Arrow's for whitetail and bears oh my...

[Oliverstacy]

I’m not new to archery (25 years) but I have only been shooting traditional for only a short time…started this spring and have just now started getting the hang of it.  I have a few different arrows I have been using and can’t decide what to settle on.

1.)   Beman MFX Classics 500 spine with 125 grain points (460 grains)
2.)   XX78 in 2117 with 145 grain points approx 570 grains
3.)   POC with 125 points for a total of 500 grains.

Arrows 1 and 2 are both 30.5” long and the third is 30.25” and I can group all of them out to 15 yards well (granted this is newbie groups).

Bow is a Martin Savannah 50 @ 28 draw to 29.5” and I have been shooting with a quiver lately.  This has added some weight to the bow but my shooting has improved to I’m going to leave it.  Seem to be much more stable with it on.

Now…I’m mainly going to be hunting whitetails but this year I am planning on taking it bear hunting since I drew a Michigan tag.  I was out the other night shooting the POC’s and the carbons to the exact same spot, even while mixing them in the same shot sequence.  I like the thought of using wood arrows but I just started using the carbons last fall in my compound and have found them to be very tough and they are extremely tough out of my longbow.  I’ve missed a few times and one bounced off a brick and had now damage whatsoever my one miss with the POC ended badly.

Will the carbons be too light for bear or will they be okay…heck will they be too light for deer?  They just seem to fly very well as do my others.  (Granted this is what I see from shooting them and what others have said while watching)  

I’m going to be buying new shafts very soon and was wondering if I stay with carbons should I go to Beman MFX Classics in the 400 spine and add the new brass HIT inserts?  This is assuming I need more weight with my carbons.  

Thanks for the help in advance,

Josh

[Shawn Leonard]

The 2117 would seem overspined for that bow, so either of the other two will be fine. also do not go to the 400s they will be too stiff even if ya shot 225 up front. I would say ya could shoot that 500 you are shooting with 175 grain point weight as well. whitetails and bears are fairly thin skinned and you will not have a problem with pass thrus, keep them under 25 yards and nice quartering away or broadside shots and you willbe good to go!! Best of luck! Shawn

[Shawn Leonard]

I should also say that anything over 8gpp. is fine for most any animal with the possible exception of moose and the really big bears of North America.  stay with the carbons, they are the most cost effective as well!! Shawn

[sou-pawbowhunter]

If the relatively light weight of the carbons is a concern, you might consider weight tubes. I believe 3Rivers has some that will add 8 gpi without changing arrow spine.  That having been said I'm in the process of changing over to woodies just 'cause I like 'em.

[Oliverstacy]

Thanks for the help, I just want everything as good as possible on the equipment side of things since the person holding the bow is very new to traditional.

Shots will be under 20 yards for sure and if possible they will be under 15.  I have shot a lot of arrows and will shoot a tone more.  Even starting to group well at 14 to 16 yards.

I was hoping the carbons would be okay since they are either straight or broken and almost brick proof...although the hook tool is getting some work with my POC's and I'm having fun with them.

Also forgot to memtion the POC are 50-55 spine from 3Rivers.

Josh

[Oliverstacy]

Originally posted by Shawn Leonard:
The 2117 would seem overspined for that bow, so either of the other two will be fine. also do not go to the 400s they will be too stiff even if ya shot 225 up front. I would say ya could shoot that 500 you are shooting with 175 grain point weight as well. whitetails and bears are fairly thin skinned and you will not have a problem with pass thrus, keep them under 25 yards and nice quartering away or broadside shots and you willbe good to go!! Best of luck! Shawn

Is there a point weight that I could use for this arrow that would be enough to weaken the spine for good shooting.  I could use a brass adaptor glued into the arrow with a Woodsman or simular weighted point.

The reason I ask is I got a great deal on the shafts and would like to use them.


Thought about using 2016's.

