archery help

MikeLonsford · Apr 30, 2005

Hello,
I've always been a rifle hunter until now. I got interested in bugling elk, read one too many of Dwight Schuh's books, saw one too many Primos elk hunting video and got reeled into a bow just a few days ago. I have been practicing with a 20 year old compound bow that a guy at work loaned me to see if I was really interested. After lots of research, I got a new Mathews and am very happy with it thus far.

I am requesting a little help. My home state of Washington requires arrow weight of 6 grains per pound of draw. I am currently set up about 50 grains too light to do legal hunting. 70 pound draw with 370 grains of arrow. My options are lighten the draw to 65 lbs and increase tip weight from 100 to 125 this will get me legal(this is the direction I'm heading). Or I could go to the next heavier shaft and get it with the 125 tip and shoot at the full 70 lbs. I suspect either way I'll be a similar speed as that is probably why they have the rule, and if that's the case I'm guessing the lighter draw is easier to keep on target. I'm a little concerned about the arrow set up, as I don't know which arrows are good for what weight tips and at what speeds they are more stable. Or maybe all are reasonably good once the bow is tuned to them. While I researched the heck out of the bows, I didn't do so with arrows.

Mathews Switchback 65 lb draw with 390 grain arrow or 70 lb draw with 420 grain arrow? Does anyone know which would go faster (at a 28" draw length)? Also if it helps diagnose anything with the arrows I'm shooting a 28.5" GoldTip Hunter Expedition 5575 and was looking at maybe going to the 7595's.

Also while I do not know the rules of other states, I'm hoping they don't restrict the speed quite as much as Washington. I'm hoping to hunt other states with a bow eventually and would like to be able to max the bows performance 70 lb draw with lighter weight arrow. While I know I'd have to resight, I don't know if I'd need to "retune". If retuning is required, is this easier done by maintaining the same exact arrow or only specific parts of it(length, tip weight, shaft weight)?

Any help is much appreciated.

-Mike

MuleyMeyers · May 1, 2005

A simple fix may be some of the carbon express weight straws. They come in 2 or 3 grains per inch. They are a plastic straw that fits inside carbon express 200 -300 -400 cx series arrows. I think they may be simular in diameter to your 5575's. you may be able to slide them right inside your shafts. I shoot a 28" 300 cx with 2 grain straw 85grain Rocky Titanium . weight is about 430 gr..56 gr. from straw. This combo with the small brodhead is very accurate and shoots very well at longer distances. Pm me and I will send you a short chunk to try in a shaft before buying a dozen. they cost about 1 dollar each.##~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> MMEYER

c3 · May 1, 2005

I'd suggest the heavier 75/95 arrows, 125 grain points and the weight tubes. A 450 to 500 grain arrow is perfect for your set up. It should be much quieter and still shoot in the 250 fps range. This will create more than enough ummph to zipper any elk through both sides.

In the old days when fast flight strings and cables first came out, 235 fps at 68 lbs was phenomenal with a 450 grain aluminum arrow. They passed through deer and elk a few times for me. Even put one right through the shoulder of a small deer that only went 80 yards or so.

All the problems I've had in over 20 years of this have come from lighter much faster carbon arrow set ups.

My motto for the day is that "a good 3d setup, makes not for elk in the freezer". Sadly enough I have first hand experience with this.

Cheers,
Pete

Lien2 · May 2, 2005

Mike -
If you can pull back the 70 lbs easily, I would go with the heavier arrow. I think you will be better spined with the heavy arrow with the heavy draw weight. Actually, that is what I have. I have a Switchback, 28" draw, 70 lbs. and am shooting a 437 gr. finished arrow (insert, nock, vanes, and broadhead included). The heavier arrow is quieter and packs a bigger punch. I have 125 gr. heads, but thought about going with 100r. I'm not sure of the speed, and I don't really care, my carbon arrows fly like darts.
If the 65 lb. draw is better for you, go with the lighter arrow.
Good luck.

Lien2

MikeLonsford · May 2, 2005

Thanks for the responses,

My intial thought was to be lighter (and a little faster) as I thought that would help me be more accurate if I have an error in judgment so far as a shooting distance. I am interested though if there is much of a difference in impact power with the heavier arrow. I feel both are probably good set ups, but I also have the concern about what might be required in other states and if I have to change my set up to hunt elsewhere, what would be the easier set up to adjust back and forth between the states.

Thanks Again,
Mike

BOHNTR · May 2, 2005

I think Pete (c3) is right on with his advice. Quieter bow that still delivers good speed. That would be my choice.

BOHNTR )))---------->

MikeLonsford · May 3, 2005

Thanks for the offer MuleyMeyers, that's much appreciated. I don't know if you got my PM or not. That was the first one I've tried to send. I will check with the local archery shops and see about running them down local so you don't need to send me any.

Thanks,
Mike

Idahoelk · May 3, 2005

I shoot a Legacy 30 inch draw set at 67 lbs and have the Goldtip 7595 at 30 1/2 inches and 125 grain broadhead. I have killed 4 elk with that setup. With your bow and 7595 with 125gn broadhead I think you could shoot 65# and still devastate Elk.

quickdrawkinker · May 4, 2005

If your comfortable shooting 70#'s then go that route, the speed should be comparable, but the heavier arrow will carry a little more down range kenetic energy. You may want to look at the Easton Axis arrows in the 340 spine, they are an extremely dense, solid, heavy arrow (I'm thinking they are around 11 grains per inch?), these arrows have a smaller diameter than most carbons as well so they penetrate extremely well. I would venture to guess that the Axis arrows are the most durable arrows out there. If you go with these then you wont have to worry about adding weights or anything else--keep it simple!

Lien2 · May 5, 2005

quickdrawkinker -
Good recommendation on the Easton Axis arrows. The bare shaft of the 340 is 9.53 grains per inch, add 4" vanes = 25 gr, H.I.T Insert = 25 gr, and the nock = 9 gr. So for example my 27.5" Axis arrows weigh 312 gr, add the 125 gr. broadhead and I'm at 437 gr. total.
I would definitely recommend them, they fly like darts and penetrate great! Man, I can't wait till fall.

Lien2

MikeLonsford · May 5, 2005

Thanks for all the help everyone. I am definitely going with the 70 lb draw and heavier arrow. I found that Idaho ( a likely out of state destination) has a 400 grain arrow requirement, so if I just set up for WA with 420 min grain then I should be good to go. There's definitely more KE and I think the speed is still the same or relatively close whether I'm 70#/420gr or 65#/390gr. I'm sure this is the first of many questions that I'll have. I'll just keep my lighter arrows for future use in some as yet unknown state.

Thanks Again,
Mike