Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadheads

[TX mountain hunter]

So I've been drooling over the new Hoyt carbon bows for a while, and since my current set up is over 8 years old, my wife told me to just get one already for my bday. I've narrowed it down to the element and the matrix which I will be testing in the near future (whenever work will allow). Once I decide which one fits best, I would like to go ahead and order the setup (arrows, rest, sights, etc.)
My hunting type will require some very open country spot and stalk mule deer and would like to get an effective range out near or beyond 100 yards (or whatever my accuracy level can reach). But I also am hoping / half expecting to draw elk and moose tags over the next 5 years or so. I would like to have a setup that can be accurate out to long ranges yet still have the penetration and accuracy to pass through their vitals at the furthest ranges possible.

Here's what I'm looking at:
Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix @
27.5" draw length
max draw weight of 80 lbs, I hope to have an arrow that can tune at close to this rather than having to get below 70 or down around the 60 mark.

Arrows?
should I go with a 28" 30", what are your thoughts for max penetration at long distances? I'm leaning towards the pile driver arrows at 13.1 gpi currently, i've also considered the fmjs. Is there anything else out there? Should I go heavier? If so, where should I look? What would you recommend and why? I assume helical fletching? 4"?

Broadheads? I'm assuming a 125 grain.. should i go up to 150? or down to 100? Are there any recommendations for deep penetrating broadheads that would fly better than others at this setup? I shoot 100 grain rage 2 blade with my current setup but am afraid i will need a higher FOC for what i'm looking for in the future.

Rest: I'm looking at the dropaways, I currently shoot a ripcord and see no reason to change, any other thoughts? Am I missing a better rest at a better price / weight? I plan on chasing animals many miles and packing in and would think the lighter the setup the better.

Sight: I would like a lightweight, durable 7 fine pin sight.. i've looked at the spothogs, but is there a lighter, camo and durable option? I'm looking for the largest sight window I can find to stretch the distances, if nothing else for during range time.

Sorry for the long winded question here.. I just thought I'd get it all out at once. I figure as long as I have the go ahead to pick out the bow & setup of my dreams, I might as well do it right. Thanks in advance for any help or recommendations!

 

[Buffalobob]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

For arrows also consider the ACC 3-71s

For sights, the 7 pin spot hogg will get you from 30 yards to 100+ if you use the top of the ring (30 yds) and the bottom of the ring (about 110 yds) as aim points. Also look at Sonoran sights.

On a rest, make sure it is spring assisted on the drop so it gets out of the way faster than the arrow fletching arrives.

 

[TOM H]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

My wife got the Hoyt Carbon Element bow last month and I tried one but opt for the Hoyt Carbon Matrix and I think I just liked the longer bow better and it does weight little more.

 

[SWAT Medic]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

Used to like longer bows, but I love the Element because it straps to a backpack without a care and is tough as nails. Because it is so lightweight, it is easier to hold on target for longer without your arm starting to shake.

I like Trophy Taker rests...I've used all sorts of rests that have fancy pants features, but Trophy Takers work, and are simple machines...nothing to fail

Same goes for the Sword Centurion single-pin slider sight. It has a sight picture like a rifle (no multiple pins to crowd the view). I found that using multiple pins increases the chance of sailing one over your quarry (or into the dirt) because when your heart is racing it's hard to remember red is 25 yards...or was that green. WIth the slider, you dial it in and place the single pin over the lungs...thwack! Plus, I hunt hard, and the Sword products stand up to a beating!

As for arrows, I LOOOOOOOVE the Victory VAPs. Pencil thin arrows can penetrate deeper, and they hold on target better in a crosswind. Victory actually supplies most of the carbon for the arrow industry, so why not save money and go straight to the source. A dozen VAPs are 1/2 the price of a similar quality offering from Easton or Carbon Express.

For Broadheads, I like Slick Trick...again, simple and they just work. No fancy gimmicks, just sharp (and easy to sharpen) blades and stiff and strong trochanters. Plus the price is right.

As for 80 lbs...dang!!!! Why use a .50 BMG if a 6.5x55 will do the same job? You'll be able to practice more, and hold a target longer with a lighter poundage. I have a bum shoulder, so I needed to shoot less poundage, but it still works the same. If a kid can take a deer or elk with a 40-45lb bow, so can anyone else. No one at the archery range will be measuring your set-up, and unless your going for the Big 5 in Africa, I'd stick to a more modest 55-65lbs. Hoyt now makes an intermediate range limbset of 55-65 lbs. There is no replacement for a well placed shot. And lots of practice gets you that. Good luck!!!

