420 grain arrow for elk

We have closely analyzed and reviewed some of the best options available on the market for you to choose from. (Photo by Darron and Rebecca McDougal). THATS A GOOD WEIGHT. We cannot stress this enough. If people recommend a certain brand, it means that it has fulfilled their expectations so you can also trust them to fulfill yours. 9060 Junction Drive . These two pieces of the weapon work together to bring down the animal. The heavier arrows give me more peace of mind and have performed very well. Sighted them in with field points and slapped on 3 different broadheads (shuttle T, tooth of the arrow, wasp drone) on 3 random arrows. You cannot expect a target shooting an arrow to kill an elk. The blades can expand by bending forward but become fixed once it is deployed. The combination offers reduced noise, increased speed, and deeper penetration. partlow funeral home lebanon-shootings in south dallasshootings in south dallas Whatever you do, dont simply increase the spine of the arrow youre shooting in order to get a heavier arrow. Ill use this space to journal my woodsman broadhead kills since 2018 . Here is a detailed review of some of the best arrows for elk hunting to point you in the right direction. Remember, your success not only depends upon your gear but also on your skill. Made from patented weaved carbon material, you are unlikely to find a sturdier arrow for elk hunting. Just an idea. A 60- pound bow should be 360-to-480-grain in grain, and a 70-pound bow should be 420- to 560-grain. Eastons 5mm FMJ arrow shaft in a 340 spine weighs 11.3 grains per inch, for example. Keep shots reasonable in distance and only take good broadside shots. They are very durable and can withstand rough usage. For most archers (27 to 30 inch draw length and 60 to 70 pound draw out of a modern compound bow), an arrow weighing between 420 to 450 grain tends to lead to a great balance of speed and energy to be effective for hunting. They are considered the fastest and the most accurate arrows as each unit is laser checked for straightness. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. He doesnt buy the ultra-heavy arrow fad. Those weights are the same diameter as the insert, and they have a threaded post which screws into the back of the insert. How long are your arrows? I suggest not going beneath 300 grains.. Bowhunting, on the other hand, is actually quite challenging. Rarely do bowhunters admit to poor hits due to pilot error. Get this: It doesnt matter how much your arrow weighs or what broadhead youre shooting. The quality is so good that you wont find yourself complaining about it even after years of usage. .My setup shoots a 425 grain arrow at 318FPS. If a 400-spine arrow is what your setup calls for, dont choose the 340 simply to get more weight. I found that my arrow flight suffered horribly, as did my accuracy. The expert opinion regarding the weight of an arrow for elk is averaged at around 420 grains. Im constantly testing, shooting tournaments and bowhunting. You get a higher front of center when the point weight of the arrow is increased. If you are not prepared to loose every friend you have over a board game. you aren't playing hard enough. The credit belongs to the man who's actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause; who best knows at the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that this place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither. Teddy R. My Axis FMJ's weigh in at just around the same, and have no prblems zipping through whitetails! They are excellent when used with recurve or compound bows. 66 lb. That should be a killer setup with fixed for elk and sever expandable for mule deer. We find these arrows to be a versatile product that can handle both hunting and target shooting applications. Hats, Shirts, and everyday apparel from the archery manufacturers you love. Slower arrows have a greater amount of accuracy. If you want to successfully harvest an elk, you have to work patiently to earn the reward. Your 405 at 288 will work but it is on the low end of what I would consider for elk with an expandable. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. I shoot 550gr total weight and have never not gotten full pass thrus. You may think that the combined weight of the carbon core and metal jacket can cause distance and aiming issues. He settled on a 380-grain arrow tipped with a huge Rage Hypodermic Trypan mechanical. