Gold Tip Hunters

[SeaRun1]

Hey all,

So I was reading through the thread on what arrows guys use and it prompted a question.  I am shooting Gold Tip Pro Hunter XT arrows with three blazer vanes and Muzzy three blades in 100 grain.

Got a nice blacktail this year that ran twenty yards and died with two big breaths so I know this is a good set up.  However I usually feel the need to tamper so I have a question for the other Gold Tip guys.

Is it worth the extra money for the Pro Hunters over the Hunter XT's?  It looks like it is about a forty dollar bump for a dozen shafts.  Thanks for your advice.

SR1

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Nope.

[Rainier10]

I used to use the Goldtip hunters and loved them for practice and hunting until I had two different shots do funny things on impact with an animal. Both instances quartering away shots behind the shoulder came out the other side of the deer on one and elk on the other just in front of the opposite hind quarter.  It was like the arrow took a hard left turn inside the animal.  Happened on back to back hunts so I switched to FMJ and haven't had that same problem since.  Maybe I just had bad luck with the two shots using goldtips and have had better luck with the FMJ.

Just my 

[JBar]

Nope, as the average archer most won't see the difference between.003 & .001 except in their pocket book.

[raydog]

 

[D-Rock425]

I used to use the Goldtip hunters and loved them for practice and hunting until I had two different shots do funny things on impact with an animal. Both instances quartering away shots behind the shoulder came out the other side of the deer on one and elk on the other just in front of the opposite hind quarter.  It was like the arrow took a hard left turn inside the animal.  Happened on back to back hunts so I switched to FMJ and haven't had that same problem since.  Maybe I just had bad luck with the two shots using goldtips and have had better luck with the FMJ.

Just my 

this seems more like a broadhead problem than an arrow problem.

[Rainier10]

I used to use the Goldtip hunters and loved them for practice and hunting until I had two different shots do funny things on impact with an animal. Both instances quartering away shots behind the shoulder came out the other side of the deer on one and elk on the other just in front of the opposite hind quarter.  It was like the arrow took a hard left turn inside the animal.  Happened on back to back hunts so I switched to FMJ and haven't had that same problem since.  Maybe I just had bad luck with the two shots using goldtips and have had better luck with the FMJ.

Just my 

this seems more like a broadhead problem than an arrow problem.

I have been shooting the same broadheads, NAP thunderheads for 20 years.  Used them with my old aluminum 2117 easton gamegetters with no issues and still use them on my 340 FMJ's. Only time I had issues was when I was using the 5575 Gold Tip Hunters.  Like I said maybe it was just a coincidence, but two animals in a row did the same thing with the arrow taking a left turn inside of the animal so I switched.

[stromdiddily]

I used to use the Goldtip hunters and loved them for practice and hunting until I had two different shots do funny things on impact with an animal. Both instances quartering away shots behind the shoulder came out the other side of the deer on one and elk on the other just in front of the opposite hind quarter.  It was like the arrow took a hard left turn inside the animal.  Happened on back to back hunts so I switched to FMJ and haven't had that same problem since.  Maybe I just had bad luck with the two shots using goldtips and have had better luck with the FMJ.

Just my 

this seems more like a broadhead problem than an arrow problem.

I have been shooting the same broadheads, NAP thunderheads for 20 years.  Used them with my old aluminum 2117 easton gamegetters with no issues and still use them on my 340 FMJ's. Only time I had issues was when I was using the 5575 Gold Tip Hunters.  Like I said maybe it was just a coincidence, but two animals in a row did the same thing with the arrow taking a left turn inside of the animal so I switched.

I'm going to guess that your FMJs weigh a good amount more than the GTs you were shooting, which would also make a difference.

Either way, both are good arrows. Just depends on if you want to spend the extra money or not...my personal vote is no

[Rainier10]

I used to use the Goldtip hunters and loved them for practice and hunting until I had two different shots do funny things on impact with an animal. Both instances quartering away shots behind the shoulder came out the other side of the deer on one and elk on the other just in front of the opposite hind quarter.  It was like the arrow took a hard left turn inside the animal.  Happened on back to back hunts so I switched to FMJ and haven't had that same problem since.  Maybe I just had bad luck with the two shots using goldtips and have had better luck with the FMJ.

Just my 

this seems more like a broadhead problem than an arrow problem.

I have been shooting the same broadheads, NAP thunderheads for 20 years.  Used them with my old aluminum 2117 easton gamegetters with no issues and still use them on my 340 FMJ's. Only time I had issues was when I was using the 5575 Gold Tip Hunters.  Like I said maybe it was just a coincidence, but two animals in a row did the same thing with the arrow taking a left turn inside of the animal so I switched.

I'm going to guess that your FMJs weigh a good amount more than the GTs you were shooting, which would also make a difference.

Either way, both are good arrows. Just depends on if you want to spend the extra money or not...my personal vote is no

Definitely heavier. It could have just been coincidence also. I do know that the FMJ have been working for me so I am sticking with them.  Same as the broadheads.  I keep thinking I should try the new smaller heads on the market and even changing arrows.  Problem is what I have is working so if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[stromdiddily]

No doubt. You put your arrow where you're supposed to and you'll be successful 99.9% of the time with any set up that's legal.

I've just recently come to the conclusion that I'm not going to spend a lot of money on hunting arrows any more. Chances are good they're going to end up breaking so why spend more than I have to.

[ArcherTL]

if you buy the .003+/- and cut them you your arrow length by cutting from the front and back of the arrow you will end up with an arrow that is very close to a .001 +/- shaft. Or at least that is what a GT rep told me.

[bowtechian]

If your shooting good groups with broadheads why change it?

[carpsniperg2]

I ran the xt's for years and have always had great luck. I picked up some pro hunters and played with them at extended ranges and did find them to be a little more accurate with broadheads.

I would say the avg archer with a max range of 50-60 yards will not see any real loss by going down to the xt's over the pro hunters.

[SeaRun1]

Sounds like at my ability level (comfortable out to 40 Max) that I should be fine with staying with the Hunter XT's.  Thanks for the advice.

SR1

[Encore 280]

I'm pretty new to the archery game so I know very little and mostly go by what the guy at Sprtsman Wrhs set's me up with. I started with the Gold Tip Expedition Hunter 500 spine but when I increased the draw weight to 60 I was getting lousy groups so I went to 400 spine in the same arrow and now things are looking good. I've got targets set at 30, 40 and 50yds and I'm comfortable with the 50yd groups i'm getting shooting paper plates. I experimented at 60yds the other day and have to hold about a foot high with the 50yd pin but I would never shoot at an animal at the distance, no way. Shooting the 60 makes me more confident at the 50 and 40. I try to shoot for an hour or so every day but the last couple days I've been slackin. I'll make time today though.