Who hunts with arrows less than 500 grains?

[Knawbone]

I shoot 48 to 52 lbs and usually shoot cedar shafts around 450 grn, 26 1/2 bop with 125 g. BH for my 25 1/2 in draw. This is my Deer set up and works fine if you put them in the right spot. Hogs I go to 600 g. Not sure how they work because I haven't shot a hog yet!

[dbd870]

I Draw 29" and I'm using 462gr (1916) arrows for my 45# bow. I've had other trad shooters say they are flying OK but I may go up a size (2016) and that would make them 485gr. I will not being hunting with them until October so while I haven't done it yet I will be.

[swampthing]

Big Hen, 20yds. Shot was in mid. of where wings meet. Cedar arrow Ace 200g BH. 5.5" feathers 575g total. Very low penetration, and lost bird. This year staying with the 125's...

[Bowwild]

My draw length is 26". My arrows range in length, depending upon tune, from 27"-27.5". All my bows, at my draw length are 46-50 pounds in draw weight.

I've only been back to curves in the last four seasons.  The first three years back my arrows weighed (MFX Classics) 414-424 grains. Complete pass throughs on 5 deer.  I hunted with 535 grains this past season and got complete pass-through on another deer. I went to the heavier arrow last season because of plans to moose hunt.

All these deer died within sight except one. The doe this past season made it about 100 yards or so including a 90 degree turn. I didn't see it fall.

[dragonheart]

Any comparison in penetration set-up needed for deer in relation to a hog is not relavant.  Way different critters, hogs are much tougher to penetrate.

[KSdan]

Heavier arrow, more # bow. . .all the better. . .

[dragonheart]

I shot this hog in October 2013.  I was shooting 26.5" draw, Sunset Hill Longbow, 57#, grizzly 150 grain and 75 grain woody weight.  Spruce arrow.  Over a 500 grain arrow for sure.  

I hit the hog right behind the shoulder with just a slight quartering away shot.  I got the heart, so he did not go far.  I got about only about 8" if that, of penetration and the tip curled on the BH when it hit the opposing shoulder.  

 

Here is what you have to go thru.  Layer of fat that gets scarred and becomes a shield.  This is a view from the back of the hog down.  I have grown fond of skinning them by cutting down the back and laying them open to get back straps, shoulders, and the hind quarters.  It takes some punch to get thru that.  

 

I am not saying it cannot be done with a light arrow, if everything is perfect.  I have just never been happy with the penetration from the set-ups I have shot in the past.  I am working to shoot heavier bow and arrow combination now, and hopeful to get a shot soon to see how it does.If it will go thru a pig than other game in my neck of the woods is no issue.

[KSdan]

Originally posted by dragonheart:

I am not saying it cannot be done with a light arrow, if everything is perfect.  I have just never been happy with the penetration from the set-ups I have shot in the past.  I am working to shoot heavier bow and arrow combination now, and hopeful to get a shot soon to see how it does.If it will go thru a pig than other game in my neck of the woods is no issue.

Ditto.  As I posted on heavy bow thread and a broadhead thread- I also am re-thinking this entire discussion even for deer, etc.  I think most of us realize placement is a given.  HOWEVER- fact of the matter- we don't always get the perfect placed shot in real life hunting.  Seeing a 550gr arrow out of a 55# 30" draw recurve getting stopped by a PY deer shoulder blade at 5 yards will make you re-think the weapon's ability. I can only imagine what it takes to consistently kill hogs.

Dan in KS