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, performance, troubleshooting, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! It is recommended that a 60-pound bow have 360-graingrain or 480grain grain grain, as well as 70-pound bows with 420- to 560 grain grain. FREE Gift Card w/ purchase of Gold Tip arrows or shafts, start tough and stay true. So what fixed blades would you reccomend? Though this number might seem low, drawing a bow is not easy. I got one lung and about 12 inches of penetration. Ramcat Hydroshock Pivoting Broadheads boasts one of the most aerodynamic designs ever made. He was beelining straight to me. But too many arrows mean extra burden for you to carry around. We all know that specific lengths of arrows are needed for specific bows. I use 430 grn with a 60# bow. Work like a charm out of a 70 pound bow. I think my arrow weight pretty good and I don't need to go crazy getting my weight up I just need help deciding on a good arrow for penetration and flight. 420 grains is the minimum final arrow weight that I suggest for hunters drawing 60-70 pounds while hunting elk with a bow. Some will cringe at this, but she shoots 2-inch Rage broadheads. Roughly total arrow weight is right at 450 grains with a maxima red sd in .350. 2023 SoutHamptonOutFitters. 777 - same bow ? Broadside is by far the most agreed on placement for a shot that will bring the animal down quickly and humanely. JavaScript is disabled. Basically, the arrow would drive the broadhead a little better (no actual scientific proof). I think I may just go with it this year and upgrade next year to a heavier one. Having the right arrows in your quiver is very important for elk hunting. These arrows are factory fletched and have a straightness tolerance of plus or minus .003 and a weight tolerance of plus or minus 2 grain. I am going to play around with my arrows and add some trimmer line and see what I can do with that. But sorry, here's my personal opinion as well. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. I haven't shot elk with that set-up but wouldn't be worried about it. Ive consistently found that arrows weighing 6.2-7.2 grains per pound of draw weight tune well and maximize accuracy. The frontal shot or an accurate shot placed on the golden triangle is devastating and will ensure a quick death. You need a good length-weight combination to be successful. You have to get into the mind of your target - and understand Big Game Logic. Probably throw a spear as fast lol. These arrows have dynamic spine control and they come with easy to see red shafts so you will not have a hard time finding your arrows. A good determination in arrow weight is the foot per second the bow shoots at. im no expert, but i can tell you that you will regret shooting light arrows at elk. At 30" draw, a 400 ish grain 350 spine Axis 5mm arrow flew out of my PSE Shootdown (easily as fast as many popular hunting bows) at 270-280fps. If you have any questions, or just want chat about your latest hunting score or big catch, you can reach me at admin@biggamelogic.com. . The diameter of the arrow may very well alter the amount of penetration the arrow has. This need for speed usually begins to change as the archer matures and develops a strategy of action that works better than speed. That being said, I dont build arrows to a specific weight. You might not be the only one waiting for the season to start so you can take out your bow and head towards your prey. By the time you add an insert, vanes and a broadhead, you could easily have an arrow weighing more than 500 grains. They are designed for longevity and accuracy. Only elk I haven't had a complete pass-thru on was a head on shot around 30 yards. Make sure the arrow has a greater amount of wind resistance on the back end than it does on the front end. Buyers report that these fixed broadheads are more consistent and close to their field tips than any of the other units in the market. Once they are broken, they are done for. A heavier arrow is always going to have deeper penetration and strength than a lighter arrow. Woodsman broadhead results | Ron's outdoor blog. The perfect conditions, situation, and reliable piece of gear greatly improve their chances of success. The FOC, front of center, plays a big role in the trajectory and penetration of the arrow after it is shot. A forum community dedicated to bow and crossbow owners and archery enthusiasts. These arrows have carbon shafts that make them very strong and durable. The tracer variant is available as part of the High-Tech Hunting Pack DLC. If you want to land a successful shot, you have to be selective of what goes into your quiver. You will likely be at 240 if take too big of an arrow weight increase. I think a lot of folks focus more on arrow weight, FOC, arrow diameter, broadheads, etc. This will re-locate the center of mass on the arrow and may allow the momentum to drive the arrow (differently) on impact. Most