Good post, Stealth. I shoot heavy arrows and fingers like Chuck, Magnus heads and barebow like The Nuge. With that combination, I figure I've got the perfect hunting setup. Of course, that's what I've always used since I was a little kid in the 50's.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Only difference is I use a compound instead of a stickbow now.

Straightarrow...&quot;I don't think either article is promoting shooting at the very lowest arrow weight limits, but they seem to be saying that lighter set-ups have a greater benefit when shooting at small animals the size of deer, when penetration is not much of a concern. I think it's pretty much a given, that when you get into the elk, moose and large bear category, that heavier arrows can start to shine a bit more.&quot;

Exactly. I'm asking if you go to heavier arrows for heavier game, isn't that an admission that light and fast has it's limitations? If they have a harder time doing the job on a larger animal than a heavy arrow, how can the heavy arrow be any less effective on a deer?

Trajectory. Just for grins, I put sights on my bow, then tuned and sighted it in with Easton Carbonaeros at around 430 grains. Then I tuned and sighted in with my 2315's at 600 grains which fly some 30 fps slower. I used the gang adjustment to get my 20 pin on and then shot the 30 yard target. I did not have to move the 30 pin a bit. Dead on.

According to bowhunter surveys, the vast majority of deer are killed within 20 yards. Except for a small percentage, all the rest are killed within 30 yards. The trajectory advantage for light arrows at increased speed has been blown all out of proportion to what you actually get. It's only when you go beyond 30 yards that trajectory comes into play (the 2315's shot over a foot low with the 40 pin set for the Carbonaeros). But, since most bowhunters claim to limit their hunting shots to 30 yards and under...

Even if your bow is quiet with light arrows, it will be quieter with heavy ones and produce even less noise that might spook a deer. That also plays into penetration because an arrow penetrates better in a deer standing still than it does in one that is moving.


Good accuracy (another point we've all agreed is critical to good penetration) with a fixed blade head is a lot easier to get with a heavy arrow flying at 240 fps and less. Really good shots can bump speed way up and still get good accuracy with fixed blade heads at up around 300 fps, but those are guys that work hard on their shooting and tuning all year long. Nimrods trying to match that speed without the same skill level and dedication to shooting generally have to use mechanical heads to fix a problem that wouldn't exist if they increased arrow weight and slowed things down.

I can give a truckload of reasons for shooting slower with heavier arrows and only one for going light and fast... Trajectory. I've already shown that trajectory isn't really a factor in the great majority of bowhunting situations.

But, in order to save bandwidth, here are my top 5 reasons for suggesing most people to start shooting heavy arrows at slower speeds. 1) Easier tuning (or less frustration) 2) Quieter shooting 3) Having enough punch to still make a clean kill even when things don't go quite right 5) Better accuracy under tough hunting conditions (I could also say better accuracy with less demands on shooting skill).

In regards to number 5 - You all need to remember that we, here on this forum and the other forums, are mostly dedicated archers and bowhunters. For every one of us, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of others that do not share our passion and level of commitment. Most fall into the category of 'drag the bow out and knock the cobwebs off, check the sights and go hunting.' To say they should shoot the same equipment at the same speeds that the professionals do is absolutely ludicrous.