New Bow setup this year

[Mossy Bloke]

I'm updating my ancient bow set up this year. For the first time I'm going to carbon arrows and expandable broadheads.

I'm shooting an old PSE bow set at 68 lbs. and up til now I've been shooting 22/17s I believe.

Can anyone tell me what kind of speed improvement I can expect switching to carbons?

Anything else I need to be ready for? Bow season is just around the corner down here in GA!

 

[Sunray]

"...Bow season is just around the corner..." Too late. You'd need to learn how to shoot a new bow before you can hunt with it, same as you would have to develope a load for a new rifle.

 

[Newt]

Bow season's a couple months away for use here, but I'm getting geared up for it too. I'm looking at getting a new bow this year and updating everything I got, so I'll be looking to see what kind of improvements I get as well. Good luck.

 

[Mossy Bloke]

in addition...

...to carbon arrows and new broadheads I'm planning on using a whisker biscuit as well. I'm tired of my arrow falling off the rest and clanging against the riser.

I've got moleskin on there, but it's still too loud in the woods.

 

[HSMITH]

Speed gain really depends on the bow, some bows will only gain a few % and some will gain 15% more speed. Generally the older the bow the less efficient it is and the less it will gain. Also bear in mind that carbons being lighter carry less kinetic energy, arrow flight MUST be perfect. Kinetic energy makes up for very small arrow flight issues and most carbons just don't have the weight. Carbons when flighted well penetrate like you wouldn't believe, WAY better than you would think given the energy they posess, but arrow flight MUST be perfect to get the penetration. Expanding broadheads also use some energy opening, how much depends on which broadhead. If you are clicking along at 225 fps with a 360 grain arrow (older bow and carbon arrow) I would NOT shoot expandables, on a 360 grain arrow I would look for a MINIMUM of 260 FPS for whitetail deer. I would suggest you chronograph your bow with your hunting arrow and call the manufacturer of the broadhead you want to use. Old bows are usually very loud with light carbon arrows as well.

Go buy a new bow if you want carbons and expandables in my opinion, there are some fantastic bows out there for $250 or so and top end bows near $1000 if you want. The newer bows are easier to shoot, faster, quieter, simpler to maintain, and so accurate it is just silly.

 

[Harve Curry]

I wouldn't use the expandable broad heads, maybe they work on deer if hit right, on elk they don't penetrate, which is what you need to get into the heart and lungs. A good broadhead with a sharp chisel tip. Speed is over-rated.