Lighter faster arrow versus heavier arrow

[sagedoc]

I have been shooting my matrix 380 with zombie slayers with the 150grain boltcutter broadheads. Total arrow weight is 380g. Arrows are 18" length. I was looking at the ram cat broadheads (125g fixed blades are the heaviest I believe. What I've read, I may be better off with a heavier/longer arrow with a total weight over 400g total. Any advice from matrix owners? Longer arrow? Heavier arrow? I most hunt hogs 40 yards or less.

Thanks in advance!

Wally

[xcaliber]

Wally, how many Zombies do you have? I would get heavier front inserts. Without doing the math, yours are too light.
18" length is perfect for the 380. Here is the dope on the Zombies.
18" length at 9.1 grains per inch= 163.8
92 grain inserts= 92.0
Plastic rear nock= 8.0
Vanes usually= 20.0
That's 283.8 without your head, you could also install 110 grain inserts, and get your Thump up on the total weight.

Dan

[nchunterkw]

What Dan said......add 110 gr brass inserts to get the weight up. IMO you need a much heavier arrow for hogs than you do deer - especially if you shoot at a boar with some thick shields. The RamCats are a great choice. I'd add heavier nocks too either by going to Al rear nocks or by using a lighted nock. Two other arrow choices would be Easton FMJs (13.9gpi) or GoldTip Nitros (14gpi). I used the GTs to make my "bison arrows" for my Micro. 15.5" and they came in around 500gr. GT has a system where you can add screw in weights to the nocks or inserts to totally customize any arrow to your exact needs. Those are the 2 heaviest shafts I have found and I'd give the edge to the GTs. Stiffer spine and they won't bend. The Easton is Al over carbon and you can bend them.

Good Luck

[vixenmaster]

My nickel is i prefer heavier arrows when my yardage is 40 yds n under. I like 400gr to 600gr total arrow weight, specially on heavy boned game animals

[sagedoc]

So, my choices are down to:
Zombies 18". 163 gr
Brass insert. 110 gr
Vanes and nock. 30 gr
Ram cat bh. 125 gr
Total gr. 428 gr

Or

Gold tip nitros. 252 gr
Brass insert. 110 gr
Vanes and nock. 30 gr
Ram cat bh. 125 gr
Total gr. 517 gr

If I switch to excal broadheads these values increase by 25 (150 gr versus 125 gr)

Is the 125gr broadhead enough weight forward for the gold tip nitros? Are the boltcutter 150 grain too much for the zombies with brass inserts?

[xcaliber]

Don't over think this. More weight up front won't hurt. As long as you get the recipe you like, and get your setup dialed in to that recipe, you'll do well. Remember, the more weight you have up front before the broadhead is added, the options open up for you to choose lower weight heads. That really is my point here.

[SEW]

There are lighter brass inserts. 210-220g is plenty. More will just cause faster drop.

[bob watkins]

my 380s like the 425 gr arrow good choice on 110 gr insert

[sagedoc]

Thanks for the help! I may try the spynal tapp arrows that Jerry has for a total weight with broadhead in the 435-455gr range I think. Will 50-60 grains make a big enough difference versus the 380gr I am shooting now?

[galamb]

Lighter gives you better speed.

Speed is "less forgiving" - "most" can get better groups from a heavier set-up.

Heavier will also "always" penetrate better - a heavier arrow will "continue to pull itself" through after impact, plus being slightly slower, it meets with "less resistance" on impact.

If you are a speed fan, you will be better off "driving fast" to your hunting grounds - especially on "tougher game" (hogs, bears, moose, elk) you will be "potentially" more lethal with a heavier set-up, all else being equal...

[wildcatter]

I have 2-380's both I have got my best results using arrows over 400 grains, my lightest arrow for hunting is 430 grains a Spynal Tapp dual wall, with an 80 grain insert and blazer vanes with firenock D2 lighted and a 100 grain slick trick standard up front, or a 125 grain Slick Trick Standard on the same arrow for 455 grn, both shoot great out past 40 yards,,,

I use the same arrow setup with a 125 grain insert and 175 grain VPA 3 blade up front for @ 547 grn arrow excellent accuracy out to 60 yards is as far as I have shot it, but it has great accuracy and KE out there.