Quick, I bet its a bit or all the above, bad shooting, lack of KE and a few of a out of tune bows. If the arrow can't fly strait because its not in tune then there is no way its going to be able the penatrate either. Personaly your set up is way light for my taste, but to each their own. I would be willing to bet though my 500 grain arrowgoing 275 f/s, could out penatrate your 290 grain arrow going 350 f/s. In a friendly type of competition of course.