New broadhead/arrow setup

[Prairiekid]

I was thinking that over this winter I would take the time to research a possible new arrow set up. This fall I was able to take a whitetail buck and cow elk with my bow, I hope to do a short write up later but in the meantime would like to research some of the arrow options.

My bow is set at 62lbs and my draw is approximately 28.5". This season I used some random Rage mechanical broad head, they performed well but actually bent a little bit on impact and I want to switch to fixed blade anyways. I use Goldtip XT 400 arrow shafts (not sure on diameter). I also use Nockturnal nocks.

I have been looking at Iron Will broadheads and the feedback seems very positive. Of course at that price point you would hope to get a quality product.

You maybe able to tell but I haven't spent much time on the specifics of my set up, but rather focused on practicing and then getting close when hunting. My shots this season were 12 yards on the buck and 25 on the elk. I had a complete pass through on the buck but on the elk it seemed I got full penetration and then the arrow eventually backed its way out with blood on the fletching. Both animals were recovered quickly.

I'm thinking of maybe switching to 150gr IW single bevel. Does that mean I need to use helical vanes? I looked at arrow saws and vane jigs. Are they worth it for someone like myself who shoots a 2-3 times a week when I can and once a week I when I get busy? or is it better to just get them built up. I do like to tinker and reload for my hunting rifles, but still shoot less than 100 center fire rounds a year. I thought it might be enjoyable playing a little bit with different fletching/wraps etc but it might not be worth the cost of the equipment.

Thoughts?

[Maxwell87]

get after it! it’s fun to tinker i shoot IW and other similar broadheads, resharpening them isn’t to hard and many different jigs out there to get you on your way, they come razor sharp aside from a minor touch up for hunting season you won’t need to do anything g major if you keep the broadheads in the foam.

have played with weights/inserts and different fletchings. i’m not good enough to shoot much of a difference. some differences forsure in fletching sizes at distance, taller seems to control better. i shoot a helical but many “pros” don’t seem to add a ton. i have the arizona ex-fletch. the bitz seems to be the choice fletching jig if you really want to do it all. obviously if you go way up or down in your point weight to the drop changes.

get a arrow spinner and end squaring tool to fix the wobble, is makes a major difference i found with accuracy.

like loading ammo or tying flies it’s fun to put the personal touch on your setup and i feel i have learned a lot with the overall process the last 18 months or so since i stopped shooting factory arrows.

learning to tune your bow i feel is major, you can do some adjustments with the rest but having your stuff shooting square and your arrows spinning true is the name of the game

[KrisRD]

If you are looking at a 150 grain IW broadhead then your current 400 spine arrows are very likely too weak. You'd probably need something around 350. Under spined arrows are not going to tune well. You'll also need to do some bow tuning to get the IW's flying nicely.

As Maxwell87 said, getting the arrows shooting perfect is key, especially with a big fixed blade broadhead.

[Gun]

Not sure what IW is. I shot 5 critters this fall. All one arrow kills except my P&Y Moose.(low lung) He didn't go far just put another in him to speed things up.
I use a Bear TD Recurve, right now 43# at my 26.5" draw. Carbon and aluminum arrows. I used a 200gr Cutthroat single bevel on the Moose and Mulie buck. Two blade Zwickey Delta w steel insert (200gr total head weight) for the three does.

I bareshaft tune w point weight arrow length. Just brace height and nock point height other wise. Pretty simple and works for me. Complete pass thru on all 4 deer.

Still recovering from shoulder surgery two years ago, hence the light weight and short draw. Hope to be close to 50# and 28" by spring Bear.
Keep it simple. Good Luck!

[Maxwell87]

Originally Posted by Gun

Not sure what IW is. I shot 5 critters this fall. All one arrow kills except my P&Y Moose.(low lung) He didn't go far just put another in him to speed things up.
I use a Bear TD Recurve, right now 43# at my 26.5" draw. Carbon and aluminum arrows. I used a 200gr Cutthroat single bevel on the Moose and Mulie buck. Two blade Zwickey Delta w steel insert (200gr total head weight) for the three does.

I bareshaft tune w point weight arrow length. Just brace height and nock point height other wise. Pretty simple and works for me. Complete pass thru on all 4 deer.

Still recovering from shoulder surgery two years ago, hence the light weight and short draw. Hope to be close to 50# and 28" by spring Bear.
Keep it simple. Good Luck!

sorry IW is short for IronWill. a broadhead and component manufacturer. cutthroats are break broadheads aswell!

[3blade]

Do it.

IW or any similar heads do usually require a high level of tuning, so if that’s the direction you want to go, go all in. You will end up at 350 or even 300 spine arrows. I like microdiameter arrows and have seen improved pass through rates, but that limits or eliminates your ability to helical. I played around with a pile of different arrows and broadheads, and while it wasn’t cheap, it gave me a ton of confidence in my final setup and resulted in many quick, clean kills.

[Prairiekid]

Thanks for the feedback I want to understand the whole process a little more and jumping into arrow selection/building should really help with that.