Lone Star Hunting Forum

I have done a little testing recently and still have some to do when the new BH's get here, but this is some things I have found while doing this testing. I have generally been a speed freak for a long time, but this has made me really rethink my arrow set up and what i want from my hunting set up. I mostly hunt TX and elk in CO, but the trip to RSA in 08 and the one I have coming this Sept and one again in 2012 makes me look at the difference in the findings of my testing. Here are the results and right now I am seriously looking at the 560 grain arrow for many reasons that i think you can see.

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OK, more numbers and these are arrows weighed on a digital scale, chrono for a 3 shot average.

410 gr @ 312 88# KE .57 momentum 7.95% foc

460 gr @ 298 90.62# KE .61 momentum 12.52% foc

480 gr @ 291 90.17# KE .62 momentum 14.03% foc

510 gr @ 284 91.25# KE .64 momentum 16.05% foc

560 gr @ 269 89.89# KE .67 momentum 18.9% foc

The 560 grain arrow was deadly quiet. Very noticeable difference in the shot as opposed to the others. From the 410 gr to the 560 sounded like a 22 vs one with a silencer. Whisper quiet. Makes you think and think hard.

Thoughts?

Mudslinger I'm like you (speed freak) But you know A ton more about it then me. JMO if I'm going on a hunt like your going on I would want the 510 gr @ 284 91.25# KE

I thought about the 510 grain arrow, but with a better FOC, still more KE than the 410 grain arrow and more momentum (which is actually the ability to penetrate especially at longer ranges, comparison of a 222 bullet at 300 yards to an 06 at 300 yards) i will decide which one when my new BH's get here and i am able to do some testing. I have found a site that I can make some homemade ballistic gel so i will get to do some penetration tests with the new BH's and arrow weights. The 560 grain arrow is still better in all aspects than the 410 grain arrow and only slightly less on KE than the 510, but the momentum is better and it is still quieter than the 510 arrow.

I understand KE but don't know much about momentum??? Put up some pics of the homemade ballistic gel penetration tests would love to see your results.

what type of arrows are you shooting????

I am currently shooting Gold Tip XT Hunters 75/95 with FOB's and 100 grain points cut to 28". At this set up they are 410 grains. I am getting the increase in weight via insert weights that screw into the rear of the insert and can be screwed on after they have been glued in. They send a very long allen wrench when you buy the weights. They come in 10, 20 and 50 grain sizes. I started this because I wanted to increase my FOC which was around 8% on 410 grain arrow. My findings were a little of a shock to me and I really want to test the accuracy of the BH's and penetration of the heads before i firmly decide on which arrow/weight/combination to use, but I think it will definitley be between the 510 grain and 560 grain arrow. My spine should not matter as the 75/95 is the stiffest you can get with a GT, I believe at .300 spine.

I have always been a tinkerer and this is just the sort of thing that I love to do. I do not settle on on much from year to year (except for bows) and will try almost everything new that comes out and interests me, such as the FOB's. Not too many people around here use them or even know what they are. I have been shooting HCA bows since 1989 and currently shoot a 09 Speed Pro, the best bow that I have shot so far.