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Reusable broadheads and arrow grains

I shoot the XT they are 28" at 8.9 grains per inch which comes out to 249.9 degrees plus a hunter grain head brings me to 349.9 plus fetching and nock and insert and my arrow weighs 397 grains. I shoot 55 pounds at 28" draw length . My set up has taken many deer with no problems I think you should be ok as long as they fly good and you're not too front heavy. I always liked a heavier arrow.
But what the research shows is that is too lite. If the facts point to a higher percentage of kills, and it quiets the bow noise down, plus decreases the likely hood of any issues of penetration. That coupled with his facts on shot placement, would be a net benefit for everyone involved, except for the dead deer, for him not so much. I wonder what the Ranch Fairy's thoughts are on increased weight and trajectories? Like for shooting antelope on the plains type of ranges. I think for deer and the like, it's information I will use on my next arrow build, and going forward in my own hunting (kill) philosophy. If it's better for the animal I'm all for it, and I'll take the leeway that heavier arrows provide.
 
I'm with you @Kurt, I haven't heard one legitimate reason NOT to go with a heavier high foc arrow. It seems like a no brainer to make a change which affords you many benefits while not having any drawbacks other than a small investment in time and money.
 
i think the majority of the problem i had with the lack of penetration on the deer I had this year, was my choice of mechanical broadhead,I would have been better served with a sharp cut on impact broadhead. Weight would help too I think
 

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But what the research shows is that is too lite. If the facts point to a higher percentage of kills, and it quiets the bow noise down, plus decreases the likely hood of any issues of penetration. That coupled with his facts on shot placement, would be a net benefit for everyone involved, except for the dead deer, for him not so much. I wonder what the Ranch Fairy's thoughts are on increased weight and trajectories? Like for shooting antelope on the plains type of ranges. I think for deer and the like, it's information I will use on my next arrow build, and going forward in my own hunting (kill) philosophy. If it's better for the animal I'm all for it, and I'll take the leeway that heavier arrows provide.
 
Instead of using arrow inserts, could I just go with like a 300grain broadhead and accomplish the same goal?

That would add 300grains to the 232grain of the arrow and bring my weight up to 530grains and add all the weight FOC.

If not what would be the best way to accomplish adding that much weight to my arrows, as an insert are generally 50 to 100 grain each
I think it's a total weight that is best shared between the broad head and the insert. Get away from aluminum and look at brass and stainless steel. Iron Will has steel HIT inserts from 25 to 100 gr. and impact collars of titanium and and stainless steel in 10gr and 25gr respectively. Increase FoC and build in added integrity. I like to think of it as throwing a razor sharp sledge hammer.
 
I did throw one of my arrows on a kitchen scale and the arrow with 100 grain broadhead was 25 grams, which comes to 385 grains, i'm getting a field tip test kit for christmas ,and i can figure out what weight flies true. I figured I can mess around with weight from there. If I even went to a 175 grain broadhead that would increase my arrow to 460 grains, which is a pretty solid arrow, paired with a good cut on impact head I think ill be pleased with the improved results.
 
I was surprised at how little my arrow dropped when adding significant weight to it. I’ve been shooting a 536 gr arrow, and have recently been experimenting with heavier arrows. The heaviest I’ve tested so far was 660 gr (250 gr broadhead) and only dropped 2” at 20 yards (73 lb Hoyt Defiant). I’m sure the drop will be more at 30+ yards, but I setup my trees for sub-25 yard shots.

I also tested out those same 250 gr Cutthroat single bevel heads on some deer shoulders I got from my butcher. It blew through the scapula with little to no change in penetration through the first block and well into the second block. Two of the shots hit the elbow joint, fracturing the bone and still penetrating well into the first block. I realize there are other factors that effect penetration on a live animal (my plan is to test on a doe during late PA season) but this has given me confidence that my arrow can penetrate anything in the front end of a deer.
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Highly recommend pushing the envelope on front loading your arrows, at least on the range before ruling anything out.
 
