Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: HoBow on November 20, 2009, 12:36:23 pm

Title: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: HoBow on November 20, 2009, 12:36:23 pm
I apologize if this topic has been addressed, but I could not find it.  All things being equal, if a 60 lb bow shoots a 600 grain arrow at 160 fps and a 50 lb bow shoots a 500 grain arrow the same speed, is the relative effectiveness the same while hunting?  I'm guessing the heavier arrow would do more damage, but if it is a pass through shot, does it really matter?  What would the difference be if 600 grain arrow in the 60 lb bow was slower than the 500 grain arrow in the 50 lb. bow?  Let's assume the shot placement is spot on for both arrows.  The thread about the lightest bow to use ethically while hunting got me to thinking about this.....I hope this makes sense to someone out there.  ;D
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Del the cat on November 20, 2009, 01:06:44 pm
I apologize if this topic has been addressed, but I could not find it.  All things being equal, if a 60 lb bow shoots a 600 grain arrow at 160 fps and a 50 lb bow shoots a 500 grain arrow the same speed, is the relative effectiveness the same while hunting?  I'm guessing the heavier arrow would do more damage, but if it is a pass through shot, does it really matter?  What would the difference be if 600 grain arrow in the 60 lb bow was slower than the 500 grain arrow in the 50 lb. bow?  Let's assume the shot placement is spot on for both arrows.  The thread about the lightest bow to use ethically while hunting got me to thinking about this.....I hope this makes sense to someone out there.  ;D
E=1/2M V2 Is the energy in the arrow, so if the velocity is the same the heavier arrow has more energy.
If you increased arrow weight say 20grn at a time and measured velocity for each increase, you could then plot E for each arrow weight, there would me a maximum where the bow was most efficient, above that weight of arrow the arrow speed would fall and it lose energy, below that weight the increased speed wouldn't make up for the loss of mass.
This opimum depends on the bow design, for a warbow it is most efficient with a heavy arrow.

Del
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on November 20, 2009, 01:12:02 pm
Hey, if your arrow slips perfectly between ribs as long as you have a sharp broadhead even a 300gr arrow from a 30# bow will probably be good, however in real hunting situations we gotta expect all kinds of variables where penetration will be indered,.......for that reason I rather shoot the heavyes bow & arrow combination I'm comfortable with.

.......the perfect world isn't there and things will go wrong  ;)
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Kegan on November 20, 2009, 01:15:05 pm
I agree with Manny. All else being equal, shoot the heaviest you're capable of drawing. However, if you're more comfortable and accurate with the 50# bow, then by all means don't try the 60# one. Just save it for practice.

Most deer are pretty "easy" to kill, and even easy to get a shot on broadside if you use a stand. Anything bigger and I might consider the extra oomph necessary, but not quite for Bambi :)
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 20, 2009, 01:18:52 pm
Funny how we are going to hi tech mathemetics to quantify what some skin wearing rock knockers figured out while trying to feed their families!  Man I love this sport!
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Kegan on November 20, 2009, 01:22:26 pm
Funny how we are going to hi tech mathemetics to quantify what some skin wearing rock knockers figured out while trying to feed their families!  Man I love this sport!

Very true ;D! But thanks to genius thinkers like Tim Baker, Steve Gardner, Marc St. Louis, et al our simple wooden sticks shoot better than their simple wooden sticks ;)
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: hawkbow on November 20, 2009, 01:31:22 pm
I hate to admit it ;D but I agree with Manny..  ;) in real hunting situations there are too many variables to consider when asking what is the best equipment to use.. If it can go wrong it will.. use what gear you are comfortable with and practice, practice.. a well places arrow from a light bow penetrating lets say eight inches... will kill far better than a poor placed arrow from a 75 pounder with 600 grain arrows going all the way through.. use what you know.. and remember to pick a spot...Hawk
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: salad days on November 20, 2009, 01:33:07 pm
I'm suprised no one has brought up the arrow design factor. what does every one think Dr. Ashby's study? Not trying to start a new thread here, just that it's related to penetration.
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on November 20, 2009, 01:37:00 pm
I'm suprised no one has brought up the arrow design factor. what does every one think Dr. Ashby's study? Not trying to start a new thread here, just that it's related to penetration.



....I try get the highes FOC I can on my arrows
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: zeNBowyer on November 20, 2009, 02:44:07 pm
A  thoughtful  question,
 with  lots  of  variables,
a  heavy  bow  generally propels the  same  arrow  from  a  lighter  bow  faster,
imparting  more  energy to  the  arrow;
but  this  is  not  always  the  case  however,
a   lighter draw bow  may  have  very  efficient  limbs  that  are  faster than another  bow  of  another design with a  heavier  draw,
by  properly  matching the arrow  to the  bow you  may  get  as  much  speed from  the  lighter  bow  as  you  do  the heavier  bow;
     however  as  you begin to shoot a  heavier  arrow the  heavier  bow will continue  to  propel  the  heavier  arrow at a  given  speed while the  lighter  bow  with  fast  limbs but  with  a weaker  draw will begin  to propel  the  heavier  arrows  slower,  reducing  penetration, range,  etc.
    Since  bows  kill  mostly  by bleeding  lighter  bows work very  well,
until you engage heavier  targets, with  more tissue and  bone  to  penetrate,
in  which  case a faster  heavier  arrow will  penetrate much  better,
increasing  the  lethality,  and  perhaps  increasing your range.



