2018 to Gold Tip Question

[Rick Rachow]

Hi,

I am currently shooting a martin mamba that pulls 62 lbs at my draw length (65# @28).  My arrows are 28" and 2018s with normal inserts and 125 grain heads fly good.  

I would like to switch over to a gold tip expedition hunter for some increased durability but would like to bump up the finished weight close to 600 grains.  

What size gold tip would you get and what kind of point weight/brass inserts and/or weight tubes would you go with.  

What has worked for you other guys?  

Thanks,

Rick

[Curveman]

My bow (Border recurve)is 61#@28.5 and shoots 2018's well. I switched to GT's and shoot 55/75, 29" with 175 gr field points with I believe 30gr weights added just to the tips. Finished weight is 545 grains. They fly like darts! For hunting I use 145gr Wensel Woodman's-with the insert (30gr), glue etc. they fly just like my field tips. I hope this is at least a useful reference point.

[McDave]

My experience is similar to Curveman's.  I shoot a 60# BW, and 5575 GT's cut to 29".  The GT's have a 145 grain point and additional 50 grain weight in the front, and a 20 grain weight in the back.  Overall arrow weight is about 540 grains.  You should easily be able to boost that up to 600 grains by adding weights to the front and back.  If you start with my setup, I would suggest adding another 40 grains to the front and another 20 grains to the back, to bring you up to 600 grains.  Of course, this will probably need to be further refined through bare shaft tuning.  Generally, adding equal weight to the front and back seems to stiffen the shaft, so if you want to keep the spine the same you need to add more weight to the front than to the rear.

I also hunt with Wensel Woodsmans, but use the 150 grain screw in broadheads.  I figure by the time I sharpen them and chisel the points, I'm probably down pretty close to 145 grains.  Anyway, they seem to fly well.

[Rick Rachow]

Thanks for the info guys.  

How do you add the weights to front and back?  I've seen the brass inserts that replace the factory gold tip ones.  

Have any of you tried the 3R weight tubes to add overally weight?  

thanks

Rick

[Bishop]

Black Widow has all of the weights and inserts. There is an adapter for the back. The nock goes in one end and weights in the other. Widow has it also.