I'm liking the 200gr set up numbers for deer. I was wondering more about longer ranges at unknown distances(range estimation). I use a range finder even at the short distances I shoot. Not for every shot but I shoot the trees around me so I have a good idea where my 20yd and 25yd ring extends to. I usually keep my pin set to 20yds., since most shots are under 20.
 
I’m about to change my entire setup for my 50th birthday present to myself. I have shot the same bow (Mathews LX), arrow and 100 grain broad heads for the last 17 years.
I’m going to drop down to 60# bow and go heavy on the arrows.

The only hesitation I have about a fixed/single bevel head is that I notoriously suck at sharpening pointy things. My thought on using mechanicals has always been that if the blades are razor sharp and folded up until deployed, they will be sharp as they go through the animal. I bought some VPAs a few years ago, but I can’t seem to get them razor sharp and I imagine every time I take them out of my quiver and put them back in, I am increasing the chance of making them even duller. I did have good luck with Slick Tricks for several years, but I was spending a lot to change the blades pretty often.
Any ideas for a head that can be sharpened by someone like myself who lacks the mountain man gene?
 
The montec and solid 3 blade that same basic shape is dumby proof as far as sharpening goes. Place flat side in stone and push point first. Count your stroke and do the same on other 2 sides. Strop and lube the threads and screw them on and ready
 
The montec and solid 3 blade that same basic shape is dumby proof as far as sharpening goes. Place flat side in stone and push point first. Count your stroke and do the same on other 2 sides. Strop and lube the threads and screw them on and ready

Yeah, the VPA was supposed to be the same deal and I can’t get them shaving sharp. I still think they are sharp enough to hunt, but just not scary sharp.
Thanks, I’ll check out the Montecs.

***EDIT***
I just watched a Montec sharpening video. I was doing it wrong. Wow. Dummy proof needs to lower the bar in my case.
 
A thought or 2....
Pay attention to your Carbon Express shafts. They are number differently as far as spine. CE 250’s are 400 spine.....
Jay, yes, you could buy 300 grain heads and accomplish the same results, but it will probably be cheaper to use a 100-200 grain insert and make up the difference with the broadhead.
And lastly, the RF says that 350 spine arrows will tune beautifully with heavy field points, but fail miserably when you add wings up front. Go with 300 or 250 spine. And remember that CE arrows are numbered differently!!!!
 
A thought or 2....
Pay attention to your Carbon Express shafts. They are number differently as far as spine. CE 250’s are 400 spine.....
Jay, yes, you could buy 300 grain heads and accomplish the same results, but it will probably be cheaper to use a 100-200 grain insert and make up the difference with the broadhead.
And lastly, the RF says that 350 spine arrows will tune beautifully with heavy field points, but fail miserably when you add wings up front. Go with 300 or 250 spine. And remember that CE arrows are numbered differently!!!!
after messing around with different things on my bow, like adding my ezv sight to my bow, ive decided at least for the time being im going to go with a 125grain cut on contact broadhead, i weighed out my arrows with the 100grain field tips and the broadheads and they were right around 25g. which equated to 385grains. so if i bump up one notch to 125 grains and shoot a cut on contact tip, at least for now that would be a place to start. That would put my arrows in at 410grains, which should be more efficient with a coc head.
 
I’d still add a weighted insert. What shaft did you go with?
haven't got to mess around with it too much yet either, the local pro shop doesn't sell inserts so i have to order them online and figure it out myself, or find a pro shop a bit farther away that does, just kinda been a back burner thing for now
 
For my arrow set up I’m shooting gold tip hunter 400’s, arrow wraps, tac driver vanes, 100 grain brass inserts, and 100 grain Montec CS’s. Total arrow weight is about 463 grains and I have no problem with pass through’s on whitetail. I’m also shooting 63lbs.
 
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