Disclaimer:  Discussing  this  topic  may cause brain damage
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: adb on November 20, 2009, 06:23:18 pm
Shoot the heaviest bow you can shoot accurately, and shoot heavier arrows. 600 grains is better than 300 grains, as I'd rather have a pass through with two holes leaking than one. Hunting, for me, is all about penetration, not trajectory, because I don't shoot at game past 20 yards.
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Ryano on November 20, 2009, 06:34:40 pm
DEAD IS DEAD....THE DEER DOESN'T KNOW IF YOU SHOT HIM WITH A 45# BOW OR A 145# BOW. IT'S ALL ABOUT SHOT PLACEMENT AND SHARP BROAD HEADS.  ;D SHOOT WHAT YOU SHOOT THE BEST WITH AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT EVERYONE ELSE THINKS...... ;)
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Kegan on November 20, 2009, 06:56:23 pm
Personally, I've always like the idea of taking a deer hunting bow out for SUV's. But hey- maybe that's just me :)
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on November 20, 2009, 07:21:32 pm
...THE DEER DOESN'T KNOW IF YOU SHOT HIM WITH A 45# BOW OR A 145# BOW.


Not completly true, hit a scapula or some heavy bone and there will be a difference, ( things go wrong sometimes, no matter how good of a shot you are).......than again deer is pretty soft game, but still...
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Dano on November 20, 2009, 08:02:41 pm
"But thanks to genius thinkers like Tim Baker, Steve Gardner, Marc St. Louis, et al our simple wooden sticks shoot better than their simple wooden sticks"

Kegan your aweful generous, have you met these knuckle heads? ;D
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Del the cat on November 21, 2009, 04:56:38 am
Funny how we are going to hi tech mathemetics to quantify what some skin wearing rock knockers figured out while trying to feed their families!  Man I love this sport!

Very true ;D! But thanks to genius thinkers like Tim Baker, Steve Gardner, Marc St. Louis, et al our simple wooden sticks shoot better than their simple wooden sticks ;)
Surely TTBB etc show that this is not true...the Holmgaard design etc are shown to be be pretty good models for what we are re-discovering today. I agree that they are to be commended for publishing their work, but doubltless the skin wearing rock knockes haded their skills down in a practical or oral tradition.
I though that on a site like this we'de outgrown the sold streotypes of early man as stupid. :(
(Sorry if you were just being funny, I just hear so much 'dumb neanderthat rubish' it winds me up) :-[
Del
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Swamp Bow on November 21, 2009, 09:34:54 am

Surely TTBB etc show that this is not true...the Holmgaard design etc are shown to be be pretty good models for what we are re-discovering today. I agree that they are to be commended for publishing their work, but doubltless the skin wearing rock knockes haded their skills down in a practical or oral tradition.
I though that on a site like this we'de outgrown the sold streotypes of early man as stupid. :(
(Sorry if you were just being funny, I just hear so much 'dumb neanderthat rubish' it winds me up) :-[
Del

I guess it is just a matter of perspective and what you consider smart.  If being smart means knowing quantum mechanics and how to apply it, then prehistoric man was not very smart.  If being smart means being able to survive in the "wilds", making and designing tools that work to survive, then prehistoric man was very smart.  Then again by either of those rules, I'm REALLY dumb.  ;D  A modern and a prehistoric education are not comparable directly when viewed from outside of their respective times.  The ability to use and understand an eduction in whatever context and then be able to move beyond it to solve a problem, that is intelligence as far as I'm concerned.  If we were to meet prehistoric man on his own terms, in his environment, he'd probably think we are the stupid ones, and he'd be right from his perspective.

As far as bow design is concerned, it is again a matter of perspective.  The holmguard is a high performance hunting bow that can be made in the field without special tools, glues, cauls, heat sources etc.  It's the equivalent of a pump shot gun, you can beat the snot out of it and still provide diner.  A "modern" bow that has been laminated, reflexed, deflexed, and any other "exed" you can think of, is a performance "target" bow (even when that target is game) that pushes the physical abilities of design and material as we understand them.  It's the equivalent of an Olympic target rifle.  So which is the better bow?  That depends on whether I've been dumped in the hinterlands and I need six months to walk out, or I'm trying to win an archery competition at a world class shoot.  I'd go with the Holmguard for the first, or I'd be on the phone for the second.

Swamp
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Ryano on November 21, 2009, 10:09:29 am
...THE DEER DOESN'T KNOW IF YOU SHOT HIM WITH A 45# BOW OR A 145# BOW.


Not completly true, hit a scapula or some heavy bone and there will be a difference, ( things go wrong sometimes, no matter how good of a shot you are).......than again deer is pretty soft game, but still...

