Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 08:10:34 AM

Title: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 08:10:34 AM: I recently bought a Hoyt Carbon Matrix. Absolutely love it. I'm shooting Easton Arrows now, 300 spine 10.0 gpi. They are weighing right at 448 grains and flying at 280 fps. I'm pondering the idea of stepping down to a little lighter arrow to gain fps but not sure of it is worth giving up the kinetic part of the equation. Any thoughts or opinions?
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: h20hunter on February 19, 2013, 08:11:28 AM: Tagging.......haven't decided on arrows for my soon to be new to me Spyder.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: WAbowhntr on February 19, 2013, 08:26:45 AM: I shoot the same bow with same spine and weight arrow at 280 ft/sec also-no way I'd switch it up to gain speed. I'd rather hit 'em with a boulder than a pebble. This is assuming this is your hunting rig-if you're using it for target/3D then you may very well benefit from more speed.

Also consider how much speed you'd be gaining: if you're shooting 70 lbs you need to have an arrow that weighs 420 grains. Going from 448 down to 420 would result in a net gain of approximately 8 ft/sec-not much difference at all in speed-then again not much difference in KE.

Will follow thread to read other folks' opinions.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: vandeman17 on February 19, 2013, 08:28:17 AM: Tag. I am going to be upgrading my arrows and broadheads this year and getting my draw length shortened.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: mtbiker on February 19, 2013, 09:47:04 AM: Need to know your draw weight, draw length, and point weight. Also, what arrows are you considering switching to?
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: JLS on February 19, 2013, 09:56:03 AM: The speed difference will be negligible, don't use this as a motivation to get new arrows. Unless of course, you just want to 8)

I am shooting Carbon Tech Whitetail 6580 shafts and like them. They are 9.5 gpi.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on February 19, 2013, 10:29:01 AM: If that was my set up? I woudnt change a thing! :tup:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: JPhelps on February 19, 2013, 10:33:41 AM: It also seems easier to get broadheads to fly good with a 270-280 setup rather than a 300+ setup.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: Fullabull on February 19, 2013, 10:36:48 AM: You are already shooting faster the most other setups out there, why look for more speed and give up KE. What poundage are you shooting? I would guess close to 70 to get that speed. Why are you looking to change, it can't just be to gain speed?
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: hunt4 on February 19, 2013, 10:57:03 AM: Quote from: HUNTINCOUPLE on February 19, 2013, 10:29:01 AM
If that was my set up? I woudnt change a thing! :tup:

:yeah:
Title: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 11:11:58 AM: I'm shooting 70lbs, 29 inch draw with a 100 grain tip. I'm perfectly content with how the bow shoots. I need to get more arrows and figured now would be the time to change anything if I was going to. A friend of mine is all about speed and was telling me I should change things a bit, wanted some more opinions. Thanks for all the input guys!
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: throttlejocky20 on February 19, 2013, 11:44:15 AM: Quote from: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 11:11:58 AM
I'm shooting 70lbs, 29 inch draw with a 100 grain tip. I'm perfectly content with how the bow shoots. I need to get more arrows and figured now would be the time to change anything if I was going to. A friend of mine is all about speed and was telling me I should change things a bit, wanted some more opinions. Thanks for all the input guys!
The faster your bow the faster you miss! Alot of people are about speed and i always question why. If your bow is shooting over 300 you had better have perfect form and release on every arrow. You can kill anything you shoot at with a bow that shoot 200 just as easy as a bow that shoots 300 if you hit them right. I shoot 274 and i have no desire to speed that up!
Title: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 12:18:01 PM: Quote from: throttlejocky20 on February 19, 2013, 11:44:15 AM
Quote from: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 11:11:58 AM
I'm shooting 70lbs, 29 inch draw with a 100 grain tip. I'm perfectly content with how the bow shoots. I need to get more arrows and figured now would be the time to change anything if I was going to. A friend of mine is all about speed and was telling me I should change things a bit, wanted some more opinions. Thanks for all the input guys!
The faster your bow the faster you miss! Alot of people are about speed and i always question why. If your bow is shooting over 300 you had better have perfect form and release on every arrow. You can kill anything you shoot at with a bow that shoot 200 just as easy as a bow that shoots 300 if you hit them right. I shoot 274 and i have no desire to speed that up!

