Arrow weight

[Commando]

What arrow weight iseveryone shooting? I’m sitting right about 470 but thinking I might try adding a brass insert to add weight and test it out. Listening to a few podcasts and it sounds like a 500 grain plus arrow would be a good idea for elk

[Stein]

444 for me, from my research and trusting people who have a ton more experience killing elk, I am very confident at that arrow weight pulling about 65 pounds.  I am pretty limited with a 31" draw at 65 pounds, you run out of spine pretty quick at 125 grains up front.

[Crunchy]

I believe the 6 grains per pound of draw weight is a perfect start.  Going any heavier is a personal choice.  I prefer a flatter shooting arrow.  When you guess 35 yd shot but the elk is 45 shooting a 500 grain arrow is going to make a huge difference on impact point or even hit and miss.  Rarely do I ever get a chance to pull out the range finder to get exact yardage.  that being said I shoot 425 grains at 66lbs

[Come Get Some]

I shoot 550 grains for both deer and elk. I have been blessed with a long draw length. 31" and 70 lbs , 550 grain stiff arrow . MMMMMMMMM!!!!The kinetic energy my set up produces is deadly on EVERYTHING and flatter down range than a light arrow. Remember kinetic energy and speed are measured at the bow or close to it. Heaver arrows carry kinetic energy to longer distances and penetrate much better. A light arrow placed in the right spot will kill an elk, but with all of the variables involved why take the chance. My arrows go clear thru no matter what the angle or distance.

[theleo]

Currently I'm at 452 grains but I'm going to see how some 150 grain points fly which would bump me up to 477. It's only to test my curiosity though, as 420 grain arrows did just fine with my older (slower) bow and Shuttle T's. Personally I think if you have a modern bow set at 70lb and at least a somewhat average draw length, you'll have plenty of arrow weight if you're shooting anywhere from 260-290 fps. I go for that speed range more than arrow weight because it's nice and forgiving for broad head accuracy.

[Come Get Some]

Good point, Not everyone chooses a good broad head. Some spend 1200 on a bow and put a $20.00 rest on it and wonder why they are not consistent. A good very sharp broad is close to the most important part of your set up. No matter how fast or hard the arrow gets there the broad head must be able to do the job. I also shoot Shuttle T broaheads. Haven't found any situation where it has not gone clear thru since they were first on the market. I did alot of product testing for The original manufacturer, Butch Sommers. The only problem now is since Dan Evans sold the right to a company down south the availability is not as good. They fly great and do not fail or fold up like some others.

[Crunchy]

Although I agree the heavier arrow carries more kinetic energy, I do not understand how it could be flatter shooting down range.  If that were true, take your set up and shoot an arrow that is 100 grains lighter and see the impact point difference at 50 yards.  I would guess the lighter arrow will impact a foot or so higher than the heavier arrow.  Find that balance of kinetic energy and flatter shooting.

[highside74]

Are you shooting traditional or compound? I shoot compound 65# 291fps with a 408gr arrow getting 76# of kinetic energy. I've killed deer, moose and elk. There is a point of diminishing returns with to much arrow weight.

The only wa I would consider an arrow over 420 or so grains is if I were shoot a lightweight compound or a traditional bow that wasn't going to create enough speed to hold the kinetic energy.

A 450 grain arrow going 275 fps is only carrying 75# of kinetc energy and it doesn't shoot as flat as mine. It only goes down from there with more weight equals less speed negligible returns if any on kinetic energy and a more arcing arrow flight. Which means the chancestors of more contact with branches or other items during hunting situations.

[demontang]

State min is more then enough with modern bows. I'm running 420grns-538 my wife runs 370grn arrow. I prefer to keep a flatter trajectory my self. I run a longer draw also so even my heavy arrows are pretty flat shooting. A good head up front of the arrow is truly the key. Guys will tell you that a 500+ is min for whitetail and they are crazy.

[Milkman]

Shooting 472 gr

[Commando]

Thanks for the replies guys. Looks like I am just gonna leave my set up as is and not mess with it. Sounds like I’ve got plenty of arrow. I’m shooting a hoyt carbon defiant at 68 lbs and 29 inch draw Easton fmj 340 arrows and up a slick trick up front.

[demontang]

Your good and slick trick is one of the sharpest heads out there. I play with weight and etc just cause I can lol

[Greg Mullins]

550

[biggfish]

About 480 with a 100 grain broadhead.

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[Piscatory_5]

Although I agree the heavier arrow carries more kinetic energy, I do not understand how it could be flatter shooting down range.  If that were true, take your set up and shoot an arrow that is 100 grains lighter and see the impact point difference at 50 yards.  I would guess the lighter arrow will impact a foot or so higher than the heavier arrow.  Find that balance of kinetic energy and flatter shooting.

The trajectory benefits come farther down range, much farther.