Low 40s GPP

[DJ Hardy]

You guys have that hunt with low 40# bows what GPP arrows are you shooting.

I have some that are 10 and some that are 12.5 and they both tune real well out to 25yds.

Thanks

With that light of a draw weight (if for hunting), I would go with the 12.5gpp arrows. The heavier arrows will yield better penetration.

If you are just target shooting, then go with the 10gpp arrows. The lighter arrows will have a flatter trajectory on the longer targets.

Oh, yeah, and welcome to the Gang!!!

Bisch

[Chris Iversen]

My GT Traditional 400's weigh in at 469 grains cut to 31 inches with 125 grain points, standard inserts, 5 inch shield cut feathers and 7" vinyl wraps.

I draw my bow to 45#, so that gives me a gpp of 10.4 and they fly great. I haven't hunted with them yet. Thinking about going with a 175 or 200 grain broadhead to increase FOC and penetration, though. Going to pick up some field points in those weights this week and give them a try. If I don't like the flight, I will probably stick with a 125 grain broadhead, and then add some cord inside to increase gpp without affecting spine.

[McDave]

You have to be at pretty close ranges to hunt with 10 or 12.5 gpp arrows.  I had a Texas pig broadside at 20 yards looking away from me last year when I shot a 10 gpp arrow out of my 45# bow.  The arrow went exactly where I wanted it to go, only the pig wasn't there anymore when the arrow got there.  Well, at least the part of the pig I wanted to hit wasn't there.  He had spun around 180* after I released the arrow, and the arrow hit his rump rather than his lungs.  He disappeared into the bushes, and in a few minutes I could see him running across the road about 70 yards away with the arrow waving out of his rump.  I tracked him from there and eventually found my broken off arrow.  About 6-8" had broken off inside the pig, judging from the part of the shaft I recovered, so there was plenty of penetration.  Eventually the blood trail gave out and I never did recover the pig.  I think if I go back pig hunting in Texas this year, I'll shoot 9 gpp arrows and hope for better shot placement.

[DJ Hardy]

Bow is 42# at my 28" draw. The years have taken taken its toll
so it's a lower weight or a compound or xbow.

Never. Shot a xbow and haven't shot a compound since the mid 80s.

Thanks for the reply.
Dwight

[Bluefeather]

I've been experimenting with  2 different arrows shot from a 45# recurve, one is 12.2 gpp and the other is 14 gpp. They both shoot good so as long as I stay within 20-25 yard I wouldn't hesitate to shoot either one.

I shoot about 11.5gpp off my 50# bows. I don't have blazing speed, but I shoot pigs and deer all the time with no problems. I can't remember the last time I shot at a live critter at 20yds though! Most everything I shoot is 15yds or less.

You just have to set up for close, then actually wait for them to get close before you shoot.

Bisch

[the rifleman]

Went from 13 gpp recently to 10 gpp in my 42 pound Whip-- what a difference in trajectory!  I am playing w some in 8 gpp right now.  400 ish gr arrow w very sharp 2 blade is all you need for whitetail.  If you limit hunting shots to 17 or so yds weight might not be a factor, but beyond I've found gaps excessive w overly heavy arrows and at some point 25 for me they drop like rocks.  After years of shooting 13 gpp I saw instant improvement in my shootin at 20-40yds!  Lighter gives you more forgiving gaps.

[DJ Hardy]

Rifleman how do you like the Whip?
I'm shooting a 56" Pika and love it.
The grip fits me like it was custom built for me.
Accurate,forgiving and fast enough.
What's not to like.

[KevinK]

This is good information. My wife wants to deer hunt traditional this fall. She only has a 25" draw so I will be setting her up with a 50# bow to get her in the 41-44# range at her DL. With her short draw length we can get a short arrow with a heavy front. Coincidentally I got a new turkey bow which is 44# at my DL of 28.5. I get aggressive with the spine (2013's) and had to add weight to the front to get it to tune. I'm just under 500 grains so above 11GPP. It's slow but I got used to it and it is very quiet. I'll take quiet over speed any day with a bow. But it makes one heck of a noise when I hit the bag target, no problems with penetration.

[Friend]

Primarily, all of my multiple setups are close range. The solid shot opportunities increase dramatically as your setup skills advance.

Have extreme confidence in well designed arrows above 525 gns for 40# plus bows. Both Trad guys I guided on their first successful deer harvest this past season were shooting 39# and 42#s respectively at 26" and 25" draws. Complete pass thru's and short recoveries with VPA 250 gn two blades.

While my own hunting setups are at significantly higher draw wt., I have only taken one shot over 18 yards and that was on a 500# animal.

Just a personal experience reflection and perspective --the quarry we pursue is a priceless treasured gift and testing the lower limits is not part of the agenda.

[Friend]

[Terry Johnston]

I shot 3 deer this fall, one a 200 lb buck. They were all shot with 43# at my 26" draw. About 9gpp , no issues at all with one being a complete pass through.

[Bamboozle]

I shoot 13 gpp from my #44 @ 30 BW. I get two holes in critters. My ranges are short on critters...under 20 for sure. Same as when I shot a heavy bow. With the light bow / heavy arrow combo, when I get to 30 yards on targets the trajectory is rather rainbow like. I shoot tapered carbons. Very happy with the lighter bow and it's performance. Shot heavy for years but due to injury, just can't.

[KevinK]

What are you shooting Terry? And what is your arrow setup? My wife draws to 25" and I am looking for something that will be more efficient at that DL.

[Cody Greenwood]

I took a couple large body Iowa Whitetail last season 42lbs shooting about 11 gpp.  I had 2 pass through shots.

Tuned arrows with Grizzly BHs

[forestdweller]

I personally shoot a little over 10gpp holding about 42# on the fingers but have noticed even when shooting a 30# bow with the same exact arrows (420 or so grains) the trajectory is almost exactly the same within 25 yards between the 30# bow and the 45# bow.

Beyond 25 yards and the difference in trajectory will start to show itself slowly the further you go out.

If I was hunting something big boned and planned on keeping my shots within 25 yards I'd go with 13gpp since the change in trajectory will be nearly non existent within 25 yards.

[Yooper-traveler]

I have a 42 lb whip at 27".  My woodies weigh in at 585 and my carbons 10-15 grains less.  I might play with lighter arrows once the snow melts.  Quite honestly I hunt deer at 16-21 yards, so I'm fine with it.  My 41-42 lb bear TD likes 500 ish grain arrows.

[the rifleman]

DJ,  I love my Whips  my orig was 50 lbs and Dan took it down to 43 and 58".   My go to is 62" 42 with HS limbs.  Both were built for me so fit is perfect.  With everything I've ever done-- rifle, pistol, etc I've always looked for something better.  Not so in archery-- the Toelkes are the best in my opinion.  Great bows!

[the rifleman]

Just happened upon this post and based upon results this season i wanted to report that i have had less than stellar penetration on whitetail with arrows in the low 400 s.  I am back to using beman mfxs with 200 grs up front for close to 500 grains total.  I like the grizzly single bevel heads and limit my shots to less than 20 yards.  I have found no trajectory issues at this close range.  I will save lighter arrows for 3d.