Very True!!!!
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: WAbowhntr on February 19, 2013, 12:52:39 PM: Quote from: JPhelps on February 19, 2013, 10:33:41 AM
It also seems easier to get broadheads to fly good with a 270-280 setup rather than a 300+ setup.

:tup:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: mtbiker on February 19, 2013, 02:13:55 PM: I certainly do not advise everyone to go out and buy a speed bow or make their current setup faster. As mentioned there are few issues to deal with when shooting a fast bow, but I do shoot one for a couple of reasons. I want a relatively flat trajectory for two reasons: 1) I shoot a single pin mover and want the ability to shoot out to 40'ish yards w/o having to move the sight head. 2) Speed does help in 3-D shoots when one's distance judgment is off. Also, the same principle applies to hunting.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: throttlejocky20 on February 19, 2013, 03:59:17 PM: I agree that if you want to go with a lighter arrow for 3-d's it makes sense. I just dont want to practice all year with a different set up then i hunt with. :twocents:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: Jellymon on February 19, 2013, 04:15:57 PM: Also keep in mind the KE of a light arrow and heavy arrow might look close to the same on paper, but once the arrow is downrange the light arrow will lose energy very quickly while the heavier one will keep on truckin. Plus the arrow drop between 280fps and 300fps at 40yds is only about 1"-1 1/2". With the amount of energy you have I dont think you will gain anything, not a big enough trajectory change to be losing KE. Plus your bow will be quieter with the heavier arrow. Be wise and make the right decision. :tup:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: WAbowhntr on February 19, 2013, 06:45:00 PM: Quote from: throttlejocky20 on February 19, 2013, 03:59:17 PM
I agree that if you want to go with a lighter arrow for 3-d's it makes sense. I just dont want to practice all year with a different set up then i hunt with. :twocents:

:yeah:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: Yankee on February 19, 2013, 08:54:59 PM: Interesting discussion, I am looking at new arrows myself. I was looking at switching from Beman ICS Hunter 350 (9.3 GPI) to the Carbon Express Maxima Bluestreak (8.3 GPI).
Title: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: JamesK. on February 20, 2013, 05:09:59 AM: I'm gonna stick with what I've got. Thanks guys
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: RadSav on February 20, 2013, 05:43:41 AM: Quote from: Yankee on February 19, 2013, 08:54:59 PM
Interesting discussion, I am looking at new arrows myself. I was looking at switching from Beman ICS Hunter 350 (9.3 GPI) to the Carbon Express Maxima Bluestreak (8.3 GPI).

You should be happy with that upgrade. As long as you can remain legal in doing so. I can not always use that shaft in Washington state. But I do use it nearly everywhere else I hunt these days. Great arrow :tup:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: WAbowhntr on February 20, 2013, 08:44:51 AM: Quote from: JamesK. on February 20, 2013, 05:09:59 AM
I'm gonna stick with what I've got. Thanks guys

:tup:
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: mtbiker on February 20, 2013, 09:18:14 AM: Quote from: Yankee on February 19, 2013, 08:54:59 PM
Interesting discussion, I am looking at new arrows myself. I was looking at switching from Beman ICS Hunter 350 (9.3 GPI) to the Carbon Express Maxima Bluestreak (8.3 GPI).

The Blue Streaks (and former Maxima version) arrows have been my mainstay for the past couple of years. I've dabbled with Gold Tip XT Hunters and Velocity arrows, as well. Also, good arrows. I know a number of people that have been switching to Victory VAP's with good things to say. I'm temped to give them a go, but my CE's are doing the job well, so why change?
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 20, 2013, 09:22:18 AM: I've always hunt with goldtip xt's. Target shooting I think I've shot more kinds than I can remember.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: Giggles on February 22, 2013, 02:39:11 PM: Speed (for hunting is over rated). 280 is fast enough.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: et1702 on February 22, 2013, 02:45:46 PM: Quote from: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 08:10:34 AM
I recently bought a Hoyt Carbon Matrix. Absolutely love it. I'm shooting Easton Arrows now, 300 spine 10.0 gpi. They are weighing right at 448 grains and flying at 280 fps. I'm pondering the idea of stepping down to a little lighter arrow to gain fps but not sure of it is worth giving up the kinetic part of the equation. Any thoughts or opinions?

