Iron bark / Tyler Chubb
Contributors to this thread:Equipment
From: Sam
06-Mar-25
Those that have hunted with Ironbark Outfitters and successfully took a water buffalo please tell me about your equipment. 1.arrow shaft 2.broad head 3. Bow / poundage 4. And the one thing myself and my hunting companions are struggling with the most, TAW.
Thanks men…..I only have till June to get this sorted out.
Sam
From: Dino
06-Mar-25
Hey Sam, I hunted with Tyler(and Mick) in July of 2017. I wrote a blog here called an Australian dream. I used a 67lb Hoyt Carbon Defiant 34. 30” 300 spine Widow Maker arrow with a 175 grain solid widow maker broadhead. It’s a great hunt! You are going to absolutely love it! This stuff here will work great for you…Mick’s been in on hundreds of buff kills. https://www.widowmakerarchery.com/product-page/widowmaker
From: Sam
06-Mar-25
Awesome Dino! Thank you mucho!
From: Dino
06-Mar-25
Sorry…my Total arrow weight was 630 grains. Shoot for an arrow weight over 550 grains.
From: JTreeman
06-Mar-25
I could tell you what I shot, but when I go back I will not shoot the same set up.
I would be shooting 70lbs (28.5”) for arrow weight I would be aiming in the 625-650 range. 2 blade head. Last time I was over 1000grains and I think it provided me less than acceptable results.
Tyler is great, and Australia is awesome, don’t over think it, you will have a great time.
—Jim
From: Sam
06-Mar-25
Thanks Jim This is exactly the kind of info I need.
From: t-roy
06-Mar-25
Sam…..I’ll be there about a month after you. I’m looking at shooting FMJ DG 250 shafts, with a VPA 125gr or 150gr 2 blade double bevel b-head. That should put me in the neighborhood of 630-660 grains.
EDIT: Forgot to add my poundage, which will be around 70lbs.
From: Sam
07-Mar-25
T-Roy, that is nearly identical to my first “experimental” arrow setup.
From: t-roy
07-Mar-25
What were your findings with your first setup, Sam? I haven’t tried my proposed setup as of yet.
From: Sam
07-Mar-25
T-roy My current set up is a 30 1/4” 250 FMJ, 50G insert, 150G Iron Will single bevel Buff broadhead for a TAW of 576. I’m planning on going to a 75G insert and a 200G head for a TAW of 651 without a lighted knock. If Easton still offered their “Dangerous game” shafts this would be a lot simpler.
From: Sam
07-Mar-25
Oops…..72lbs on the RX9
From: Dino
07-Mar-25
Only thing I didn’t like about that fmj is that they bend. With your bow weight and DL, that 250 widow maker set up with the 175 gr Solid 2 blade will get u right around 660 grains…would be one tough as hell and bad ass set up.
From: Blood
07-Mar-25
You should take a peak at Sirius Archery Apollo shafts with their insert system. You could easily build an arrow to those specs. Hammers.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
07-Mar-25
I hunted with Tyler last summer and killed a buffalo, pig and dingo. I used a Mathews V3X, 75# DW, 29" DL, Easton FMJ 4mm 250, 75 gr half out and 125 gr broadhead. Total arrow weight was 595 grains. I used an Iron Will single bevel with no bleeder for the buff and Vortex SS head for the pig and dingo. My shot on the buff was basically frontal with a very slight quarter. Entrance was just to left of white chest patch and exit was through ribs on right side. They are big and tough, if broadside you must aim much further forward than you would on a deer. Just listen to Tyler, he is a terrific guide in every way! I'm also happy to answer any questions that I can help with. Oh, and be prepared to have fun every day!!
From: midwest
07-Mar-25
Following! I’m going in ‘26 so have plenty of time to prepare. I’ve been reading all the past hunts and it seems like a good percentage of the buffs have to be finished with the bang stick. From what I’ve read, I think I’d rather have a close frontal shot than broadside. Even a well placed broadside shot that hits a rib perpendicular to the 2-blade head may not get the penetration needed. Can you guys that have been there post some pics on where to aim on a bull at different angles? I’m super excited for this hunt!