manufacturer spine charts make spinerecommendations based on 100-grain points. At fifty yards the majority of shooters find these arrows to be accurate and lethal. Now lets take that heavy hunting arrow and add on a heavy broadhead. They have perfect balance and accuracy, and will allow you to improve in your skill and make the best possible shot time and time again. Having said that, I never want to be that guy that says"you need to do this or you're silly". If I hadn't changed my setup back to a lighter arrow before elk season last year I wouldn't have been able to take the shot I had. Carbon arrows are the most suitable ones for elk hunting. So, if you are planning to drop an elk, you need to be very serious about choosing, building, and maintaining your arrows. The kind of arrow you choose dictates your performance. One of the guys in our group has a similar dl and started shooting two blade stingers. They are 400 grain and come with vanes that are installed straight. Being the business end of your bow setup, choosing a lethal arrow-and-broadhead combination is crucial. Shop They are designed to be shatter-proof, so you can use them a bit roughly. I'm wanting to start going after elk with my bow, and I'm wondering what the general consensus is regarding arrow weight and speed to get reliable penetration on elk out to 50-60 yards. According to Maxfield, even lightweight womens and kids setups can be incredibly deadly with mechanical broadheads. If you want a little heavier, go to a 125 head if they will fly well. You can also increase the front of center by decreasing the weight of the fletchings. . Thirty pounds of kinetic energy can kill an elk, but if you have 40 or more pounds you are almost certain to get the kill. They can get into a lung, vitals or offer two side bleeding for tracking and recovery. Shoot 60 pounds instead of 70, and you'll likely land around 310-320 fps. CAD / PDF Drawings / Testing / BIM Spec-Data Sustainability Environmental Product Declaration PVDF Wood Grain Finishes Energy Efficient Cool Metal Roofing Anodized Aluminum. I've tried it before and it definitely works. OtoPro SoundGear Phantom and Impulse Review, Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB Rangefinder Review, Toric UHD 2.5-15x44mm FFP Hunt Series Riflescope Review, Hunting Big Mule Deer after Mid-October with Cliff Gray. I killed whitetails, mule deer, bear, and an elk. I shot an elk at 20 yards and hit a rib, I was shocked to see about eight inches of arrow and fletching sticking out, it still hit the second lung. Create an optimal sight picture for indoors with a new 25mm, 30mm, or 35mm housing. An arrow's front of center (FOC) is also important to penetration, and I strive for at least 12 to 13 percent or more. I didn't hit any bones though. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Does this sound about right for whitetails or should i go a little heavier/lighter? Best Overall: Gold Tip Hunter XT HXT340A2 CHECK LATEST PRICE PROS Shaft straightness is remarkable Brand boasts amazing quality control Medium weight does not require much draw weight Versatile product delivers a solid all-round performance Advanced Search arrow_drop_down. Disregard politics or people whats the worst state to live in? Also corrected this in the OP. They ended up weighing 420 grains on the nose with a 100 grain tip. Hunting requires a lot of practice. 395 grains is where I'm at currently. So many folks freak out about mechanicals, especially for big animals like elk. Think around at least ten grains per inch of the arrow length without the broadhead. To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. I've even got the archery perk that gives your arrows more damage, penetration and power. The Project Gutenberg eBook, Wigwam and War-path; Or the Royal Chief in Chains, by A. I was using the regular arrows (still aint got the heavy ones yet.) If youve tuned your bow with fixed-blade broadheads and they boost your confidence, by all means, use them. This product is supplied as a complete set, so you dont have to worry about buying arrows individually. But they are also not fixable. Gaps between my sight pins were huge. When hunting elk for 60-70 pounds, you should use a finished arrow weight of 420 grains per gun. If you also want to be successful, we suggest you invest in getting good-quality gear to start with. Here is a detailed review of some of the best arrows for elk hunting to point you in the right direction. That set up was 400 Easton Axis, 100 grain Slick Tricks, total weight was 412. For perspective, I pull 75 pounds and have a 27.5-inch draw length. Another determining factor will be the amount of speed per second the bow is capable of sending the arrow out at. Of course, shooting a 400-grain arrow will reduce your speed well below 300 fps, likely in the 280- to 290-fps range. Thanks. Recommended 16-Year-Old Arrows 428-Inch Arizona Bull Read Article My stuff was chronoing at 342 fps. The bull went 35 yards and crashed. : ( But Gold Tip also makes a brass insert for its .246 arrows that weighs 100 grains. