I'd like to hear what setups you guys are using, and what performance you're getting out of them. Bow make, model, weight, poundage, arrow weight, FPS, wehther you shoot fingers, release, etc.

I'm only interested in ACTUAL CHRONOGRAPHED DATA. No need to simply spit back AMO and IBO ratings - where does that get us?

I'd like to know what other people are achieving as actual results....

Older Onieda Eagle drawing 62# finger shooting full length xx75 2413's with a Muzzy 130 grain broadhead for 540 grains total arrow weight at 208 fps. Very quite set-up.
Recurve to match, shooting same set-up very similar, not chrono'd

GSXR7/11

Just for the record, I will post all my bow setups but need to get them from the shop. I guess Thursday I'll list them.
DOA

Merlin Storm single cam. 29" draw, 62#, peep, 2 string leaches, double brass nock, eliminator button, and 364 gr. goldtips including 100gr. head.
Shooting with a release I'm getting 272fps.

sorry just got to do this !! shoot split fingers, instinctive , sorry no chrono but best gestamit about 160 ft/sec. with tail wind with arrows up to 7oo gr.. shoot a 60# Windwalker recurve love to see the flight of the arrow .
enjoy what you shoot guys !!!! ----- herb

I shoot a 82# Black Widow MB T/D thats 64" long. It smokes 2419's at 189fps @ 31" draw. Add the big old Brutterfield brute on the end and it's heavy!!!! I get TOTAL pass-thru's every time! I hunt to see that big old arrow fly through the air and strike it's mark. All speed does is make you miss'em quicker!!

I shoot a Browning Stalker Solo Cam set at 62#, 30" draw, peep, wiskers, double nocks, 415 gr. 5575 gold tips @ 255 fps with a release. Very quiet set up.
The wife shoots a custom Forge set at 45#, 26 3/4" draw, wrapped nock, peep with cross hair sights, 275 gr. 3355 gold tips @ 260 fps with a release. This lil rascal is a real smoker.

This year's setup is a 52" 56# Kelly Bow launching a 520gr Gold Tip 5575. That's with a 125gr Muzzy and a 3gr/inch weight tube.

Arrows fly at 188fps.

ps. Geez Dave, that's gotta be like watching the space shuttle on re-entry!

[ 09-19-2002, 23:07: Message edited by: waldog ]

I shoot a PSE Nove One-Cam (R6cam), 29" draw, 72# pull with 29" Carbon Express 300 arrows and 85 grain Wasp SST Hammers.

Scoots along at a chonographed 270 fps.

mathews Q2 30" draw 64ld's easton acc 2-60 hyerspeeds 301/2" 125gr head. arrow weight is 379.9grs, release, 264fps good luck hunting oct1 is my opener doug

I shoot a Matthews solo cam set at 55lbs, using 29" 2219 arrows & 125 grain heads. Don't have any idea how many FPS I'm getting.

For what it's worth, I think this whole business of being concerened with arrow speed is a bit ridiculous. Even the fastest, smoking hot new compounds shoot pretty slow. Heck, a one cock, Daisy, Red Ryder BB gun probably shoots faster in terms of FPS.

I further believe that many modern archers are pulling way more poundage than they can shoot accurately and comfortably. It must be some kind of a macho, he-man thing to say you are pulling 80 lbs and shooting 300 FPS.

Keep it simple and focus on accuracy not speed. Even the fastest bow made is still a pretty slow weapon, and you can kill game cleanly with a good old 40#, 200 FPS recurve just as dead.

Hey, I agree with the last 2 post...well sorta. If you can pull #80 comfortably and can hit what you aim at at 300plus fps. then why no do it.
By the way, I don't do either.

I don't hunt right now. Would like to, but I don't have a place to go, and its hard for me to find the time to do it.

However, I do have the time and a place to shoot.

I like experimenting... I think its interesting to see what is possible.

I bet 90% of the guys on here with an elephant rifle will never drop the hammer on anything big enough to really need it, but isn't it interesting to play with?

Currently I shoot a CSS system 2000, draw weight is 62lbs, actual draw(stroke)is 27.25 inches, arrows are 28.25 inches either carbon express 200 or acc 3-28 shafts with 2inch vanes and weigh 310 grains. Chrono speed is 290fps. I shoot this setup for target and 3D tournaments and then screw in rocket aeroheads for hunting. Groups are 2 inches at 50 yards with either the field points or the expandable razors. This setup has shot through six whitetails broadside and I have had two spine hits (broadside - steep angle down) where the arrow penetrated 16 to 18 inches out the other side.

Wow Archer, which pro-staff are you on? 2inches at 50yds. is fantastic shooting.. Have you ever tried out for the olympics???

Sorry I have not been back here for a while but I've been in the woods.
Here is some of the tests I've finished.
Has anyone else had this BRUTAL cold going around?
It figures with opening day this Saterday I'd be coughing my face off.
Great bows guys!

First :
Darton Hurricane set at 60lbs and 30 inch draw. 2x cam shooting 2613 Easton at 31 inches. I use 4inch home made veins with straight helical. The tip is 125gr to 130gr. I got it up to 287fps with a TON of tuning. I might just be taking this out again this year.

