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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: jkm97 on February 01, 2015, 08:55:00 AM

Title: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: jkm97 on February 01, 2015, 08:55:00 AM
I know that skinny shafts penetrate better in targets, and I know that in theory they should penetrate better in animals.

Has anyone ever noticed any practical difference in deer sized game? For example, assuming all else is equal, would there be any real difference between the penetration of a FMJ and a XX75 2317?
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Pine on February 01, 2015, 08:59:00 AM
I don't worry about it because with an animal the arrow gets lubricated on the way threw . is blood , fat .
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Pine on February 01, 2015, 09:00:00 AM
I don't worry about it because with an animal the arrow gets lubricated on the way threw . is blood , fat .
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: drewsbow on February 01, 2015, 09:26:00 AM
once the broadhead opens up the hole I don't think it matters . I do however use small diameter arrows because they fly well from my bow.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: atatarpm on February 01, 2015, 09:35:00 AM
If the point is larger than the shaft the arrow will penitrat better if the shaft is larger then the point it is like a wedge going through the target
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: ChuckC on February 01, 2015, 09:39:00 AM
Within reason, I myself see no issue. .  unless you are going thru a shoulder (scapula).
ChuckC
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Orion on February 01, 2015, 11:56:00 AM
Since I started shooting skinny carbons, my arrow sticks deeper into the ground after passing through the deer.    :goldtooth:
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: tracker12 on February 01, 2015, 01:01:00 PM
I killed a bunch of deer with pass thru shots when I used to shoot fat old 2315 arrows.  I now shoot easton FMJ's or Beman ICS hunters.  I still get pass thru shots.  I personally am with Orion.  I do not think it makes much difference and sure wouldn't choose an arrow based on this question.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: jkm97 on February 01, 2015, 01:13:00 PM
Thanks guys, that was my guess too.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: screamin on February 01, 2015, 11:37:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by ChuckC:
Within reason, I myself see no issue. .  unless you are going thru a shoulder (scapula).
ChuckC
That is a fact, I have tested them on cow shoulder blades. The thicker shaft stops penetration, the skinny shaft keeps going right on through.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: damascusdave on February 02, 2015, 08:43:00 AM
The advertising for small diameter arrows that talks about increased penetration is just a marketing device, especially on deer sized game

DDave
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Charlie3 on February 02, 2015, 10:40:00 AM
I'll be "that guy" and remind you folks that some guy named Ashland or Asher or something did a test on this stuff and wrote a lengthy dissertation on his findings. Google 'Ashland' or 'Ashly' or whatever it is and see what SCIENCE has to say!!
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: bigbadjon on February 02, 2015, 01:02:00 PM
This part of the Ashby test I belive is accurate regardless of foc. An arrow that is smaller than the broadhead ferrule will penetrate deeper. However you guys have neglected the strongest attribute to micro shafts and that is cross wind resistance. Target archers have proven time and time again that micro diameter shafts are more accurate in an outdoor setting. Axis shafts are only marginally more expensive than standard diameter these days as well and have lots of aftermarket components so there is not a lot of reason to not give them a try.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Charlie3 on February 02, 2015, 02:11:00 PM
Yeah, I like my Axis arrows for sure.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: ChuckC on February 02, 2015, 02:12:00 PM
You shouldn't have to google Ashby, we have/had a section right here devoted to him and his work.  We should be reading that stuff and opening out minds.    

A word of advice though. .  only my thoughts. . . his work is awesome, as is knowldege passed on by many others, but take it all as it is, knowledge, not law.  

Most of us hunt deer as big game.  They are not that big bodied and most of our equipment is very capable of going right thru them, given the correct "other" circumstances.
ChuckC
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: bigbadjon on February 02, 2015, 03:35:00 PM
Also Easton Axis is not your only option. You can get .204 sized shafts from Carbon Express, Black Eagle, and Victory as well if Easton isn't your flavor. I really feel this diameter offers the best bang for the buck.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: warden415 on February 02, 2015, 03:58:00 PM
I am a believer in the small diameter shafts. Obviously if you hit a deer perfectly in the lungs it is going through. Regardless whether it is a 15/64 or large 23/64. In this scenario i agree it doesnt matter. What I feel I gain is in the marginal hits, Where I catch a bit of shoulder blade. If it helps aid in penetration just once, it may result in a recovered deer that I wouldnt have got with a larger diameter shaft.
It is for this reason I choose them. I shoot lighter weight bows and have a shorter draw length. So I will take any advantage I can get
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Charlie3 on February 02, 2015, 04:54:00 PM
Agreed Warden...narrow shafts surely cannot HURT penetration, so why not go the route that likely will give you some advantage however small it may be?

I understand the folks who do not want to use a setup with a heavy draw weight, but it makes no sense to me to not use an arrow that has been illustrated beyond reasonable doubt to be more lethal in the likely event that you make a less than perfect shot, or have a less than perfect angle on an animal you have worked hard to get close to and cannot further improve the shot it is presenting.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: jkm97 on February 02, 2015, 05:19:00 PM
Good points guys
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Kris on February 02, 2015, 06:11:00 PM
Skinny shafts have a higher sectional density (yes...a bullet thing for you rifle shooters & reloaders out there)  

By definition Sectional Density is the ratio of an object's mass to its cross-sectional area. It conveys how well an object's mass is distributed (by its shape) to overcome resistance. For illustration, a nail can penetrate a target medium with less force than a coin of the same mass.

Given that last sentence above, I would prefer to error skinnier (smaller dia.), obviously, for penetration...no cost in this, plus several other benefits to boot.

If the argument is "can I kill a deer with a "thick" 23/64" shaft" the answer is yes, absolutely!  I have done it a bunch times and so have you.  So rest assured and shoot "thick" or "thin" for deer...you can be successful with either.

"Do I think skinny shafts out penetrate thicker shafts, all things being equal", yes!  I am a man of science.  

       
Quote
 
"would there be any real difference between the penetration of a FMJ and a XX75 2317?"

In theory and evidenced through testing, yes!  Again, Ashby has data showing this conclusively but people really have a hard time believing it.  So you decide.    

Kris
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: old_goat2 on February 02, 2015, 08:35:00 PM
I like them, they make the deer look bigger in the pictures when you have the arrow in view with the deer!
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: warden415 on February 02, 2015, 08:58:00 PM
lol @ old goat
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: Stumpkiller on February 02, 2015, 09:11:00 PM
I shoot wood.  I have noted a real difference between the 23/64" prallel shafts I used to use and the 11/32" tapared down to 5/16" that I currently shoot.  

Much of this could be the head - glued on the 23/64" shaft there was usually a ridge of tapered wood behind the head.  With 11/32" it is smooth or even lesser diameter than the rim of the head.
Title: Re: Arrow diameter and real world penetration
Post by: LKH on February 02, 2015, 09:32:00 PM
The idea that blood lubricates the fat shaft so it doesn't matter is myth.  Anything that touches the shaft has friction, even liquids. (see what happens to flow out a hose when you go from 50 to 75 feet)  The fatter shaft will have more pressure to the side as it moves through the animal.

All that said, with deer size game you won't be able to tell unless you hit shoulder.