Not really an "apples to apples" comparison for me, or for 95% or more of the folks I talk to. A closer comparison would be this: I'm allotted 20 gallons of fuel a day to travel to work and back. I make the trip every day with gas to spare. It won't make any difference to me what my mpg is. In other words, it doesn't really matter to me howmuch furthermy arrow flies or buries into the dirt after I get a pass-through.[8D]

I understand your concern, but honestly I can't help but think there's something else missing in the equation with your experiences. There's just too much evidence to the contrary.

For instance, a complete pass-through (including the off-side leg) on a 650+ pound black bear with a 52# recurve. Full broadhead penetration on a record book gemsbok (about the size of a small elk) with a 47@26 longbow. Pass through on an 80-90# pig with a 30# recurve (drawn to 26" or less). None of these had anything special done to the arrow, and none of the bows usedwere any of the ones touted as being the fastest. The list could go on and on and on. Shoot, Fred Bear killed a bull elephant with a 75# recurve (one shot), way back before any of the super bows/strings/broadheads/arrows were invented.

In pretty much all of the instances I personally know of where there was a penetration problem, it wasn't aproblem with the bow or the arrow. Bad release, short draw, something in the way, etc.--all of these are really easy to let happen in the heat of the moment, and they will all effect penetration.

'Course I can't say that if you had used what you plan to use this year it wouldn't have helped--we'll never know. I just don't see it as being a big problem for most folks.

Anyway, my post wasn't all that serious (although I do wish someone would publish that arrow chart). I hadn't read your post when I made mine, but I doubt I would have changed it much if any. You posted on what concerns you, just like I did.

When I was talking to Dr. Ashby a few weeks ago, I asked him about water buffalo. He is confident I could kill one with the bow I have now, with the right arrow. That made me feel better, but if I get to go I'm still taking a heavier draw weight because I've talked to a lot of other folks that have killed them that would never consider using 66#. Point being, if I have to make a decision it will be based on the majority of the evidence I can find.

Btw, we've got a bunch of tournaments coming up in the next 6 weeks or so--there's the Children's Hospital benefit at Tannehill, the TN Classic at Twin Oaks, another Lost Tribe shoot, the Jerry Pierce Memorial, then in June the Howard Hill. You coming to any of them? I plan to make all of them!

Chad