Elk Rig

[Hoosier_hunter157]

Scheduled to hunt CO elk this September and I'm curious as to some of your thoughts on bow/arrow weight. I hunt with a Bear Grizzly 50 @28 but my draw is 27. My Whitetail setup is Traditional Only 400's with 175 sharks up front. Arrow weight is around 490 grains. Two questions, (1) is a 47lb bow capable of killing an elk (yes I know arrow weight, broadheads and placement are key) and (2) if my bow will work what do I need to get my arrow weight and head weight up to?

[GCook]

.

[bucknut]

your set up should be fine, but I would use a different broadhead to better your penetration.

[Hoosier_hunter157]

What are you thinking? Single bevel?

[Gdpolk]

I’d use that exact setup except I’d put a head that was closer to the 1:3 ratio on it such as a Grizzly or similar only because they are a bigger animal than a deer.

[Orion]

I'd add about 50 grains to the front of the arrow. What you have will work.  I just think a little heavier arrow will work a little better.   

[TIM B]

If ya wanna stay w simmons you could switch to tigersharks as they are much more narrow than the 2 1/16 width of the treesharks- and they typically w fly the same.  And you could add aquarium tubing to add weight - or what I found to be better is the oxygen lines from the hospital if you have access to this.
Tim B

[BWallace10327]

Just add weight to the front?  I don't think an arrow that is flying weak and poorly tuned is a great option, assuming the original posters arrows are flying nicely. I'd take a nice flying arrow that weight less than something that was flying good until I changed something about it. The bow is great, I'd go ahead and start building some new arrows entirely.  Maybe some aluminum 2117s or CE Heritage 250s.  Those would up the weight. 

[Hoosier_hunter157]

I'm adding a new string and a clicker this winter. The plan was to build some new arrows after both of those changes have been made. I'd like to be over 500 grains. Im also not married to the Simmons because I struggle getting scary sharp consistently.

[Friend]

Would be personally comfortable with your setup if the total arrow weight was increased 50 grains.

Have found over the past years  that the Simmon's Sharks consistently deliver and have no issue getting them scary sharp in a short time. Plan to be utilizing the Swamp Shark this next deer and elk season.

[the rifleman]

You are just over 10gpp with your current arrows. I don't believe I would worry about increasing arrow weight.  Not sure how far you normally practice, but your shots on elk could be a little longer.  A heavy arrow will certainly have more variance in trajectory.  10gpp is by no means "light".  If your arrows are well tuned and your broadheads are sharp, you should be just fine.  Rick Barbee did some interesting testing on penetration and found somewhere around 9gpp to perform the best within his tests.  At some point when you add weight you reach a point of diminishing returns---but many factors to consider including bow performance...

[wapitishooter]

I was listening to a podcast awhile back about the the man who was 1st to complete the grandslam with a recurve. According to his setup he took all 29 species in north America with a 54lb bow and arrow weight of 450 grain. I think that says it all. Never understood the super heavy arrow thinking. Ive personaly always shot around 425 out of my 52 lb bows. almost always got complete pass thru of course all I hunt is whitetail.

[Hoosier_hunter157]

Great information everyone I appreciate it. I feel much more comfortable in my setup now. I do think I need to fine tune my arrow flight just a little bit. I typically practice in that 10-25 range which is my preferred hunting range also.

[Basinboy]

I’ve killed an elk with a 47# Longbow at my 26” draw with a 534gr arrow and a Magnus stinger 2 blade. 150gr head with a 100gr brass insert on Goldtip 3555(500’s)  I think your setup is fine as long as like you already stated, you can put it where it needs to be.....
Good luck to ya!

[PistolPete]

All of these questions have been answered before, thoroughly, by Ashby. You can kill an elk with just about anything, but if you want to increase your odds, then shoot a durable arrow, that is perfectly tuned, front-heavy, with a narrow single bevel, that weighs 650+. Your bow is perfectly fine (unless you need an excuse to buy a new one!)

Now, your current arrows can be tweaked to fly well with more point weight, by experimenting with different length footing. Adjust the footing length to allow you to add more weight up front -- longer footing will make the shaft act stiffer to make up for more front weight. This is far superior to internal weight tubes/line.

I can tell you that I have two regrettable occasions where I have shot elk with a longbow and arrows/broadheads that did not meet the above guidelines. I will not make that mistake again.

Pete

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I’d use that exact setup except I’d put a head that was closer to the 1:3 ratio on it such as a Grizzly or similar only because they are a bigger animal than a deer.

Ditto I  have close to the same draw weight but my arrows are 534gr also went from a Zwickey delta to a Grizzly single bevel 155gr head.

[Matt Quick]

Something to keep in mind about the superslam comment. Eichler may shoot 54 lbs but his draw length is like 31”. There is a HUGE difference between 47@27 and 54@31. I think 55# is a minimum for serious big game bowhunting with a normal draw length. Sure guys get it done with less every year but I think year in and year out a 55-65# bow gives a guy a little more room for error. How many times have you shot an animal that you thought was broadside but was actually slightly quartering toward you?  Animals move during the shot etc.
Either way good luck!

[DXH]

I'm a single bevel believer. Made a 35 yard complete pass through shot on a caribou.
On hogs at 20 yards I would get penetration to opposite side.
I havent adjusted weight for various species. I've kinda found what my bow likes to shoot, and what I tuned it with and rolled with it. Been very happy with the results...I think alot is sub conscious. I know my arrows will land and group how they're supposed to if I do my part

[J-dog]

I think like DXH, I mean not so much single bevels though I use them but most of it is sub concious? stick with what you know and you know how they shoot, you have kills with your setup, adds up to confidence? then why change? a good flying 500 grain arrow with a sharp head is tough on any animal! seriously cant help with the elk but every time I think about changing or try new things I always end up with my same old setup I have used for ages? I just know it.

Best of luck! thats gonna be a great hunt!

J

[pavan]

I knew a young fellow that had shot a number of elk with cedar arrows, a 51@26" ASL and Zwicky Eskimo heads.  He showed me pictures of exit and entrance wounds, blood trails and dead bulls and a cow elk.  I changed my kids's and wife's heads to Eskimos.  When an arrow that i use that requires a 125 grain head, i also use the Eskimos.  They work.
However, he in the mean time changed to Hunter's Heads.  They work too. 
It is easy to over think equipment, get what ever you are using to fly perfect, the big variable is always the human.  Like the area hunter that could not reach full draw with his heavy recurve, but blamed the Zwicky Delta for not getting enough penetration in the shoulder of an elk that he hit.