Let's say you have a generous budget, you can use the best or any available components money can buy. Not what are you actually going to buy and use, what is your ideal component set? What are you going to build/spec out and why? What's the target weight you are looking for? What broadhead are you flying on them? What is your reasoning for the component chosen? Just curious what everyone see's as the top components out there. I am going to build a new batch of arrows after the season and over the winter, partly because I need things to do and partly because I enjoy the process. Budget will be a concern, but it will be top shelf stuff. I have been out of archery until recently for a long time and a LOT has changed. It's been fun getting back into it and learning again.
What's your ideal hunting arrow build?
- Thread starter HSmithTX
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cabelasken
Well-Known Member
I use older easton's ACC's which I understand are not available any longer. Luckily I have 3 dozen left in the safe. The are aluminum with a carbon fibre wrap and are fabricated to very tight tolerances. I used to use thunderheads and/or G5 broadheads, but after losing a P&Y mulie in Alberta, I've switched to Rage style. I have two old Mathews bows, both are over 12 years old, but I just can't come to grips with a new $1400 bow. The newer bows are much faster, but now I limit my shots to under 40 yds and my bows can handle that fine.
By far my best arrow set up is:
Arrow - Victory RIP TKO 350
Nock - Easton X Nocks
Insert - Easton HIT inserts
Collar - Iron Will Stainless 125
Fletch - 3 AAE Max Stealth fletched Left Helical
Broadhead - Iron Will Solid 125 grain
This combination is tough as nails, bare shaft tunes to 40 yards and hits hard while maintaining velocity.
Good luck.
Steve
Arrow - Victory RIP TKO 350
Nock - Easton X Nocks
Insert - Easton HIT inserts
Collar - Iron Will Stainless 125
Fletch - 3 AAE Max Stealth fletched Left Helical
Broadhead - Iron Will Solid 125 grain
This combination is tough as nails, bare shaft tunes to 40 yards and hits hard while maintaining velocity.
Good luck.
Steve
Critter Picker
Well-Known Member
I love my Gold Tip arrows. Have had really good luck with the 22 series. Currently shooting a Bowtech carbon Icon. Would never go back to aluminum riser,the carbon is warm in the hand like wood. Had a Hoyt but I could never get the consistency. Thought the grip fit me but I believe it was the culprit, could break nocks at 60 yards one day and shoot a 6 inch group the next. I always migrate back to Thunderheads but like my Slik Tricks also. HHA sight works for me and have had good luck with a QAD ultra rest.
I'm a creature of habit. When I decided I liked gold tip arrows. It's was the velocity 300 spine. I stocked up. Now, if a new bow won't bare shaft tune to them, I sell it and get another bow. For me, they are the perfect weight / spine combination. According to which bow I'm shootings, they're making between 100 and 112 lbs of kinetic energy and a momentum factor or .640ish.
I do have a purty big wingspan so that helps a lot.
I do have a purty big wingspan so that helps a lot.
Caleb, I shot the ACC back in the day, 4" overdraw and 74# I had them running 315 lol, great arrow at the time and still valid today.
Steve, thanks for the report, the VAP are on my short list to consider. And your setup is a lot like what I am wanting to do. What do your arrows weigh ready to fly and what is the C to C length? Iron Will 125 is on my very short list of broadheads for next year also.
Critter, can't say that I have ever shot a GT but I think they are probably the market leader in hunting arrows. Good stuff for sure.
Jesse, holy smokes man, what poundage are you pulling and what draw length? That is absolutely massive energy. I am running 83.6 KE and a brand new Block has field tips sticking out the back as often as not at 40 and 50 yards. Your speed has to be absolutely smoking fast.
I am currently shooting:
Easton Axis 5mm 260
Easton X Nock
Ethics SS HIT insert
Ethics SS impact collar/sleeve
Bohning 4" wrap white
Bohning Blazer 4 fletch white right helical
QAD Exodus 125 broadhead
Weight is 619.2 to 619.5, FOC is a touch over 16 and they fly well out to 60, I need to re-do my peep location and sight height to get my 20 pin where I want it in the scope AND pins beyond 60 and that isn't happening with 10 days to season opener here. I have a mover on my old bow and could get 115 on the tape, so I will likely put a mover on this bow also after season when I have plenty of time to dial it in perfectly. I prefer the uncluttered view of the mover, but will likely do a 2 pin this time.
Steve, thanks for the report, the VAP are on my short list to consider. And your setup is a lot like what I am wanting to do. What do your arrows weigh ready to fly and what is the C to C length? Iron Will 125 is on my very short list of broadheads for next year also.
Critter, can't say that I have ever shot a GT but I think they are probably the market leader in hunting arrows. Good stuff for sure.
Jesse, holy smokes man, what poundage are you pulling and what draw length? That is absolutely massive energy. I am running 83.6 KE and a brand new Block has field tips sticking out the back as often as not at 40 and 50 yards. Your speed has to be absolutely smoking fast.
