Minimun arrow weight for whitetail

[Mo_coon-catcher]

What would you all consider a minimum arrow weight for hunting whitetail?
Mostly, would yhese arrows I have be enough mass? 400-450gr, 23/64" mahogany shaft with 160gr two blade and banana cut 3 fletch. They fly great out of the bow I plan to use. The draw weight is about 50# at my 26.5" draw length. Flying clean and hiting squarely, would this be enough arrow weight for out to 20 yards?

Thanks,
Kyle

[Pat B]

Those should work fine Mo if you do your part. I prefer 500gr or better but your set up should work well for you.

[BowEd]

Good front of center weight on your arrows.That will help.It'll kill a deer if you place it right like all shots taken.Many times the DNR in your state hunting will have a minimum weight to be used also.

[bradsmith2010]

that sounds like a good set up,,
good luck to you on your hunting,,

[Patches]

No minimum weight for arrow or point in the Wildlife Code for Missouri.  If you can hit exactly in the vitals, then it should work. I would probably stay under 15 yards for a shot, but that is just personal preference.

Good luck hunting and post pictures if you get something! Season is just a month and 2 days away. 

Neal

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Thanks for the info guys. I feel much better about using those arrows now. I've been shooting them quite a bit lately and am pretty confident they'll go where I want them to about the range limit. If they were heavier I would consider pushing my personally length limit of 20 yards. That's where I go from consistently grapefruit to, paper plate it a little bigger. I still have to finish the heavier artows and see how they fly. All I have to do is remelt the glue to seal over the bindings and smooth it over and trim the fletches down. They weigh a bit more than I expected, at about 600-620gr.

Kyle

[bradsmith2010]

Kyle,, this gets debated all the time,, so take it with a grain of salt,, ok,,
but after hunting and shooting at alot of deer,, after 20 yard,, really about 15,, you start to loose control of the shot becasue the deer is gonna move most the time,,
your aim may be perfect,, but at 25 yards the deer can be way gone,,
I like the lighter arrow for deer cause it gets there a bit quicker,, oh yes the na sayers say it makes no difference,,but in my mind it does,,,
I shot a deer at 8 yards a couple of years ago with a 700 grain arrow 50ish bow,,
it worked fine,,
but I would not shoot much over 15 yards with a heavy arrow at a deer,,
I am not saying it cant be done,, it has,,
but for me,, I like the deer to be in close so if it moves I have a better chance of hitting where I was aiming,,

and arrow that is bout 10 gpp,, 450 grains out of my 50 ish bow is fine for deer,, string silencers are a must,, and make sure your glove or tap does not make any noise when you draw,, and pad the arrow plate so the deer does not hear the arrow draw, ,casue they will hear that if it is on bare wood to wood,,

ok ,, best to you on your hunt,,

[BowEd]

Mo....Checkout Dr. Ashbys findings about penetration.Go to Tuffhead.com.There's a lot to read and no stone is left unturned and it's actual proof if your really interested.Even with efficient 40ish pound bows.
For using heavier arrows practicing with them as you know will make the difference.Remember too heavier arrows will leave the bow quieter also.
It's all relative but one thing is for sure that trumps em all is the placement of the arrow.Patience for a quartering away shot with the deer completely relaxed and good arrow placement will get you some nice loins for the crock pot.
Good luck!!

[bradsmith2010]

yes if you got a 40# bow that will shoot 170 10 gpp,,,,,and put a heavy arrow,, it will get some meat,,