Hi Guys, it's been a while, as I turned to the dark side for a couple yrs and shot a compound to carry on my elk hunting, anyways, I've been shooting my Bodnik Slick Stick at 38# for 2yrs now and love it, it's a great little 3D bow. However I've just put a deposit on a Big Jim Thunder Child, which I am hunting with on my 2022 US hunting trip, 3x species in 3x States, Wyoming Pronghorn, Colorado Mule Deer and North Dakota Whitetail. I will also want to hunt Elk with this Bow, so my question is this:
1) With a 45 - 47# Thunder Child, what weight arrow would you recommend and what spine arrow would I need to achieve and successfully penetrate the American Big Game species I plan on hunting?
Regards
Dave
I would shoot 10 grains per inch or more. Not sure if spine is as important as arrow flight and weight.
With my 44lbs longbow I shoot a 500 spine Easton axis traditional 5mm. 200grns up front and the total weight is just over 500 grains. To be up front I HAVE NOT shot an elk with it, but With the right circumstances I would and will try.
Bails:
I would suggest you talk to Jim. Its his bow and I am confident (I know) he knows what will work. You may not agree with what he says (yea, argue with the builder) that makes sense, but give him a try.
Scary sharp broad heads and a well tuned bow with the arrow spine and GPP that work for your shooting style will fill the tags. Keep your FOC reasonable and your speed where you like it. Our deer and antelope are quite soft. Elk are big deer but their bone structure is heavier but not different from that of deer. I have taken a bunch of animals with 135 gr. 2 blade (not single bevel) Zephyr, Bear, and Zwickey broad heads with a 45-50# bows with no problem. There have been complete pass through (arrow laying on ground on off side) and arrow sticking out both sides.
Hope all goes well with your hunting holiday. That bow should be amazing. Keep us informed as this process continues. If ya want more PM or email me.
Just my thoughts.
Sounds like a big time trip for you coming from England.You must be pretty stoked about your adventure.The arrows certainly worthy of serious consideration
I don't think you have to over think it too much.A 450 to 500 grain arrow should be a good target weight for your arrows.Good tuning and good arrow flight are gonna be important.A quality head that's razor sharp is critical.
The gentleman recommended 500 spine and he was shooting 200 grains up front.I think that's in the ballpark for your Thunderchild.Maybe a 50 grain brass insert and 150 grain head or 125 grain head.maybe 175 grain head.Arrow length will give you tuning variables.Start long and cut shorter and hopefully you find the right combo.Some might recommend 600 spine carbons.
In aluminum which many guys use,including me.A Easton 2016 would be a good choice.Good weight and good spine and you could play with point weight.I typically shoot 2016s with bows of your poundage range and play a bit with 125,150 and 175 grain heads and arrow length as well.They do well for me in bows from 45 to 50 pounds and I draw about 28-29 inches.The length varies a tad depending on which bow I am shooting and I got the point weight to play with tuning from 125 to 175 grain.Its a versatile arrow for me and I don't have much trouble at all to get them to fly well out of bows in your Thunderchilds poundage.Easy to tune and forgiving.No headaches
I might lean toward a heavier arrow for the Elk.
Thanks Guys, that definitely gives some ideas on where to go with spine, weight and alloy/carbon. The talking to Jim is a good shout too, if anybody knows what is gonna suit his bow, it'll be Jim. Thanks again Guys, I'll follow on from this when he calls me 👍🏻