What arrow weight do you prefer?

[nchunter]

I made a pretty radical change last hunting season that may be of interest to some:

For the last 15 years my set-up was 100-gr Rocket Hammerhead expandables with a total arrow weight of 425 grains. I've harvested about 35 deer with this set-up, using my 2001-vintage Exocet. Velocity is 273 fps.

Last hunting season I switched to Centaur Battleaxe Broadheads. These are enormous, 242-gr two-blade, single-bevel fixed-blade heads that appear ridiculously over-sized at 2 inches wide. And my total arrow weight now is 577 grains! Velocity is 249 fps.

Sounds (and looks) crazy, but by fletching with 2" Blazers or Quickspins at the maximum LW Helical that my fletching jig allows, these over-sized heads actually group with field points out to 40 yards.

I took three deer with these last season. I got complete pass-throughs in every case, no matter what bones were hit. In one case the pass-through was length-wise! And the blood trail is instant and profuse.

I now can do straight-down spine shots at deer directly under my stand and get a pass-through heart shot. I could never risk that shot with a conventional expandable broadhead.

[hunter with MS]

I use 375.

[JUDGE]

Been shooting 400gr since I started no reason to change.

[Michiganhunter]

I like the 400 range. I currently shoot 388 gr total arrow and head at 378 fps out of my 380 Matrix.

[Moon]

Around 400 grains for most crossbows but when using some slower crossbows I'll kick the arrow weight up quite a bit for increased penetration.

[SEW]

Average is about 440gs.

[Ferguson Outfitters]

I like the Diablo with 125gr VPA Non Vented, total weight is 375gr. Now I like the 400gr setup with the bolt cutters too but then I had to go and weigh the bolt cutters. No two bolt cutters weighed the same and had as much as 20gr difference betwixed them which dissapointed me. They both go slam through in the right spot but the VPA will do it in the wrong spot.

I have to believe the recommended setup by Excaliber was thorough and presents the best compromise. I feel accuracy and penetration trump all else.

I think terms like "kinetic energy" should be dropped from the terminology concerning archery, it sounds so uninformed.

I think any Matrix between the Grizzly and 330 with a Nikon Bolt or ACOG using a stock string and 375-400 grain bolt, is a Nightmare!

[sgtkersh]

I'm new here, just bought an Excalibur Matrix 350SE. This is only my second bow season and I hunted last year with a Carbon Express compound bow, but really wanted to get a recurve. So far arrows I plan on two things, both around 400 gr.

First, the stock Diablo arrows with the field tip for normal target practice and then the Excalibur Boltcutters for turkey and any coyotes I see.

For deer, I really want to make sure my shot is on target and really like the NAP Spitfires and bought them in 125 gr. To keep the 400 gr total I had Wyvern Creations build me custom Double Eagle Executioner 18" arrows with an 80 gr brass insert and then lumenocks. The total weighed out to 409 gr. They should be here tomorrow so I will dial in my bow/scope then and start looking forward to bow season in October.

[Back strap]

First crossbow, first set of bolts, 413.2. Very accurate happy happy

[Equinox]

I'm shooting 430 grain Spynal Tapps. With a lumenok they are 459grains arrows.125 grain broadhead.

[bluehills]

475 grains.....Gold tip lazer IV 16'' long @ 13.9 grains/inch, blazer vanes, 60 grain brass insert with 50 grain rear weight screwed in back for a total of 110 grain insert, 100 grain original rocky mountain gator expandable broadheads (now called blackout gator sold and owned by Bass Pro).
Shooting a matrix 405. Not sure how to vote in survey.