Heavy…er arrows?

cdnance

Hatchling
Staff member
What are y’all’s thoughts on a heavier arrow setup? When I say heavier, I’m talking like 505-515gr from a 70lb compound at 30” draw.

I had been using 430-440 grain arrows in the past but just bumped it up a bit for some new arrows.

Thoughts?
 
Heavier is better. Opens up more broadhead choices and shot possibilities.

I shoot 565gr and chrono 274 fps out of an old Bear single cam at 70lbs. Shoots great. Pass throughs are expected.

I was actually thinking about going up in weight. I aim for the heart always. Never behind shoulder, I’m confident I’ll get through.
 
Has its pros and cons in my opinion. Heavier is better, it will penetrate better, more likely to break bone and be forgiving if that shot hits shoulder. But it comes at a trade off. Your trajectory is going down, so you better be ranging your shots and not misjudge. I tried a heavier setup a few years ago but after a day at the range I decided I needed more pins lol when before if I misjudged 5 yard or a few more I still got real close to my target, then with the heavy’s I found no forgiveness for misjudging distance. Every shot needs to be rangefinder right before shot, and if you’re at the range that’s fine. And a lot of instances in the woods you’ll be fine and have time to range the deer or have trees or various objects ranged while waiting on old booner to show up, but a lot of times things don’t go as planned and they tend to happen fast. So I went back to my lighter and flatter setup I had more confidence in making a split second shot on that rutting buck that comes running by and stops for a split second. And just be confident I can get it behind shoulders
 
True you start out slower but the pin gap is consistent with heavy. Pin gap drops like a rock at distance with light arrows.
 
Has its pros and cons in my opinion. Heavier is better, it will penetrate better, more likely to break bone and be forgiving if that shot hits shoulder. But it comes at a trade off. Your trajectory is going down, so you better be ranging your shots and not misjudge. I tried a heavier setup a few years ago but after a day at the range I decided I needed more pins lol when before if I misjudged 5 yard or a few more I still got real close to my target, then with the heavy’s I found no forgiveness for misjudging distance. Every shot needs to be rangefinder right before shot, and if you’re at the range that’s fine. And a lot of instances in the woods you’ll be fine and have time to range the deer or have trees or various objects ranged while waiting on old booner to show up, but a lot of times things don’t go as planned and they tend to happen fast. So I went back to my lighter and flatter setup I had more confidence in making a split second shot on that rutting buck that comes running by and stops for a split second. And just be confident I can get it behind shoulders
Do you know what fps you are shooting? I’m not sure what mine is yet, but I’m gonna test it out. Hopefully I’m still in that 270 range.
 
True you start out slower but the pin gap is consistent with heavy. Pin gap drops like a rock at distance with light arrows.
I never really considered this. I’m gonna start resetting my pins this weekend.
Fingers crossed that everything works out well!
 
Heavier is better. Opens up more broadhead choices and shot possibilities.

I shoot 565gr and chrono 274 fps out of an old Bear single cam at 70lbs. Shoots great. Pass throughs are expected.

I was actually thinking about going up in weight. I aim for the heart always. Never behind shoulder, I’m confident I’ll get through.
Man that’s a heavy arrow. I tried going up to 500gr last summer. I just couldn’t get comfortable with the set up and ended up dropping back down to the 460 range I was at previously. No doubt you get some pass throughs with that weight though.

I may end up trying it again at some point. I just had too much going on with moving up from Texas, limited practice time, and new hunting spots I just figured a new arrow was a variable I didn’t need to add last year.
 
Man that’s a heavy arrow. I tried going up to 500gr last summer. I just couldn’t get comfortable with the set up and ended up dropping back down to the 460 range I was at previously. No doubt you get some pass throughs with that weight though.

I may end up trying it again at some point. I just had too much going on with moving up from Texas, limited practice time, and new hunting spots I just figured a new arrow was a variable I didn’t need to add last year.
Light and fast is fine if you aim behind the shoulder and are willing to pass on deer waiting for shots. The heavy bone threshold is 650gr. I compromised. I can see me going to 600 but 270fps suits my hunting style.

y’all asked about pins. When I shot a more streamlined head they were dead even. I dropped 50yard pin when I changed heads. I’m heavy on FOC too. D9C191A4-C819-414F-B59E-1BE1408850B9.webp
 
Light and fast is fine if you aim behind the shoulder and are willing to pass on deer waiting for shots. The heavy bone threshold is 650gr. I compromised. I can see me going to 600 but 270fps suits my hunting style.

y’all asked about pins. When I shot a more streamlined head they were dead even. I dropped 50yard pin when I changed heads. I’m heavy on FOC too. View attachment 184
I’m curious of your draw weight and length?
 
I’m curious of your draw weight and length?
It’s a single cam Bear Paradox. It’s maxed out 70lbs/30”. Whisker Biscuit.

My draw length is 31.5”-32” so I have a longer D loop and have to let my release out.

Everything I’ve seen says after 70lb you lose penetration due to arrow deflection even shooting 250 spine like I am or heavier. I was shooting 340 spine and shearing nocks from shaft deflection with the high FOC.
 
Curious. Do you bear or elk hunt? What’s your reason for the big jump in weight? I like a little more speed so I try to stay lighter with a touch of FOC. Change is mostly fun. Chance to learn what you like and don’t like. Good luck.
 
Long story short…
Yes, I am elk hunting this year. But I also wanted something that was a little less influenced by outside factors, wind, little high grass, unseen leaf.
Who knows. Maybe it helps, maybe it don’t. I’m gonna give it a shot though.
 
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