Ballparking arrow weights and 10 gpp

[FrankM]

Regarding 10 gpp. I have a 50# bow. That would mean I should shoot 500 grain arrows as a ballpark. Is 500 grains okay? Or would you usually run them from, oh, say, 400 to 500 grains, depending on circumstances? I want to hunt pig at 40 yards, maybe 50 yards. I have thought about making the last arrows listed below heavier, since I don't have broadheads for them yet, but from another post here it seems like it isn't necessary. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. Just trying to understand the thought pattern on why you choose certain weights.


Here's my arrows (just in case):

2018 Gamegetter I, 28”, 110 gr. Zwickey Black Diamond broadhead & 30 gr. screw-in adapter,
13% FOC, 10.15 gpp, weight = 518 gr.

2018 Gamegetter II, 28”, 110 gr. Zwickey Black Diamond broadhead & 30 gr. screw-in adapter,
13.3% FOC, 10.25 gpp, weight = 523 gr.

XT Hunter 5575 Camo, 28”, 125 gr. field point, 16.9% FOC, 8.02 gpp, weight = 409 gr.

[rastaman]

40 to 50 yards is a pretty long shot on a pig especially some of those you guys have out there.  Maybe yours stay still longer, but these in the south wouldn't be there by the time your arrow got there!   :D   My personal opinion is the 500 grain would be the way to go for hog hunting. Good luck and post some pictures.  

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

I would go more around 450 to 550 or 9-11 gpp but that's just me.  400gr. is 8 gpp. and depending on the bowyer I think that may void your waranty as some bowyers actually have a recommended minimum arrow weight.  
Bottom line is it needs to be heavy enough to absorb the bows energy when you shoot.

[Rob DiStefano]

40 to 50 yard shots at pigs?  with a 50# bow and 400-500gr arrows?  are you that good a trad bow archer?

my hunting bows are 50-55# and the arrows are 530-625 grains total weight and i'm good out to maybe 25 yards on a broadside pig for a good kill.  i'm a decent shot, but 40 yards would be mostly  luck for me.

imo, here's what kills hogs (or most other game) ...

1. consistently accurate shot placement under hunting conditions
2. a really sharp coc broadhead
3. as good a flying arrow as ya can produce
4. decent arrow weight of at least 9gpp

good luck.

[FrankM]

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Heck no! I'm just guessing. I'm a noob. I never had this problem with rifles. LOL! Anyway, my bow's min. gpp is 8, so that means at 51# a minimum arrow of 408 grains. From what you've posted, I gather I should try for 25 yards and keep my arrows somewhere from 450-550. My Gamegetters seem there. Maybe I'll up the XT's to around 450 with a heavier broadhead. I think that's keeping it real.

[Rob DiStefano]

yessir, keep it real and in the realm of your consistent accuracy!  

for me, an accurate 25 yard hog shot is doable if all the conditions dictate, but still not an easy feat for me.  i killed the hog in my avatar pic at about 13 yards and i was confident of the hit as the arrow left the bow.  she died quickly within minutes, and maybe 20-25 yards away.  

i'm surely no expert at bowhunting but i do know to practice like you were hunting, getting in close, and picking yer spot are all part of the good kill.

[FrankM]

Thanks. Yup, I'm trying to pick this up on my own with another beginner so we're helping each other. We thought that 40 yards was an okay distance. I learn stuff everyday here. I can set up my target to about 25 yards max in my yard so this is good news in a way.  

[ron w]

I like to start at 10 gpp and work up from there. Keep your shots at a distance where you can repeat good groups,like 15-20 yards. A heavier arrow will also help reduce noise. Also remember, the only foolish question is the one you don't ask!!!

[Butch Speer]

Frank,
These guys are giving really good advise.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Rob nailed it down for you.  Definately plan to keep it inside 20 for your first series of hunts and then look at extending it out.  I can comfortable shoot decent groups at 30 yards on targets.  I doubt I could make the same shot on a pig while excited, heart pumping, adrenaline hyped excitement of the hunt has me in its grips.

[FrankM]

Absolutely great advice. Now, I'm gonna set my target either 10, 15, or 20 yards. Then, I'll test my different arrows for how they fly and group. Then, I might buy some broadheads for my XT hunters. Depending of course, on performance. So, we'll see. Thanks guys!

[James on laptop]

Go with 500gns for those long shots.

[Night Wing]

My present setup for all three of my bows is in my signature.

[Rob DiStefano]

also consider that every bow is a unique entity that will function best when all the right ingredients come together: draw length, brace height & bowstring spex, arrow type & weight & spine, etc.  some amount of testing is required to get the optimum performance from any bow.  

most bowyers and manufacturers void warranties if arrows of 8gpp and under are used.  heavy arrows offer lots of advantages and just one disadvantage of sorts - increased arrow trajectories as the mark distance increases.

pretty much 10gpp is a good starting point for any trad bow.  bracket that 1gpp +/- and see how the arrows fly and how the bow reacts.

as simple as trad archery is, you'll get the most performance and enjoyment from yer tackle if you experiment at least a bit.  

for newbies, stick to the recommendations of low bow holding weight, 10gpp arrows and 10-15 yards shooting distances while learning how to shoot and developing a good, consistent trad bow hunting form.

[FrankM]

<>>

That is excellent. Thanks.

[Rob DiStefano]

"low bow holding weight" = 30# to 45# @ your draw length.  you should be able to hold an arrow at full draw comfortably for at least a few seconds without shaking ... tremors, yes maybe ... shaking, no.  also, no serious shaking after a practice session - 20-50 arrows.  do not use wooden arrows, stick with carbon or aluminium.

the above is a guideline of sorts and not gospel.  the absolute best thing to do is seek a qualified/knowledgeable local trad archery mentor - that will add a turbo boost to your learning curve and will help lots to avoid ingraining bad form that might be difficult to overcome later on.  

yes, the act of pulling string on a trad bow and launching an arrow is too easy for anyone to do ... but ah yes, to do it really well, to have that consistent accuracy even at near marks, there's where the the real work begins!  but do make it fun!  

best of luck!

[motorhead7963]

Hey" Frank, motorhead7963 here you are in my neck of world, I have been in the trad game a year or so and I have gleened some good advice off this website and the ***********, some good info can be had here. Most of the bow shops around cater to the compound side which is good if you shoot those also like me but not so much for the trad side only there are local shoots every month at the different ranges.