For years I hunted with a heavy, slower arrow. It seemed as though I had many pass through shots with this set up. In the past couple years I have been shooting lighter, and faster arrows. I have killed 2 elk, and 1 javelina with this set up without a pass through.
Just a coincidence? I know every shot is unique and many factors contribute to ultimate arrow penetration, but I have been wondering if heavy is better.
To confuse me even more, I have more kinetic energy leaving the bow with my lighter set up.
I' m curious to know your setups that your getting less KE with the heavier arrow. If nothing else changes, bow poundage, draw length on the bow, your KE should stay relatively the same and I' d surmise it' d gain with the heavier arrow.
Either you aren' t hitting the right spot/s, or your new heads are not as good as the old heads.
More KE AND more speed will give you better penetration when shooting the same spot.
If your hits aren' t " right" you can' t blame the rig.
IF the shots are good, you are just getting a touch of bad luck. Not EVERY shot will go right through.
There' s the answer to your KE question. The reason you' re getting more KE out of the light, fast setup is you changed to a higher performance bow! If you' d put the heavy arrows on the new bow, they would most likely get a bit more KE than the lighter arrows.
As for the lack of penetration, I' m one of the few heretics on the site that firmly believes in heavier arrows for hunting - especially for bigger stuff like elk. I' ve been arguing with these guys over light vs heavy arrows and penetration for the past several years, and the archives are full of those threads.
If you' ve gone two years without a passthru, then I' d say you' ve done a pretty good field test on your light arrow setup and maybe you should start thinking about adding some weight to your arrows.
Now wait a second. Arthur posted a good two-three paragraph reply and I did not see the word " momentum" mentioned once.
You feeling ok Art?
I agree with Arthur. The lighter arrows might not be carrying as much momentum though they might have more KE when comparing your old bow setup with your new one. As Arthur stated I would like to see what you can do with the heavier arrows on your new bow.
Or better yet, go with medium weight arrows and get the best of both worlds.
What I have noticed. Light set up generating 60 foot lbs of KE. At 14 yards will get a pass through with a heart shot. Same set up at 28 yards another heart shot, no pass through.
What you all forget when you talk about pass throughs and kinetic energy is how much friction the arrow is trying to pass through. The heart of the deer had enough friction to stop the arrow at 28 yards but not at 14.
now if you don' t hit the heart, just lungs at 28 yards it will most likey pass through.
If you hit any shoulder bones at any range no pass throughs. Just a couple of things I have noticed with some of my setups....
I would sumise when shooting an elk I would go with slow and heavier as I would want the momemetum and extra down range energy because the elk is bigger and wider than a deer and presents more friction to the arrow as it tries to pass through.. I don' t see why you all don' t get it yet......[:@] Slower and heavier is better especially on larger animals....... Gee' s end of though end of disuccision..
not going to reply to anyone on this....
Speed, or Weight
