Arrows Suitable for Big Game or not Good Enough?

[hawg chaser]

Hi to all the respected, experienced members.

As a total newbie I was hoping to ask for some advice. Due to covid there is a shortage of arrows that I can source.

Do the experienced members here think the Carbon Express Maxima Red 350 connected to the Magnus Stinger broadhead 150 grain are good enough for hunting big game or do you think this is out of date/not adequate for big game?

I have read conflicting opinions whereby some say the weight/kinetic energy is more important than using a light carbon fast traveling arrow. Then others showed figures that beyond a certain distance it all evens out, irrespective of whether you use a heavy slow traveling aluminum arrow or a fast light carbon arrow.

Sorry, I should also clarify that this is not the Maxima Red SD arrow. It is the Maxima red 350. Thank you.

As I mentioned I am totally new to both the conventional compound bow, as well as the crossbow (I recently bought both). Then I am also new at this site and not sure if it is against the rules to also post this same question at the forum: "Bowhunting"?. If so, then I must sincerely apologize (I was unsure whether I must post this question under "Bowhunting" OR "Hunting Big game"?

Many thanks again for your kind understanding.

Best regards

James

Magnus stingers are a great broadhead. Wish I could say the same thing about carbon express arrows. Victory, Black Eagle, and Serious all make top notch shafts. Make sure you have enough spine regardless of the arrow that you choose to use.

 

[hawg chaser]

There is a wealth of information on arcHery gear, arrow construction, arrow tuning (to your bow), and the FOC ("Forward of Center") concept on YouTube. (See the excellent videos by "Ranch Fairy".)

I changed back to a recurve this year after 35 years of compound bow hunting, and I'm shooting arrows weighing over 700 grains (includes a 300-grain 2-blade broadhead) from a 50-pound recurve. This combo will completely penetrate an Asiatic Water Buffalo, so it will be adequate for anything in the Northern Hemisphere. While a full compound outfit will run close to $2K, my bow was $139 on Amazon and arrows are $125/dozen from 3 Rivers Archery.

I second the recommendation of the Ranch Fairy videos. They have a wealth of information in them. You can also email Troy(aka Ranch Fairy) and he will help you any way he can.

 

[charliewhisky]

Hi to all the respected, experienced members.

As a total newbie I was hoping to ask for some advice. Due to covid there is a shortage of arrows that I can source.

Do the experienced members here think the Carbon Express Maxima Red 350 connected to the Magnus Stinger broadhead 150 grain are good enough for hunting big game or do you think this is out of date/not adequate for big game?

I have read conflicting opinions whereby some say the weight/kinetic energy is more important than using a light carbon fast traveling arrow. Then others showed figures that beyond a certain distance it all evens out, irrespective of whether you use a heavy slow traveling aluminum arrow or a fast light carbon arrow.

Sorry, I should also clarify that this is not the Maxima Red SD arrow. It is the Maxima red 350. Thank you.

As I mentioned I am totally new to both the conventional compound bow, as well as the crossbow (I recently bought both). Then I am also new at this site and not sure if it is against the rules to also post this same question at the forum: "Bowhunting"?. If so, then I must sincerely apologize (I was unsure whether I must post this question under "Bowhunting" OR "Hunting Big game"?

Many thanks again for your kind understanding.

Best regards

James

The arrow and broadhead are the least of your worries. I prefer heavy broadheads, with or without bleeders.

Arrow placement is everything and when it isn't the game probably bleeds out and can be tracked.

Don't shoot further than you can shoot accurately. If you can hit near the bull, there is enough energy to kill. Shock is not the killer. Blood loss is. A lung shot drops them close every time.
Use an arrow geared for the type of hunting you will do. A heavy spine in heavy brush lets you shoot thru small gaps near your bow. (I use broomsticks.)

I built my first Indian style self-bow thirty years ago. and was so excited to use it that, on a Sunday morning, I bought oak dowels from home depot, feathers from a hobby shop, and stole some heavy 1" lumber steel banding from a lumber pallet at home depot.

I made 1" broadheads and used sinew from a previous kill to bind the feathers and broadhead.

The bow was about 50lbs. thirty lbs. is legal in many states.

I killed a doe the next day in heavy cover at a range of about 10 feet. I had blood on the arrow up to the fletching.

 

[Hal The Slayer]

Ask Fred Bear !

Gerry I believe Fred Bear Passed a number of years ago!

 

[jerbur]

Hi to all the respected, experienced members.