Second:
Mathews MQ32 set at 70lbs 29 inch draw. Single cam shooting Easton 2215 at 29.5 inches. I use three inch feathers with a straight helical. The tip is 100gr. It shoots 240fps. Very smooth bow.

Third :

PSE FireFlight set at 85lbs and 30 inch draw. 2x cam shooting 2315 Easton at 31 inches. I use 4inch home made veins with straight helical. The tip is 125gr . It shoots at 275fps . This is a great Bow.

Forth :

My Puppy
PSE Infinity set at 70lbs and 29inch draw. 2x cam shooting 2315 Easton at 26.5 inches. This uses three inch veins straight through and tipped with 125gr. this shoots at 275fps and is my main tree bow.

Two year old High Country Ultra Force , single cam, shooting Beman Hunter 50/70 shafts with 3" vanes. Poundage is 52 (shoulder injury, old guy)and draw length is 29". I get an honest chronographed 263 fps (2 different chronos) from this at the low poundage !!! It's a great little tree bow, 37" and very quiet. It doesn't even need any silencers because of the Vibra Tek limb armor. I wouldn't shoot anything else, regardless of price. Because of my shoulder injury, I need a cam that is smooth, and this one doesn't stack up right at the end of the draw like so many single cams. It feels almost exactly like my Ultra Force twin cam setup !!!

Wecome bowhuntrrl

I can relate to the need for smooth pull. If you get a chance to check it out ... try the Darton Magum 33 with CPS system. I too have my bows that I would never discard but this one may make me think about it.
DOA

I shoot a mathews rival pro, 66 lbs. fingers, 2314 arrows 30" 125 grain thunderheads. Have only shot a 5 foot bear with this bow so far but it pushed this arrow combination behind one shoulder and completly through the otheronly to exit and stick into an aspen tree. So far I'm happy 226 fps and quiet.

Hay I find bow speed interesting -- I have first generation PACT chrono-- I shoot Champion bow 65#-one cam 27.5 " 2413 five" vanes 100 grain Muzzy -250 fps -light and quiet -- I use to shoot about 80 or so but then I grew up and now I am 50 and 65# is plenty

I went to the pro shop yesterday just to find out what both of my bows chrono'd at

Parker UL31 @ 75lbs 27 inch draw(why I have it set at 75lbs) launches 28" easton shafts with 100 gr heads at 248fps

Mathews Legacy @ 75 lbs 27 inch draw launches 27.5" Easton shafts at 254fps

I have both set up with Bodoodle Zapper 300 rests, Trophyridge Matrix sights and Trophyridge stabilizers and I do use a Scott release. I prefer the Parker because it is nearly 2lbs lighter. I tried both bows set at around 65 lbs and they were down around 208fps

[ 10-12-2002, 05:59: Message edited by: Orphanedcowboy ]

GSXR7/11, My 16 yr. old son and I both shoot Bowtech Mighty Mites, both are 60#, mine is maxed out and shoots 260 fps with either Easton 2212`s or PSE Carbon Force Competition Pro 300`s, 125gr Wasp SST 370 grain arrow, I was using a 75 gr head on the 2212`s and like the FOC much better with the carbons. We don`t know my sons draw weight or speed but he shoots the same grade and brand carbon in the 200 series with 100 gr Wasp SST`s. We both shoot the finest rest I have ever played with, The Bodoodle Pro Lite. We use 3" Duravanes that I fletch with 1 or 2 degree ofset with our Bitzenburger. I built a 301 gr arrow to see how fast it would go and got 296 fps.

Matthews Solo Cam, didn't know there was anything else I shoot an older Matthews Z-Light. Bow is set @ 68# and launches a 289gr arrow (including the 75gr Punchcutter) at 282 ft/sec.
I use to shoot a 80# PSE Laserflight but can now get the same speed, with more accuracy, and a much better draw, with the Matthews.
Next season I'll retire this bow and buy one of the new series with paralell limbs and harmonic dampners.
GEEEEEZ, what the Indians didn't know about

[ 10-13-2002, 17:37: Message edited by: Varmint Hunter ]

GOT THE NEW 30" cam for my Mathews Safari Custom (as I mentioned above that I was going to).

85lbs, with 29" (my rest is slightly overdrawn so this arrow length was OK to try), 2613 with 100 grain tip

Total arrow weight - 560 grains.

Speed - 261 fps. = 85 ft lbs of energy.

Recall at 83 lbs and 29" I was getting "only" 245 fps. I'd estimate I picked up about 8 -10 fps from the increase in draw length and the rest from the increase in poundage.

Unfortunately, I just can't handle the 30" pull. I can pull it back and hold it there, but its pretty uncomfortable.

I'm only 5'4", so even 29" is a stretch. Looks like 30 is out. Too bad, had to buy a new cam to figure that out, but *shrugs* its nice to know.

