How Far Did Your Elk Go?
Elk
2018 bull.
2018 bull.
So, how far did your elk travel after the shot for 2018?
Recovery distance, broadhead used & total arrow weight which includes broadhead.
Recovery was 75 yards -- 100 grain Iron Will head -- 425 grain total arrow weight!
ElkNut/Paul
Recovery was around 50 yards, 100 grain G5 Sticker, Do not have any idea what weight my arrow is.
I'll play.
Recovery was 200 yds -- 100 grain Slick Trick standard -- 470 grain total arrow weight.
125 yards, died on his feet.
125 grain German kinetic XL / 555 grain setup / 276 FPS.
He ran about ninty yards, rolled down the mountain another 20 yards. 100 grain servr broadhead. Total arrow weight about 414grains. Shot was at eleven steps frontal.
50 yard recovery, 125gr slick trick std I think, 420ish grains.
25 yard shot with 100 gr G5 Striker. Went 20 yards.
Distance: 25 yard shot - 100 yard recovery, give or take*. Broadhead: Wasp 100 grain Boss. Arrow: Carbon Force 300, around 30" total length. Hit: Heart shot, complete pass through *One of my longer recoveries in some time due to a heart shot. My experience is lung shots are typically a shorter recovery distance.
20 yard shot 60 yard recovery, 2 blade magnus total arrow weight 530 grains 57 lb bow
Cow 15 yds she ran 100ish yds
Bull was 5ish yards, ran 100ish yds
Hellrazor BH 450ish grain arrow
Saw both elk go down in sight.
Guess that settles all the long broadhead debates that have been on here. Looks like G5 Striker is the winner!!
38 yard shot with 125 grain Iron Will tipped 6mm FMJ. 540 grain total arrow weight. 80 yards or so on the recovery.
55 yard shot 30 yard recovery 100 grain slick trick 450 grain arrow
25 yard shot, center of the lungs angling into the offside shoulder, 200 grain Cutthroat broadhead, thumper tapered carbon arrow, 525 grain total arrow weight. Less than 100 yards and heard the crash.
190yd recovery, Slick Trick Vipertrick BH, 430gr arrow.
35 shot,50 or so run and crash. 125 slick trick,340 Axis.
Approx 32 yard shot, about 75 yard recovery. 125 grain Slick Trick Magnum. Total arrow weight about 430 grains.
500 grains seems the new norm for compounds
30 yard shot, went 25 yards and piled up. Easton Epic, tipped with 100 grain Ramcat. Total arrow weight real close to 420 grains out of a 70lb Elite Synergy
26 and 46 yard shots. 46 was the kill shot. He ended up 85 yards from me which was about 50 yards from the kill shot.
420 grain arrow. VPA 125 grain unvented 3 blade.
Bull went 70 yards, 520 grain arrow, 4 blade stinger
60 yd shot with a D350, 100 grain razor tricks, 425 grain arrow, recovery 11 yds.
40 yard shot with a 510 grain arrow tipped with a Dirt Nap head.
Quartering away shot. Entrance was just in front of hind leg. Exit was in crease behind opposite side front shoulder.
The bull went close to a half mile. He was still alive 13 hours later. A finishing arrow through both lungs ended things quickly. He went 5 yards after the 2nd shot.
The first arrow hit guts, diaphragm and one lung. If the arrow was 2” higher it would have been hit the liver. Curious to know if he would have went as far or lived as long with the liver hit as well.
Less than 20 yards with a high lung hit. Old style Bear razor head without the bleeder blade. 550 grain total arrow weight. 60# Bighorn recurve.
Not sure, Charlie... Seems like the compound arrows are mostly in the 400-420 grain weights.
Having killed a pile of elk over the years with 425 grain setups and big 3-blade Snuffers off of longbows, I gotta believe that is plenty of arrow mass to do the job off a compound! Have had more pass thru’s with 425 grain arrows and 3-blade broadheads than the heavy ones with a 2-blade as well.
I have shot elk with arrows weighing from 400 to 650 grains and, honestly, think that 425-450 with a 3 or 4-blade broadhead works best.
24 yard shot, ran 20 yards and fell over and rolled twice. 472 grain total weight, G5 striker, 100 grain.