 

[TX mountain hunter]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

Thanks for the response guys. While researching into these latest new bows for 2012, I stumbled across the Hoyt Vector Turbo. At 340 fps, & still 35 ATA, its hard to ignore, I'm thinking the extra couple ounces might be worth it (and the price difference). Then I got to comparing it to the Bowtech CPXL. Both sound pretty amazing, I'm trying to sort out which one.

Buffalo Bob,
On the 7 pin spot hog, do you think I could still get past 100 yards with a 400 gr arrow moving 300 fps? I've yet to find the specs of the maximum gap between top and bottom pin... I've narrowed my sights down to that or trophy taker's 10 pin sight.

 

[SWAT Medic]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

I really don't think that you can ethically place a shot on any game out past 50 yards (on your best day). 45 is probably the top end. Arrow drop, and arrow speed become huge factors out that far. For target practice, it's fun to let em fly, and practicing out that far makes the 20-40 yard shots seem like a piece of cake. But you run far too much risk in wounding an animal past 45 yards.

Instead of a multi pin sight, you might consider a single pin slider. Spott Hogg makes one and so does Sword...both are great.

 

[Buffalobob]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

I'm shooting about 450 grains at about 300 fps or less and can get to 100 yards but then my first pin is at 40 yards and the top inside of the sight ring is 30 yards. Some part of the equation is how you fletch the arrows.

 

[SWAT Medic]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

I'm shooting about 450 grains at about 300 fps or less and can get to 100 yards but then my first pin is at 40 yards and the top inside of the sight ring is 30 yards. Some part of the equation is how you fletch the arrows.

Oh, no doubt you can get out to 100yds. I love shooting field archery courses, and love the longer distance targets. Here in NorCal there are a few really great field courses with great ranges to practice out to 80 yds or more...but my question is ethics regarding taking the 100 yard shot. Since an arrow will lose alot of KE out past 50 yards, it's ability to accurately make a kill shot is severely compromised.

Not to mention that it is very hard to accurately place the pin on the vitals out that far without a scope. Now with a 6x scope and my 37" ATA target bow...I feel very confident that I will hit the x-ring time and time again. But a hunting set-up doesn't have that luxury (usually). Using a scope while hunting can be disorienting. When shooting paper, it's a matter of muscle memory.

I have always held to the ethos that 45 yds and in is a safe range...but to each his own, and if you have the skill to make that shot, then I say go for it! People who I trust and who are way smarter than me and much better with a bow drilled it into me that you just don't want to chance smacking that buck in the mouth or guts instead of the lungs out past that. My $.02, and now I'll shut up.

 

[TX mountain hunter]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

Thanks for the feedback guys. While the 100 yards + will be reserved for targets, I still like to have a setup capable of such tasks. You never know when you might see a coyote or need a follow up shot on a wounded animal. Plus its fun to try and out shoot your buddies at the ranch. As far as animals, every since my first wounded doe at 33 yards when I began, I will not take a shot I'm not confident in at big game. Varmints are another story. I have since not missed a big game animal (knock on wood), but have passed animals on many occasions inside the 60 yard range even when not feeling comfortable. My last half a dozen kills were (black bear 41, elk 35, elk 78, whitetail 08, bobcat 72 & hog 45). With today's bows, the energy is not the problem. I do not recommend that anyone, myself included, should take any shot unless you feel 100% confident in making, nor taking one at longer ranges unless the animal is perfectly still, feeding and or completely unaware of your presence (again, with the exception to varmints such as quail, turkey or deer killers).

Has anyone tried the new Hoyt dropaway rests? I forget the exact name of them.

Also, are there any 7-10 pin sights out there with greater than a 2" gap from top to bottom pin, other than the trophy taker 10 pin?

 

[SWAT Medic]

Re: Help setting up a new Hoyt Carbon Element or Matrix (arrows, sights, rest, broadh

Well put HF!

You should check out this Sword Centurion .010 Sight, Right Hand, Black - Sights : Sword : Bowhunters International, Bowhunters Supply Store, Archery Supplies, Archery Equipment, Bowhunting Supplies

The Hoyt rests are very overpriced, and people seem to not like them...I've never shot them, but the QAD rests (which make the Hoyt rests) are cheaper and exactly the same. The Ripcord is a nice rest, if you like it, keep it. I found getting the timing on the Ripcord to be difficult.