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I wouldn?t call myself an expert by any means but I think you will be fine. But remember, they are an Easton product that is known to strictly adhere to weight standards. Poundage is maxed out at 70, and with my draw length and arrows, I think I'm shooting somewhere around 265-275 FPS (I need to rechrono to be sure). you are shooting 20 fps faster than i was last year, and have 3% better foc. The weight of the arrow makes a big difference in the strength of the arrow and the amount of kinetic energy the arrow will have. It includes Many Whitetail, Idaho Elk and hog and suburban deer culling I do for the 2 municipalities. If you are planning to hunt elks with an arrow, you should know that it requires a lot of practice. That arrow just wont perform well. They are a brilliant green fluorescent color so you will have no troubles locating them after they have been shot. Boosting an arrows FOC can help it stabilize in flight andto punch through hide, bone and tissue. Broadhead Arrow is an ammunition type available for the various compound bows . I did an entire summers worth of testing with my bow, documenting the differences between a 400-grain arrow and a 600-grain arrow, he explained. Ive had very good luck with recoceries. A little heavier would be great, but confidence and accuracy are more important than a few grains on the arrow. (Photo courtesy of Joel Maxfield), Its a misconception that you need a highly powerful bow to deploy mechanical broadheads and achieve sufficient penetration. Once bent, you can return them to their original shape. That is more important than arrow weight., What does this mean for womens and kids bows? The primary weapons used for elk hunting are rifles and arrows. I take it elk require the bigger arrows or the high-end bow? You will be below optimal speed for what you described in certain scenarios. I shoot a 67lb 27.5 draw bowtech realm. Elk are large game animals and it takes a greater amount of penetration for the arrow to sink deep enough into one of these animals that it kills the animal in one shot. If accuracy and sturdiness are what you are looking for, you must grab a pack of these before the season begins. Now divide the answer by 450,240 and that is how many foot pounds the arrow is creating. I?m shouting the Hoyt rx4 28? I took the frontal shot, and my arrow an Easton 6.5 ACU-Carbon 340 shaft tipped with a 2-inch Rage Hypodermic NC buried to the nock. Bowhunters have reported a comparable performance regardless of using these with a compound bow, flatbow, longbow, or recurve bow. The draw weight of your bow will produce higher feet per second flight for the arrow and this can make the lighter arrow more effective and deadly. I shoot expandables and have had no issues on elk. Same thing with a 482-grain arrow. So anytime you are adding weight to your arrow make sure to add the additional weight to the front of the arrow and not to the rear. Although the straightness tolerance is very low, having the shafts cut for a suitable length also improves their straightness. Other arrow and component manufacturers offer a variety of heavyinserts and insert weights to add weight to the front end of your arrows to boostthe FOC. we all use them. For a simple way to add weight you can try putting trimmer line for a weed whacker inside your arrow shaft. Your getting a good middle ground with that wieght. Heavy hunting arrows are wildly popular these days. My bison arrow was 777gr FMJ 250s with Woodsman Elite broadheads, sliced through this bull like a hot knife thru warm butter. The Northern Broadheads Wide Cuts weighs in at a whopping 175 grains. Not as light as I thought, but still not at all considered heavy. I like an arrow over 400 grains personally. With the lightweight carbon construction and a small diameter, they fly through the air at fast velocities and penetrate right where you need. The fast and humane kill was the product of perfect arrow placement. Swarovski ATC Compact Spotting Scope Review, Helping Mule Deer Thrive: Muley Fanatic Foundation, Growing Big Mule Deer with Wildlife Prof Randy Larsen. Weve also got a full line of arrow components that you can look through to find the inserts and points that will work for your arrow build. '09 PSE Bowmadness. While you may think that your bow