Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I have the opportunity to bow hunt for Elk this up coming year. Due to the high cost I am hoping that my current set up will work. Please advise.


Mathews LX 60lb with a draw of 28 inches
NAP Quik Tune 1000
Cobra Mini Venom Sight
Beman ICS 400 Carbon Hunter Arrows Shafts
Muzzy 3-Blade Broadheads 100 grain
Alpine Archery Soft Loc Quiver

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

To each his own. You're going to get responses that you can kill anything with that... it's all arrow placement blah blah blah blah blah. You're also going to get them saying no way in hell. You didn't tell us what speed you're getting or your arrow weights. So guessing at some components and bow speed I come up with a K.E. of somewhere between 52-57 foot pounds. In my mind you would be well served to beef that up somehow. Either increase your bow weight, arrow weight combination to get over 60. But hey, that's my free advice and cost you nothing. Just saying that since it's a once in a lifetime thing and not something you get to try very often.... I'd go prepared to allow for that "Less than perfect arrow placement". It's your money.... you decide.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I would have to agree with David. I have no doubt that your current setup will kill and elk. However, I think shooting such a low KE setup will greatly reduce the chances of a passthrough and also limit the amount of penetration you will get in the case of a less than perfect shot.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

If its a compound and over 45-50 pounds and your arrows fly good and you put them where they're suppose to go, you're fine.

I hunted last year with a setup that got a whopping 27 foot pounds and I'd have killed an elk with it had I gotten a good shot.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Can you recommend a set up for me. I am willing to try several new setups and prepare for this hunt the right way. Thanks for your advice.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I believe that my total grain weight is around 350. I have never tested the speed as of yet. I hunt whitetails here in NY and I knew this setup was more than enough for that, but Elk is another story.

I use Beman ICS 400 Carbon Hunter Arrows Shafts and Muzzy 3-Blade Broadheads @ 100 grain. If you think I need to add weight or tweek this setup please advise.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

If I were you!!!!! Agree with the above posts. Your going to get a bunch of different responces. I'd increase the draw weight, and get more speed. Also, I'd go with a 125 grain broadhead to get a little more hitting power. Thats just me!!

Also, make sure your in shape!!!!! You'd hate to blow a shot because your too damn out of breath to draw back. Good luck.


Jay

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Thanks for the advise. I will get some 125's to test with. One question, If the Mathews LX is rated at 60lbs, how much do you think I can crank it up to? Is 63 or 64 realistic?

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

The LX is a good bow. I would recommend that you stay with the bow you have. Just order some 70 lb limbs and you can start lighter and work your way up to 70lbs. In the process you might try the 125 gr. heads but since you should still be ok on spine with your current arrows (at least by the charts) the 125s may or may not cause you to be underspined. If they do cause you to be underspined I would ditch the 125s and stay with the 100s and stick with the arrows that you are shooting.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Let me see, how to say this ?

YOUR SETUP IS FINE FOR ELK !!!

How's that ? I've killed a couple of bulls and be in on a few kills - THE number one most important factor in elk hunting is hitting the elk in the lungs - both lungs. If I do this with a 52# longbow and 525 grain arrows or you do it with a 60 pound compound and 350 grain arrows the results will be the same - dead elk. I'll promise that.

Now, where more draw weight, heavier arrows etc etc comes into play is IF the shot isn't a well placed one. If I were in your shoes ? I'd put weight tubes in those carbons, bump the total arrow weight up to 450 grains or so, pratice, practice, shoot 3D and go elk hunting this fall.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Ditto on Zelazny's post. A 60 lb. bow with a rating over 300 ibo is plenty for elk (even at 28"). Get your total arrow weight to at least 425 grains and you will be fine. Another suggestion is that a good cut to the tip head like the Magnus Stinger will most likely gain you some penetration over your Muzzy's (Muzzy's aren't a bad choice, though).

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

How can I get upto 425 grain? The Beman ICS Hunter suggest the model 400 (8.4 gr./inch). My arrow shaft is 29". that makes 243.6 grains. I think I can go only upto a 125 head. This leaves me a little shy.

Please pardon my ignorance, since I have only hunted whitetail and my 340 grain setup is really good for mefor that size game.

Thank you again for your help.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Carbon Impact I think are the ones that make the weight tubes. get the yellow ones - 3 grains per inch. If your arrows are 30" you add 90 grinas with NO impact on spine. Your setup will shoot slower, but insignificant out to 20-25 yards anyway and once you reset your pins it won't be an issue.

As for broadheads ... use a sharp one, place it in the lungs and you'll kill your elk, and it don't matter if its fixed or one piece Zwickey design or mechnical.

IF you don't put your arrow into the lungs .... then you'll have problems on every count from KE to arrow weight to broadhead type.

Like these ...

http://www.carbonexpressarrows.com/a...ht_tubes.shtml

try EBAY and shop around. I bought about 45 boxes (dozen per box) at a clearance sale at Bass Pro last fall for $5 a box. Archery shops sell them for $1 a tube. Get yellow - 3 grains per inch .. I think the clear ones are only 1 grain per inch ....

