Just had a thread on arrow spine issues and had a question at the end. Could some of you tell me which you'd rather shoot.
400 grain arrow @ 300 fps
-or-
485 grain arrow @ 271 fps

There's only .85 fp of ke difference.

I'm shooting a 460+ gr arrow somewhere in between those numbers, I'd guess. I don't get caught up in the KE thing.....because I'm pretty sure what I'm pushing is "sufficient".

If cornered, though.....I'd take the heavier arrow. the speeds you're citing are PLENTY good enough for the job.

That depends on my application. If I'm hunting whitetails from my treestand and my shots are going to be limited to around 30 yards and in, I will take the heavier arrow. On the other hand, if I'm headed out west to hunt elk or muleys and could be faced with a 40 plus yard shot I want the lighter arrow with the flatter trajectory. Personally, I'd be happy to get those speeds with either arrow and my short draw length.

I agree with HuntingBry, depends. The one thing to keep in mind is that 40 ft lbs of ke is sufficient for Elk sized game. I'd bet your much higher than that.

Tom

Look at it another way...What's the difference in trajectory???

THAT'S what I'm afraid of......

I'm lucky if I can get 250 out of my set ups do to my draw length. And that with pretty light arrows. So for me, I would shoot what ever arrow weight got me close to 240 or 250 fps. I just don't need to shoot faster than that and I would rather have the more forgiving heavier arrow.

That's just me though.

Paul

Little...I bet it would be less than you suspect...I have found that if you work with your sights, you can find a setup that's pretty forgiving...

For 15 years or so, I shot a Bear Whitetail (1975 version)...I killed deer...Before that I shot a 45 pound Bear recurve...Currently I shoot a Mountaineer, set at 62 pounds...They haven't been made for ??10 years or so....I have never checked my speed...

I shoot a 31 inch arrow...2413 and a 125 gr Thunderhead...1st pin is set for 20 yards, I'm dead on at 10, 2 inches high at 15...2nd pin is 30 yards, and 2 inches high at 25...I setup so I'll have a 20-25 yard shot...Most of the deer I have killed have been 10-20 yards away...The setup (ambush) is more important than speed.

Its kinda like turkey guns, I know my gun will kill (good pattern) out to 40 yards, I have never killed a turkey past 30.

Thanks for all the advice. That's why I turned to you guys. I'm going to go with a heavier arrow. Maybe not a 485 grain, but who knows? If I can get a good shot with a 485 grain arrow at 271 fps, it should definitely do the job.

Remember, a heavier arrow retains more velocity further, just like a bullet!