is the most important piece of your hunting gear, we think otherwise. Or you need to take shots where elk are not on high alert. Maxfield explained: Weaker arrow spines for kids and womens bows are obviously lighter (grains per inch) than arrows I shoot from my 72-pound bow. Front and center is the point that the arrow is truly balanced and not the exact center of the arrow. That's basically the smallest diameter you'll find among hunting arrows. with a single bevel two blade broadhead at 19% foc this year. While it is debatable whether a lower brace height makes a bow . He uses what maximizes his accuracy, which is usually an arrow/broadhead/insert combo between 6.2-7.2 grains per pound of draw weight. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Of course, bows with 40 pounds of draw or less are better suited toward razor-sharp fixed-blade broadheads. My setup shoots a 425 grain arrow at 318FPS. 420-440 grain arrow is where I like to be usually but it all comes down to shot placement. Every elk I've shot in my lifetime has been with an arrow between 380-420 grains. Here are some frequently asked questions to help address your queries and help you make the right choice. You are using an out of date browser. Here is why it is a better choice for hunting elks. I was the poster boy for speed. Despite the fact that bows are getting more efficient and that lower-poundage bows are capable of bringing down huge game, higher-poundage bows will undoubtedly aid you in taking down large wildlife. Yet, many hunters have been successful with arrows that weigh a bit lower than this. Don't worry about speed, use a heavy arrow, c.o.c. So here are my experiences with a set up fairly compatible to yours I hunt mostly whitetail and never had an issue and have shot my fair share of shoulder blades. See auction date, current bid, equipment specs, and seller information for each lot. draw and 70#, This will be my first time elk hunting and everything I read says 400 grains and up. At one time each archer is convinced that faster is better because a faster arrow is going to hit harder and penetrate deeper. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. People have been using the same set for years with the same consistent results every time. . Though they are stiff, they can be bent a bit. If that's too stiff start adding weight up front 150/175 grains or get a heavier insert. If you want a solid performer to deliver accurate and reliable results, you should really look into purchasing this Ramcat broadhead. If the archer uses a range finder and knows the exact traveling distance then they can send a slower arrow and be sure that the arrow will penetrate deep enough, and be effective enough to make the kill. I am shooting maxima reds 250 27.5 in long they come in right around 375 grains. If you are a beginner, finding the right one will be a tough task. Though you might find some that are lighter in the pocket, they might compromise your performance. not KE as a gauge. I shoot expandables and have had no issues on elk. There is no need to buy new ones every time you set out to hunt elks. Again, arrows weighing about 7.2 grains per pound of draw weight typically fly best., Maxfield shared one exception: More than 30 states have a 30-pound minimum draw weight for bowhunting. As an elk hunter, it is your job to take responsible, ethical, and solid shots. The arrows are 31 in length. They know it requires proper preparation. . By using these, buyers all around have experienced an increased level of performance. I've killed a lot of elk with arrows in the 400 grain range at 280-290 fps, but heavier never hurts. After talking to todd smith at grizzlystik, and having done my own research have come to these conclusions: dont trust the archery shops to set you up with an elk arrow. Hunting Elk and other large mammals with a Kinetic Energy of 42-65 feet-lbs is also advised. If a 420-grain arrow tunes and shoots best, Ill shoot it at any North American big game animal. What pound bow kills elk? . broadheads and a RANGEFINDER. He shot his bull at about 60 yards, right through the heart, and his arrow actually busted the opposite shoulder.. Note: This combo included an insert of 22 grains, plus I added two 20-grain Gold Tip FACT weights to the back of the insert, totaling 62 grains. If you are serious about hunting elk then you have to get serious about using the right equipment during the hunt. Yes, the 400-grain arrow can bring down an elk if the arrow is shot by a powerful bow that has a draw weight that is greater than 50 pounds. I shot every animal with a Rage or Rocky Mountain Snyper (an earlier rendition of the same basic rear-deploying design) except for my brown