24 yard shot, ran 20 yards and fell over and rolled twice. 472 grain total weight, G5 striker, 100 grain.
Treeline (Tavis) X2!
ElkNut/Paul
~150yds- 100 gr ramcat Total arrow weight-450gr First animal with the ramcat. Slight quarter to. Entered straight up front leg and exited mid body. Performed well! No blood trail needed as the moo cows had him pointed :)
Tavis, why do you think a 420 grain arrow with a 3 blade would be better than a 550 grain arrow with the same head?
Bowtech experience 70lb, 100 grain shuttle T, 4XX grain, broad side 25 yards, sliced heart-ran 150 yards most uphill, not 1 drop of blood.
UCS,
I am not sure.
I think it has to do with velocity and a stiff arrow for that velocity. Having your arrow tuned for your bow makes a big difference as well.
I have shot and killed elk with wood, aluminum and carbon arrows off traditional bows over the years and the carbons definitely penetrate better. They recover much faster than wood or aluminum coming off the bow and also on impact which helps penetration a lot.
I have had more complete pass thru’s on elk ribs with 425 grain arrows with a Snuffer up front than any other setup. Typically a very short blood trail and see or hear them crash.
75 yard shot. 100 yard recovery. Upper half lung 2 inches behind the shoulder. Pass through. Quite a bit of blood the last 50 yards. Not much first 50. Hoyt Spyder 34 set at 68 pounds. 470 grain fmj arrow with 100 grain wac'em.
Had a blood trail Ray Charles could follow and he still made it 250yrds!
35 yard shot, Wac em Broadhead, 415 grains
42 yard shot. 80 yard recovery, watched him go down. QAD 100 grain Exodus. Gold Tip arrows at 430 grains.
8 yd shot, double lung, bugled at him he stumbled back in to 25 yds, coughing and bleeding, second arrow through the heart. Blasted 100 yds downhill and piled up. FMJ 330 deep six, Slick Trick Mag
50 yds....double lung with 4 blade Magnus...50# RER Arroyo recurve, 15 yd. shot.
I dont wanna start a broadhead war, but is anyone using schwackers on elk? Ive never been elk hunting and am looking into going for the first time next year.
Thanks everyone! Lots of sweet bulls & full freezers. Too it shows what a variety of heads & weights are used to put elk down, hopefully new ones can be assisted in their decision making as to What Arrows & What Heads to consider for their hunts!
No experiences with Swackers, sorry bud!
ElkNut/Paul
50 Yard Shot. 120 Yard recovery. 390 Grain Total Arrow weight with the Magnus Snuffer SS 100G. If he made it another 6 or 7 yards the recovery would have been 170-180. Died right on the very tip of a ridge with a near vertical drop off all the way around it.
65 yard recovery - 100 grain MX3 - 430 grain total arrow weight
I knew I hit him high but was relieved to see him stumble as he ran around a bush and out of sight, heard a crash and death moan within seconds of the shot but I still gave him plenty of time before moving/looking for my arrow.
340 grain total arrow weight, 125 gr. Montec G5 3 blade broadhead. Bow--65 # Hoyt Carbon Spyder. After I offered up a quick prayer, I released the arrow and it smacked the bull right behind the shoulder-- he slowly walked uphill 30 yards, legs got wobbly, and he fell over! Thank you Lord!
340 grain arrow weight! You win! Heck of a bull too! What kind of penetration did you get?
43 yards quartering away, pass through.
Ran about 40 yards and rolled downhill another 20. Arrow weight was 476 gr with an Iron Will.
35 yard broadside, high double lung shot, hardly any blood trail. Watched him trot off and fall within 100 yards. 420 grain Gold Tips with a 125 grain Viper Trick.
40 yd slightly quartering too shot. 35 yd recovery. Took out both lungs and the aorta. He never took another breath. 435 grn total arrow with a 125 grn Viper trick. Shot out of a 60 lb Elite Answer.
Thanks! Sorry typo--440 grains total weight. Penetration was good until bone was hit in opposite shoulder. Here is a photo with approx. 10" out--maybe you can see it on lower right?
The shot was inside 20 yards, he ran about 50 yards and dropped. I heard him take his last breath. The arrow was an EastonSxis tipped with a 100 grain Innerlocs.
