Woodie vs carbon penetration when hunting

[Learner]

Questions for those who have hunted with both wood and carbon arrows:

I've just started shooting 11/32 wood shafts.  I shoot into a Block Vault target.

I love them, but they feel like telephone poles compared to my GT Traditional carbons. They are noticeably thicker than the carbons.

Also, since they are lacquered wood, they are not as "slick" as carbon.

This got me to thinking: when hunting, will you get as deep a penetration with woodies as with carbons?  And will you get as many complete pass throughs?

And do you use specific finishes or treatments on wood arrows to maximize slickness?

Thank you,
Frank

[two4hooking]

Don't sweat it.  Your 45# bow and cedar arrows have killed everything in north America including moose long before skinny carbon ever came out.  Make sure your arrows fly straight, use a quality 2 blade head and go hunt.  Hit them in the cage and you will be looking for your arrow on the other side of the animal.  

Unless you plan to hunt dangerous African game.

[Pat B]

2x

[JohnV]

I disagree.  I never got good penetration using 23/64" wood shafts.  I shot them with black diamond delta heads out of bows 60-65 draw weight.  Almost never got a pass through.  I now use carbons with single bevel broadheads and a high performance 55# hybrid longbow.  I get complete pass throughs on most animals.  Wood arrows are wider diameter and generate a lot more friction passing through an object, both factors impede penetration.

[kevsuperg]

I've had pass throughs with 11/32 POC and a 145 zwickeys 2 blade from a 46# bow and I've had pass throughs with carbon and 250+ up front from a 50# bow . And vice versa.
 It all boils down to shot placement and a sharp sharp sharp broadhead .
 Animals supply thier own lubricant.

[Longtoke]

You can get tapered woodies if you are worried about shaft drag. Wood arrows will get the job done.

[Orion]

I hunted with wood for nearly50 years with no problems.  Pass throughs are a function of where you hit the critter.  A hit on the offside leg often prevents a total pass through.

I now tend to hunt with front loaded skinny carbons, particularly for bigger critters like elk.  They do penetrate better (at least as much because of the front loading as the shaft diameter) but on deer size critters, it really makes no difference.

[fnshtr]

Wood will get the job done. I wouldn't sweat it. JMO

[crazynate]

I've gotten more pass thrus with carbon but I've killed just as many with wood. I like wood arrows. If they fly straight and you have a sharp head you did you part. I wouldn't worry about penetration. They will witk

[Mark R]

Pair a good woody with a proper broadhead and it will work great on any thing a carbon will. Targets are much denser than animals and penetration is different.

[Mint]

Carbons will out penetrate wood for the simple fact that the arrow retains more energy with carbons.

If you look at the high speed camera footage of the shot the carbon will recover much quicker from paradox with much less oscillation than wood and then when the arrow hits the target the carbon will have much less vibration/oscillation than the wood thereby putting more energy into penetrating.

[Ulysseys]

All things being equal carbons will penetrate better but not to the point that I'd be concerned with, plus when it comes to hunting when are all things ever equal?  Shoot the woodies and don't lose sleep.

[huskyarcher]

I have never bought into the whole "drag" thing in regards to penetration on animals. I have also never bought into the skinny arrow penetrating better (on animals) With that broad head opening up the hide and whatever is behind it i just cant see how shaft drag (in an animal) is a thing. Just my personal opinion.  

What is an absolute fact though is that with that setup if you can put your arrows where it counts it will do the job every single time, on most common game like deer and turkeys.

[Nook]

What Mint said X2...

[Mark R]

Riddle me this, if both wood, carbon, and aluminium pass the through an animal which one penetrated better.

Well tuned is the key! That, and scary sharp broadheads and the ability to put the arrow in the correct spot.

Bisch

[Wheels2]

You are cutting a path through a mostly fluid deer.  Carbons do straighten out quicker (recover form paradox) than woods but both are straight by the time they reach the deer.
In all likelihood the woods weigh more so will add momentum

[Russ Clagett]

A tuned wood arrow will pass thru a deer so quick you'll think you missed....

Until you see blood everywhere and that wooden arrow sticking in the ground...

[Roy from Pa]

I refuse to hunt with carbon arrows. In my opinion wood arrows are more traditional..

 

[ESP]

Unless you are shooting 350+ lb pigs, bison or mud caked bull elk.  Don't think about it. Just make sure the arrow has a real sharp point and flys straight.   Go hunt and be happy.