bear; my outfitter asked me not to shoot a mechanical. You need to be certain exactly how much your arrow weighs and you need to know that one grain of difference in the weight of the arrows you are shooting can impact the accuracy of the arrow by as much as 5/8. So it should be plenty. By size I am referring to the diameter of the arrow itself. Elks fall into the category of a big game. As the name suggests, they are made of carbon but can be molded to different spines. For elk, I recommend a finished arrow weight of 420 grains as a minimum for hunters drawing 60-70 pounds. They are more competent at absorbing the kinetic energy generated by the bow. Lightweight and durable, users really like them for their consistency. You can go as low as 12% FOC but I would not go any lower than that. I never really had any performance problems with them. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. (Photo courtesy of Joel and Janice Maxfield), Some say you need a 500-grain-or-heavier arrow/broadhead/insert combo for big game such as elk, but the authors 468-grain setup with a 2-inch Rage mechanical produced maximum penetration on a frontal shot, taking the vitals and stopping way back in the stomach. You can find a good range in this category which is not too expensive. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Whether you want just an overall heavy arrow or you want to add weight specifically to the front of the arrow to boost an arrows FOC, there are products that can help achieve your goals. I use to focus way too much on arrow weight and FOC, shooting over 600 grains, and then I slowly transitioned to a lighter and flatter shooting arrow that allowed for more minor errors in my ranging of elk. Hunting arrows should fall between 6 and 8 grains per pound on lighter bows, but heavier bows may even be slightly less, between 9 and 10 grains. Contrary to rifle shooting, bow hunting does not require special target ranges. and finally run arrows that have a minimum weight of 490 grains. Dont just plug lighted nocks into your arrows and go hunting. A 450-grain arrow travelling 280 FPS will generate 78.32 ft-lbs of energy, which is more than enough energy for any large game animal in North America. One summer when preparing for elk season, I was shooting with my 472-grain arrow/broadhead/insert combo when I wondered if an additional 25 grains of point weight would increase penetration. Nonsense. For most hunting applications, an arrow of 400 grains or more will suffice. You should get another 10-15fps +/- due to your DL, depending on bow, so that will give you another 30-60grains, roughly. Further, advocation for ultra-heavy arrows misses this fundamental point: At a certain weight threshold, you lose more than you gain. have fun! Since recovering them is quite easy, you can use the same arrows again and again. I have shot many whitetails with pass throughs on most. If you make a poor hit, youll lose the animal or struggle to find it in most cases. Just my 2 cents. All with 3 blade fixed, expandables aren't allowed here. A smaller diameter arrow maintains its speed better for longer distances. Shoot with them first to see how your arrows fly at various yardages. View complete answer on blackovis.com Is 500 grains enough arrow weight for elk? And after looking at all the good features, you really cannot doubt it. These arrows have a tendency to be extremely accurate and fast flying. I like my arrows 400+grain. Before fletchings, weve got an arrow that weighs 589 grains and has an FOC of about 20 percent. You are using an out of date browser. The simple answer is to build two sets of arrows. Probably more like 350. This produces 95lbs of kinetic energy. The draw weight of your bow will produce higher feet per second flight for the arrow and this can make the lighter arrow more effective and deadly. Thoughts? When it comes to performance, elk hunting arrows dont deliver a cookie-cutter performance. what was your speed? Older weapons did not have the power and force that the newer compound bows deliver. Set your bow to 60 pounds instead of 70, and you'll likely land in the 300 to 310 fps. JavaScript is disabled. I was spoiled taking several animals (Elk and deer) consistently out as much as 82 yards with my light weight speed set ups. Ive witnessed at least 1,000 bow kills in my life, and every animal that was hit as it should have been was recovered.. If you have an arrow with a balance point located three inches in front of the center portion of the arrow you are looking at about a 10% FOC. While it can carry more, hunters typically carry around ten arrows in their quivers. I am at 475 grains for all species. That is too light at just 186 grains.