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Your arrows weigh more than you're giving them credit for. You forgot the weight of fletchings, inserts, etc etc. Go to the above site and calculate for yourself. It depends on length of fletching, type(feathers or vanes) etc. If you shoot your bow through a crony you can also get your exact KE.

http://home.att.net/~sajackson/archery.html

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Like Zelazny has said your set up is just fine for elk. Do you honestly think that Fred Bear, 30 or 40 years ago, was getting the kind of speed, energy, and momentum that any of us are getting now? No where close. Or all of the traditional guys today? again no where close. Even with their 600 and 700 grain arrows.

The only thing I would change would be the head. I would use a two blade cut to the tip head like a stinger, or steel force for better penetration. No real need to jump to 125 grains if the 100's are working well for you.

By the time you add up all the stuff on your arrow you should be right at 400 grains with a 100 grain head and 425 grains with a 125 grain head. If the arrows shoot good for you then leave them alone and go elk hunting.

Leave the draw weight at 60 pounds also. Probably the second worst thing you could do besides not having your bow tuned would be to go into the elk woods with a bow that has a way too much draw weight.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

NYSHunter, your arrow with a supernock, an aluminum insert, and 4" or 5" feathers should weigh in at around 421 grains if you use a 125 grain broadhead. Plastic vanes will add quite a bit. They vary depending on the brand, but you will gain at least 10 grains over feathers.

You have gotten some good advise already, but I would suggest shooting some arrows through a chronograph.

I bet you are making more KE than you are giving yourself credit for.

I would opt for the 125 grain heads myself, if for no other reason, to loosen up the spine of your arrows.

Se if you can get a couple more pounds out of your bow, and make sure you can comfortably handle it.

Most important.....We want pictures!:D Of your elk, taken with your LX.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

You don't need to go spend 100-150 bucks on a set of limbs! Your bow is plenty good enough. Your arrows should weigh in at 402 gr. That is too light, A 125 head would put you at 427 gr and 12.1% foc. That would work. I personally would not go under 450 gr. You already use muzzys, Dont change!!

My arrows for elk are 6075 term hunters, 125 3 blade muzzys, with feathers.
487 gr.
11.6% foc
65 lbs @ 28 draw

Elk are TOUGH and big boned. You need a fairly heavy arrow. IMO muzzys are the best and will go through bone ;).......good luck

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I really appreciate the advise. Its been very helpful. I am going to get this weight up on my arrows. I use plastic vanes now and like them. I will work with my local vendor and get some arrows with 125 grain Muzzey's. Once the weight is around 425 to 450 I will chronograph the results.

Again, thanks for the help.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

NYSHunter - Another bit of advice ? Go with big vanes or like I did, use big 5 1/2" feathers. I stuck with 3 RW helical fletch, 5.5" feathers and used all 3 white. I marked the cock fletch with a sharpie or used the nocks with clicks on 'em. You'll be a bit slower in arrow speed, but you'll have more stable flight, forgiveness and that'll lead to a bit mroe accuracy IMO.

Another thing if you haven't done it - bare shaft tune your arrows to get the BEST flying arrow, then add feathers and watch some pretty arrow flight !

good luck

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

Maybe I am not that great of a hunter but I have never put that much thought into it. I have shot through a crono. machine just to see how fast I was shooting compared to my old bow, and the differance between aluminum and carbon, but didnt really care. I dont even know what weight my arrows are or which arrow I have for that matter. But I do know that they are 30 inches long and I use 125 grn muzzys. Anyhow my point is I had no doubts in my equipment and they did just fine on my elk this year. And look at it this way yeah Fred Bear did alright with his setup but what about the Indians way back when after the buffalo. Dam I dont think that they had razor sharp 125 grain muzzys. shooting 295 fps. lol

Youll do just fine just relax take that good sweet shot and you will be eating elk backstrap before you know it.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

pinkys79 - How do you know your bow is tuned then ? I'm assuming you can strip the fletching off and shoot bare shafts and they fly good, right ?

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I would have to say that you setup is fine. I can't remember the last time I shot an animal through both lungs only to have him turn, look at me and say " Do you really think I'm gonna die from that, Hell you're 25 grains shy!"

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

So now you guys are comparing an average archer that's never been elk hunting to Fred Bear:eek: Like I said in my earlier post "I have no doubt that setup will kill and elk" if you hit it in the right spot. But comparing Fred Bear's ability to hit vitals, one of the best archers to ever live, a man who stalked grizzly bear and lion with nerves of steel, to your average Joe that's never been elk hunting and quite possibly may get rattled and make a less than perfect shot, is a bit of a stretch isn't it boys?;)

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I've seen more then one elk with a pass through from a 60 lb draw bow. A two blade cut-to-tip broadhead is a good suggestion to insure good penetration. Hit one in the kill zone, which is quite large, and it's dead. Going to 70 lbs in going to be a negative, unless you can easily draw it back. A 70 lb bow, will probably also require different arrows. If the ones you have are spined perfectly for your setup, they will not be for a heavier draw and you definitely do not want to drop broadhead weight.

RE: Is my new set up sufficient for Elk?
 

I have recently switched to the cut on impact style broadhead and found that the cut on impact gives great penetration. Alot of energy is given up punching through the skin. If you are not used to elk ,and will probably be very pumped when that bull steps out, the cut on impact will give you the best penetration if you get a marginal shot with a lighter arrow. If you are hunting Idaho you have to be at least 400 grains. Remember the hardest part about elk hunting is learning when to get the bow back. If you are hunting the rut they will be in your lap before you know it and it might be too late..........