Bow arrow set up enough for plains game hunt

Norwegianwoods · May 28, 2014

I must say I can't see the real difference between 63 and 65 lbs of draw weight.
There are way to many variables that affect the penetration potential much more than the difference of 2 lbs in draw weight.
I could start to mention all of them here, but the most important aspect of the penetration potential from a bow is the momentum and KE, where momentum is king.

gasta's momentum is 0.549 and that should be plenty for everything he plans to shoot, including Eland as long as he stays away from the scapula and uses a sharp 2-blade like the Hunor.
I think his arrow speed is a bit on the slow side for 50 yard shots, but it is possible, even if the gap shooting at odd distances can be a challenge

Bucman · May 29, 2014

Isn't it a 450 gr arrow and 65 ft/lbs of KE? I'm getting ready for a bow hunt in Namibia and my wife shoots a bow at 62 pounds but has a 463 gr. arrow and gets just over 65 ft/lbs of KE. It's tough for her, but she has a few more months to continue getting stronger. Don't know that I can get her bow up to 65 pounds draw weight and I don't want to have to change bows. Her bow is very efficient at her draw length. And for anyone with experience, is this combination enough? Probably shooting from blind. As far as I can tell it meets the minimum. But I've never been secure with just meeting a minimum. She is an excellent shot with her bow and should be able to place em where they need to be.

Just for info. The hunt is in Namibia and the biggest animals she wants to hunt are Kudu, oryx, and hartebeest size.

Norwegianwoods · May 29, 2014

Bucman, Iam sure your wives setup will be enough. Specially if she uses a sharp high quality 2-blade broadhead. Like German Kinetic, VPA or Hunor.
If she hits the golden triangle, the animal will die very quickly.
I would not try to crank up her bow more as accuracy is far more important than to risking her getting overbowed with loss in accuracy as a result.
I would even crank it down to 60 lbs if that makes her more comfortable with the bow and a better shot.

What you can do to increase her penetration potential, is to increase the arrow weight.
That will give her more momentum, slightly more KE and her arrows will then have a higher penetration potential.

gasta · May 29, 2014

Thank you for your opinion.
For Namibia, just my bow set-up
Minimum Equipment Requirements for Bowhunting in Namibia
Large Game
Bow Kinetic Energy 65 ft/lbs
Arrow Weight 450 grain
(Greater Kudu, Cape Eland, Oryx / Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Blue Wildebeest, Black Wildebeest, Hartmann’s Zebra, Burchell’s Zebra, Giraffe, Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, Waterbuck, Tsessebe, etc.)
Medium Game
Bow Kinetic Energy 40 ft/lbs
Arrow Weight 400 grain
(Warthog, Cheetah, Nyala, Chacma Baboon, etc.)
Small Game
Bow Kinetic Energy 25 ft/lbs
Arrow Weight 350 grain
(Springbok, Impala, Blesbok, Gray Duiker, Steenbok, Ostrich, Caracal, Black-Faced Impala, Red Lechwe, Damara Dik-Dik, Klipspringer, Black-Backed Jackal, Game Birds, etc.)

Bucman · May 30, 2014

Thank you for your reply. Makes me feel better. We own an Archery Pro Shop and she is a rabid bow hunter. She doesn't want to use a rifle while there. Heck I'm more open to using a rifle than she is. She is using a Solid Legend Broadhead. It did very well in our broadhead testing. Very strong and crazy sharp. It is like a slightly smaller silver flame. Thanks again for the replies. It is our slow season so we are using it to get way too excited about the hunt.

bucman

gasta · May 30, 2014

Solid Legenf Broadheads looks cool!

I do my homeworks jajajaja:

60lbs 231 ft/sec 0.538 momentum KE 62.14
63lbs 236 ft/sec 0.549 momentum KE 64.9
35lbs 239.3 ft/sec 0.557 momentum KE 66.69

I think so that the diference betwen 63 to 65 lbs is not representative. I think it's better to open 63 lbs comfortably open 65 lbs and shoot most uncomfortable, no?

gasta · Jun 3, 2014

Norwegianwoods said:
I must say I can't see the real difference between 63 and 65 lbs of draw weight.
There are way to many variables that affect the penetration potential much more than the difference of 2 lbs in draw weight.
I could start to mention all of them here, but the most important aspect of the penetration potential from a bow is the momentum and KE, where momentum is king.

gasta's momentum is 0.549 and that should be plenty for everything he plans to shoot, including Eland as long as he stays away from the scapula and uses a sharp 2-blade like the Hunor.
I think his arrow speed is a bit on the slow side for 50 yard shots, but it is possible, even if the gap shooting at odd distances can be a challenge

The Pildriver 350 is a heavy arrow and I am going to shoot at maximun distance of 32 to 38 yards. We are going to bowhunt from waterholes and I think soo that the maximun distance for the shoots 16 to 27 yards.
I prepare this arrows thinking in penetration at a short distances 16/27 yards maximun. I am training hard at 21 to 32 yards.

TOM · Jun 3, 2014

If you aren't taking an eland, giraffe or anything really big then you should be fine. You can't go wrong with a big two blade with bleeder though either.

Norwegianwoods · Jun 3, 2014

I agree TOM.
The single bevel DRT broadhead is a great option too.
Also on Eland if gasta keeps his shots at less than 30 yards.

gasta · Jun 8, 2014

I am going to use the Atilla from Hunor broadheads and perhaps my G stricker.
I think so that my setup to bowhunt from blinds to 15/25 meters it is enought. Is no it?

Bow arrow set up enough for plains game hunt

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