would you hunt with 458 grn @160+fps

[cedar swampman]

All I can tell you is I can drive a 453 grn FMJ through targets and into a broadhead target that it is nearly impossible to get out so that is my comparison ( with modern gear). When an arrow goes into a bag target and nearly falls out I would call that poor-it isn't going to magically  going to pick up steam and blow through an animal.

[cedar swampman]

I am shooting a Warfed Proline with some Hoyt limbs drawing in the 40's and a Bigfoot Flatliner probably mid to low 40's at my draw. I tried Beman ICS .500 hunters 29" long with 100grn insert with 125 grn head and Easton Legacy 1916's 29" with 125 grn head. In reality I am only drawing 26" and need more poundage to get any performance.

[cedar swampman]

I want to make it clear my comments were not meant to disparage Kirks bows-I just got one mismatched for me(by my own wrong draw measurement). He is a craftsman and has tried to help me a lot. Moderators can delete this thread if they choose. Thanks to all for the advise.

[BuckeyeGuy]

Cedar, question bud but what type of broad head are you shooting into your target to compare it to your other gear?  Secondly, are you able to handle more poundage and still be accurate?  You could always trade a bow on classifieds to go up in poundage (if you can maintain accuracy) and work on a heavier arrow.  

The rest of the gang knows your equipment will work from prior experience but if you lack the confidence currently that could make for a bad situation!   Good luck, Mike

[cedar swampman]

I am retiring my trad gear and moving on. Adds too much stress in my life that I don't want or need. You guys enjoy and I enjoyed the forum. Later

[MnFn]

I guess you have made up your mind already.  But check out Little Big Man's 400 lb black bear.  He shot it with a 43 lb bow, and shot through it.  The story is in the highlights from 2013 or so, entitled  "Manitoba  Beast".

[Nativestranger]

Check out Pete Ward's review of the 46" 41# Stalker recurve. Even considering it's draw weight this bow is pretty low performance with only 159 fps @ 8.6 gpp. But it brought down a moose.

[Orion]

Cedar:  Not everyone is cut out to shoot a stick bow, and I'm not a missionary.  Good luck in your future endeavors.

I find it interesting that a thread that started with a predetermined conclusion could garner so much support.  I was going to post how many deer I shot with bows that were light poundage to heavy poundage with penetration included, but on rereading the original post, I realized I would only be preaching to the choir.  For those who don't know, it is fun to shoot light bows that zip out a lighter arrow and it makes it difficult to justify that shoulder ripping 90 pounder while you are dragging out your wife's deer that was shot with a 40 pounder.  If that would have happened once, I could have passed it off as luck, but after all of these years and an increasing number of tags filled every year, I had to admit that I was working my butt off for nothing.  Saxton Pope stated that it seemed that quick clean and accurate arrow flight was better than raw power.  Numbers debates rarely have all that much to do with real hunting.

[Pheonixarcher]

After reading the entire thread, like Pavan above, I debated even posting. But for others with a similar question, who might read this thread; it would do your conscience good to view this link.
   http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=112539#000000  

Also, this is a pic of a page out of the Tradional Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1
   

I hope that you can enlarge it enough to read it.

If you run Howard's numbers (450g@145fps=21.01 KE)
Your set up at 458g@160fps=26.04 KE. Just saying.

And remember, people have been killing things for thousands of years with much less than what we shoot today! Even most self bows now out perform those of a hundred years ago because of the knowledge that is now available to the bowyer.

[cedar swampman]

I want to thanks all the input from you guys and want to reassure everyone I still love trad and will be hunting with confidence with my new Flatliner. After a long correspondence with Kirk I am on my way to tuning some arrows to perfection and getting ready. I have to eat some humble pie as I was having a couple of bad days not pertaining to archery that got me a little testy. I know this setup will kill deer all day long as I used less in the past to do so. I am not going anywhere and really enjoyed looking at all the 40 lb kills!!! Thanks again!

[MR BILL SHORTY]

       

[alligatordond]

54@24 here. shot a 500 grain cedar arrow though an elk a few years ago not to mention dozens of deer. Penetration in foam is as you say minimal. Barring hitting a shoulder blade, I'll have entry and exit wounds on deer if not a full stick in the ground pass thru. Worry more about shot placement.