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How much kinetic energy is needed for elk?
PAHunter:
How much kenetic energy does it take to kill elk with a well placed shot? Easton's recommendations are:
25-41 Lbs KE...........Medium Game, Deer, Antelope.
42-65 Lbs KE ..........Large Game, Elk, Black Bear, Boar.
> 65 Lbs KE............Toughest Game, Grizz, Cape Buffalo.
I'm wondering if that sounds high to you. For example a 60# bow shooting a 550gr arrow would need to launch it at 186FPS to reach the minimum for elk. I would guess an average 60# bow shoots somewhat less than 186 (though I could be wrong). And I suspect that most indian bows were below that kenetic energy.
As I'm choosing a bow for elk hunting, I want to ensure that it has sufficient kenetic energy to 30 yards. What is a reasonable kenetic energy for a selfbow for elk hunting?
PEARL DRUMS:
I know a sharp cut on contact 2 blade head will penetrate fresh deer hide with under 2# of pressure. So a 60# bow with the right head should pass through an elk at 20-30 yards if you don't smack ribs on both sides.
JW_Halverson:
--- Quote from: PEARL DRUMS on March 14, 2014, 01:29:38 pm ---I know a sharp cut on contact 2 blade head will penetrate fresh deer hide with under 2# of pressure. So a 60# bow with the right head should pass through an elk at 20-30 yards if you don't smack ribs on both sides.
--- End quote ---
And you only need to break the rib going in!. Put all that kinetic energy into an arrow with a 1" diameter blunt and you will bruise a rib. On the other end of the hyperbole rainbow: have a two blade cut-on-contact single bevel arrowhead that matches the rotation of the fletching, taper the shaft behind the arrowhead to reduce diameter of the arrow shaft (reduces friction once into the cut), match the arrow spine to the bow so that you have flawless flight, and you have maximized the application of that kinetic energy. I would recommend you look up Dr Ashby's reports on arrow lethality for some bedtime reading.
It all comes down to poking a hole thru both lungs. There is a video going around Facebook of an 14 yr old kid sticking an elk with his compound and the animal is down in under 10 seconds. The bull was almost perfectly face on to him and the arrow struck at the base of the throat. You can see the blood pour like Kool-Aid out of a pitcher. If you think that is the money shot, go hang a 3/8 inch piece of rope from a tree...and if you can cut that rope 9 out of 10 shots AND you have xray vision where you can see the carotid artery in an elk, then go for it. Otherwise, stick to the double lung shots.
Man, I love the way you are working everything out ahead of time, rather than waiting until you arrive at camp to figure out what you are trying to accomplish!
PAHunter:
--- Quote from: PEARL DRUMS on March 14, 2014, 01:29:38 pm ---I know a sharp cut on contact 2 blade head will penetrate fresh deer hide with under 2# of pressure. So a 60# bow with the right head should pass through an elk at 20-30 yards if you don't smack ribs on both sides.
--- End quote ---
For sure! Unless I make some exceptional stone point bamboo arrows prior to then I will be using these babies.
PAHunter:
@JW: Perparation is one of the things I enjoy most. I know experience is the most important ingredient but mix perparation and experience and you have a lethal combination!
I couldn't agree more on shot placement. I been taking about 4 deer a year with modern equipment and only take broadside and quartering away shot opportunities. I've had a good shot to kill success rate.
Great points about the arrow and broadhead tuning's effect on KE! The only thing I didn't quite follow was "arrowhead that matches the rotation of the fletching". Do you mean aligning it with the cock feather or something?
I'll check out those articles for sure. Here i am trying to ensure that my bow and arrow are producing more than sufficient KE to get the job done. For example the Easton post suggests that my 50# bow shooting about 158 FPS woudl be signifigantly underpowered for elk. I don't know what my recent 60#ers shoot (definitely much faster) but I wanted something to judge them against.
thanks for the input brother!
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