Speed vs. energy - Which to favor?

[WVFarrier]

Like the old 45-70.....slow and heavy gets it done!!!

[Squirrel Hunter]

I would say it depends. If you're going to be hunting antelope at the far end of your effective range, go light. If you're going to be hunting hogs at close range, heavy.

[GCook]

I actually have a lighter (8.4gpp) set up and a 9.9ishgpp set up for that cause.

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[Cory Mattson]

Compounds are irrelevant to real bowhunters and the information is NOT welcome here - and I couldn't care less if someone takes this statement as disrespect.
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[Steelhead]

I would not sweat it to much.A straight flying arrow that recovers from paradox quickly and has a strong razorsharp broadhead is most important including being good shot with good arrow placement.I think a balanced arrow is probably the best bet on deer sized game.Around 10 grains per pound.


A heavy arrow performs better on hits to heavier bone and larger game with bigger ribs.

[Roy from Pa]

Terry Green, the owner of trad gang, made a post back on August 15th.

He stated that there will be no mention of compounds or wheelbows in this site.

Please adhere to his request!

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=163282.0

Thanks

[beendare]

Speed?
In bowhunting there are many factors....a big one being bow noise.

A fast arrow with accompanying bow noise is begging for animals to move on the shot.

I think what the fast [and lighter] arrow guys are saying is; An arrow with perfect arrow flight and a sharp 2 blade head is an incredibly efficient killer....and it is.

To me it just boils down to different strokes for different folks....viva la difference!

[Don Stokes]

Good point, Beendare. Especially with recurves, a heavier arrow tames the noisiness. I started shooting recurves instead of longbows a few years ago so I could go down in draw weight but still put the energy in the arrow. Even though recurves are technically more efficient with lighter arrows, I have found that I get good quiet shooting with arrows that weight 12-15 grains/inch. I've killed several deer with 40 and 50 pound bows since changing, and the 50# recurve (set up hot!) shoots the same arrows I was shooting from my 64# r/d longbow. Same arrows = same energy. With heavy arrows I don't find a noticeable difference in bow noise.

[Rob DiStefano]

for myself, and perhaps the majority of trad bowhunters, having a good 10gpp setup and the ability to have consistent accuracy at trad bowhunting woods distances typically is a fine setup that works best. 

this is not a game of speed, this is a game of good consistent accuracy at ethical trad bow hunting distances, no more or less. 

the reason for the 10gpp arrow is quiet stable consistency, not so much interested in the energy thing, though the greater energy numbers will be there as well. 

all of this is good stuff, but none will work well unless the pointy thing at the end of the flying stick is cut-on-contact Sharp like you won't believe.

life is good ... for us.  life is quickly over ... for our quarry.  it'll all happen on cue if we do our part well.

 

[mwosborn]

It is not a "vs" thing.  Speed and energy do not compete.  Energy (kinetic) is dependent upon speed (as well as mass).  Without speed there would be no kinetic energy.  To me it seems pretty straight forward, shoot the heaviest arrow that you can shoot accurately and consistently at the distances you will be shooting.  For many of us that is about 20 yards and in. If you are shooting an arrow that is so heavy that it drops 20" in 20 yards it is probably too heavy.  As shown over time a ball park figure of about 10 ggp gives us good enough speed and plenty of energy to do what we want the arrow to do.  It goes without saying the pointy thing on the end needs to be sharp.

[beendare]

Its kind of funny really....it seems to me the guys tossing number around for "KE" don't really get it.

 KE is misapplied in archery so much its ridiculous...but I don't want to go there..../grin

Ask a guy that have been hunting and killing stuff for years with a bow and arrow what his numbers are....most don't even know ....or care.

The successful bowhunters I know instead emphasize; good shooting form.... smooth accuracy....good arrow flight.....a quiet bow..... and a sharp BH.

They don't go into a long dissertation on KE...or a minimum FOC number......

[GCook]

Money.

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[mwosborn]

Its kind of funny really....it seems to me the guys tossing number around for "KE" don't really get it.

 KE is misapplied in archery so much its ridiculous...but I don't want to go there..../grin

Ask a guy that have been hunting and killing stuff for years with a bow and arrow what his numbers are....most don't even know ....or care.

The successful bowhunters I know instead emphasize; good shooting form.... smooth accuracy....good arrow flight.....a quiet bow..... and a sharp BH.

They don't go into a long dissertation on KE...or a minimum FOC number......

Can't argue with good form, smooth accuracy, good arrow flight, quiet bow, and a sharp BH that is for sure.  Could have done without the condescending forward however.  I would guess that a lot of guys hunting and killing stuff for years know how heavy the arrow is they shoot.  The ones I know do, including myself.  As far as KE goes...you can't shoot an arrow without it. 

[beendare]

To be clear....I wasn't trying to be condescending to anyone here.

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers...its probably that "KE" is a pet peeve of mine, alone it doesn't tell you anything.

 Someone tells you,"I'm at 55 KE"...that doesn't tell anyone anything about their setup. 

[Fletcher]

Arrow flight trumps everything else when it comes to total arrow performance, including penetration.  I'd recommend paper tuning both setups to confirm that they are both flying perfectly straight.  Personally, I generally shoot arrows on the heavy side like your 635's, but either will be very much up to the task.

[mwosborn]

No ruffled feathers.  Agree with what you say.  Lot's of factors involved in a good hunting arrow set up.  I think the original questions has been answered by most as both of those set ups will get the job done.  Good hunting!

[Pmringer]

I agree.  In retrospect I should have made the subject speed vs. weight since that is what I was curious about from a personal opinion standpoint.  Regardless there was good information brought to the table.

I think this thread has run it's course and can be closed.

[Terry Green]

Decent Speed with plenty of momentum.

And Cory...thanks, I've been posting about this for a month now...thanks for your help getting the message out.