Light poundage bow w/heavy arrows

[RaybowTx]

I've shot with many shooters that ain't got no buisines shooting past 15 yards. And the ones that can are very few at best.  And I only know one. And it ain't me.  

 And yes heavy arrows are good for inside of 20 yards.  What in the h@@@ is wrong with shooting less than 20 yards?  I just don't understand the mind set of fellers shooting 48# bows with a 400 grain arrow at game 35 yards away.  I'm sorry but the compound speed freek impression has infected stick shooters and its not the same comparison.

Yall above that shoot light bows with heavy arrows have my vote.  Yall are doing whats responsible and most of all are taking the high road in ethics and woodsmanship.  

What JimB said;  "I wouldn't be afraid to hunt with these 709 gr arrows in the 48# bow"..  this is what its all about.  Heavy arrows are the talk of those like Monty Browning that kill and do it responsibly.  Is Monty stupid and just wants to see if he can win the 'slowest bow in camp' award?  Or is there a reason through experiance that justify that practice?

Ray.........

[Pinecone]

47# Firefly TD longbow with 565 grain arrows. The bow is quiet, arrow flight is great, and penetration is exceptional.

Claudia

[SteveB]

Actually Ray the shooting logs at spitting distances to be responsible mantra is fairly recent for most. Prior to compounds, most hunting bows where more in the 50 and under range with properly spined alum or cedar arrows that would be in the 500 and under gr range. Great numbers of bowhunters prepped for hunting by shooting field archery and where very comfortable at 35 yds.

Steve

[RaybowTx]

SteveB...
 
Us 'spitting log' shooters should take heed to the target shooters of those days when hunting was not even legal in most places?

And whats wrong with 'spitting distance' if thats what it takes to ethically an responsibly take an animal?  I am not ashamed to say that I am a 'spitting distance' shooter when I'm in the woods.  Hey when the foam is there I'm pretty salty.

Ray............

[George D. Stout]

Ray....Monty hunts Cape Buffalo with the same arrows he hunts deer...his choice, but that doesn't make someone elses choice wrong.  Monty also shoot bows in excess of 85 pounds.

I would hate to have someone think I was using unsatisfactory equipment that has worked for me for five decades.  C'mon guys, archery and bowhunting has been around awhile, and the equipment has been extremely effective.

I will challenge any of you to prove to me that your heavy arrows with lighter weight bows, are better than my 480 grain arrows on my 45 pound Shakespeare.  I've used setups like this since 1965, and more often than not have pass through shots, with only two in that amount of time that didn't get full penetration.  One was a bad shot in the hip, the other straight down from a tree stand.

Most here are arguing with only paper figures to back their claims,  but few have really investigated the point of diminishing returns in regard to arrow weight versus bow weight.  Now I can forgive that easily enough, but for someone to chastise that I'm maybe not be serious, or that I am shooting less than adequate equipment for the job, is a little left of proper in my opinion.  And, to profess what really constitutes a light arrow, is really conjecture as well.  Frankly I don't want anyone shooting a 480 grain arrow, at 175 or more feet per second, at the door of my Silverado with me inside.

Everyone needs to take a breath and look at what they are claiming....all of it is guesstimates based on mathematical equations.  I won't tell anyone that their heavy bows and heavy arrows aren't effective...they are, as long as they are hitting where they are aimed.  But it boggles my mind that someone will state here that equipment that has worked well before they were born, is now somehow unethical or inadequate.  B.S.

[SteveB]

And whats wrong with 'spitting distance' if thats what it takes to ethically an responsibly take an animal?  

Nothing at all Ray - if it works for you.
Like George says though, it does not trump or become more "ethical" then what works and has for some time for lots of others. No right or wrong for either as long as it gives the desired results reliably.

Steve

[RaybowTx]

My point is ......ummm....a  Silverado door?  um....  I'm still thinking.

Ray..........

[Ben Maher]

i don't shoot under 50lb but my heavy arrows out of my "just on 50#" at 27" are great. i pick the arrow for the game though. if its thin skinned Fallow deer and goats' etc i'd drop back to 9/10gns per pound.

