Draw weight and penetration

[Margly]

Hi!
I was reading some of the topics regarding draw weight in different states in the US and started to wonder about the penetration, when you shoot a hog or maybe a whitetail with a 40# bow.
i know that you have take to consideration arrow weight etc. but what is the experience?
what is the "normal" penetration with a 40# bow with a arrow around ca 600Grains. Or is that a to heavy weight for getting the right flight and speed of the arrow?  What is the normal distance for shooting etc.
Is there a difference if u should hunt African game with the same setup? If so is it then because of the skin? Or is it because they are so alert that they would "stringjump" easier?
Reason i`m asking is tht I`m going to SA in August and planning to use my BW pma 50@28 but want to take my 46# longbow as a second bow. But i`m conserned that the 46# would be to light for the hunting. By the way i`m using Gold tips with silverflames with a totalweight  of 560 and cedars with a total weight of 610 grains with the same silverflames.
Margly

[FeelTheHunt]

i have recently returned from africa this past week, experienced many things, and i would Not recommend using less than 50# on an animal, i took eight animals with matthews 70lb dxt and it did the job, but anything less would have been a reeal challenge, and if you are going to take it, i recommend doing alot of 3D practive before you go, and make good shots!!

I just got back from SA 10 days ago. I killed a 675# 54" Kudu bull, a nice Impala, and a warthog with my Sarrels longbow (50#@28" and I draw anout 28.5"). I shot a warthog with my 50#@28" Sarrels recurve and I killed another warthog (the best of the three) with my Arvin Weaver selfbow which is 45#@28". This warthog was about 13yds and I got an entrance and exit hole. That 46# bow will work if you put the arrow in the right place.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I was using Gold Tip 55/75's with Silverflame  and Silverflame XL broadheads. I would reccommend the 1 1/8" Silverflames for the bigger animals for better penetration. My arrow weight is 516gr.

Bisch

PS - How did you get the Silverflames on a wodden arrow?

[Michael Arnette]

I have a good freind who has hunted elk for the last 40 or so years with self bows drawing around 45lbs at his draw of 26-27". Get an efficient 2 blade broadhead. He shoots a 550 gr. arrow.

[nightowl1]

46#, well tuned setup, good placement = dead whatever

[Margly]

Thanks!
I`ll try to shoot the 46# between a chrono and calculate the fp-lb and then take the decision if i`m going to hunt with it in Africa.
I have tested heavier bows but feel that my aiming is much better with less pounds to draw and then of course my accuracy is better.
Margly

[SteveB]

Accuracy and confidence will trump added power that decreases either.

Steve

[James Wrenn]

I can't tell you what works on African game.I can say 46lbs is my heavy bow.Normally it is about 44lbs at my draw length.I often hunt with bows from 40 to 46 for just deer and hogs.Never had one bit of trouble with either from the lighter of the bows or from all wood bows in the 45lb range.I normally shoot large 2" wide broadheads and 12 grains arrow weight from the 40lb bows and they shoot through deer and hogs just like the heavier one does.With a smaller broadhead like a stos I would hunt anything anywhere with 46lbs without a second thought because I would be the one picking the shots I take. jmho