Don't do it. I shoot 300 spine shaft, 150gr BH w/total weight of 525gr at approx 280fps too. Plenty fast enough, and complete pass thru even if you hit bone!

ET
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: throttlejocky20 on February 22, 2013, 03:26:54 PM: Quote from: et1702 on February 22, 2013, 02:45:46 PM
Quote from: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 08:10:34 AM
I recently bought a Hoyt Carbon Matrix. Absolutely love it. I'm shooting Easton Arrows now, 300 spine 10.0 gpi. They are weighing right at 448 grains and flying at 280 fps. I'm pondering the idea of stepping down to a little lighter arrow to gain fps but not sure of it is worth giving up the kinetic part of the equation. Any thoughts or opinions?

Don't do it. I shoot 300 spine shaft, 150gr BH w/total weight of 525gr at approx 280fps too. Plenty fast enough, and complete pass thru even if you hit bone!
525 gr at 280fps Thats impressive! are you shooting 80 lbs or what?

ET
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: SGTDuffman on February 22, 2013, 03:45:10 PM: Ha. I won't be any help if you plan to go lighter. I shoot 620 grains out of a 60#.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: et1702 on February 22, 2013, 03:51:14 PM: Quote from: throttlejocky20 on February 22, 2013, 03:26:54 PM
Quote from: et1702 on February 22, 2013, 02:45:46 PM
Quote from: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 08:10:34 AM
I recently bought a Hoyt Carbon Matrix. Absolutely love it. I'm shooting Easton Arrows now, 300 spine 10.0 gpi. They are weighing right at 448 grains and flying at 280 fps. I'm pondering the idea of stepping down to a little lighter arrow to gain fps but not sure of it is worth giving up the kinetic part of the equation. Any thoughts or opinions?

Don't do it. I shoot 300 spine shaft, 150gr BH w/total weight of 525gr at approx 280fps too. Plenty fast enough, and complete pass thru even if you hit bone!
525 gr at 280fps Thats impressive! are you shooting 80 lbs or what?

ET

No, approx 74lbs. But, I have 31.5" draw length, which helps a lot w/speed.

ET
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: sakoshooter on February 23, 2013, 12:25:27 AM: All things considered, you're on the lower end of those 300's spine wise and would be on the upper end of 340's. I shoot 28" 340 Easton Axis out of my Z7 at 71/72lbs with a 28.5" draw and they fly great with either field pts or broadheads. 300's also shoot very well but slightly slower. Your call. Try some 340's and see. I've also shot Beman ICS Hunters in 340 with no complaints. Just like the Axis better.
Title: Re: Choosing the best arrow.
Post by: throttlejocky20 on February 24, 2013, 07:59:41 AM: Quote from: et1702 on February 22, 2013, 03:51:14 PM
Quote from: throttlejocky20 on February 22, 2013, 03:26:54 PM
Quote from: et1702 on February 22, 2013, 02:45:46 PM
Quote from: JamesK. on February 19, 2013, 08:10:34 AM
I recently bought a Hoyt Carbon Matrix. Absolutely love it. I'm shooting Easton Arrows now, 300 spine 10.0 gpi. They are weighing right at 448 grains and flying at 280 fps. I'm pondering the idea of stepping down to a little lighter arrow to gain fps but not sure of it is worth giving up the kinetic part of the equation. Any thoughts or opinions?

Don't do it. I shoot 300 spine shaft, 150gr BH w/total weight of 525gr at approx 280fps too. Plenty fast enough, and complete pass thru even if you hit bone!
525 gr at 280fps Thats impressive! are you shooting 80 lbs or what?

ET

No, approx 74lbs. But, I have 31.5" draw length, which helps a lot w/speed.

ET
well that makes sense!