Josh

[Bill Carlsen]

My wife shot a nice black bear with her 46# recurve and a Beman 500 with a four blade Phantom...arrow weight was 500 grains and it went thru the bear like a hot knife thru butter and it only ran 30 yards. It is pretty hard to beat the pentration offered by skinny carbons.

[Hardhed]

I would stay away from the 400 shafts with your set up.  I also have a savannah, exact same weight, exact same draw, and 400's full length (32") with 195 grains up front are too stiff.  I have 6 dozen too...

[Hardhed]

I should add, they shoot okay fletched, but bareshaft slightly stiff.  I'd feel better with the 500's, as a 32" arrow in the 400 shaft is pretty dang long-

[Shawn Leonard]

The 400s ya would need a lot of weight up front, like 325 grains or so even if ya left them 31"s or so. If ya want a really nice arrow with plenty of weight ya could shoot a Heritage 150  cut to 30.5"s or so and a 100 grain brass insert and 125 grain head for 225 up front, I know they will fly perfect for ya as I shot them from a 51# savannah I owned. That would give ya a completed arrow that ways around 540 grains. Shawn

[Bonebuster]

First off, congrats on getting a bear tag. Make good use of it.

Next, if your pulling a 50 lb @ 28" bow to 29 1/2 inches, then your are getting plenty of push for your carbon arrows. IMO.

Keep your shots where you are comfortable. Closer is better, as you already know.

Twenty five years of experience is on your side.
That quiet, simple, bow will amaze you if you concentrate, and pick a spot to hit.

There are lots of bears "up north", come up and hunt. Best of luck. Remember... PICK A SPOT.

[Oliverstacy]

Originally posted by Bonebuster:
First off, congrats on getting a bear tag. Make good use of it.

Next, if your pulling a 50 lb @ 28" bow to 29 1/2 inches, then your are getting plenty of push for your carbon arrows. IMO.

Keep your shots where you are comfortable. Closer is better, as you already know.

Twenty five years of experience is on your side.
That quiet, simple, bow will amaze you if you concentrate, and pick a spot to hit.

There are lots of bears "up north", come up and hunt. Best of luck. Remember... PICK A SPOT.

"PICK A SPOT"

I just couldn't seem to concentrate tonight and had to call it earlier than I wanted. I really noticed the difference in bow weight from my Bear Grizzly #40 to my #50 Savannah. I had shot that the other night and what a difference in holding weight...never knew 10 lbs was so much.

I plan on making the utmost of my bear hunt, not only is it my first but I'm going with a friend that is a bear nut so I don't want to let him down.

Most shots will be within 15 yards or less since his comfort zone is that distance.

Going to be baiting in a month so I'm getting excited to say the least. My father-in-law owns a bakery so all the sweets we want according to him. Hopefully going to have some very happy bears in the area.  Newberry second hunt!!!

Thanks for all the replies on this one.

Josh

[Oliverstacy]

I think when I get right down to it I feel the most comfortable with my carbons.  They are the lightest of the arrows I have and are penetrating the best.  I will need to get a good point to use, I have some Magnus 4 blade Stingers and I'm planning on trying the 125 gr NAP Hellrazors.

I have a very nice chrono so I'm going to get it out tomorrow and fling an arrow or two and see what I get for speed...I'm aware that is not important but I'm a ballistics nut so I can't resist.

Josh

[Oliverstacy]

Originally posted by Shawn Leonard:
The 400s ya would need a lot of weight up front, like 325 grains or so even if ya left them 31"s or so. If ya want a really nice arrow with plenty of weight ya could shoot a Heritage 150  cut to 30.5"s or so and a 100 grain brass insert and 125 grain head for 225 up front, I know they will fly perfect for ya as I shot them from a 51# savannah I owned. That would give ya a completed arrow that ways around 540 grains. Shawn

man is that a lot of weight up front    

I am considering the Heritage arrows and will see what is out there for a price before I slap some money down.

Josh