.  Your optimum spine for that set up would be 450.  So I would be inclined to error on the stiff side with a 400 spine arrow.  Should fly more consistent and will definitely penetrate considerably better!!  Plus the 400 spine arrow will add weight and you really need to get above 350 grains in my opinion.  With my wife we noticed a considerable threshold of penetration improvement once arrows went above that mark.  You will probably drop some speed with the 400 spine, plus you will likely need to step up to a 100 grain point for proper FOC, but you will definitely gain penetration and flight consistency.

You could split the difference and go with an A/C/C 440.  Could also add a little speed by going to the Maxima Red 250 which is a rather weak 400 spine (417-418).

[Gamblin Guy]

Grouse,

I've got your info entered into OT2 but I cant copy it into a reply.  Basically with the info you've provided it's showing velocity at 255, 6.4 Grs/lb and KE at 45.

Legal yes but not ideal for elk....

[coachcw]

Id like to see close to 400 grains in a 400 spine arrow for elk . my question is what bow do you shoot ? a lot of the older bows really fall off when the limbs are backed down . so say a 60 lbs bow is backed to fifty it will be slower than a 50lbs limb maxed out . I found many of the newer bows IE bowtech perform well backed down . I was really impressed with the performance out of a 60 insanity it pushed a 420 grain arrow 300 fps at 30 inches .

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Think I'll add some weight this year.  I thought 450 was super heavy but I geuss not after hearing what others shoot.