Ha! Thanks for clarifying. I was trying to figure out what the heck you were shooting that was only 340gr with a 125gr BH! Great bull!
Awe bummer! I was wanting to know how he got to 340 grains! (grin) Agreed, great bull, congrats!
ElkNut/Paul
Girl elk from a tree stand at 19 yards. Shot perfect broadside thru both lungs and lodged in the offside shoulder. 435 gr arrow out of 70 lb bow with a (gasp) 2” cut Rage titanium.
She ran 120 yards and stood on her feet, bleeding profusely for almost 10 minutes before taking two steps and falling over. Both lungs had a huge gash through them. I watched through the binoculars, totally blown away. I still don’t understand how she made it that long. She should have been stone cold dead in seconds with that shot. There’s no logical explanation.
Pic, riddle me that one...
20 feet I watched him tip over
125 Montec 3 blade fixed
435 grain total
And here I went out there with 486 grain arrows thinking I needed a heavier arrow to get the job done. I got to full draw on a 5X5 bull but only had the back half showing at 40 yards so never sent the arrow downrange. But it sure was exciting! Looks like 420-450 grain arrows are the most common used with good results. Nice elk guys.
Sdhuntr, you didn’t have to tell us what type of head you were using. We all knew when we saw the arrow sticking half way out of the elk! ;)
12 yards, when you add weight to the front for an FOC of 16%+ & stay in those 420-450 weight ranges for most draw weights you will see ultimate penetration. It will out penetrate & out perform a 550 grain arrow with a standard insert & 100 or 125 grain head!
Sdhuntr, looks like you also caught partial scapula, that would impede penetration, glad it worked out in your favor!
ElkNut/Paul
Was still going after 2 1/2 miles and three days. Spent another 30 days looking for him with no luck. Hoping I see him on the winter ground :(
Nothing to do with arrow or bh. Simply a poor shot choice on my part with a deflection on a branch and a bad angle to be shooting. Gotta learn to let em go when it's not right.
Congrats to you guys getting it done !!!! Petes
When I shot that cow, she had just taken a step forward with her front left shoulder, right shoulder was back. I just barely nicked the scapula edge on entrance, maybe 1/2” and the soft perimeter, not enough to impede penetration. Then it buried into the offsite shoulder. That’s what stopped the arrow. Penetration was not a concern as it went fully through both lungs. The arrow just backed out a little bit when she fell over. I got much better penetration than it appears in the picture.
I was also primarily hunting deer at the time, hence the rage heads. Wasn’t planning on elk showing up, yet I did have an any weapon cow elk tag in my pocket. Otherwise I would’ve been prepared with fixed broad heads.
" Wasn’t planning on elk showing up, yet I did have an any weapon cow elk tag in my pocket. Otherwise I would’ve been prepared with fixed broad heads."
Why not just use one good (fixed) head for everything???
SDHUNTR, thanks bud, appreciate the explanation! Good luck this year!
ElkNut/Paul
First shot was 25 yards. Poor shot hit him square in the scapula. Fixed head. Myb 3” of penetration. Second shot was 58 yards quartering away. He made it 100 or so after that shot and piled up. 418-420 grain arrow. I won’t mention the second head as they don’t kill according to Bowsite :-)
Here’s him all cleaned up for a pretty pic
Second elk. Same setup. 62 yard poke. Bottom end of the lungs. Arrow poked out the other side. Elk went about 140 yards. Wish my arrow was about 4” higher woulda been center of the lungs. Again I won’t mention the killing head :-)
ive Debated going to a little heavier arrow but I don’t think I would see a noticeable difference unless I went over 500 grains with a new arrow. 420-445 isn’t gonna make much difference. A dime weighs 35 grains. Just my thoughts
Joe, not sure what inserts are available with your arrow but a heavier insert adding more FOC can make a huge difference!
Example -- I shoot a VAP V-1 Elite 350, I use the 95 grain titanium insert with a 100 grain head, total arrow weight is 425 grains. It's a better penetrator than an arrow weighing the same 425 grains with a 17 grain aluminum insert & 100 grain head & the 1st arrow with the heavier FOC flies the same speed as the 2nd! It's a great balance of speed & penetration without shooting a heavier 500 grain arrow.
