Elk arrow setup advise

[HardlyHangin]

Howdy,

Looking for "keep-it-simple-stupid" recomendations from my fellow georgians on elk arrow setups, preferably anecdotal. This will be my second trip elk hunting but my first time with archery equipment.

My current whitetail setup is 28"arrows 300 spine with 100gr broadheads coming in at ~430gr total. Based on my preliminary research im thinking if i can add 50 grains up front that will put me at 480 overall with ~13%FOC (if that matters? Idk) then that should be plenty good.

Ive also always shot mechanical heads and have never broadhead tuned a bow. Almost all of the content out there says you must used a fixed blade on an elk, which could be all marketing **. In my mind im thinking something like a grim reaper mechanical, a qad exodus fixed, or a messai type coc point.

Thoughts?

 

[notnksnemor]

Howdy,

Looking for "keep-it-simple-stupid" recomendations from my fellow georgians on elk arrow setups, preferably anecdotal. This will be my second trip elk hunting but my first time with archery equipment.

My current whitetail setup is 28"arrows 300 spine with 100gr broadheads coming in at ~430gr total. Based on my preliminary research im thinking if i can add 50 grains up front that will put me at 480 overall with ~13%FOC (if that matters? Idk) then that should be plenty good.

Ive also always shot mechanical heads and have never broadhead tuned a bow. Almost all of the content out there says you must used a fixed blade on an elk, which could be all marketing **. In my mind im thinking something like a grim reaper mechanical, a qad exodus fixed, or a messai type coc point.

Thoughts?

You didn't say, but based your arrow info, I assume your bow is 65-70 lb.
Don't over think it. Your current setup sounds fine.
Use the broadhead your bow shoots well and STAY AWAY FROM THE SHOULDER BLADE no matter what you use unless it's on the opposite side.

Good luck.

 

[HardlyHangin]

You didn't say, but based your arrow info, I assume your bow is 65-70 lb.
Don't over think it. Your current setup sounds fine.
Use the broadhead your bow shoots well and STAY AWAY FROM THE SHOULDER BLADE no matter what you use unless it's on the opposite side.

Good luck.

Simple enough!

 

[Hillbilly stalker]

If you’re going with an outfitter, I’ve read where most do not allow mechanical broadheads on elk.There is a reason for that, they do it for a living. Best check with them first. If y’all’s going on your own it’s a different story.

 

[HardlyHangin]

If you’re going with an outfitter, I’ve read where most do not allow mechanical broadheads on elk.There is a reason for that, they do it for a living. Best check with them first. If y’all’s going on your own it’s a different story.

Good point. We are doing a drop camp semi guided, so the guide is riding us back to the base camp and leaving us to do the rest

 

[notnksnemor]

Good point. We are doing a drop camp semi guided, so the guide is riding us back to the base camp and leaving us to do the rest

Make sure you have a way to contact the outfitter if needed.
If there is no cell service and they use radios, make sure you have extra batteries.

 

[Ihunt]

Screw an Exodus head on there, make sure it flys straight, and go hunt with either the 430 or 480 setup.

 

[Ajohnson0587]

My current setup is 450gr arrow, Cut Throat fixed 3 blade broad head. Arrow is going 289 fps at release and 252fps at 80yrds. They are flying great out to 100yrds. I also have a similar setup using an Iron will wide single bevel 2 blade broad head. But they are losing accuracy past 65yrds. This will be my first year for elk, these are setups based on research and speaking with elk hunters from across the country at Total Archery Challenge events. The large consensus of experienced elk hunters say 450-480gr is the sweet spot. Speed kills, also a really sharp broad head.

 

[deast1988]

470grs and 280fps

Get you a reputable fixed and you’ll be good to go! Exodus, SlickTrick ViperTrick, Wasp Drone/Dart. You put that into the goodies. Then just got to find it, you can spend as much or as little as you wish to achieve this but that combo in the ribs lights out.

 

[benellisbe]

I am headed out west in early September. I'm running an Easton Axis Long Range 4mm with a 55gn Titanium Insert and Iron Will 125s. 471 grains at 291 FPS. Your 430 should be fine, but I am also not a fan of mechanicals.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Got a tag this year. I’ll be shooting a 500 grain axis with a 125 grain spitfire at about 285 fps

 

[ddd-shooter]

Much more important that you practice enough to hit where you’re aiming, imo.
How’d you do at the shoot?

 

[swamppirate]

When I hunted Idaho in 2020 they only allowed fixed blades. I had very good performance out of the Wasp Hammers.

 

[GeorgiaGlockMan]

Montec G5 at 125 gr is an elk killer.

 

[Kris87]

I'm not an elk hunter, but if I were, I'd keep it simple with a fixed head. I'd probably go Magnus just because they fly well and are easy to sharpen. I know a lot of these elk hunters today get caught up in the high dollar heads, like Iron Will and some others, but I still don't think they're necessary for an elk. Montec, QAD Exodus, Magnus Black Hornet, Slick Trick Viper Trick, all would be something I'd look at.

 

[RovingCodeMonkey]

I've been going through a similar thought process with my bow and setup of late. Trying to set up one solution for all game (deer/hogs/elk).
I've got a 3 pin + slider so can use it to hunt (Plan to keep it under 50) and shoot longer range/TAC which I've shot to ~140.

After some tinkering and research I landed on a 300 spine arrow running a 150gr Iron will single bevel. Total arrow weight 473gr @ 282fps
70lb bow
Hoping it'll be the right combo of weight/speed to take down anything but haven't had a chance to put it to the test just yet (hoping to this season!)

All the research I've done recommends avoiding mechanicals on elk as they just don't get the penetration you'd hope for.

 

[trkyhnt89]

Guys kill them with mechanicals….. it’s all about shot placement.

My deer setup with a 100 grain slick trick did the job just put it BEHIND the shoulder.

 

[Ajohnson0587]

I've been going through a similar thought process with my bow and setup of late. Trying to set up one solution for all game (deer/hogs/elk).
I've got a 3 pin + slider so can use it to hunt (Plan to keep it under 50) and shoot longer range/TAC which I've shot to ~140.

After some tinkering and research I landed on a 300 spine arrow running a 150gr Iron will single bevel. Total arrow weight 473gr @ 282fps
70lb bow
Hoping it'll be the right combo of weight/speed to take down anything but haven't had a chance to put it to the test just yet (hoping to this season!)

All the research I've done recommends avoiding mechanicals on elk as they just don't get the penetration you'd hope for.

I’d say that’s a great setup for all game & TAC events, run with it and I hope you have success.

 

[Robust Redhorse]

You want full penetration and an exit on an elk...

 

[RockyMountainNATE]

I'm headed out into my unit on Wednesday morning. Currently running 528grains total weight, 300 spine arrow and 72lbs pull. I really support using a 500+ grain arrow setup and a single bevel broadhead or at least something solid like a Montec. mechanicals have a tendency to create problems when elk hunting. All my arrows have 100gr inserts and I NEVER use the stock aluminum ones due to their high amount of manipulation when they smash into a rib or catch that back piece of scapula. If they bend on entrance you lose a big chunk of kinetic energy. If you lose that kinetic energy you don't get the pass through you want. Best of luck out there guys.