125 and 175... shooting close to the same.

[USN_Sam1385]

Well, I have a half a dozen Golt Tip 55/75's at 29 1/2" with 4 inch feathers, and field points.

3 of the FP's are 125 grain.
The other 3 are 175 grain.

When I first started shooting them it seemed as though the 175 grain points were grouping much better than the 125. Then it seemed like the 125 were grouping slightly better.

Now... It seems like they are all grouping within about a 6-8 inch group.

 This is making it much more difficult for me to decide whether my arrow prefers a 125 or 175, or whether it even matters... I know it does, but it seems like any difference is negligible.

I imagine that as MY form is getting better, and I am getting to be a better shot the groups are tightening. However, I figured that my arrows would show a significant difference with the 125 or 175.

Thoughts? Advice? Similar experience? keep shooting both and see how it plays out?

   :confused:

[Bjorn]

Pull the feathers off and back up to 25 Yards; you will likely start seeing differences.

thats what i was gonna say. you might need a 150 grn.

[tippit]

That weight shouldn't make much difference at 20 yards.  Beyond that you will start seeing the heavier point falling off.  I normally shoot 225 grains but for bear hunting I go up to 300+ gr.  They are comparable out to 20 yards...Doc

[USN_Sam1385]

So if I don't plan on EVER taking shots past 25 yards with my longbow, which I don't, then the difference is negligible at best? In that case, it seems that the heavier head would be more devastating to the vitals of the deer.. I might give 150 a shot, as the selection of broadheads as that range is much larger than at 175, and abut the same as 125.

Was eye balling the Zwickey 2 blades at 170 gr., but also like the Woodsman @ 125 or 150 gr.

Btw, I really won't take shots past that distance with the longbow. I won't even shoot past about 35 yards with my compound, and prefer deer at 25 yards.

[DannyBows]

Better minds than mine will be along, but grouping is not the only thing to consider. Are the arrows hitting straight? If they are not Porpoising, or Fishtailing in flight, then Nock orientation will tell you how they are flying. Nock right or Nock left.
If I was you, I wouldn't worry about perfection at this point. I assume you won't be hunting anything for awhile, so perfect arrow flight isn't critical, as long as they aren't flying all over the place of course. Your bow may be very spine tolerant and 50 grains isn't critical, and your form may very likley be inconsistent. Don't overwhelm yourself with details until you're confident your form is correct and consistent. For example, if your anchor is not consistent, say you draw 27" one time, them 26 or 28 the next, it changes the entire draw weight you're pulling. They could show weak one shot, then stiff the next. A good form excercise is to get close to the target so you can't miss it, and close your eyes while drawing, anchor, and release. It's amazing how you are aware of all the details of shooting, when you aren't distracted by your arrow, or where you are hitting the target. I like to shoot in the dark sometimes. I have a tendency to want to flick my eyes back and forth from the target and the tip of the arrow. If I release when I'm looking at the arrow tip, I of course hit way to the right. By shooting in the dark, with a flaslight directed to a spot on the target, my total concentration is on the spot since I can't see the arrow. It feels odd at first, but it focuses the eye and mind.

[USN_Sam1385]

Good advice Dan.

Kind of what I was thinking. I will stick with what I have right now and just focus on my form.

I plan on hunting with my longbow this fall. That gives me almost a full year of practice before deer season. I live on 3.5 acres, so it is nothing to walk into my backyard each day and shoot.

I keep my practice sessions short, around 20 minutes, and try to focus on my form and each little thing that I am doing with every shot.

I am no newbie to hunting whitetails, just to this particular tool. Thanks again for all the help so far. This site is great.

[DannyBows]

Wish I had 3.5 acres to play in right out my back door, I envy you. Sounds like you have a good practice routine. You'll be more than ready by next season, and you'll have a lot more fun taking that longbow for walks this fall than the wheels.

[Shedrock]

Popular Mechanics or Tradgang?

Hard question to answer.

[Jim Jackson]

Dannybows is right on:  It isn't 125 or 175 that matters.  Its about feeling confident with your form and equipment.  There is no magic bullet with trad archery, just lots of practice.