What size broadhead/arrow for elk?

[smitty8202]

New to archery and was wondering what set up would i need for elk to be legal. i am shooting a 29" draw at 65lbs.

[Kola16]

I have seen elk taken with 85 grain broadheads, but I would go with atleast 100 Not an expert on the arrows though   

[sebek556]

29 in at 65lbs still have allot of variables there, the fun of archery any idea of your bow speed? The  end result will be your kinetic energy, there are calculators out there for it after you have a idea of you bow speed there are also calculators for that too. For a elk you want higher KE(kinetic energy) in the 75+ range. Your KE will be determined by your arrow speed and arrow weight.  The trick here is the faster your bow is the closer your pins are and the "flatter" shooting your bow is, slow pins are further apart and arrow will have more arc to it. If you don't have enough KE then your arrow will not penetrate far enough to kill.

[MLBowhunting]

100 grain is probably the most common

[RadSav]

You will need a 390 grain arrow or more to be legal.  You'll have plenty of energy with a 29" draw and 65 pounds to take anything out there.  Object is to get the arrow in the right spot.  So get a good dozen arrows with offset or helical fletching, extremely sharp broadheads and tune 'em up good.  Make sure you practice shooting with your broadheads attached.  Most archery pro-shops will take good care of you and make sure your set up legally and with the right equipment.

If you are shooting 29 or 30" arrows your probably not going to want anything lighter than a 100 grain broadhead for good flight in all weather conditions.  I might even encourage you to stear more toward 125 grain.

Biggest thing is to be responsible with your shot selection and have fun doing it.  Good luck and be safe!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good post...another thing when tuning your broadheads is to line up your blades with your vanes or feathers on your arrow....this usually makes a huge differences in how your broadheads fly...I have whacked a few elk and deer with a 75 gr wasp but I DO PREFER THE 100 GR ....THOSE WASP ARE SERIOUSLY MEAN  Man I can not seem to get off the subject 

[Camp David]

Lots of thoughts/discussions on chisel or cut on impact tips. Agree with the 100 gr min. Also make sure that your FOC (front of center)  is correct. Practice with the arrows/broadheads that you will shoot and mark the ones that group the best. I use the same broadheads as I'm hunting with to practice. Be sure that your hunting blades are "new" sharp.

[boneaddict]

I shoot 125's.  I use them for deer to elk to moose to alley cat.

[D-Rock425]

I've shot goldtip xt's for ever I think its a great arrow for the price.  Now broadheads I have shot a lot of.  I've killed elk with 75 grain rockets 85 grain wac'ems and even 100 satellites back in the day.  I would just stay away from anything wasp (sorry bowhunter couldn't help myself)

[yajsab]

I'm going to be the opposite here.  It will be harsh.

Season starts in 2 weeks or less and you're asking what setup to be legal.  I don't know your archery background, but you said you are new.  I hope you are well prepare by opening day.

With that said, all good info from others.  With your drawlength, you should stay in the 400+ grains.  My setup for elk is 450 grn (FMJ + 100 grn BH) in ~25.75" DL @ 60#.

[micdude]

I'm going to be the opposite here.  It will be harsh.

Season starts in 2 weeks or less and you're asking what setup to be legal.  I don't know your archery background, but you said you are new.  I hope you are well prepare by opening day.

With that said, all good info from others.  With your drawlength, you should stay in the 400+ grains.  My setup for elk is 450 grn (FMJ + 100 grn BH) in ~25.75" DL @ 60#.

I agree with yajsab 2 weeks to go I hope you’re ready for archery season, that by the way has the least percentage success rate. That’s why any elk you can harvest with a bow is a trophy, because it takes lots of hours of practice and determination. But anyway good luck and here is my setup I shoot 100g slick tricks 30inch gold tips @ 70lbs, lots of kenotic energy that’s the key. I read in some magazines somewhere that the heaver the better but I think that depends on your IBO speed how heavy you should go to get good flight.