As a total newbie I was hoping to ask for some advice. Due to covid there is a shortage of arrows that I can source.

Do the experienced members here think the Carbon Express Maxima Red 350 connected to the Magnus Stinger broadhead 150 grain are good enough for hunting big game or do you think this is out of date/not adequate for big game?

I have read conflicting opinions whereby some say the weight/kinetic energy is more important than using a light carbon fast traveling arrow. Then others showed figures that beyond a certain distance it all evens out, irrespective of whether you use a heavy slow traveling aluminum arrow or a fast light carbon arrow.

Sorry, I should also clarify that this is not the Maxima Red SD arrow. It is the Maxima red 350. Thank you.

As I mentioned I am totally new to both the conventional compound bow, as well as the crossbow (I recently bought both). Then I am also new at this site and not sure if it is against the rules to also post this same question at the forum: "Bowhunting"?. If so, then I must sincerely apologize (I was unsure whether I must post this question under "Bowhunting" OR "Hunting Big game"?

Many thanks again for your kind understanding.

Best regards

James

James, after bow hunting exclusive for 25-30 years be assured that spine weight in the arrow is important. You can find online a chart of 'recommendations ' for arrows. All are dependent on length of arrow, poundage that your bow is set, and weight of broadhead used. All of these factors are important in arrow flight. The straighter the arrows flight the better. Any of the above factors can and will change flight.
Always shot heavy as possible to give me the best penetration. However never giving up the flight of the arrow.
On the crossbow shoot the same length that came with it . If unsure reach out to the manufacturer for recommendations.
Yes speed kills, but a sharp well placed broadhead is what does the work.

 

[1FastGambler]

Hi thank you to everyone.

I am still in the process of learning, big game could be a buffalo, but I think in the wild one or in a shtf situation, I would also want an arrow that can also protect against predators (lions, bears etc).

dmj it seems like one can use a lighter arrow when using a compound bow, whereas I get the impression the arrow must be much heavier when using a crossbow.

North Idaho, if I may ask, if a lion approaches you unexpectedly from the front with your arrow drawn, then I presume you would be forced to aim for the chest because you wont be able to reach behind the shoulder??? Will it be adequate?

I am still working on the range, but if I may ask all the experienced members a practical question. I just bought some new arrows. Now I tried to use them, but then noted that if I want to place the the vertical fletch upright and the other 2 fletches more horizontal so that the fletch does not hit the whisker biscuit arrow rest, then the nock is not aligned vertically to lock in place against the string.

Now I tried to google on youtube how to change the position of the nock, but not much info. I used a pliers to keep the arrow stationary and a second pliers to try to turn the knock the correct position, but this was tough and I was worried I might dammage the expensive arrows and nock. Is it correct that I should turn the nock anti clockwise if I want to align it so that the single fletch is vertical?

I just could not understand why new arrows would not have the nock correctly aligned with the fletch? Is my understanding of the concept correct?

Sorry for asking such a basic question.

Thank you again.

Best regards

James

James, Welcome to archery! I started with a PSE bow at 8 years old, 42 years ago. It wasn't until the last 15 years that I have really grown in my knowledge thru personal testing & help from what I would call experts. A couple of bad experiences with elk at close range (<25 yards) caused me to totally rethink everything regarding killing big game with stick & string. I don't have time to fully explain what I learned here & now, but in a nutshell I did a ton of testing & slow mo video and found that for me & my Hoyt Redworx, the stiffest and smallest diameter arrow produced the most penetration out of over $500 worth of test arrows. I will never use a G5 Montec again. In my opinion fixed, replaceable blades are best for hunting such as Slick Trick or Muzzy type, neither of these two broadheads have ever failed. I can't say the same for the Montec's. Also, I'll never use a whisker biscuit again either and don't recommend them unless your shooting a compound with fingers instead of a release aid.

Heavy, stiff, small diameter arrows will penetrate better and provide much better chance for full penetration than lighter/faster/fatter arrows.

I ask you to learn who Fred Bear is.
Join Pope & Young.
Join your local archery club & go participate in their 3d shoots, be courteous, have fun, & people will help you.
Buy & read the book - "Can't Lose Bowhunting".

There is more to this than kinetic energy alone.

The answers you really need are to questions you haven't even asked yet, but that's part of the joy with archery. Shoot often & have fun!

 

[lhedrick1]

I run the 135 gr Zwickey Eskilite out of my compound. They are big heavy and barbaric but they fly good. Wish you could still get the 100gr Magnus Classic. They flew like lazer beams and hit right where my field points hit. DEVASTATING exit wounds.

