Total arrow weight for 43# bow

[anatone hunter]

I have gotten back into traditional archery after many years away. In all the previous years I shot a bunch of deer with aluminum, fiberglass and wood arrows. I never paid much attention then to things like GPI, total arrow weights, arrow material differences etc etc. But with the mass of info available now on forums such as this one (which I thoroughly enjoy), it makes me analyze a good bit! (maybe too much).. However, I am trying to make a good decision on a good choice of arrow weight for my current hunting bow. The old 52 pound draw weights are out of the questions for this 77 year old body. I draw my 43 pound bow (at my length) just fine but am concerned about maintaining a 10gr GP rate using cedar arrows. This seems to be a recommended rate for a hunting arrow. The problem I am having is that by the time I finish my typical batch of POC arrows the weights are approaching 500 plus grains with the popular 125 grain broadhead. That equates to 11.6 GPI rate.
I tune em well and get good arrow flight. Just wondering, if I am still in the ballpark.
I know opinions vary greatly but sure would like a bit of feedback if ya all think a 500 grain arrow from a 43 pound is still ok for deer hunting. My typical ranges are less then 20 yards and more like 10-15.
Sorry if I have rambled. I sure don't want to think I "should" go to carbons. I've got plenty if needed, but I want to stay with woodies!
Thanks folks,
anatone hunter

[Buckeye1977]

You will be perfectly fine for deer with that setup. If you are concerned about penetration use a good 2 blade head and make sure it's sharp and you'll kill most things in NA if you put the arrow in the right spot! Have fun and don't over analyze.

[MnFn]

I have been shooting mostly Douglass Fir, but I had a set of Sitka Spruce that were lighter and flew really well.

You could call Paul Jalon at Elite and ask his opinion.  That is where my Sitka Spruce came from. A very knowledgeable guy.

[fisherick]

Your setup shall work fine. I shoot a #45 recurve with GT carbons weighing at 480 grains, with a 2-blade broad head I've had pass-thrus from 12 to 25 yards.

[anatone hunter]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the info. Tis reassuring for to know..
Thanks,

[Al Dean]

If you want to shoot woods you will have to put up with 12-13gpi at 43#.  I shoot 43# with 30" draw.  I am stuck with 13gpi unless I can get some tapered Hildebrant spruce and I am not sure he is producing anymore.

[Friend]

Execute a respectable mark and you will be golden.

If shooting carbons, I personally would still be targetting above 500 gns.

[tecum-tha]

Nothing wrong with this setup at all. I won't think there will be any penetration issues on deer.My buddy shoots an almost identical setup since he is in his late sixties. No problems at all. Depending on your sourroundings, a bleeder blade or slender 3 blade will produce good blood trails to follow. If you can't find blood then it gets often difficult to find a dead animal.

[Rob DiStefano]

for an under 20 yard kill range, all that will matter most is a really sharp cut-on-contact broadhead, not the arrow weight, and yer ability to pick and hit a good spot.  

in your instance, a 400 grain arrow will work as well as a 600 grain arrow IF you pick a good spot.  

yes, there could/maybe/might be a better outcome with a 500 to 600 grain arrow if the wrong spot was hit.  

it's all good, choose what works most consistently for you and go make meat.  but no matter what the arrow's mass weight, it will always come down to consistent accuracy and that incredibly sharp twin, triple, or quad blade ...

11.6gpp is an awesome hunting weight! If you got them tuned well, get to  practicing, and send one thru a critter at your Neve opportunity!!!!!

Bisch

[Sam McMichael]

I agree with Bisch. If these arrows are performing well and you are accurate with them, you have found El Dorado. Now go and shoot. Your rig is in good shape.

[Hawkeye]

John,

My current bow is a few pounds heavier at 47#@29", but my arrows weigh in at 565g, giving me 12 grains per pound.

I have shot through 8 deer now with that setup, including a nice, mature 8 pointer this past Fall (even a blind pig...).

If I shot 40 yards and more, I suspect the shortcomings of this setup could come into play, but like you, my intended range is 20 yards and under, and I feel I have everything I need to hunt effectively and ethically.

Because of long term health problems, I am considering getting a bow that will be 41# at my draw. I will probably set up an arrow that is somewhere in that 12 grains per pound range.  I still hope to shoot through deer with a sharp broadhead and good arrow placement.

All this is a longer way for saying I agree with the other counsel you have gotten here, and think you are going to do great and enjoy hunting with your new combo.  Go get 'em, and enjoy the beauty of the woods!

Daryl

[anatone hunter]

Again I want to say a big thanks you to all who have responded. It is so good to have this forum with good folks on board..
Take care,
J.R.

[Doug Treat]

You are not too heavy. I like 600+ grains, no matter the weight of the bow. My current bow setup is 40#. I shoot 675gr. arrows. That's almost 17 gpp! Yeah, they fly slow, but they penetrate like crazy. If you go this heavy, you just have to be ok with the trajectory but I shoot fine out to about 30 yards and most shooters aren't too good beyond that anyway.

[elk nailer]

I built some Alaska frontier archery compressed mountain mahagony for my upcoming hog hunt. Total arrow weight is 796 with 125 grizzly up front. 45# at 29. I think they will go in deep.