ElkNut/Paul
Or, just use a heavier broadhead and your standard insert. Heck, from what I can tell, broadheads just get tougher with weight!
ElkNut1, my FOC is about 12.8% using an old camo Beman ICS Hunter 340 spine (10 gpi) cut to 28". Head was a 150 grain Magnus Stinger 4 blade, insert was 21 grain standard insert. I suspect I'd have to go to a lighter shaft to get better FOC??? Maybe go with a brass/stainless insert and feathers.
Paul, yea I’ve dabbled with thoughts of a heavier insert. I use about 32 total grains on my insert. They make a 50 grainer but I have 60 arrows all ready to hunt. Don’t feel like starting over. It’s a workin system for now
" Wasn’t planning on elk showing up, yet I did have an any weapon cow elk tag in my pocket. Otherwise I would’ve been prepared with fixed broad heads." Why not just use one good (fixed) head for everything???
Valid question, and I usually do just that, but got romanced into trying something new. In all honesty, I'm not sure where I stand. I see merits of both style heads. I used to be vehemently anti-Rage, and I still think the crap original aluminum versions deserve that ire, but the new Titanium models are an entirely different beast. Super thick blades and strong ferrule. I have way more confidence in them, whereas I had none at all in the original version.
Sd, I’m in the same boat. With my arrow weight and momentum I think an expandable might be a good option. I keep going back and forth. I’ve been eyeing the vortex 2” all steel for elk.
Uncle Nate said my thoughts as well and I’ve proven to myself this fall that the versatility of the new stuff works well on just about any species up to elk size game. Assuming your setup is adequate and you can actually shoot in a hunting scenario. I’ve been a skeptic for years.
Joe, I hear ya! With that many arrows I'd probably feel the same way. I only mentioned the heavier FOC because of your comment about adding a bit more weight. It isn't all about going with a heavier arrow, it's about going to a heavier FOC & still staying in the 425 range or so depending on draw weight & length!
12 yards, yes going to a lighter shaft but not sacrificing toughness is what I did a few years back. I still wanted 340 or 350 spine for myself but wanted to stay in the 435 grain or less, I ended up with 425 with nearly 200 grains up front, this was a game changer for me, unreal penetration & speed all in one!
ElkNut/Paul
Shot at 27 yards ran 50 yards back to cows and stopped...flopped about a minute later. Done deal. Easton Axis 340 tipped with Montevideo 125. That’s a killer combo.
37 yard shot. Entry shown, exit right behind other shoulder. Iron Will s125, 492 grains total. Pass through lying about 15 yards beyond his position. He took off downhill and made it 142 yards. Dropped 160’ in elevation according to OnX.
32 yard quarter away. Entered liver exit opposite shoulder. Went 25 yds, stopped and took 2 more in the vitals before taking his last breath. All that in maybe 10 seconds. He was dead on his feet after first shot but I don't take any chances. Seen too many crazy things happen. 510 grain arrow with QAD Exodus 125
KB, awesome bull!!!
Thanks guys!
ElkNut/Paul
Will we want the long version!
Otcwill im always shocked by the guys that dont take a second shot when they can. My bull was dead as hell this year and i shot him again. I'm not taking chances Ive seen too much.
My bull this year shot was 35 yards recovery about 60 yards walked up he was facing away laying dead but 1 more arrow just for good measure. Id rather regret wasting an arrow than watching a bull get up and lose him.
I shoot until they are dead. My bull this year first shot was 32 yards. Second shot was 18, he was dead after the first shot, but I was not taking any chances.
23 yards after shot. Easton epic 420 grain. Broad head dirtnap BMF. 100 grain.
8 yard shot 50 yard recovery frontal . 425 grain arrow tipped with a 4 blade whackem! Ready for September !!
Mine still going too. Hit a un seen branch which cause arrow to hit high. Recover arrow 70 yards later with blood over half of the shaft. Bull is still running around. My Beman centershot 590 grains with 250 grain cutthroat. Deer recover less 50 yards with same set up. Complete pass thru.
Mine actually went like 100 yards this year.
Friend shot rag horn from tree stand w/longbow and heavy arrow. Arrow stuck in ground and the bull rotated, stood for a bit and fell. Had to drag him a bit to get the arrow back.
