Would you use this or.....

[Tilzbow]

We're headed to RSA in 2009 for plains game with 7 days at Melorani and 7 days at Tshepe. Since my shooting has been going real well I was messing around with different arrow set ups today for something to do. Here's what I've got working and flying perfect out of my A&H ACS CX which is 47# at 31":

32" Gold Tip carbon shaft w/125 Silver Flame. Total arrow weight is 460 grains and it shoots 195 FPS.

and

32" Axis footed w/aluminum shaft and point and nock ends. Broadhead is a single bevel 145 grain Eclipse on a 75 grain steel adapter. Total broadhead weight is 220 grains, the total arrow weight is 640 grains and it shoots 172 FPS.

Which one of these set ups would you use and why?

[Lonesome Wind]

Read Dr. Ashby's reports on this forum and you'll see why the heavy setup will work much better for you. If and when you hit a bone you'll need the momentum of the heavy setup.

[Tilzbow]

Lonesome Wind,

I've read Ashby's reports on here and in TBM which explains the second setup. That said I'm not looking for his take on this, unless he'd like to post, but the opinion of others. This is more to stimulate discussion on the topic than anything.

BTW - Cool handle!

Thanks,
Tilz

[za_boy]

Get a hold of Ed Polich on here, also from Reno, NV. He ran a bowhunting ranch in South Africa for a few years and will have loads of information for you.

I'd go with the 2nd setup as I've seen the benefits of shooting heavy arrows first hand. Same sized warthog, similar shots, same bow, same broadhead, arrow no. 1 430gr - less than 4 inches of penetration, arrow no. 2 550gr - pass-through.

That's just one example I could give.

[hunt it]

Scott,

I'd go with whatever flys best. Perfect arrow flight is big factor in the penetration eqation. If both fly same then I'd shoot the heavier arrow. Most of the african plains game species are big bodied tough critters. I consider your bow weight to be on the lighter end of the scale. I love the Silver Flames and you have made a good choice there. If it was my set up I would get some 100gr brass inserts for your Gold Tips and use the flames, this would give you 560gr. The 460gr is on the light side in my opinion.

[katman]

As long as it is tuned as good as you can get it the heavier arrow no doubt, due to more mass and a higher foc. Most shots will be 20 yds and under if you wait for the perfect opportunity so the slower arrow should not be a problem.

172 fps with 640 gr and 47# is moving it, what an advantage the 31" draw is plus the wonderful ACS.

The lighter arrow may be fine for the smaller species like Impala, duiker, blesbok, hardebeast but I think you will need the heavier arrow for the larger species like Kudu, Gemsbok, Eland, Wildebeast, Zebra.

Enjoy your safari especially the magnificent sunsets and the star filled night sky.

[Lonesome Wind]

Tilzbow,
Thanks for the compliment on my handle, that's what I call my bows. I was only using Dr. Ashby to give credibility to what I've found out on my own, all things being equal I'll take a heavier shaft every time. I'm going to RSA at the end of Aug and the set-up I'm using is 970 grain total weight kingwood footed ash shafts using a modified 190 grain Grizzley with a 200 grain Woody weight behind it. I'm shooting a 61# @ 29" 66" mild RD longbow I built shooting 151 fps. Out to 20 yards I'm in great shape, and I trust this set-up completely. I'm a firm believer in hoping for the best and planning for the worst.
I know that if things don't go according to plan, i.e. hitting a leg or shoulder, that my arrow will retain the energy to get into the boiler room.
Keep your stick bent!
Vince

[Brent Hill]

Not to agree with everyone else, if you can shoot the heavier arrow as accurately as the light, choose the heavier.  Before I went to South Africa this year, I wrestled with this very issue and choose to ignore numerous recommendations to shoot an arrow in excess of 600 grains.  Instead, I chose to shoot the 540 grain gold tips that I used with my 52 lb. bw psa for whitetail.  Now I did get a kudu, impala, and warthog, but I never got anymore than 7-8 inches of penetration on any animal and certainly no exit wound / pass throughs.  With the same setup at the same distances (14 -17 yards), I always got atleast an exit wound and most times a pass through on deer and pigs.  Not in africa.  I've heard that african animals were tougher....  I really didn't believe it before.  After tracking my impala which was double lunged for over 400 plus yards, I'm a believer.  But as you already know, hit that heart and quartering away shots give you more wiggle room since the vitals on those animals are so far forward.  My shot on the impala was a perfect broadside double lung shot that I would have been pleased with deer hunting.  Now (and I mean in 2010 when I go back with heavier arrows) I'm probably going to pass on all shots not quartering away.     Good luck and have a ball !