Should I be concerned with this?

[Dave Bowers]

Disclaimer: Still new to traditional      

It was a slow night in the shop last night so I figured I'd do a little testing.
I wanted to see exactly what sorta KE my bow was producing with my current set up. My arrows are coming in at 513gr total using a 125 gr tip. My bow is shooting them at 160 fps. I ran my figures through a KE calculator and only came up with 29lbs of KE?
This concerned me a little bit because I thought the KE would be a touch higher? Now I know that a stickbow is not gonna produce the amount of KE I am used to getting ie from my wheelies. But is the amount my recurve is producing an adequate amount for killing larger game like deer?
And could some possibly recommend some tips/tricks for some better performance?

Thanks

[James Wrenn]

No problems at all with deer and hog sized critters.I seldom am shooting that much with lighter bows or selfbows and have no trouble with big broadheads.

[Whip]

You don't say what weight you are pulling your bow to at your draw length. Bumping up the weight of your arrows would be the easiest way to increase energy.  513gr is a bit on the low side for most set ups.  Beyond that, make sure your arrows are tuned for perfect flight, use a good cut on contact broadhead.

[Dave Bowers]

Thanks fellas...
I am shooting 50lbs@ 28.5 inches with 2018 XX75 . Whip you think 513 is a bit low in weight? I have some heavier arrow I made up...719 total. They seemed to only shoot 27lbs of KE?
Granted the 2018s are shooting darn good in my opinion, so I am thinking I will stay with them right now?

[joe ashton]

you are good to go.  think sharp and pick a spot.

[Apex Predator]

KE don't mean a thing.  It don't equate to penetration.  Your set up is fine.

[Dave Bowers]

Originally posted by Apex Predator:
KE don't mean a thing.  It don't equate to penetration.  Your set up is fine.

Thanks..so all the the hype with KE on bows doesn't really mean too much?

[bro-n-arrow]

Arrow placement is more important than all the above!

[Stringdancer]

Your setup will blow through deer like a hot knife through butter.  I don't concern myself with KE, and doubt it was thought about in the fifties and sixties.  

I shoot a 475 grain arrow (total weight) from 45-48# longbows, and have, and never had any trouble getting through a deer.  I would have no problem using your setup for Bear........

[Soilarch]

KE means something...but so does momentum, which is rarely talked about.

And then you've got things that can negate both of those, like arrow flight/tune  broadhead sharpness, broadhead design etc etc.

It all adds up to an equation that's basically impossible to put numbers into.


Having said that, there are a lot of deer and bigger critters taken every year with 50# or less.


In short, no...KE doesn't mean TOO much. lol

[b.glass]

What bro-n-arrow said!! X 10!!

[Dave Bowers]

Originally posted by bro-n-arrow:
Arrow placement is more important than all the above!

That being said...which I totally agree with. Would a 50lb set like mine have a issues with say a hit into the shoulder area or shoulder blade for that matter?

I appreciate all the info fellas; you all put my mind at ease with my set up.

[wingnut]

your setup is what most of the guys here are shooting.  Different bows and different arrows and different Broadheads.  But 50# and 10 gpp is a real common setup.

Get the heads as sharp as possible and place the shot well.  They will kill surprisingly well.

I had the same problem years ago going from 82 ft# of KE to 30.  Not a problem I killed a nice 5pt bull elk with that setup and he was down fast.

Mike

[Gray Buffalo]

I sometimes feel some of you are trying to make shooting a bow as difficult as brain surgery.  Tune the bow to the arrow, get good flight, forget about KE and the other stuff and go hunting

[leftybearfan]

Originally posted by Dave Bowers:
 

Originally posted by bro-n-arrow:
Arrow placement is more important than all the above!

That being said...which I totally agree with. Would a 50lb set like mine have a issues with say a hit into the shoulder area or shoulder blade for that matter?

I appreciate all the info fellas; you all put my mind at ease with my set up. [/b]

I would think you have issues with a hit into the shoulder with just about any setup. I've hit deer in the shoulder with a compound and 80# of KE and not gotten good results.

[Apex Predator]

What leftybearfan said about the shoulder.

[EASTERNARCHER]

If your focus is on whether or not you can bust thru bone and scapula, then your mind isn't correctly focused on proper shot placement.
Yes, stuff happens and a poor shot can result at times, but......

[EASTERNARCHER]

If your focus is on whether or not you can bust thru bone and scapula, then your mind isn't correctly focused on proper shot placement.
Yes, stuff happens and a poor shot can result at times, but......

OOPS, DBL post....LOL

[Dave Bowers]

Originally posted by leftybearfan:
 

Originally posted by Dave Bowers:
 

Originally posted by bro-n-arrow:
Arrow placement is more important than all the above!

That being said...which I totally agree with. Would a 50lb set like mine have a issues with say a hit into the shoulder area or shoulder blade for that matter?

I appreciate all the info fellas; you all put my mind at ease with my set up. [/b]

I would think you have issues with a hit into the shoulder with just about any setup. I've hit deer in the shoulder with a compound and 80# of KE and not gotten good results. [/b]

That's a good point and to set things straight this question was meant to be more for "what if" that's all and for my personal knowledge.
I totally agree shot placement is what is all about; I have already kill alot of critters.

Just trying to learn and  understand traditional archery the best i can.

Thanks again for everyone's input; its much appreciated.