Author Topic: 411 grains enough weight?  (Read 3302 times)

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Offline Lee Lobbestael

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411 grains enough weight?
« on: August 17, 2012, 08:26:45 am »
I'm shooting a 50# self bow(not sure of actual speed) and my cedar shafts are proving to weak in spine for my 160 grain heads. I can't afford new shafts but they tune nice with 125 grain heads. With 125 gr heads my arrow weight is only about 411 grains without feathers. Will this setup have enough kinetic energy for deer?

Offline H Rhodes

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2012, 09:01:25 am »
Heavier arrows gets more penetration, but there have been tons of deer taken with 400 grain arrows.  Get that point sharp enough to shave with and rock on. 
Howard
Gautier, Mississippi

Offline Lee Lobbestael

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2012, 11:17:32 am »
Ok good! Arrow shafts aren't cheap

Offline Pappy

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2012, 11:29:44 am »
I like a little heaver,but good shot placement 2 bladed sharp head ,they will work,killed several deer with 425 grain out of about the same set up. :)
   Pappy
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2012, 03:39:49 pm »
If possivble you can add another strike plate unto the existing plate to push your shaft from center farther. This will require a softer spine allowing you to add point weight back to your set up. Just a thought. 
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.

Offline dmenzies1950

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2012, 06:56:58 pm »
Sharp blades is the main thing, but if you build your own arrows why not try some 3/8 in. ramin or oak dowels? They're cheap and you can get them at any hardware store. I like them because they are heavy and they last about 3 or four times longer than cedar.
"His bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel." Genesis 49:24

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2012, 08:26:08 pm »
Biggest deer I have taken, to date, was with a 425 grain arrow from a 50 lb bow.  I thought I loved that set of arrows for years until I accidently shot a much heavier arrow thru that bow.  Suddenly I was realizing how much hand shock I was suffering thru needlessly.

So, yeah, you can hunt with those arrows...IF you can get good and consistent shot placement from many positions at moderate ranges.  Save the loose change from your pockets each nite and in no time you will have enough money to pick up another set of shafts. 
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Lee Lobbestael

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2012, 10:10:38 pm »
pearl drums, that is a great idea! I never thought about adding a thicker strikeplate. I wil try that tonight

Offline Lee Lobbestael

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2012, 10:13:26 pm »
I also make several shoot arrows a year with trade points but I can't count on getting them to fly perfect so I try to make a set of cedars first as a reliable backup

Offline Little John

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Re: 411 grains enough weight?
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2012, 01:26:53 am »
It does not take much to break a deers rib and penetrate, especially from close range. good luck.
May all of your moments afield with bow in hand please and satisfy you.            G. Fred Asbell