Good luck to you guys headed there this year!
From: WhattheFOC
07-Mar-25
I’ll be hunting with Tyler in May. Plan is to shoot my 75# VXR at 29”. Arrows are 605g. I talked with Tyler about more draw weight and heavier arrows, he persuaded me away from both. His advice is that if you center a rib with your bh at 90 degrees to the bone, it doesn’t matter how heavy the arrow is, you’re probably going to hear his rifle. I did change it up from a 150g 3 blade to a 150g 2 blade (IW Buff).
Countdown is on, we leave in 6 weeks … doing a 3 week fishing trip up the west coast of WA before the hunt.
From: Sam
07-Mar-25
Thank you men…keep em coming!!
From: JTreeman
07-Mar-25
Here is my buff. 1000+ gr arrow, FMJ DG with with tubes and IW 250 (?) grain up front. Bow was 73lb Hoyt RX-3 at 28.5” shot was 30-32 yards. Hit a bit higher than I wanted, but Tyler was happy with placement. Center punched a rib and blade was perpendicular to the grain of the bone. You can see the length of penetration, one lung. I think 1” left or right or possibly if blades were oriented vertical instead of horizontal I would have had a dead buffalo.
When I go back 600ish will be my arrow choice. Flight of 1100gr arrow is so arced it makes range super critical. Not worth it for me.
—Jim
From: Sam
07-Mar-25
Jim..that is awesome input, can’t thank you enough.
From: Sam
07-Mar-25
Jim..that is awesome input, can’t thank you enough.
From: Tyler
11-Mar-25
Do i count. I’ve shot a handful of buff and had 2 clients kill buff with my 84 lb Hoyt 29.5 draw. Widowmaker 300s with alloy outserts. Have shot a few different broadheads mostly 175 gr widowmakers or ozcuts. Also shot one with a 125gr ironwill. My setup now is a 580gr total weight. Have shot as low as 540 grain and as much as 720 grain. I’ve not had any performance failures with these setups. As for “the whole picture” I’ve seen just about it all work and also all fail. Sometimes you can do everything correct and Itll still go wrong. This was 100% the case with Treemans bull. All good input from others above.
From: Tyler
11-Mar-25
Tyler's Link
Here is a neat article written a few years back by Andy who guided at this concession prior to me. Most of these photos etc were done on the concession.
From: C5ken
12-Mar-25
I have hunted Buffs with Tyler twice. A lot of good info above from guys that have taken buffs with Tyler. Without a doubt, the best source of info regarding equipment is Tyler. He has literally be involved with hundreds of archery buff hunts. Send him a txt & Im sure he will get back to you regarding equipment the works & equipment that has not.
From: APauls
12-Mar-25
That's a great article. Wouldn't go buff hunting without reading that a few times!
From: Beendare
12-Mar-25
I was with a group of guys that had great success with 80# compounds and 800g plus arrows- complete pass throughs....except the one guy was shooting a recurve with a 560g arrow that never made it into the chest cavity. that wounded bull almost killed our assistant guide- plowed him bad.
We all used Tempered steel 2 blades.
I have one buddy that did that hunt and didn't use a tempered steel head and it curled on ribs going in not getting penetration.
From: midwest
12-Mar-25
midwest's Link
Found this old thread by Andy (at my link). It's everything from the article posted by Tyler above but also includes info on the frontal shot. Video is from that thread as well.
From: Sam
12-Mar-25
Tyler….”Do I count”…lol Don’t worry buddy, I’ll have plenty of dumb questions for you before we leave.
Thank you Ken, Beendare and Midwest…now I have something to do this evening, so far I am a certified YouTube buff hunting expert.
This will be one heck of an adventure!