GSXR, at 5'4", unless your knuckles drag the ground, you are way overdrawn. I'm guesstimating your true draw length is 25" or 26". I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but the correct draw length is a big part of correct shooting form.

Hi Walker

I average 5" groups at 50 yards. Not that 5" is the best I've ever shot - its the average. Sometimes I shoot 2", sometimes I shoot 7". But most times they're right around 5".

I really don't know that much about archery, but that sounds like decent shooting to me? Or at least I'm not completely screwing up part of my form....

GSXR, I can't argue with success.

Steiny,
You might as well be shooting a 40# recurve. 2219's ???? Did you find them at a yard sale or something? Why in the world would anybody spend the money for a Mathews and then shoot such a heavy arrow? Doesn't make sense.
I'm one of those macho guys that shoots 80# at 300 fps. Why? Because when I get a shot at a deer, I don't want to miss or wound it because I miss-guessed the yardage. I guess I'm taking the sport out of the sport, but I like to hit what I shoot at. Accuracy while hunting is very dependent on arrow speed. Think about it.
How much weight do you hold at full draw? 12# or so--- must feel like a rubber band.

I shoot an MAV Black Widow that I pull 51@27, shooting a 540g Gold Tip with a 160g Grizzly BH.

Plenty of penetration on Eland, Wildebeest, Impala, Kudu, Warthog.

Twang

I shoot a PSE fireflight bow, its the proshop version from '99 that has a lightning cam. I put a muzzy zero effect on it this year and my accuracy really seemed to improve(I just couldn't get adequate vane clearance shooting carbons throught the bodoodle). I use and tru-nok for peep alignment and eliminator button for a quiet release. My sight is a tru-glo with a tritium pin. I am currently shooting ics 400s and I shortend my draw up to 30.5"(I'm 6'2" with long arms). I get 280 fps when tipped with 100 grain heads.

Today while working out of my home office I shot a nice doe at 26 yards in the back yard. My buddy is unemployed and wanted some meat. The shot was a bit forward as mistimed her moving through the opening. That rocket steelhead 100 penetrated 1 femur 1 rib in 1 rib out and stopped in the off shoulder. The tip was bent but I've got to say I'm impressed

For me I use a Darton Maverick at 65 lbs with a correct 32 inch draw and use PSE carbon Force 400's and weigh in at 400gr and leave my bow at 292 fps.

Brian

Steve morgan,

I don't mean to race to steiny's defence, and I don't mean to flame either. BUT, I do want to share with you a little something about archery setups.... THEY ALL LIKE HEAVIER ARROWS!!! Any given bow be it recurve, compound, longbow, or something made with alien technology will shoot better when launching a heavy arrow. Now, let me define better.... "Better" is not necessairly a flatter trajectory. In archery-- particularly in hunting conditions-- there are a million ways to screw up the shot. Strange we dwell so much on trajectory, it's only one small factor! A "better" shooting bow is the more forgiving, stable bow to shoot. Thus helping you make a shot under field conditions. For example, go to a 3D shoot where field conditions are simulated. Plenty of arrows will be broken and lost, but I gaurentee that yardage guesstimation is NOT the primary reason!!!

Steve, I'm with you in that when I shoot at something living I don't want to miss or wound. I just come from a different direction of thinking. Trajectories can be learned, realistic shots can be estimated to 3-4yds, my bow is more accurate than me.... so the way I see it I am the weak link! Scroll up and read my initial post, I'm shooting a 56# recurve! And not by accident! My previous bow incidentally was a 62# recurve shooting heavy 2219s!

FWIW

[ 12-28-2002, 18:04: Message edited by: waldog ]

Hoyt Razortec
60# draw weight
29" draw length
Whisker Bisquit rest
435 grain arrow including head nock vanes and insert
Release
loop
65% letoff
peep sight w/rubber cord alignment
240 fps chronographed

Person Anaconda
release
goldtip 55/75 arrows
100gr muzzy broadheads
55lb pull
250 fps average speed

I agree with some of you you don't need speed to kill you need accuracy,I have taken deer up to 57 steps with an old slow shooting 45 lb Person spoiler,and those big old wooden arrows.
Good shooting to all.

60" Bear Kodiak recurve re-cut for instinctive shooting
64#'s @ 30"
split-finger w/tab
600+ grain Hickory arrows w/ turkey fletch
Magnus broadheads
162 fps

MATHEWS BLACK MAX 30 INCH DRAW 70# DRAW WEIGHT 360 GRAIN ARROW-323FPS HAND HELD RELEASE SHOT.ANY QUESTIONS?

Put a 30" cam on my bow, haven't hardly shot it in a couple of months but shot it about 50 times today.

Safari custom, 87 lbs, 30", 450 gr ACC 3-71 Easton. 284 fps.

Good energy, 83 ft lbs, but not good considering the weight i gotta pull to get there. The efficiency isn't so hot. Might go up an extra 25 grains or so, i have a feeling i won't hardly lose any speed at all... get a little better FOC...

30" is a stretch for me, I'm 5'4, but y'know what it wasn't that bad. was shooting 6" groups at 60 yards... not bad for not having shot for a couple months