I am currently shooting:
Easton Axis 5mm 260
Easton X Nock
Ethics SS HIT insert
Ethics SS impact collar/sleeve
Bohning 4" wrap white
Bohning Blazer 4 fletch white right helical
QAD Exodus 125 broadhead
Weight is 619.2 to 619.5, FOC is a touch over 16 and they fly well out to 60, I need to re-do my peep location and sight height to get my 20 pin where I want it in the scope AND pins beyond 60 and that isn't happening with 10 days to season opener here. I have a mover on my old bow and could get 115 on the tape, so I will likely put a mover on this bow also after season when I have plenty of time to dial it in perfectly. I prefer the uncluttered view of the mover, but will likely do a 2 pin this time.
Easton axis
Gold tip hunter
Victory vf
I hate outserts
300 spine, their regular inserts, 3 fletch with some helical, and your choice of broadhead.
Will end up 400-450 grains depending length.
Best compromise of weight vs speed.
Gold tip hunter
Victory vf
I hate outserts
300 spine, their regular inserts, 3 fletch with some helical, and your choice of broadhead.
Will end up 400-450 grains depending length.
Best compromise of weight vs speed.
Port Orford cedar when only the best will do. M
Easton Axis 4mm Long Range Match Grade, 50 grain outsert, 3 Blazers at 3 degree left helical and 125 Exodus or Sevr broadhead. Weight is 441 grains. They were a little tricky to tune but fly like darts and hit like a truck.....
Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
Black Eagle Rampage 300 spine 0.001 - 31.5"@ 8.7gr/inch = 274 grains
Black Eagle Stainless Steel Half-Out - 51 grains
Bohning Blazer vanes @ 6 grains each=18 grains
Glorynock= 20 grains
363 grains + 100 grain 3 bladed Thunderhead = 463 grains total weight plus I scale arrows.
HoytXXL 31" 54# draw
FOC = 14.44
KE = 70.0
Slugs = 0.528
I use to shoot this bow at 74#'s that added a whole lot more to the equation but trashed shoulder made me buy lighter limbs but it still packs a punch.
I made an Excel that calculates FOC, KE and Momentum in Slugs if anyone is interested. Nice to plug in potential arrow changes to see potential performance.
Black Eagle Stainless Steel Half-Out - 51 grains
Bohning Blazer vanes @ 6 grains each=18 grains
Glorynock= 20 grains
363 grains + 100 grain 3 bladed Thunderhead = 463 grains total weight plus I scale arrows.
HoytXXL 31" 54# draw
FOC = 14.44
KE = 70.0
Slugs = 0.528
I use to shoot this bow at 74#'s that added a whole lot more to the equation but trashed shoulder made me buy lighter limbs but it still packs a punch.
I made an Excel that calculates FOC, KE and Momentum in Slugs if anyone is interested. Nice to plug in potential arrow changes to see potential performance.
Last edited:
Creedmoor shooter
Well-Known Member
My experience is only with whitetails so to me a perfect whitetail arrow is going to land between 425-475 grains. My current arrow:
Easton Axis 5mm 340 spin
Standard hit insert
Nockturnal lighted nock
OG rage hypodermic
Total arrow weight 435 grains @ 281 fps.
I bought some brass hit inserts to run for next year. Next year I'll most likely run the same set up but have a target weight of around 460 grains.
Although, that 435 grain arrow with that 2 blade mechanical blows through deer like nobody's buisness. So not sure why im changing other than to mess around with a different setup.
Easton Axis 5mm 340 spin
Standard hit insert
Nockturnal lighted nock
OG rage hypodermic
Total arrow weight 435 grains @ 281 fps.
I bought some brass hit inserts to run for next year. Next year I'll most likely run the same set up but have a target weight of around 460 grains.
Although, that 435 grain arrow with that 2 blade mechanical blows through deer like nobody's buisness. So not sure why im changing other than to mess around with a different setup.
@HSmithTX
I would definitely recommend staying with the .204 size due to the components. Nocks and inserts are much tougher than .166 components. I use to shoot the VAP's and the arrows were fine, however, inserts and especially nocks would fail too easily for me.
I have a short draw length at 25.5" and shoot 78 pounds with a Mathews V3X 29. My shafts are approximately 25" carbon to carbon. 25.5" end of nock to end of carbon. My arrows weigh 424 grains total. I would expect with a more standard draw length/arrow length you would end up around 440-460 grains, which is an excellent arrow weight. Enough arrow weight for forgiving arrow flight, quiet bow shot and penetration while maintaining good arrow speed.
Hope this helps! I'll shoot you a PM as well.
Steve
I would definitely recommend staying with the .204 size due to the components. Nocks and inserts are much tougher than .166 components. I use to shoot the VAP's and the arrows were fine, however, inserts and especially nocks would fail too easily for me.
I have a short draw length at 25.5" and shoot 78 pounds with a Mathews V3X 29. My shafts are approximately 25" carbon to carbon. 25.5" end of nock to end of carbon. My arrows weigh 424 grains total. I would expect with a more standard draw length/arrow length you would end up around 440-460 grains, which is an excellent arrow weight. Enough arrow weight for forgiving arrow flight, quiet bow shot and penetration while maintaining good arrow speed.
Hope this helps! I'll shoot you a PM as well.
Steve
