second thoughts on arrows having enough weight FOC

[jwbharper]

After some reading, I am having second thoughts on my arrows having enough weight FOC to get needed penetration.

Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.

-Shooting a 48" recurve with 51# at 28" (i pull 28")
-Wood arrows are 50/55 spine and weight nearly 500 grains without broadheads
- Broad heads weigh about 105 gns.
-Total arrow weight is about 605 gns.

The arrows fly straight and I shoot good groups (when my form doesn't get lazy     ). But I read something on an archery company's website and now I am afraid I don't have enough FOC weight to penetrate well. The target is elk and whitetail- although I'm not worried about penetrating the whitetail. Its the elk that concerns me.

Again, thoughts/comments are appreciated        

Happy hunting!

[LB_hntr]

i personally would go with a little heavier head. BUT. dont get too worried about Extreme FOC like you read and hear about today. Its hard to get that with wood arrows without having to get super heavy broadheads. now note, im a big fan of FOC. But 99% of all animals shot with wood arrows are and always have been with a set up very similar to yours. and they preform flawlessly. IS more FOC better....yep. do you have to have it.....nope. With the season already here or coming fast fo you I would stick with what you have been practicing with and maybe if you want to make changes during the off season.  I have killed alot of animals with cedar arrows and a 125 grain head. never had any of those animals tell me they wish i shot them with an arrow that had more foc...lol. And your set up was and is still the normal wood arrow set up thats used more than any other wood set up.

[jwbharper]

Thanks LB! That helps me feel better. I'll sleep well tonight =)

John

[Friend]

As a proponent of high FOC, my response, ironically,  is a resounding “Yes’ you have plenty.

High FOC has opened a few more doors and has permitted those, including myself, who like to tinker to incur some benefit from our labor. Establishing some sort of minimum may taint the pool and invalidate most all set-ups which successfully provided food in the past millenniums.

Tiny heads, often times less width than the end of your index finger have been found over many parts of the North America. The points have been identified as ‘Bird Points’, since earlier speculation was that Native Americans used them specifically for harvesting birds. Researchers have found blood on some of these points and they were identified as deer, deer-sized animals and up to and including elk.

Your current set-up is most likely far…far superior to those of the early Native Americans and exceeds many used today.

Tuned arrow, Sharp BH and a decent mark will do well per your current set-up.

[gringol]

I believe good flight trumps high foc everytime.  Sure, both is better, but if adding more weight messes up your arrow flight, keep the heads you have and go hunting.

[ranger 3]

A heavier head will likely weaken your arrow.

[Pat B]

I'd say you have plenty of arrow weight for elk and deer. If your arrows shoot well and you can place them where they need to go and your broadhead is scarry sharp I think you should be good to go.
 Also with huntng season uppon us now is not the time to experiment. Wait until after the season so you will have a chance to adjust your shooting to the higher FOC arrows.

[jwbharper]

Thanks all for your guidance. You are right- there is no time to change the setup now but I wouldn't have shoot at an elk with improper equipment.

Next year I'll tinker with things more.

I appreciate the guidance!    

Originally posted by Pat B:
I'd say you have plenty of arrow weight for elk and deer. If your arrows shoot well and you can place them where they need to go and your broadhead is scarry sharp I think you should be good to go.
 Also with huntng season uppon us now is not the time to experiment. Wait until after the season so you will have a chance to adjust your shooting to the higher FOC arrows.

Spot on, Pat!

Bisch

[Butch Speer]

Originally posted by Friend:
As a proponent of high FOC, my response, ironically,  is a resounding “Yes’.

High FOC has opened a few more doors and has permitted those, including myself, who like to tinker some benefit for our labor. Establishing some sort of minimum may prove toxic and invalidate most all set-ups which successfully provided food in the past millenniums.

I shoot carbons with 24-26 foc and I agree with Friend. Hundreds of thousands of animals have been killed with the standard set up.

[Stixbowdrew]

I'm on board with some of the others in saying good flight trumps all, an arrow that flys good with a sharp head is of upmost importance, best of luck to you !

[Hummer3T]

I shoot with carbon 300 FOC, That is what my bow and more importantly my arrows are tuned right in with and I shoot well with, but you know it really matter what you shoot well, ethical and are comfortable with, do some tests with penetration before going hunting and if it looks good, go with it, your the one making the shot.

[ishoot4thrills]

I like a moderately high FOC too, but I agree with Scott's(Friend) advice on your setup.

I chose higher FOC because of the fantastic arrow flight I get more-so than the penetration factor of it. It sounds like you've already got the good arrow flight nailed so now go kill some game!  

[Huntingnut]

Originally posted by Stixbowdrew:
I'm on board with some of the others in saying good flight trumps all, an arrow that flys good with a sharp head is of upmost importance, best of luck to you !

+1   High FOC is over rated IMHO.

[BuckeyeGuy]

Be confident in what you shoot and take plenty of hero photos for us all, you are good!

[Johnny Reb]

Hate to sound like the town moron but... define/explain FOC for me.

For nearly 30 years of tinker'n with bows I've never heard of FOC until recently.

[4dogs]

FOC= Front of center. Weight distribution Students of Dr Ashby penetration studies aim for  certain forward weight distribution on the arrow for improved penetration mainly but also helps some with arrow flight.

[dnovo]

Since it seems like you're good to go there, my advice is to stop reading so much and get out there and shoot something.

[Terry Lightle]

I believe in FOC,but arrow flight is the BIG KEY to penetration.You have great arrow weight.I would take them arrows and go get it done.