In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Time to move to carbon?
BigEd
Member Posts: 48 ✭✭
Stuck a 3X3 whitetail last Monday...took out his left lung...found him about 30 minutes later approx. 300 yards away...mostly a picture perfect hunt (except for the 10 pointer I stumbled onto half way to finding the 3x3...oh well) My problem is that I would have expected to penetrate further than just the left lung....there was no damage to the right interior of the ribcage. Was using 28" aluminums with Muzzy 100 grain broadheads (good and sharp)...down angle was pretty steep (at least 60 degrees)...hit him a little high on his ribs just behind his shoulder...missed his heart by about 2+ inches (high)...wound to his lung was far forward...would estimate 10-15 yard shot...bow is set at 60# (supposedly). I am getting low on my supply of aluminum arrows (didn't find the killer arrow). Is it time to go to carbons for better performance?
Comments
Switching to carbon arrows is up to you. I don't necessarily think it will cure any problem you may think you have but, buy a half dozen to try. Worst case is you'll be out a few bucks and you can probably sell them to someone if you don't like them. If you're happy with your current set-up and aluminum arrows...well, if it's not broke, don't fix it.
Did NOT get a passthrough...I could see at least half of the arrow sticking out of the deer as he ran away...hence my concern about the effectiveness of my equipment at longer ranges. The arrow could (should?) have done more damage to internal organs but did not penetrate far enough. I have been bowhunting for about three years but this is the first deer I've taken with it so I'm still trying to get a handle on what to expect. Maybe this experience is typical but I am anxious about the next one. Thank you for your reply.
First, welcome to gunbroker...I'm pretty new too but that doesn't keep me from saying welcome to the nuthouse!
What knida bow are you shootin? I shoot a Hoyt that cronoed at like 260 fps range. I get a passthrough on every shot. I also shoot carbon arrows and Grim Reaper mechanical broadheads. You don't have to tune the mechanical broadheads and they fly just like field points. Try this set up, I believe you will like the difference in this and the setup you are currently using. Hope this helps!
"The only thing you do better than me is drive that Diamante, and that's just because I've never been in it!"--Little John
Opinions are like azzholes, eveyone's got one, and this just happens to be mine!
Now to your question, sorry I got off base there. [:D] Are you sure you didn't hit or graze the shoulder any? Half that arrow sticking out is strange at that distance, even if you would have had dull broadheads or a older slower bow. Maybe you got the first time jitters and only drew halfway? (just kidding [;)])
Before I went and changed my setup I'd try another deer first. I don't use carbons and have never really liked them so I am kinda biased, but I always felt a heavier aluminum arrow provided better penetration, I'm sure plenty will argue with me, but I don't care. [:D]
NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent
I think I will take your advice..at least until I'm out of aluminum arrows...and maybe I'm analyzing too much...but it just didn't seem right after all the articles and such I've read in the past. Perhaps I caught a thick rib and it slowed the arrow down drastically...probably never know. For those who are wondering why I shot a 3x3 when all these other monsters are around....the monsters aren't stupid enough (apparently) to walk under my tree stand....that's how they get to be monsters. Great to visit with you guys!
Here in Ohio anyone with a certain amount of acreage, supposed to be farm land, can apply for crop destruction tags. The state issues you a certain number of tags based on the amount of land and so on. It used to be when you used those tags it was illegal to do anything with the deer carcusses, but they finally changed that to optional as to what you do with them. Sure seemed dumb to know people were hungry in some cities and other people were killing deer and not allowed to do anything with the meat.
I've only ever seen two monster mule deer in my life and they were both in 1998 out in Gunnison Forest, CO. Didn't have a mule deer tag and saw both of them the same week, they were huge. Made buckmasters look like they hunted spikes. [:D][;)]
Good luck filling that last tag.
NRA Life Member ---"A pocket knife, a clean hankey, and a pistol... things I can use." - Ted Nugent
Believe nothing that you hear and only one half of what you see!!
I'm Just One Man Talking!
-michael
BAG IT. TAG IT. EAT. SLEEP. REPEAT..