[Gordon martiniuk]

George . open your mind  it is common  sence that heavy arrows will make the most of the energy of light weight Bows, you are right that 10 gr lb is right on track . 12gr lb and up is a bit better But why not try to shoot as much weight as you can handle  instead of getting defencive about 45 lb draw weight it your choice what weight you shoot read Shinkens post he has the facts right on mabe some of you light weight people should come clean on how many animals are shot and not recovered because of too light a set up  

[Mo. Huntin]

WOW!

[elkbreath]

I only shoot 70#, with a  lightweight 740 grs.  thats only 10.5gpp....less than georges measly 10.666 gpp

I used to shoot 82 with a 940gr arrow, a whoppin 11.4

got a pass through on a deer with 47# and a 750 gr stick, though I never shot that bow again (at game), I like heavier weights.  that being said, reading this thread;


some folks just want to be either

A.  Insulted  
or
B. Insulting

there are others though who realize that paradigms, no matter where they are viewed from, are fundamentally flawed by virtue of limited vision.  expanding your field of view by seeing someone else's is our only option for finding firmer ground.
 Live and let live, and let those slow arrows sail

[Boom Stick]

Elkbreath,

My math might be off,  but is that 47# setup right at 16 gpp?

[Boom Stick]

[longarrow]

I shoot @48 lbs at 27" with 4 bladed "Z"'s and a 600 gr arrow I've thru every deer the past 5 years! Am going to try the new single bevil BH this time...it's hard to improve on what has been workin' for me.

[doug77]

1959 60" Kodiak 48# 590 grain arrow first year hunting with it but it shoots great and hit's hard.

doug77

[George D. Stout]

Gordon, I don't know you well enough to challenge your intent or truthfulness, but it sound's like you are challenging mine.  We can only discuss such matters personally my friend, perhaps over a cup of camp coffee and a stump shoot.  But I can confidently say that my mind is open, and I have "come clean" about any misgivings you may have about what I have used effectively since starting bowhunting in 1965.  

[ron w]

George, your lawyers can can contact my lawyers at their office ; Dowe, Cheatem, and How....

[JimB]

It's all about choices guys.this would be an awfully boring sport if there were only one bow maker,one bow model,one bow weight,one arrow type,one broadhead and we all shot the same,like robots.

I recently got all 3 Masters of the Bare Bow DVD's.I don't know how many amazing archers are on all 3 but it stood out that they all had different bows,arrows and form.They used different aiming techniques,different grips and had different ways of releasing,etc.,etc.,etc.And you know what? They all make it work.

I like hearing about and seeing other's setups and I don't get rattled if someone uses a different setup than me.And I'm not concerned if somebody doesn't like mine.I promise you,there are compound shooters who think I'm incredibly stupid for shooting a traditional bow.Too bad.I love the things and will continue to shoot them.

I'd like to see the day come when we,at least within our ranks,could accept each others choices and not get too wound up about how many bevels on his broadheads or what # number is written on his bow.

We are all individuals and that's how it should be.Any adult who has done this for a few years is fully capable of figuring out what works or doesn't.9 to 10 grains per pound was never a light arrow and no matter how much some experiment with heavier arrows,9 to 10 grains won't become light.

[jacobsladder]

shoot what arrows youre most confident with.... We dont have to explain to each other what is better or worse as far as arrow weight...... but we do owe the game we pursue a well placed, well tuned, sharp broadhead, shot at a distance that the hunter is capable of making. 5 yards is better than 10, 10 is better than 20..and so on...... Don't take a shot you "think" you might be able to make. If you "think" you can make the shot....You're not close enough...

[bear1336]

Like George I am from the OLD SCHOOL this is my 52nd bow season I have only owned 1 bow over 50#. I have hunted with bows in the 45# range with 485 gr arrows for all those years with good super sharp broadheads and by picking my shot and picking my spot 20 yards and under with no problems what so ever.... Everyone should hunt with what equipment they feel will do THEM the best job and just enjoy your hunting experience..