Actually, I've dropped several deer in there tracks hitting them in the spine with my 45-50# bows...with any kind of reasonably vital hit a 50 # bow will do the job just fine. I've also shot them with a 70# compound shooting machine in the front shoulder and not recovered them......In my experience it's all about shot placement. You can even lose a deer shot with a 30-06 too if you don't hit'em right, that's all just part of hunting. It happens to every hunter at some point no matter how good a shot you are or what weapon you use.
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: hawkbow on November 21, 2009, 11:20:53 am
Well said Ryano, shot placement is the key to a clean kill, your equipment used is not nearly as important as where the arrow ends up once released. my wife just shot a muledeer with a light poundage selfbow, arrow went in about ten inches. deer went down quickly.. shot placement! saved the day.
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: zeNBowyer on November 21, 2009, 02:28:22 pm
Yeah  Ryano,
   That's  why  Howard  Hill  hunted  with  a   90# bow,
it's  all  about  shot  placement!
Ha.....
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Kegan on November 21, 2009, 05:10:03 pm
Del- I never meant to say prehistoric man was dumb. No harm intended :)
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on November 21, 2009, 05:48:47 pm
" A 50# BOW WITH WELL MATCHED ARROWS WILL TAKE ANY BIG GAME IN NORTH AMERICA "     - Art Young -


....However, good old Mr. Young hunted with 80-85# bows,...wander why  ;D
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Del the cat on November 22, 2009, 05:38:47 am
Del- I never meant to say prehistoric man was dumb. No harm intended :)
  ;D..no prob I just a grumpy cat.
Del
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: zeNBowyer on November 22, 2009, 05:45:23 am
Del- I never meant to say prehistoric man was dumb. No harm intended :)

LOL
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Ryano on November 22, 2009, 10:57:25 am
Howard Hill was not the norm. Not everyone can shoot a heavy poundage bow accurately. On the other end of it, I've heard several guys who shoot heavy draw weight bows claim that they can hit anything with a 45# bow because they can't get a clean release and there not as steady at full draw. Maybe this is why Hill shot such a heavy draw weight bow? (Also Byron Fergison?) Who knows? I just know it doesn't take that much to run arrow through a deer.
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Kegan on November 22, 2009, 11:11:13 am
Howard Hill was not the norm. Not everyone can shoot a heavy poundage bow accurately. On the other end of it, I've heard several guys who shoot heavy draw weight bows claim that they can hit anything with a 45# bow because they can't get a clean release and there not as steady at full draw. Maybe this is why Hill shot such a heavy draw weight bow? (Also Byron Fergison?) Who knows? I just know it doesn't take that much to run arrow through a deer.

I think Hill shot the extra heavy weights because he wanted to pretty much kill anything he came up against, so he shot the heavier weights because he could. We all know a heavy arrow carries more momentum, so if he could shoot a 700 gr arrow quickly just by using a heavy weight. With Ferguson, I think it is jsut a matter of making the release easier (if your release is a little off, a heavier bow would jsut rip the arrow straight at the target).

Heavier weights aren't that hard to get used to. My spindly little arms are simply pathetic, but I can drop an arrow into a target at 20, 30, 40 or so yards. Just... not for very long ;D
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: hawkbow on November 22, 2009, 11:28:22 am
I hunt big game alot, my take on the heavier bows is that sometimes things go wrong, deer moves when arrow is in flight, hits a limb, something happens and arrow hits a shoulder, a spine etc... heavier bows can make the shot deadly instead of losing the animal. no one ever wants these things to happen but if it does shooting the heaviest bow you can handle can be the deciding factor for a harvest. ...... Dangerous game die just as easily as deer with a good hit, but a bad hit and not enough penetration because of a lighter bow can be not fun. If you hunt deer like whitetails lighter bows may work well, but I would suggest at least 55# for everything larger than a turkey...60+ for elk, bear, muledeer, hogs.. hope you find a winning combo for you brother.. Hawk
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: Justin Snyder on November 22, 2009, 05:26:09 pm
Yeah  Ryano,
   That's  why  Howard  Hill  hunted  with  a   90# bow,
it's  all  about  shot  placement!
Ha.....
It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that he hunted elephants could it?
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: zeNBowyer on November 25, 2009, 09:31:58 pm
HH used a #110 for his elephant kill.
For most people shooting med or smaller thin skinned light bows do well, but a heavier bow is superior in larger game, where more range is needed etc. Also many people are interested in other venues of the bow, as in the study of war, strength training other
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: mullet on November 25, 2009, 09:54:02 pm
 It probally had to do with Howard Hill being such a big man, and after meeting Byron Ferguson at the Classic, he is a big man also. I always hunted with heavier weight bows when I was younger, 50, now I'm backing off to 55# to 60#.  I guess you either get smarter or lose body muscle and mass. Now, I sharpen the piss out of my points.
Title: Re: Arrow speed vs bow/arrow weight
Post by: zeNBowyer on November 25, 2009, 10:04:09 pm
HH was shooting 70-80# bows into his 70s, 100-150 shots a day,
   According to HH the reason a man cannot work up to a heavy bow is because he is not willing to discipline himself with dailey work outs increasing bow weights,
  Of course some people simply don't want to pull a heavy bow,
But to others it's part of the thrill