Simmons Treeshark/Centaur BattleAx Question

[96ssportsp]

For those of you shooting the big two blades on large game, I have a question.
I am having a bow built that will be approx. 65 lbs at my draw length. Will I have any penetration issues on Elk sized game, assuming a 650-700 grain arrow? Also assuming a sharp bh. Please.....field experience opinions.

Thanks, Scott.

[TxAg]

My guess is you'll penetrate the tree behind the elk after it sails through

[Alexander Traditional]

Heck no you shouldn't have any problems. I'm shooting a 45@28,but I'm pulling a little more. I shot a hog and a deer and had no penetration problems.

[Rob W.]

I have shot 55# -63# bows with Treesharks and 600-650gr. arrows the last couple years.

I have been more than impressed with the results. I shot completely through the femur of one really jumpy deer that turned inside out on the shot. On well placed shots it takes me awhile to find my arrow on the other side(I ground hunt).

I wouldn't hesitate to use your setup on elk.

[old_goat2]

You have a very ample setup! But just devil's advocate or voice of debate here. I don't have any experience to say they won't work, but I hang out with and shoot with people that eat drink and sleep elk,  here in elk country all the time and I don't know of anybody that shoots heads like that on elk. I used them on turkey this year and was very impressed with the penetration I got from a very low efficiency bow but I would be more than hesitant to try them on elk. Just my two cents which is worth just about that much!

[96ssportsp]

Originally posted by old_goat2:
You have a very ample setup! But just devil's advocate or voice of debate here. I don't have any experience to say they won't work, but I hang out with and shoot with people that eat drink and sleep elk,  here in elk country all the time and I don't know of anybody that shoots heads like that on elk. I used them on turkey this year and was very impressed with the penetration I got from a very low efficiency bow but I would be more than hesitant to try them on elk. Just my two cents which is worth just about that much!

Thanks for the input....that is exactly why I was hoping that someone that has used the big heads on elk will chime in. Looking for the voice of experience. I do not want to have a failure. Thanks all, Scott.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Well...I use them for elk. I draw 68lbs @ 32" so I have a very efficient setup, and my arrows are ~740 grains (350 up front). I did not get a pass through on the bull I shot last fall, but the broadhead pretty much T-boned the elbow joint on the off side. I don't have any concerns about penetration with the TreeSharks at a reasonable stickbow hunting range.

[Kris]

 

I've only killed a 1 1/2 year old WI 9 pointer with a Centaur Big Game head, LW single bevel, on a  Surewood Doug fir shaft (approx. 575 gr.) shot through a 54#@28" R/D longbow. There was an entrance and exit hole but not so convincingly with the exit.  The arrow did not pass out of the deer but broke after 20yards as it ran off.  The hit was low in the sternum as well, so  not much width there to pass though anyway.  I never have found the BH even though I've been to the site a couple of times to look for it.

Good question for elk though.  Guys do it for sure and you can search for their results.  I believe in your setup and would think it to work well.  I'd focus on the arrows and arrow flight.  I would use carbons (if you shoot them) and get your "weight forward" up there (25% or >). I believe your arrow weight to be good...right in there!  

Post your results when you shoot your bull this fall!

Best of luck!

Kris

[96ssportsp]

Originally posted by Trumpkin the Dwarf:
Well...I use them for elk. I draw 68lbs @ 32" so I have a very efficient setup, and my arrows are ~740 grains (350 up front). I did not get a pass through on the bull I shot last fall, but the broadhead pretty much T-boned the elbow joint on the off side. I don't have any concerns about penetration with the TreeSharks at a reasonable stickbow hunting range.

My set-up will be "very" close to yours. 64 in 55@28 drawn to 32, just have not got the bow yet to see where it will tune yet. I am assuming min 650 gr, possibly even as much as 800 grs. All depends on how it shoots. Probably will shoot GT 5575 or 7595 with inserts and/or weights behind insert to get bow quiet & tuned. Sounds like you got good penetration....did the arrow break/shatter the off shoulder? Thanks to all, Scott.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

I use GT 7595's...using 100 grain brass inserts, they should get you in the ballpark if your bow is cut within 1/8th of center.

 

Originally posted by 96ssportsp:
Sounds like you got good penetration....did the arrow break/shatter the off shoulder? Thanks to all, Scott.

The arrow didn't shatter the bone, but it cut through two ribs each side of the heart/lungs and may have glanced off the elbow to shoulder bone on the entrance side. Which is to say that it spent a lot of energy before reaching the opposite shoulder. As I said, it hit the offside joint, where there is a lot of cartilage to soften the impact.

[ChuckC]

My opinion. . .  elk are big strong critters with lots more meat and bone than any deer.  I have heard of 40 pound bows getting pass throughs and 60 pound bows not getting enough penetration.  Each and every shot is different in many ways.  I personally wouldn't chance it.  There are many good heads on the market you can chose from.  These are great heads, but I wouldn't use them on elk.
ChuckC

[DaveT1963]

I would not hesitate to use any of the simmons broadheads on elk.

[lt-m-grow]

I have shot a bear, some deer, and some turkeys with the battle axe...love them and will continue to use them for a long time.  

Having said that, I would not shoot the battle axe at an elk, nor will I on the moose hunt next year.  For those hunts I will be using the centaur big game head.

Elk are a lot tougher than deer and the battle axe has a big path to cut.  Too big IMO for elk.

YMMV but  I shoot 60+ lbs bows w/ 540 grain arrows.