arrow weight for 390-400 fps

[ThunderXB]

OK, another new Xbox owner question:

I am getting a Bulldog 400. (yeaaaa me!!! , I'm excited, and at my age that doesn't happen much anymore )

I understand I want weight foc and that more weight, to an extent, is easier on the bow and maybe more forgiving downrange.

Was looking at 18" Zombies for my bolts. If I buy them built, they ONLY come with the 92 gr brass insert installed.

If that was the case: 18" x 9.1 gpi = 163.8 + 92 gr brass insert = 255.8 + 170 NAP FOC = 425.8 + 20gr vanes/nock = 445.8 gr total.

That seems a little heavy?? Yes/No??

If I used a 125 gr Spitfire it would be 400.5.

OR I could order 20" zombies, cut them back to 18" use a 30 gr aluminum insert and the 170 NAP FOC and end up at 383.8.

OR I could look for a 150 gr broadhead and using the brass insert end up at 425.8

I look forward to your opinions and help.

[wildcatter]

Welcome aboard and congrats on a great new bow!!

I'm shooting Bushed Spynal Tapps for built in weight forward, plus 125 grain inserts, and @ 19" with 175 grain COC VPA 3 blade broadheads and firnock lighted D2 nocks they weigh 542 grain and shoot inside 3/4" out to 70 yards in my 380 Mad Max.

In my 380 Lynx I shoot the same arrows with a 125 grain Slick Trick Standard for 492 grains. It shoots every bit as good! My lightest arrows are 18" with 85 grain inserts 100 grain Slick Tricks and same lighted nock system and they weigh 425 grains, they shoot almost as good, if the wind is light, in windy conditions they are much more affected than the 19" heavier arrows. Anything from 425 to 550 is what I have found to work best in my 405 and my 380's.

[ThunderXB]

WOW! 542 gr, I would have never guessed.

I was thinking I'd need to stay about 380-400 gr with my set up.

Guess I'll find out, I just wanted to try and cut down my trial and error a little.

[vixenmaster]

As the arrow weight increases the speed decreases. 400 fps usin a 350gr n around 375 fps fer a 400gr arrow, all fps are est.'s on my part.

[Normous]

You may be able to request that Black Eagle ship your arrows without front inserts and order a dozen aluminum inserts from them and install/glue yourself.

I use 18 Zombies, 2' blazers, 24 grain front aluminum inserts and a 170 gr FOC, that combination fly's dead on out or my 405.

[8ptbuk]

OK, another new Xbox owner question:

I am getting a Bulldog 400. (yeaaaa me!!! , I'm excited, and at my age that doesn't happen much anymore )

I understand I want weight foc and that more weight, to an extent, is easier on the bow and maybe more forgiving downrange.

Was looking at 18" Zombies for my bolts. If I buy them built, they ONLY come with the 92 gr brass insert installed.
Most shooting the FOC 170 heads use aluminum inserts instead of the brass ones to keep their overall weight down .
If that was the case: 18" x 9.1 gpi = 163.8 + 92 gr brass insert = 255.8 + 170 NAP FOC = 425.8 + 20gr vanes/nock = 445.8 gr total.

That seems a little heavy?? Yes/No??

If I used a 125 gr Spitfire it would be 400.5.

OR I could order 20" zombies, cut them back to 18" use a 30 gr aluminum insert and the 170 NAP FOC and end up at 383.8.

OR I could look for a 150 gr broadhead and using the brass insert end up at 425.8

I look forward to your opinions and help.

Most use aluminum inserts with FOC 170 heads to keep weight down

[sproulman]

My arrow rep used 18 inch ballistic 425 with 110 gr brass insert and plastic nocks and 100 gr points for 395 grs for my Micro 335...quills weight about 401 so arrows are shooting same spot..I am adding a Lumenock at 28 grs to it subtracted by plastic nock of 8 grs so around 415 with spitfires..Sound like arrow expert..lol..

[Normous]

Getting back to your post tittle "arrow weight for 390-400 fps" you will require an arrow close to the 350 grain (total weight) minimum that Excalibur used to achieve the 400 fps Bulldog advertised speed.

Expect roughly a 1fps decrease in speed for ever 3 arrow grains added above 350 grains.

For example a 380 grain arrow would likely achieve 390 fps +/- out of the Bulldog.

[MTBighorn]

I use the 18" Zombies from Danny Miller w/92gr brass inserts and 100gr heads out of my Matrix 380.They weigh 385grs ....this still gives me a 21% foc and they are fast! And accurate!! Even with Slick Tricks broadheads.

I just shot this group at 100 yards unsupported, off of my knee....I can't see owning a "fast" bow and then taking my ballistic advantage away by running a (un-needed) heavy arrow. If I'm going after buffalo...that is a different story but for deer and elk, I like the flat shooting capability to be exploited!


Congrats on the Bulldog....PLEASE post LOTS of pictures!!!!!!

[wildcatter]

a 388 grain arrow runs 362 fps out of my mad Max,, a 435 grain arrow runs 352 fps, The 435 grain arrow will drift much less in a 10-15 mph wind than the 388 which will blow off course more. But when it comes to flatter shooting, there's absolutely no way a human can tell a difference at 50 yards, which is about as far as any use archery equipment on live game. At 50 yards every arrow is within 1/4" of the center of the bull it was shot at with the 435 grainers.


As far as drop there is less the 1.5" difference in the 2 at 50 yards, but a 15 mph wind will blow the lighter arrow off course more than 2" farther at 50 yards. Not to mention how much smoother the bow shoots with the 435 grain arrow. I like the stability of the heavier arrow in all conditions.

[ThunderXB]

Congrats on the Bulldog....PLEASE post LOTS of pictures!!!!!! [/quote]

I handled and shot a Bulldog 400 at the local shop yesterday.

Pretty nice.

First time I ever fired a Xbox and it was nothing but X's? Can't wait!!

In the process of ordering one right now.

Regarding the arrows, I'm thinking about starting with 125 or 100 Spitfires.

I've always had great luck with them in my vertical bow.

With a 125 that would give me a 400.5 gr arrow BEFORE I stick in a lighted nock that will give me about 26 extra gr on the back. (+ Lighted nock = 426.

That gives me 298.9 in front of center and 127.9 back from center.

Is that a good ratio or should I look to the Spitfire 100. That would reduce the overall weight to 401.8 and the FOC weight to 273.9.

Starting out I'm OK with a little more weight and a little less speed. It's easier on the bow and 10-20 fps won't make a huge difference for ME at over 380 FPS anyway.

By the way, nice shooting Wildcatter and MTbighorn.

I'd be HAPPY with as much.

[wildcatter]

You'll have no problem doing that with about any Excalibur,,, they are known for putt'n em in the bull!! O would suggest one thing with spotfires, or any expandable with the rear pivot design, and that is adding a a dental band, 5mm is what I use medium strength. They will have zero affect on the blades opening when hit the target, but will assure on the heavy hitters they don't open before the moment of truth,,,,,,

Enjoy that great new bow!!!!