Help picking elk arrows - 2 options

[Randonee]

I’m getting some arrows that will be used for elk hunting. I’m looking at two options, both are prebuilt and ready to go, and have a similar micro diameter with outserts. They happen to be new arrows build for someone else and are now available for me to purchase.  I’d like some advice about which I should buy. My maximum accurate hunting range is usually about 45 yards.

Option A:  402 grains and shoot at 273 FPS
Option B:  489 grains and shoot at 251 FPS

Any advice about which I should pick would be much appreciated. I’ll need to decide by tomorrow afternoon.  Thanks.

[jrebel]

I personally like the heavier arrow weights.  I would opt for 22 fps slower with 20% more weight.  HEAVIES ALL THE WAY. 

[mburrows]

What's your draw length and weight? What's the spine of each arrow?

[huntnfmly]

I personally like the heavier arrow weights.  I would opt for 22 fps slower with 20% more weight.  HEAVIES ALL THE WAY. 

+1

[Logan80]

I’m getting some arrows that will be used for elk hunting. I’m looking at two options, both are prebuilt and ready to go, and have a similar micro diameter with outserts. They happen to be new arrows build for someone else and are now available for me to purchase.  I’d like some advice about which I should buy. My maximum accurate hunting range is usually about 45 yards.

Option A:  402 grains and shoot at 273 FPS
Option B:  489 grains and shoot at 251 FPS

Any advice about which I should pick would be much appreciated. I’ll need to decide by tomorrow afternoon.  Thanks.

First you need to determine the energy those arrows deliver at the given FPS.

Option A: delivers ~66.5fpe
Option B: delivers ~68.4fpe

So for an ~8% loss in speed you've gained ~2.75% fpe.

Is it worth that to you? If so, go with Option B, hit about 2.75% harder, but travel 8% slower. In my fairly novice experience, I'd take the speed over the energy.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on this...

[Randonee]

Thank you for the replies.  A bit more info as requested.  The spine of each option is 350. Arrow length is 27.5”, draw length is 28”, and bow poundage is 66 lbs.

[jrebel]

Here is a good calculator that explains why heavy is good......"penatration" is everthing for bigger game like elk. 

https://www.realtree.com/kinetic-energy-and-momentum-calculator

[huntnfmly]

It's not just speed or kinetic energy it's momentum that carries the day with heavy arrows

[Randonee]

Here is a good calculator that explains why heavy is good......"penatration" is everthing for bigger game like elk. 

https://www.realtree.com/kinetic-energy-and-momentum-calculator

Well, the calculator says the heavier arrow is good for elk, and the lighter arrow is good for whitetail.  I think I’ll go with the heavier option.

[Crunchy]

I would go with option A.  A 400 grain arrow with a 66lb bow weight will kill all the elk I have ever seen.  I would sacrifice a little weight 87 grains, for a little flatter shooter.  I shot a 430 grain arrow and killed ever elk I ever shot at.  I dont think if I added 50 grains to my arrow the elk would have been any more dead.

[mburrows]

Id probably go with the heavier option as it will be easier to tune, it will be quieter and you'll get better penetration. Any other components on either of the options? Inserts, etc. Shooting 100gr heads on both?

[zwickeyman]

Huntnfmly is right. "Momentum"

Kinetic energy is useless info for arrows. Momentum is the key to penetration

[SGTDuffman]

I used that calculator and it said my setup would work for any game animal on the planet. I shoot 10-11gr/lb though. With compound or traditional. And fixed 2 blade single bevel heads.

[cougforester]

Think about what kind of terrain you may be hunting in. Thick and brushy on the coast, where you may need more weight and FOC to punch through a salmonberry leaf and still shoot true? Or over east where you've got much longer sight lines and less stuff to potentially hit but need to cover distance a bit quicker.

The difference in time to target between the two arrows at your max hunting range at 45 would, I assume, be pretty negligible. Because of that, I'd go with the heavier arrow largely because of these reasons.

Id probably go with the heavier option as it will be easier to tune, it will be quieter and you'll get better penetration. Any other components on either of the options? Inserts, etc. Shooting 100gr heads on both?

[Dhoey07]

Shoot both if you can and let your bow decide.  Both those options will kill elk.

[Wetwoodshunter]

 I shoot 497 grains at 238 fps. No regrets, this setup blows through elk. You have to do your part on knowing your range though.

I would go with the heavy option.

[Tjv28]

I would be looking somewhere in between.

[dilleytech]

If you plan to use a range finder the heavier arrow 100%. If not the lighter arrow will give you much better trajectory thus increasing your odds of success when guessing yardage. Eather will do the job on a perfect world broad side side double lung shot with a fixed head with out question.