Question for those who've "Been there, done that" and have experience with this type of setup...

If going after tough, heavy game, would you prefer having a 50# recurve shooting heavy (>650gr), extreme FOC (>20%) arrows tipped with a tough single-bevel, fixed broadhead or a 70# recurve shooting lighter, faster, conventional arrows with standard broadheads?

Again, I'd like to have the opinion of those who have actually used or witnessed first hand this kind of setup on live game.

Thanks!

Good question Philip. I'm not sure if anyone on the board has experience doing this with both set ups.

I'm all ears.

the chef

It seems kind of weird parameters to fit an odd question... Not many hunters capable of shooting 70#s are going to drop to 50#s, and same going up, probable fewer!

I shoot a 52# recurve with 570gr arras, 300gr up front(200gr point and 100gr brass adapter) with STOS heads.

Also a 65# recurve with 720gr arras, same head.

<650gr arra out of a 70# bow would be too light, less than 10grpp. I would advise at least 650, 700 better weight.

I shot a 57# longbow this season with 315gr Ashby heads, extreme foc, arra weight at 685gr. I killed one boar(238#) and four deer. The set up worked good at close range but at 25+ yards the arra nosedived!!! Too much front weight, but I wanted to play with the Ashby head. The arra/head combo killed good, penetrated good.

not much of an answer to your question but the best imfo I knew...
troy

Troy, thanks. My question was prompted by Ashby's conclusions. Recently went through all his papers I could find, from the Natal study to the penetration, FOC, and broadhead studies of 2005.

Of course 650gr is light for a 70# bow, what I meant is that a 650 or 700gr arrow from a 50# is pretty heavy, and would fall within Ashby's parameter for an optimum "penetrating arrow".

Being that you've used a - let's call it like that... - "Ashby setup", then what would you prefer under hunting conditions where you'd have to drop sumfin' uncooperative in the dropping department: a lighter bow shooting arrows as per Ashby's studies (i.e. heavy arrow, single-bevel head, very much weight-up-front), or a more conventional combo with a heavier bow? Be it clear that 300 yards shots would be left for the movie makers, and that 25-30 yards would be much more like the upper limit.

Philip

My experience isn't exactly what you're asking,but its close.
The last bear I shot was with my 49 lb Caribow longbow. The arrow weighed 700 gr. with a single bevel head weighing 250 gr. This setup blew through the near side shoulder blade, and just poked through the far shoulder blade.
That is far better penetration than the first bear I shot. It was shot with a 60 lb Caribow recurve, cedar arrows weighing 550 grs, with the same heads, only weighing 125 gr (no steel BH adapters this time). This combo would only just make it through the shoulder blade about 3-4 inches.

I'd shoot as heavy a bow as I could shoot accurately, prolly for me 65#s with a 700-750gr arrow.

I wouldn't choose a lighter bow over a heavier one if I could shoot them the same.

to answer yer question though...I'd shoot the lighter bow with heavy arrows, etc.

troy

THE most important thing is getting perfect arrow flight, nothing else matters until this is as perfect as you can get it. Whichever set up yields the better arrow flight, bare shaft or paper tune, is the one that should provide greater penetration on game.

Thanks!

All in all, it's what I had concluded, and it makes logical sense.

I can shoot 60# all day on a compound, and could certainly shoot decently 60# on a recurve (or 70# on a compound), but that would not be real fun.

In order to become really proficient, one has to be able to shoot, and shoot, and shoot. And have fun in the process, if not what's the point?

So I'll spend lotta time getting the best-friggin'-flyin'-hittin' arrow I can make and shoot it from my 50# recurve until I can split a mosquito's left nut at thirty paces...!

Philip

A 70# bow shooting a light arrow probably wouldn't be able to use all of it's horsepower and the arrow wouldn't absorb the extra energy. On my 50#recurve shooting carbon arrows if went up 150 gr. total weight the arrow actually increased speed by about 1 or 2 fps. Everyone will tell you that the arrow was able to absorb the energy of the bow and therefore no loss of speed. It also quietens your bow, which is nice.

Like ptaylor says, I'd trade a lot to get perfect arrow flight. It's all important for accuracy and penetration.

I've shot with people for the last 5 years who haven't increased their accuracy at all. They don't pay any attention to arrow tuning and thus will never get any better than they are now. They still shoot 18" groups. After I started playing with flight my 16 inch groups dwindled to about 4" at 25 yards. That's good enough to anything in the right spot with a recurve.


have fun

the chef