2 bows both are shooting the same fps. i have chrono' d them. one is shooting alum arrows w/ 125 grain muzzy' s, the other is shooting carbon w/ 100 grain muzzy' s. i have a " the block" target. the alum 125 grain penetrates so far only about 1/2 of the fletching is sticking out at 20 yards and at 30 yards they penetrate almost to the fletching. the carbon 100grain leave the fletching and about 1/2 inch of the shaft sticking out of the target at 20 yards and 3-4 inches of the shaft at 30 yards. am i missing something or is it just the stored energy is higher in the heavier arrow than the light one. considering they are w/in 3-4 fps of each other would it be better (more effective/humane) to shoot the heavier arrows or will they both do the job effectively?

thanks

there are a lot of variables that you have stated. what is the fps? what is the length of the arrows? what is the grains per inch? why do you have the 125 on the aluminum and the 100 on the carbons? which one are you most accurate with? why the question?

I can' t believe Arthur hasn' t dumped a 55 gallon drum of momentum all over this thread...

Come on Art, you know you want to

I' m curious to hear a little more about what you' re shooting. Maybe your target is getting a little worn out or something but I' ve never had an arrow penetrate to anywhere near the fletching in my Block target, even from 10 yards. But then again I' m only shooting somewhere around a whopping 240fps.

ok ill take them one question at a time.
these are actually my grandfathers crossbows (73 yrs old. only way he can still hunt during archery season)
-one is a maxpoint 340 advertised fps the other is a barnett revolution 335 advertised fps.
-arrow length on the maxpoint is 20 (carbon, 100grain muzzy)
-arrow length on the barnett is 22 (alum, 125g)
-fps for both is right at 325 give or take 2-3
-grains per inch on the carbon is 13.1 i cant get on the barnett site right now so im not sure on the gpi for the alum
-the carbon total is 405g. same answer as above on the alum. ill keep checking -and post the info as soon as i have access to it.
-the broadheads were chosen based on the recommended size each manufacturer suggested.
-both are extremely accurate. he can put a 4 inch group at 40 yards but would only feel confortable under 30 yds.
-asking because it seems like the barnett has a much greater impact force because of how much further it penetrates the target. maybe it will make a difference when harvesting a deer and maybe not. thats the reason for the question.
-the barnett seems to also shoot a flatter trajectory. 20-35 yards you just put the red dot in the middle of the target and pull the trigger on the barnett. on the maxpoint it is 1-2 inches low at 30. not much of a difference but definitely not as flat.

i shoot a matthews lx myself and i just dont have a lot of knowledge about crossbows.

any help is appreciated

Have you tried switching the arrows to the other bow and seeing how they perform?

no i havent. the maxpoint uses flat nocks and the barnett uses 1/2 moon nocks so i wasnt sure about mixing them up. also barnett cautions against using anything lighter because they say it simulates dry firing the bow.