From: Sam
12-Mar-25
Update: I ordered components today, we should be pushing around 668G. Without a lighted nock. Draw weight of 70-72lbs.
From: Tyler
13-Mar-25
The frontal is hands down my favourite it’s a large opening with thin skin and no bone. Can only recommend it to guys that get to full draw and can be rock solid and confident. Have had guys at full draw and I’ve talked them down when the arrow is vibrating on the rest. That’s when the problems start. I guess It can cause a bit of pucker factor.
From: t-roy
13-Mar-25
Got some of my components coming as well, Sam. Getting closer every day!
From: Dino
13-Mar-25
Sam, T Roy. Which components and arrows you decide on?
From: Sam
13-Mar-25
Tyler I am all in on that frontal shot..looks brutal!
From: Sam
13-Mar-25
Dino… Looks like the final arrow set up will be a 30-1/4” long 250 spine Easton FMJ, 75G insert, #3 Easton HIT collar, 200G Iron Will single bevel Buff broadhead, possibly a glory nock on the string. TAW of maybe 672
From: t-roy
13-Mar-25
Hey, Dino….I’m looking at Easton 250 spine FMJ DG shafts, and looking at VPA 2 blade double bevel heads. Gonna play around with 125, 150 and possibly 175gr heads. Might look at similar weights in a single bevel as well. Should put me in the 630-680 total arrow weight area. Arrow length of 28” out of a 70-72 bow.
From: Dino
13-Mar-25
Dudes…that’s completely awesome. Pls be sure to share some pictures. We r headed there next July, my cousin is doing a Buff hunt and I am going along as an observer. It’s a special place for hunting, Australia is… His set up will be 30” Widowmaker 300 spine arrow(35gr outsert) and a widowmaker 175 gr 2 blade solid. Finished weight of 630 ish grains.
From: Sam
13-Mar-25
T-roy…where did you find the DG FMJ’s?
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
13-Mar-25
Here’s a picture showing the arrow at the exit.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
13-Mar-25
Another view.
From: t-roy
13-Mar-25
I got them from Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear, Sam. Wife said they just got delivered today!
From: Dino
13-Mar-25
Jeff! Awesome pictures. Thank u for sharing! How far was your shot?
From: Sam
13-Mar-25
Jeff, pass through is incredible, was it a frontal shot?
T-roy, my bow tech exhausted all his vendors and finally got the right person on the phone at Easton who found the last eight in their warehouse, he was looking for a client going to Africa.
From: Tyler
13-Mar-25
Can see arrow in flight
Can see arrow in flight
I can’t remember the yardage. Less than 25 forsure. He was steep quartering too. Was certainly not a slam dunk shot but jeff pulled it off. Could t have placed the arrow any better. Bull went 100 yards looked back and fell over.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
14-Mar-25
Pretty sure it was 18-20 yards. I just settled the top pin and squeezed.
We (Tyler) spotted this bull with a herd of cows about a mile away. We hiked in to about 400 yards and stood in the little trees and watched him. Tyler said "That bull could be here in 45 seconds." About a minute late the bull chased off a smaller bull. They could have gone any direction but fortunately came right to the trees we were in. The smaller bull stayed further out and the bull I shot walked right to us. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good....or have someone good (Tyler) standing next to you.
From: C5ken
14-Mar-25
For the guys that haven't hunted with Tyler. Get ready for an outstanding experience. Tyler is the best. Listen to his advice & you will be beyond happy...
From: WhattheFOC
15-Mar-25
Can’t get over how the bull in the video barely flinched with that frontal shot. Tough animals.
From: Kurt
15-Mar-25
WhattheFOC, I thought the same thing but only for a moment, haha.
From: t-roy
15-Mar-25
Razor sharp broadheads are the key….
From: Hancock West
17-Mar-25
thats a messed up video... lol. I thought the bull looked alittle bit like paper-mache at first and then I saw the hoist.