 

[freddiej]

Newbie Newbie, opinions vary from one person to another. Even Fred Bear, dearly departed guy that he is, will have a vastly different opinion from me or anyone else on the planet.
My personal opinion is that archery is a sport, not a hunting method. I know that I am in the minority but since I believe that I should not force my opinions on other people this is probably the last I will speak of it. I have seen too many Deer, Elk, Moose walk/run away from an archer's arrow in the field and never be found until the meat is spoiled and rancid. The shots were very good shots; double lung & double lung/heart. Some were complete pass through and some the arrow stayed in the animal. The shots were from as little as 5 feet to around 25 yards. I have seen the same from firearms as well. Firearms only about 1/10 to 1/20 the times as I have seen them run off via an arrow. This is my experience and my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
now I must get back to my customer's guns and some more e-mails.

 

[NewbieNewbie]

Freddiej thank you for this. I am also a man of ethics, compassion and mercy (just like you).
Many thanks for this.
Best regards
James

 

[NewbieNewbie]

Thank you kindly for this, hawg chaser




I should have gotten this opinion prior to buying them. The threat of the lockdown, together with only cheaper arrows being available (these carbon express maxima red 350 were the most expensive of all the arrows that that were available that I could source quickly). I see you were able to do things in a very cost effective manner, but you must have healthy strong shoulders as well.



charliewhisky
Thank you for this. I was under the impression a broadhead of 150grain is reasonably heavy. I was also able to source 200grain, but the price was astronomical for just one single broadhead. I never even knew that 300 grain broadheads existed.



Thank you kindly for this. My crossbow only shoots 14 inch arrows, but the compound bow, they have me 30.5 inche arrows. I get the impression that this 150 LBS crossbow penetrates much harder than the compound bow, but I have been told the range is further with the compound bow.



1FastGambler
Thank you for your kind and warm welcome. I can see you have a wealth of experience. This whisker biscuit caused me a problem because the nock is almost never aligned with the fletches, but then I read the drop down is more sophisticated to set up and it can hook against bush.



lhedrick1
Thank you for this, may I ask how the Magnus Classic 100gr compare with the Magnus stinger 150 grain?

 

[dfrahm]

An arrow with a broadhead placed correctly is more deadly than a bullet. I use fixed blade 100gr broadheads. Go to the local shop and / or range and you will get all of the help you need. Have a blast! A deer or elk at less than 10 yards (or feet) - that will get your adrenaline rushing!

 

[WItoOR6637]

Back to the origin question, in regards to kinetic energy. In my opinion, the numbers can be changed all over the place. Brass inserts can change the arrow weight (mass). Along with adding different components up and down the arrow. Adjusting your draw weight will adjust the speed (velocity). There is an infinite amount of adjustment here. Find something that is accurate and gives you confidence. Then work you *** off to build skill. Given you have sharp heads and the correct spine there is a broad working area here. Doesnt need to be perfect. But it helps if the shot placement is.
I've had pass through shots and non-pass through shots. Sometimes the non-pass through shots have had the animals crumple up sooner, with more internal damage upon terminal inspection (gutting). Accuracy is king.

 

[cohunt]

Another thing to consider, it appears the OP is from B.C. if his profile is correct. Not sure of covid lockdown restrictions, or availability of products but lots of other guys from BC were saying there is not a shortage of primers, powders, ammo in BC like here in the US.
Also, the hunting laws in BC are most likely quite a bit different than here.
Might help if some other maple leaves chime in .

As others have said, draw weight, shaft length, "spine" strength, and broadhead weight should all be matched (manufactures have charts that help) but the bow should be tuned so the arrows fly correctly too (I paper tune my own, but most pro shops here in the US will do it for a fee also)
Remember "perfect practice makes perfect "
I prefer fixed 3 blade broadheads and light carbon shafts-- but some prefer heavys

 

[isaaccarlson]

A razor sharp broadhead is 100x more important than arrow weight. If you have a good head, the rest just needs to shoot straight. my first deer was shot with a dull arrow out of a VERY fast crossbow. Good hit, tons of blood, but the deer healed up and we saw it a few days later. I have shot several deer with my slower crossbow, but with razor sharp heads and they bleed out FAST. Even at "only" 360 fps, I can put a razor sharp arrow through a deer the long way. My last frontal shot came out the hip. My arrows are 400 grains.