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Heavy arrow lessons learned

Arkie said:
I’m shooting the Iron Will S-200, and the reaction to the hit really surprised me.

I would definitely give some other broadheads a try and see what you think, but most everyone I know that shoots higher FOC and a point similar to what I mentioned above have had essentially the same results. Basically no reaction, walks 20-30 yards and falls over.


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I shot a few deer with the Iron Will Solids this year. The only complaint I have for that specific head is the small hole. The blood trails weren’t terrible but not great either, comparable to any small fixed blade.

I also tested out the Iron Will wide cuts. The results were impressive. I only killed 2 or 3 deer with them so my experience is definitely anecdotal but the blood trails were the best I’ve ever seen.

Both heads flew great. I didn’t shoot them past 60 yards though, my total arrow weight was 580 grains at the time.


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I've been shooting FMJs for I think 7 years now and I've yet to bend one that didn't hit something hard that would bend or break any other arrow. Makes me wonder if something is severely out of tune in some people's setups, who knows..
 
The VPA is very well built head for sure. Woodsman heads and Snuffers have both accounted for a number of deer for me with no issues what so ever. "Better" is just so subjective. It's not that "better" cant be defined, it's that there are so many different criteria that could be applied.
 
elk yinzer said:
I've been shooting FMJs for I think 7 years now and I've yet to bend one that didn't hit something hard that would bend or break any other arrow. Makes me wonder if something is severely out of tune in some people's setups, who knows..
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I do all my own bow tuning, and I extremely critical of my tune so I'm very confident that was not an issue with my setup. There is a possibility that since my arrows were under spined that could have been a major factor.

It was interesting how the bow would shoot bullet holes at 10 feet but not at 6. The stiffer arrows shoot bullet holes at all distances and we're not sensitive to broadheads.

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cmgoff said:
I do all my own bow tuning, and I extremely critical of my tune so I'm very confident that was not an issue with my setup. There is a possibility that since my arrows were under spined that could have been a major factor.

It was interesting how the bow would shoot bullet holes at 10 feet but not at 6. The stiffer arrows shoot bullet holes at all distances and we're not sensitive to broadheads.

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A perfect tear at longer distances is common and due to fletching taking over (unless your bare shaft tuning). Even a horrible tear will produce a bullet hole at 20 yards (yes I’ve paper tuned that far). That’s the main reason I don’t sweat an absolutely perfect bullet hole from a paper tune.

It’s a useful tool that can get you close but your arrow is at a different point of oscillation at any given distance.

A weak spine is probably the most common issue for someone struggling with tuning. I’ve never encountered a negative tuning issue from a spine that’s too stiff with a modern compound.


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Gents, what IBO speed are shooting? I’m shooting at 54 lbs and my TAW of 554 gr is at 200 FPS. Should that be a concern? It seems a bit slow. I don’t shoot past 30 yards and mostly around 20 to 25.
 
briand60 said:
Gents, what IBO speed are shooting? I’m shooting at 54 lbs and my TAW of 554 gr is at 200 FPS. Should that be a concern? It seems a bit slow. I don’t shoot past 30 yards and mostly around 20 to 25.
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Speed is relative. Shoot as heavy as you can and still live with the trajectory within your maximum range.
Forget speed, its subjective.
 
This is a great thread. Bump. I’m running 25.25” arrow. 28” dL 62.5lbs. Arrow speed about 240. 585 grain arrow (320 up front). Ethics inserts and outsert. FOC well over 20. Should be a whitetail nightmare. Planning on 4 blade iron will


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Wmihunter said:
This is a great thread. Bump. I’m running 25.25” arrow. 28” dL 62.5lbs. Arrow speed about 240. 585 grain arrow (320 up front). Ethics inserts and outsert. FOC well over 20. Should be a whitetail nightmare. Planning on 4 blade iron will


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Guaranteed "whitetail nightmare" .... just need to put them on taget.

I was super impressed with my 20+ FOC build. The first arrows I have shot where every broadhead flys like a field point.
 
Wmihunter said:
This is a great thread. Bump. I’m running 25.25” arrow. 28” dL 62.5lbs. Arrow speed about 240. 585 grain arrow (320 up front). Ethics inserts and outsert. FOC well over 20. Should be a whitetail nightmare. Planning on 4 blade iron will


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25.25” arrow and a 28” DL? How is that possible? I hadn’t shot compounds in a while so I don’t know about the new rest out there. Do you have an over draw or is this on a crossbow?
 
swampsnyper said:
25.25” arrow and a 28” DL? How is that possible? I hadn’t shot compounds in a while so I don’t know about the new rest out there. Do you have an over draw or is this on a crossbow?
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With the full cutout shelves and full capture arrow rests, many people pull the arrow almost up to the arrow rest. Draw length on a compound is measured as throat of grip to throat of nock plus 1.75" (weird).
 
I just finished my heavy arrow build for the upcoming season and I have to admit I am very pleased with results.
Easton Axis 5mm 300 Spine
30" carbon to carbon
125 grain Ethics Adjustable Outsert System Stainless Steel
125 grain Iron Will S Series
3 Bohning Blazer vanes with 3 degree Helix
5" arrow wrap
stock X nock
620 grain arrow weight
16.77% FOC
60# Bear Legion 29.5" draw
221 FPS

I bare shaft paper tuned at 6 feet with the full range of insert weights from 185 - 95 grains and 125 was the magic number. No confirmed kills yet but I'm impressed with the groupings out to 30 yards.
 
Your numbers sound spot on for your build.
I have done the efoc thing for years with my recurves and it works but 19 % + - 2% is a sweet spot.
I always shot heavier arrows than most.
Everyone was shooting 2117s and I ran 2216s and 2219s.
I didn't know the math behind it, just thought it was a good idea.
Eventually I moved on to 371s acc.
Shot three deer with the same shaft and retired it.
I remember shooting a deer with one of my stout aluminums and it came out the other side like a banana curve.
Love the weight but they just don't hold up.
 
What’s your thoughts on a 505 grain 260 fps arrow for longer 30-40 yard shots vs a heavier 580 grain arrow running around 240fps


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Wmihunter said:
What’s your thoughts on a 505 grain 260 fps arrow for longer 30-40 yard shots vs a heavier 580 grain arrow running around 240fps


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If you are sighted in and can range the critter 20 fps will not make much of difference as far as an animal jumping the string or your trajectory.
 
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