More Negley ponderings, re: his arrow speed...

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Bill Negley's "Archer in Africa" is one of my favourite books. He was a heck of a good bloke, and a superb bowhunter (although through modesty he wouldn't admit that).

Anyway, last week as I was learning more about his arrows, I read that his 102# 1950's Kodiak II shot his 1000+grain arrow over 200fps. That seems pretty fast, especially when I recall hearing that heavy bows aren't as efficient as lighter bows (I don't know if that statement is accurate or not).

So, is this for real, or is it a similar case to the black bear in the latest TBM, in which it is possible that estimating weight (in that case) and measuring speed (in this case) back then was not as accurate as it is today?

Penny for your thoughts,

Ben

[Bjorn]

All things get bigger, faster, and more exciting with time, and that really should not take away from the story. What difference does it make that it wasn't 200 fps?
If the Elephant died with an arrow that was traveling at 170(more likely anyway)-does it matter?

[pdk25]

Hi Ben,
 I haven't read that book.  Does it mention what his draw length was by any chance?  Just curious.  I really have no idea, but my gut feelling is that it is a little high.  I just chrono'd my widow, that is around 74-75 pounds at my draw length at 197 fps using 9.0 gpp and a fast flight string.  I'll be interested to hear the responses.  I'd love to be wrong.

[marlon]

Hello Ben about 10 years ago I crono two of my lighter bows one was a 105# longbow @27" and 64" long the arrow weight was 750 grains pulled to 28" it hit. 220 on the crono. The recurve bow was 62" 100# @28 it shot the same arrow 230 feet. The string material 24 strand fast flight. Marlon

[cacciatore]

These are good numbers;anyway since you go up in poundage at that time was difficult find a 10 gfp plus arrow so the speed inrease much more.I see a significant boost in speed as I go up in poundage.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Nah, doesn't matter at all; I just wonder.

[Orion]

Marlon, what do you use for targets, engine blocks?  All I can say is WOW!      

[Hud]

Unless you can find that particular bow and try it under similar circumstances it may be hard to prove or disprove. Bill was a Legend in his own time.

[Mr.Magoo]

I would doubt it.  Sounds like a bit of creative license to me.

[lpcjon2]

What type of material was the string he use.Back then a string that had to hold 105# had to be thick!

[Bob L.]

Do you think the Kodiak II came from the same form other Kodiak II came from. Is it possible to have someone run a Kodiak II with approx 10gpp arrow through a chrono in a higher poundage and see if there getting close to 200fps?

[rainman]

Very plausible, a mediocre bow should shoot it' weight plus 100: ie 50lb bow+ 100= 150fps.  This is with wood bows, at 10gpp.  105lb bow + 100= 205fps. 1000 grain arrow = 10gpp.