Arrow testing - Pick the best

[92xj]

I bought 4 different arrows to shoot, weigh, compare and decide which I am going to go to for this season.
Elk and deer hunting.
0-60 yard range
Hoyt AlphaMax 35
28.5 Draw
68lbs

1. Carbon Express Maxima Hunter 350
125 gr head
4" wrap
3 blazer vanes
414.4 gr total arrow weight
FOC = 11.7%
Total length, point to nock = 29.125"
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 285.25 fps

2. Black Eagle Spartan 300
125 gr head
4" wrap
3AAE Max Hunter vanes
462.5gr total arrow weight
FOC = 10.8%
Total length, point to nock = 29.6875"
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 271.25 fps

3. Axis Match Grade 5mm 340
125 gr head
4" wrap
3 AAE Max Hunter vanes
453.2gr total arrow weight
FOC = 9.9%
Total length, point to nock = 29.9375
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 271.75 fps

4. FMJ 5mm 340
125 gr head
4" wrap
3AAE Max Hunter vanes
505.8gr total arrow weight
FOC = 8.9%
Total Length = 30.25"
Speed 1 arrow length in front of riser = 258.75fps


I have, on order, 150gr field points that should be here this week. I will be redoing the calcs with them to see if there is anything better than what I have above.

Out of the 4 above, which do you pick and why?

[jstone]

My carbon express arrows are almost the same. I shoot 70 pounds so my arrows are a little heavier. Every animal I have shot with that set up is lights out. I Love That set up

[huntnfmly]

#4
I like the heavy arrow and the momentum it will carry

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

#4
WEIGHT!

[dscubame]

Dedication putting the work in!  Me like.

[Stein]

#2.  1 is too light, 4 is too heavy.  I picked 2 over 3 due to the FOC.

[92xj]

Dedication putting the work in!  Me like.

It's an expensive test, but will be worth it. It would be nice to be able to buy a variety pack of arrows for this type of stuff but none to be had. Also, I didn't find much of weight, foc, etc in all my research so hopefully this thread helps others.
After I decide which setup to run I hope to sells the others tried in the testing to someone else looking to perfect their setup.

[Seahawk12]

I like #4 for the weight but that foc isn't good.
If the heavier tip isn't enough then will that arrow take a weighted insert?
Interested to hear which one "feels" right when you shoot them.

[demontang]

Any will work. I'm running a set up close to the first one 420grns 11% foc and at 313fps. And I have a set up at 538grns 10%foc at 290fps. All those rigs are enough for elk, I personally like to try to keep speed up so in cover I can sneak a arrow through it easier with a flatter trajectory. 

[Greg Mullins]

#4.  I’ll take heavy any day.

[bracer40]

This is a great test and post.  Appreciate the share!

[92xj]

This is a great test and post.  Appreciate the share!

Thanks, hopefully this helps others though I would still recommend them doing their own testing and calculating with their setup.

This weekend there will be more testing and calculating with the 4 arrows above.
I have enough room to cut roughly 2" off the arrow, shortening them and decrease weight by their gpi numbers.  I also have 150gr heads that should be delivered today or tomorrow.  My thought is I can shorten the arrows and add more FOC and hopefully stay within spine range.

by cutting the arrows I will lose 16-22grs of total weight but then add an additional 25 grs so increase total weights, from the above numbers, by 4-8grs, increase FOC by a good bit and hopefully be in the same speed range as the above numbers.

Friday the arrows will be cut and inserts installed, Saturday they will go through the chrono with the 150 heads and we shall see. 
Hopefully by Sunday I will have my decision made on which arrow and head weight to use for the year.

[Drewski]

Nice test. Won't you be getting towards weak spined with the 150's? I shoot option 3 almost exactly. No complaints.

[92xj]

I believe I will be getting closer to a weak spine but not sure if it will be too weak or not.
I'm ignornant to the spine game and have only used the charts in the past to determine what I use, arrow wise, based off poundage and length.
So this is all new research and learning.
I'm thinking once I cut down the arrows they should be roughly 2 inches shorter than above and hopefully keep the 150 heads in spine range. I will just have to not cut my finger off as it floats out in front of the riser.

[demontang]

I have my arrows cut to 29.25 for a 30.5" draw. You should be ok on spine at that length with 150 up front