Arrow set up

[mdwest]

took your advice @firehuntfish and have stepped up to a 500gr arrow (CE Piledriver Hunter 350's @ 11.3gpi @ 30".. 125gr G5 Montec.. etc..etc..)...

I am sure the bow is "slower" now.. but, honestly I cant tell much difference.. Ill try to chrony it the next time I am at the range..

Accuracy has improved a good bit (I think some of that is me.. Im starting to figure things out.. but some of it is due to getting the bow tuned, the better arrows, etc.. I am sure as well)..

and the bow is MUCH quieter...

What was really surprising is how little the trajectory has been effected.. I thought I'd have to raise my top pin a good bit to compensate for the difference between a 350gr arrow and a 500gr arrow.. but that hasnt been the case.. I barely had to move it at all.. it just needed a minor tweak and I was back in the X ring.. Im not shooting far enough to worry about the 2nd and 3rd pins yet lol..

Still working on getting down to sub 3" groups @ 25 yards.. Im close.. but not there yet.. If I can make that happen in the next 60 days, Im going to commit to taking the bow with me to Africa in June (along with the .375H&H )...

thanks again to all on the thoughts about heavy(er) arrows.. seems to be working for me so far...

 

[Ryan]

Heavier arrows always make a bow quieter because bows energy is transferred more into the arrow rather than staying in the bow causing more vibration. The rule of thumb is you lose 1fps per 5 grains increase in weight so adding 150 grains you lost around 30 fps. That little difference in speed won't get real noticable until 40+ yards.

 

[mrpoindexter]

I think you lose less fps than that, actually Ryan. Those "rule of thumb" type numbers are used by the online arrow speed estimators that all overestimate the loss in arrow velocity when adding arrow mass. I would bet he has dropped less than 30 fps, maybe closer to 20 FPS than 30. We will only know with an actual chrono reading, but at 20 yards, it wouldn't be much of a change at all.

 

[firehuntfish]

I agree with Ryan and Mr. P, that the loss of speed is usually less than the calculators reflect. It is also true that the bow will quiet down considerably because it is now passing the energy to the arrow that it used to have to consume within itself. The benefits from a heavier arrow with a good FOC will far outweigh the only negatives which are loss of some speed and trajectory.

Most plainsgame species with the exception of a few, are not notorious string jumpers. Also, I can assure you that the majority of the hides that you will be hunting from were thoughtfully designed to be very silent. And, on the handful of species that can be jumpy, just make sure be patient for a close shot. You PH will know which ones pose the most concern. Most shots are laid out at the hides to be 25 yards or less. The animals will still be there when the arrow arrives.... Now practice up and get ready to have some fun!

 

[Ryan]

I think you lose less fps than that, actually Ryan. Those "rule of thumb" type numbers are used by the online arrow speed estimators that all overestimate the loss in arrow velocity when adding arrow mass. I would bet he has dropped less than 30 fps, maybe closer to 20 FPS than 30. We will only know with an actual chrono reading, but at 20 yards, it wouldn't be much of a change at all.

I completely agree, it's just an estimate and I figured it was on the pessimistic side too. As bows become more efficient and with higher draw weights the loss is less per grain. That said I did some checking. Last year I compared broadheads with two different arrows out of the same bow and kept good records of speed and weights. My 2013 Athens Afflixtion at 29 inch draw with 67 pound draw weight is no slouch. It shot my 500.5 Easton FMJ's at 267 fps. Using a DG version of the FMJ weighing 682 grains speed went down to 232 fps. 181.5 grain and 35 fps difference equates to a loss of 1 fps per 5.2 grains. Pretty close.

 

[Devin Twitty]

Cam design now really don't see speed loss. My athens khrios was putting a 470grn arrow out at 300 fps. I'm waiting for my athens revelation to come in and I think I'll be making some 500grn arrows to take to africa for the new bow.

 

[mdwest]

Cam design now really don't see speed loss. My athens khrios was putting a 470grn arrow out at 300 fps. I'm waiting for my athens revelation to come in and I think I'll be making some 500grn arrows to take to africa for the new bow.

Im shooting an older bow.. Im not sure if "cam design now" applies or not.. (totally new to this.. and have no idea when there have big innovations, technology shifts, etc..etc..)..

I shooting a 2007 Parker Hornet..

 

[Devin Twitty]

Your bow should shoot 310 ibo and it's right on the edge of when the technology hit its high point. Newer bow would probly be less shock and vibration and a little faster.