Hi Thomasrey
I just got back from my first time bowhunting plainsgame a few weeks ago. I definately have a few opinions after having been there and had success and failure! Let me start by saying I have been a past sponsered and awarded archer, blah,blah,blah. It only means I had more resources than most to guys who had THEIR opinions, and that is what you are getting here, though this is a very good place. I talked with one shop owner and friend who had harvested 17 animals over 2 trips, including eland, all with a 440 grain arrow. All perfect shots according to him. I saw the videos, and a few did not pentrate to the fletchings. I took a 65 lb hoyt pro defiant turbo, 29.5" draw, easton fmj 300 shaft with blazer vanes and a little more helical than they came with from the factory. Total weight was 517 grains with a 125 gr slick trick standard broadhead, foc was a little over 12%. They come off the bow at 270fps. I successfully harvested impala, springbok and sable with that rig. The sable, at 35 yards, attempted to jump the string/arrow as it was only about 10' from impact according to the video. It entered high and angled upward, nicking the spine and dropped him instantly, getting about 20" of penetration. Adequate and successful in this case, but not ideal, with 2 holes in him. My blue wildebeest, which I lost, was a bad shot. I held on the shoulder muscle above the leg, but hit about 5-6" forward at 30 yards. I couldn't have imagined I would screw up a shot at 30, but I did. Penetrated only about 8", slightly bent the front 2-3" of the shaft, and snapped the steel ferrule on the broadhead at the insert, with the arrow coming out as he ran off. My point to this is that I prepared for several months shooting every single day, my biggest concern was to find the most accurate combo of broadhead, shaft and fletching. I wanted to walk and stalk, and was told be prepared to 50 yards. All combos that you have mentioned should work adequately if shot placement is right. What would I have changed for the next time, knowing that I went back to that property half a dozen times in the next 10 days glassing all the wildebeest for that bull? I'd up my arrow weight another 100 grains, mostly with a weighted insert or heavier broadhead if possible and able to get proper arrow spine. More momentum and more foc would be the result. And I probably would use a 2 bladed broadhead such as the dirtnap drt, single bevel. I would have been thrilled to split that shoulder blade and caught a lung. I tried them before hand, and for me they just didn't shoot as well between 35 and 50. However, next time I will spend a little more time fine tuning to get a rig guarenteed to over-penetrate in less than perfect situations. I've done a lot more reading since getting home on ways to build a heavier arrow with more foc. If the idea intrigues you, do some research on here and elsewhere. Alaska bowhunter supply sells a heavy, tapered, hi foc arrow called a grizzly stik that I will try before my next outing for game heavier than deer. They have a version they can setup at about 650 grains. I don't know anyone who has tried them yet though.
These are just my thoughts after being around 20 years ago for the ultralight, high speed fad. Believe me, I still worship arrow speed. Remember though that a heavier arrow retains momentum and speed better downrange. I think you are in the right ballpark with your last post. Just offering a suggestion that you may not have thought of yet. Best of luck