This  site will help http://www.backcountrybowhunting.com/articles/calc/

[pianoman9701]

I'm a 125 grain guy. I like the xtra punch and blade length you get with a bigger, heavier broadhead. The more punch and damage, the better.

[archery288]

Good post...another thing when tuning your broadheads is to line up your blades with your vanes or feathers on your arrow....this usually makes a huge differences in how your broadheads fly...I have whacked a few elk and deer with a 75 gr wasp but I DO PREFER THE 100 GR ....THOSE WASP ARE SERIOUSLY MEAN  Man I can not seem to get off the subject 

Not trying to start anything here, but, I have indexed my fletching with my broadheads and just did the ol' screw the broadhead in and tighten it down and shoot them.  I have never noticed one bit of difference between indexing or just screwing them in and running with it.     I have always made sure my bow is perfectly in time, and tuned, and shooting bullet holes through paper, and my broadheads have ALWAYS shot in the same place as my field tips. 

I shoot Easton Axis Full Metal Jacket  400 spine arrows at 27" with 3 blazer vanes, a 4" custom arrow wrap, and an 85 gr Montec broadhead.  Total weight = 407gr.  It is a true killer and I never have any questions on it doing the job no matter what I'm hunting! 

[Button Nubbs]

I have done it both ways too and never noticed a difference.

[BULLBLASTER]

I have done it both ways too and never noticed a difference.

yep lining up with vanes doesn't help with anything except how they fit in the quiver. The broadhead does need to be aligned straight with the shaft though.

[smitty8202]

Thanks for all the info guys it really does help. Yajsab i know its only two weeks till the season starts, but i have been sighting in my bow almost everyday. i bought it about two weeks ago now and am just getting used to it. This is my last hunting season in Washington so hopefully i can put something on the ground

[jechicdr]

I've tried lining my vanes and broadheads up too, and don't notice a difference.  I think with my helical fletching...every facet of the broadhead will see left/right/up/down so the overall effect should be minimal.  If you look at most professional guide sites for elk equipment, they want their clients to have cut on contacts (penetration is better and blood trails are bigger with an entry and exit hole).  I use a 125 grain Muzzy Phantom it has a longer blade which penetrates better, but because of the larger blade surface is also more susceptible to poor form which demonstrates how important it is to practice with good form and broadheads.

[pianoman9701]

Thanks for all the info guys it really does help. Yajsab i know its only two weeks till the season starts, but i have been sighting in my bow almost everyday. i bought it about two weeks ago now and am just getting used to it. This is my last hunting season in Washington so hopefully i can put something on the ground

I hope you get a big one, Smitty. We'll miss you when you go. We value our jarheads a lot. Thanks!

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

100 grain slick tricks and beman 340s 420-418 total grains at 64 # draw wheight and 28 inch draw. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

O.K I SURRENDER THEN....I will just screw them in and keep shooting my bow every night ...one arrow from 30 yrds and hang it back up on the rack ...All and tht one shot is always in the bullseye  just telling the truth is all !! just messin so just keep doing what works for you ....

[dreamunelk]

Try googling easton or goldtip and use their arrow calculator.  That will get through the first year.
Don't get sucked into the who KE thing.  It really is a miss use of physics.  Read up on the Dr. Ashley reports and find a middle ground.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

well I fletched my arrows with a lime green/yellow wrap and two blazers the same color with one pink blazer.  I was shooting broadheads and had my veins lined up with my blades.  What I discovered was it made my shots lower I adjusted the broad heads so the vein matched up with the top blade and it flew true.  Its one of those things you have to tweak things just a little to fine tune broad heads.  My old bow I could just throw them on and it seems like it always flew same as field points.  My bow is tuned really well bullet holes!  This is what I love about bow hunting is the time I put into it then when you kill an animal it means that much more.  Thanks for all the input guys keep em coming