Bow set up for elk?

scrape · Feb 1, 2007

What draw weight, arrow, broadhead set up does everyone prefer for elk? Right now I shoot an Archery Research bow set at 72 lbs. with a 400 grain arrow and a 125 gr muzzy 3 blade for deer. I used to shoot a lighter arrow, but I have had much better blood trails and shorter tracking jobs since switching to a heavier arrow. I believe this would be a good set up for elk, but I no experience to base that assumption.

ismith · Feb 1, 2007

I shoot a hoyt trykon set at 65lbs with a 440 grain arrow. I have yet to shoot an elk with it, but I did shoot a Pronghorn with it last year at around 50 yards and he ran about 50 yards and piled up. I was using 125 grain slick trick broadheads. Hopefully they will fix there supply issues so I can use them again this year!
ismith

BOHNTR · Feb 1, 2007

Your current set-up is more than ample for elk...I shoot 62 pounds with a 415 grain arrow & Wac'em heads. Complete pass-thrus have been the norm.

BOHNTR )))---------->

Crunchy · Feb 1, 2007

I know that is plenty. I shot one this past year 69lb 430 grain arrow, complete pass through. But that was at 7 yards.

scrape · Feb 1, 2007

I thought that it would be plenty. I shot a russian boar pushing 300 lbs at 30 yds with that set up and he went less than 50 yds farther before dropping like a rock. I guess it doesn't matter what your shooting if your shot placement is not good, I'm sure we all learned that lesson the hard way.

Lien2 · Feb 2, 2007

Yep. Your set up is more than adequate for elk. Now it's up to you, but the arrow in the boiler room!!!

Lien2

Muleyslyr · Feb 2, 2007

Absolutely that'll work. Gotta hit em' where it counts though. I'm shootin' the Outback, set at 65 lbs. with my arrow weighing 422 grain. I shoot 100 gr. Slick Tricks. Good luck.

thecrittergitter · Feb 2, 2007

That will work fine. Best thing to always analyze is the Kinetic Energy. Just guessing that with your setup, you are in the 67-70 ft-lbs of energy area. I shoot 72 ft-lbs in mine and the last 3 bulls I shot was more than adequate. I shot a big bull a few years back with my recurve that I buried to the fletching and I was only shooting 45 ft-lbs of energy. Shot placement is also a huge factor.
I personnaly like heavier arrows, mine are 475.
Again, your set up is more than capable, its what you do with it from there

scrape · Feb 2, 2007

What about broadheads? I shoot 125 gr 3 blade muzzys, which are devastating, but may handicap me a bit on longer shots that may present themselves. How does everyone feel about mechanicals or smaller fixed blades?

muttman · Feb 3, 2007

I'VE TAKEN 3 ELK IN THE PAST YEARS W/ 100 GRAIN 3 BLADE MUZZYS
LONGEST SHOT WAS 58 YDS. CLOSEST 18 YDS.
I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM W/ LONGER SHOTS W/ MUZZYS
MY ARROWS WEIGH ABOUT 394 GRAINS.

JUST MY 2 PENNYS

the MUTTMAN

scrape · Feb 3, 2007

That's good to know Muttman, because although mechanicals fly good I have had less than stellar blood trails with some of the ones I have used. Being a whitetail treestand hunter I have never had to take a shot over 30 yards and I have never had a problem hitting the mark with Muzzy 3 blades. I need to start practicing with them at much farther distances.

257Tony · Feb 3, 2007

120 lb. longbow with 800 grain homemade arrows and hand chipped flint arrowheads, I do it the hard way, the Barta way......

Somebody didn't like bouncing betty

a3dhunter · Feb 3, 2007

bowtech Tribute 70 lbs 29" draw
406 grain arrow at 286 fps
Will either use 125 gr Muzzy's or G5 Montec's
Had bad luck with NAP thunderheads last year
I have some heavier arrows on the way and will probably use those once I get them set up.
After using 386 gr arrows last year I will be moving up in weight.