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Range
Mesophilic:
Here in the mountains in the west I have to be comfortable shooting to 30 yards and would like to extend that to 40 yards. We don't have alot of dense forests that are found east of the Mississippi. Alot of more open forests and dry grassy areas. Alot of spot and stalk. I won't go in to all the dynamics but it takes a different strategy than when I lived in the midwest.
The best method (humane) to contemplate arrow penetration would be to shoot at dead animals, but most of us don't have those just laying around. So it's on to theory.
Using an online calculator based on the previous mentioned scenario here's some numbers. I can't account for arrow velocity loss during flight so I'm just running it based on different velocities.
Arrow Weight: 450 grains / Arrow Speed: 160 fps
Kinetic Energy: 25.58 FOOT-POUNDS
Momentum: 0.32 SLUGS
Arrow Weight: 450 grains / Arrow Speed: 150 fps
Kinetic Energy: 22.48 FOOT-POUNDS
Momentum: 0.3 SLUGS
Arrow Weight: 450 grains / Arrow Speed: 140 fps
Kinetic Energy: 19.58 FOOT-POUNDS
Momentum: 0.28 SLUGS
A drop in velocity from 160 to 140 gives us a 12.5% reduction in velocity and momentum. How that translates in to penetration reduction is beyond me but at least it gives you something to visualize.
Hawkdancer:
I'm not familiar with the term SLUGS as it relates to fps. Where in the west are you? Thanks,
Hawkdancer
Mesophilic:
--- Quote from: Hawkdancer on November 20, 2019, 12:06:44 pm ---I'm not familiar with the term SLUGS as it relates to fps. Where in the west are you? Thanks,
Hawkdancer
--- End quote ---
A slug is defined as the mass that is accelerated by 1 ft/s2 when a force of one pound (lbf) is exerted on it.
Smater people than I could explain it better but my understanding is that momentum in foot pounds of energy describes the impact of a projectile but slugs give a better idea of penetration and how it carries that energy. So I simply just accept that the higher the slug unit the better the terminal performance and quit trying to understand the physics.
I'm in northern New Mexico.
Bryce:
--- Quote from: Hawkdancer on November 20, 2019, 12:06:44 pm ---I'm not familiar with the term SLUGS as it relates to fps. Where in the west are you? Thanks,
Hawkdancer
--- End quote ---
slug is used to quantify chemical and mechanical, liquid and gas flow as it relates to velocity.
Yeah I’m guessing he’s not near the coast like me. We ain’t got any open ground. Unless it’s maintained cattle grounds.
Hawkdancer:
We got open spaces where 200 yards is a close shot, and dark timber and sagebrush where 5 yards is a long shot, if you can get enough room to aim a rifle or a bow! :-M (SH) (lol)! Both within an hour or less drive time! I think I understand slugs a little better, if it relates to foot/pounds of energy on target!
Hawkdancer
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