Beman ICS 300

[Soilarch]

What the heck, I'm tired of running all over the internet...perhaps someone here can help.

*Predator Bow, 62#@28


*I believe these are cut at center and I have velcro as the side plate (so +1/8")


*I draw 29"


*225gr up front WITH 100gr brass insert


*5 gpi weight tubes


I have beman ICS 300s that are still the full 33 inch length.  I also have a few beman ICS 340s. I've spent entirely too long on Stu's Calculator and since I can't find a solid answer on what beman ics actually spine out at it's kinda useless.

On top of that...there's the whole "carbons spine stiff" stuff going around.

Will the 300s work?  I'd like to get the few extra gpi out of the heavier shafts...so much so that I'm likely going to be buying 8gpi tubes here shortly.

[Shawn Leonard]

Wow, they are stiff. I myself shopt them out of a 68# compound cut to 28 or a tad more with 225 up front. Full length with 325 up front out of that bow, I say still stiff. The 340s full length with 325 maybe closer, but not much experience with spines that stiff. I know I started some of this "carbon spine stiff" stuff, but am sticking to my guns, lots of folks shootin arrows that are too stiff, flecthing hides lots of stuff. Try the 340s full length and get rid of the weight tubes you will still be over 600 grains and that will kill a truck, you will get a flat shooter with plenty of punch as well, kind of the best of both worlds. Just a suggestion, what do you hunt that you need more than 10gpp. which with weight tube I am sure you get all of that. Man I shoot 8-9gpp. and unless I was huntin moose, I feel comfortable shooting anything in NA out of my 50-54# bows. Shawn

[Soilarch]

I don't hunt anything bigger than deer...and I agree that #55 is plenty for NA.

However, there's a thread in the Dangerous Game forum where I've laid out a 10-year plan to Africa. Hence the want for heavy arrows as well. (The 14gpp in an old 45# Bear Grizzly I have is down-right seductive...and plenty fast for me.) I'm trying to get this setup around 12gpp.

Moose is floating somewhere on the bucketlist as well, really think I look forward that as much as Africa.

This bow, this setup, this question...is a all a means to an end.

Thanks for the response, kind of confirmed my suspicions.  I've been looking everwhere and noticed that nobody seems to be using anything heavier than 340s

[jhg]

I wouldn't be too sure about them being too stiff. Shooting out of a Howatt Hunter, 30 inch draw and at about 60+#'s, 340's would only let me get them into    the 8.75gpi cut as short as my draw would allow (broad head pulled into my finger)  and they STILL bare shafted weak.

I will be shooting 300's when my next bow arrives.

Joshua

[NBK]

With the help of Shawn and others I realized that my ICS 300's were too stiff for my setup (Dwyer Endeavor 57#@28 drawing close to 29")  Arrows were full length with 300gr.up front and with a little investigation I found that they were hitting the side of the shelf giving me a false weak arrow.  Dropped down to 400's and they're flying much better.  FYI.

[Bonebuster]

I, just like Soilarch, shoot a Predator recurve.

Mine weighs 73lbs @ 29 1/2".

I have a dozen ICS 300`s I shoot from this bow that fly perfectly. They are cut at 31 1/2", with a 50 grain brass insert. Five inch shields. I also have weight tubes in them, with the addition of some automotive silicone squeezed into the point end of the weight tubes. I can`t remember how much silicone I added, but total weight with these arrows is just about 750 grains, with a 175 grain tip.

They fly like carbons, sound like wood, and hit like a freight train.

They ARE stiff for sure, but Predators tend to need a much stiffer shaft than otherwise required. (I think the weight tubes were 8 GPI)

You might want to try removing a weight tube and filling in the last three or four inches of it with some silicone. Squeeze the container slowly with the spout cut to fit inside the weight tube. You can watch the silicone fill in the tube. Keep your grain scale handy and keep weighing it until you have the weight where you want it. Let it dry, re-insert it, and see how it flys.

[Friend]

There are several different manufacturers that have the 'Predator' name. Please confirm your shelf plate position.

My 51# @ 28 set-up with 1/8" past center shelf is as follows:

 Victory HV 350… 6.7 gpi-29.5” arrow~400 up front ~ 615 gn-total - ~32.0% FOC

Often receive comments on the visibly hi arrow speed. The speed is not exceptional, but an illusion since the arrow flight is so true.

[jhg]

...with a little investigation I found that they were hitting the side of the shelf giving me a false weak arrow. ... [/QB]

Interesting. I may have to consider that possibility before ordering a dozen 300's. Thanks for that explanation.

Joshua

[Shawn Leonard]

That extra #age helps a real lot that is why the 300s fly for you. Soilarch why not go to a super heavy head. With a 100 grain insert and a 100 BH adapter and a 225 grain field point that would give ya 425 and I am sure their are heavier heads to be had or made by smeltin some lead or adding lead shot. I am pretty sure you could get them to fly. Also what about stuffing a carbon in an aluminum arrow or shooting the new piledriver shafts. Stuff out their that way 14gpi available now. Shawn

[Soilarch]

My "predator" is a Pittsley Predator made in 1992.  I have no clue how to measure and confirm, I'll just have to call Ron since "eyeballing" it down to 1/16" just isn't happening with my eyes.

I thought long and hard about double shafting but since I still consider myself new...and money is definitely limited I figured tubes @ $1.00 a piece were both simpler and much cheaper.  

At this point I'm going to just fold my hand so to speak and start experimenting.  It's only April after all!  

Thanks

[ishoot4thrills]

Ron cuts his Predators' shelf to 3/16" past center.

[Friend]

I would be surprised that 400 up front would be too stiff.

Note: In my experience, Stu's calc is very close for me up to 21% Foc arrows. At 25% EFOC, the calc is no where close and at 32% Ultra-EFOC, the calc is ~30#s off.

[Shawn Leonard]

Soilarch, shot with a guy today, Drewsbow from this websie. He shot .500 spine full length out of a 42# LB I believe an 1/8" from center with get this 525 grains up front and an arrow that was 800 plus grains total and they flew perfect. Stu's calculator gets guys close, but as I have said in other post, carbons are a different animal. Shawn

[Soilarch]

You've been a great help Shawn, and everyone...geez at nearly 20gpp I wonder if you can't feel the "launch" of the arrow!!!??? haha.  The 3/16" past center moves things up to where I'll likely try the 33" 300s.  

Worst case scenario is I spend a lot of time and frustration only to end up putting a dozen crested full-length Beman 300s on the classifieds.

Did you shoot the LB @ 20gpp? I do know that my little 45# Bear shoots 14gpp absolutely beautifully. (May not be a perfect tune, but the sight, feel and sound are amazing.)

Thanks guys.

[artifaker1]

I shoot those exact arrows a lot. 300 Beaman ICS hunters. I used them in fairly light bows that are around 51 to 53lbs at my draw. No weight tubes I hate those things, but 100gn brass insert with either 200 225 250 or 300gn points to tune the arrow. I have 225gn in them right now.
When I go to heavier bows I get into 100lb+ GTs with more weight up front. To be specific;  64 inch 60lb PLII longbow shot at 64lbs or so, a full length 100lb+ with a 100gn brass insert and a 250gn point or broad head.
I use full length 340s in even lighter bows, it is almost a target arrow for me. I also have arrows that are cut down but never below 31"s. usually 31 1/4 to 1/2 and I use these as a half step between the arrow sizes. I can usually get something tuned for about any bow without cutting anything.
I would get rid of the weight tubes and put any extra weight up front and go to a heavier arrow (in spine). I am able to bare shaft a lot of these set ups at 45 yards and more.