Total arrow weight.....what's your min. for whitetails?

[threeunder]

I have this imaginary line that I can't bring myself to cross when it comes to total arrow weight for whitetails.
It is 500 gr.  I have nothing to back that up.  No scientific data...LOL.  But under 500 is a deal breaker for me.
Anyone else have such an imaginary line they won't cross?

[The Whittler]

For me it's no less then 8gr of arrow weight and a very straight/true fling arrow with a BH. Oh and it stands to reason being a good shot.

[mcgroundstalker]

Felt the same way for years, and still do... A heavy arrow, 500 grains plus is quiet and accurate within my comfort zone...

... mike ...

[RC]

We are in the same boat. For no reason at all I don`t feel good shooting less than 500 grains no matter the pounds. RC

[Possumjon]

500 gains is about my minimum as well, preferably more but heavy tips seem to help penetration to

[drewsbow]

at least 600 for me

[AZ_Longbow]

10 grains per pound, is my preferred weight for most everything.

[jt85]

Right around 500 for me as well.

[Keith Zimmerman]

I like a min of 9gpp.

I don't have an imaginary number, but I really don't like being under 10gpp. For me, that keeps the total arrow weight just over 500gr. Idk what I will do if I have to go down in weight at some point in my life!

Bisch

[CoachBGriff]

I haven't killed enough whitetails yet (with trad gear) to form too many opinions, but I trust most of what I come across on here, and 9-10 gpp seems to be a pretty consistent suggestion,

so in my mind, I have a hard time justifying anything lower than that.

[Possum Head]

I'm at 580 now and don"t want to go below 540(9gpp) with this bow but if I hunt with my old curve 475 is good for me. Keep it close with sharp edges and let her rip!

[Fletcher]

500 is about my minimum, too, even if I have to drop weight.  A few years ago my bow shoulder rotator cuff went nuts on me and I had to drop to the upper 30's for a pig hunt.  I carried a Great Northern field bow pulling about 37 lb at my 26" draw and fir arrows with 200 gr Grizzly Kodiaks and 225 Tuffheads.  Arrow weights were around 520 to 550.  I didn't get the chance to shoot any pigs, but had confidence that my gear would work.

[Friend]

Don't know what my hunting arrow weights were in the 70's. Am aware that my comfort zone has merely been established by harvest with the lowest arrrow weight, since actual weighing arrows, as having been approximately 525 grains.

[threeunder]

I understand the desire to staynatba certain gpp.  My question is total arrow weight though.

All my bows are much more quiet at 10 gpp or above.  But there is a lot of difference in a 420 gr arrow and a 540 gr arrow.

[monterey]

The GPP thing does not work for me.  I'm down to a 44# hunting bow (actually I'm up to 44#, since a shoulder problem had me down to 37# for a while).  My deer hunting is mulies, but they aren't that different from whitetails.

My hunting arrows are at 650 to 675 regardless of the bow weight.  They tend to drop pretty quick, but that's just something to adapt to as well as I can.

[dbd870]

Don't have an exact number but I like to be in the high 400's 475-500 range.

[KentuckyTJ]

Mine is 500 as well, simply because of my 10 grains per inch self inflicted minimum also. All my bows are right at 50 pounds at my draw. I've found over the years that 10 gpi from my bows is the minimum I can go and still get mostly pass through and at least an exit hole on most of my shots on our whitetail.

[Michael Arnette]

I'd say my minimum for whitetail would be more like 450ish I've helped drag several deer out that were take with 40-45#and similar set ups...I might add that I've pulled some bloody arrows out of the dirt with that set up too  

[FlintNSteel]

I like heavy arrows even with lighter weight bows.  Mid 500's to over 600.  I shot aluminum for many years and 2219's were my all-time favorite shaft.  With 60ish # bows shot through most all deer.  One year I decided to go light weight and shot 2312's.  While I did kill four deer that year with those lightweights, not one single arrow passed through...and I like two holes.

I am currently shooting 625 grain douglas fir arrows from 46#.  Just started this lighter weight bow setup, so can't say what the penetration will be on a mature Northern Whitetail buck, but my guess is it will be sufficient. Limiting myself to about 25 yards.