PROTOTYPING AN ARROW FOR DANGEROUS GAME FOR A 70# & 80# TRADITIONAL LONG BOW

[Paolo Mauritania]

I'm going through the process of building a DG arrow set up with the aim one day to go for buffalo.
It is going to be a fairly long process but so far I have built one prototype based on Dr. Ashby various reports and recommendations (available for download on Alaska Bowhunting website) which I'm reading again in greater detail in order to accomplish the task.
I suggest amongst others papers the "ashby_2008_uptdate_7" and the listing of factors contributing to the "perfect" arrow build up. The cited paper shows some tests involving bows from 40# to 82# on water buffalo.
I'm using three shafts (target length is 29" for my draw length of 28") for my 70# LB, left over intact from my limited carbon arrow chest:

- Beman ICS Bowhunter 340, shaft diameter smaller than the BH ferrule, 9.3 gr.s/inch,

- Gold Tip Hunter Pro 7595, this latter has a largest shaft diameter of the three and weighs 10,2 gr.s/inch, 32” shaft (i will leave this as last due to the shaft's diameter which is about identical to the ferrule).

- Gold Tip Big Game 100+, 10.6 gr.s/inch, very small diameter shaft and spine at 250 (10.6 gr.s/inch) 32” this shaft appear to be not in production anymore in the configuration I have but Gold Tip maintain the Big Game line in the specialty arrows in the 250 and 200 spine (11.6 gr.s/inch and 30” shaft’s length). With this very stiff shaft I will start at full 32" length.

The first prototype so far is from Beman cut at 29”, I'm using a 100 gr.s brass insert from Gold Tip and by now a 200 grains 2 blades BH (not single bevel and not with MA 1 but close since I don’t have yet steel inserts for wood BH) with the Gold Tip weights system, I have reached a 820 grains arrow weight with a 26.6% FOC, 3x5" natural shield fletching.

I tried this first based on the recommendation of having the lighter possible shaft back as opposed to concentrating the weight at the tip.

I began testing this set first set up on a very compressed hail bail starting at 11 meters and increasing it to 20 meters, so far so good as flight is concerned with the 70# LB the arrow at impact is very straight; I believe with a single bevel razor sharp (in the 250-300 grains weight range) with MA 1 it will get even better.

I will increase the weight 20 grains at the time and see what's happening as far as flight quality is concerned but so far, so good. The aim is to reach 950 grains with either a 300 grains BH or a combination of BH and weights.

Interesting endeavor......

 

[G Skinner]

Why not just go with the Grizzlystik -Momentum U-foc in 6580 . I think Dr. Ashby uses these shafts on the Alaska Bowhunt and they are recommended for dangerous game .
Glen

 

[Paolo Mauritania]

I'll order them once I have done a bit of cutting and trial and error with shafts I have around already. At the price they come for a dozen shafts + accessories + BH, I'd rather have as many variables as possible almost worked out before investing the money. I had a look at the selection chart, they don't make the difference between compounds and long bows, I have to be careful with the arrow tuning as the LB does have a window but is not a center shot and I'll likely will have to purchase some insert weights as well.