Ashby studies ( and he did a great job doing them ) were from the early 80’s when he was mainly using a longbow to shoot big African game. The archery equivalent of a musket. Because speeds and KE were so low, you had to go super heavy to get penetration.

When your talking animals like that, you need specialized equipment….same reason we have buffalo and elephant rifles today like the .416, .458. 460, etc.

Advancements in technology today mean I can get the same terminal performance out of a 60# bow today that is better than a 70# bow from 10 years ago. You can get a 500 grain arrow to fly over 300 fps in today bows. You don’t have to shoot carbon logs anymore to get penetration, just like you don’t have to shoot a 300 grain bullet anymore in your deer rifle.


Nothing is absolute in hunting, especially archery hunting. A heavy arrow with a single bevel won’t go thru every shoulder blade. A lighter arrow with a mechanical sometimes will punch thru. There are trade offs with every single setup, I look for the ones that offer the least amount of them.

Your components and adhesive are more critical at 300 fps impact velocity. Good components add weight. Aluminum is not my favorite.

We can argue about components, broadheads, arrow weight, fletching designs, etc. until the cows come home. And no one is wrong or right.

we can, however, all agree that Troy Fowler is a Jack-leg goon

well these heads and build continue to impress me took a straight on shot on a doe this past week at 40 yrds punched through collar bone through top of the lungs all the way to the ham doe limped 10 yards laid down died. there was a the slightest bit of edge chatter on one of the edges but few strokes on a diamond plate took that out completely.

Dayum. That’s good penetration

I see advantages to both heavy and light arrows
I'm not sure how people are getting over 300fps with 500gr arrow from a 70# bow
My 450s from 75# lift are going 290fps
And 360s from my 65# pse are going 315fps
The 360s have a much flatter trajectory and way easier to thread through thick stuff
Just shot a sow last weekend 43yds and it went through her and stuck the piglet behind her
360gr total weight 65# pse mach1 29.5 DL fixed 3 blade and recovered both pigs
I don't really advocate either way or care what anyone else shoots but I'd send those little arrows at anything I get a chance to... conversely I'd send a 600gr arrow at whatever I could too

What’s your draw length? That matters a ton.

I shoot an 80# Elite with a 342 fps IBO speed. With a 433 grain arrow I’m getting 290 fps with a 26” draw.

Buddy shoots a 75# Vertix ( same IBO ) with a 28.5” draw and he is getting 313 fps with a 485 grain arrow.

Big difference there


A 360 grain arrow is pretty light. Deer and pigs you prolly won’t have any issues. It’s when you move into the bigger stuff is where they recommend a heavier shaft.

I blew right thru an American buffalo twice with a 433 grain arrow and a 100 grain single bevel. Same arrow hit a rib on a water buffalo and stopped cold.

29.5 DL on both bows
It takes a 420gr arrow to get me to 300+ fps with 75# draw weight
Mathews is 343 "ibo" speed and pse is 335 I believe
I've tested a bunch of different weights over a labradar at various distances out to 100yds
So I generally shoot mathews and 440gr arrow for hunting and pse with 350gr arrow also for hunting pse being faster with less draw weight but also have everything Taped out for a 400gr and 490gr for the mathews I just don't really ever switch it anymore

420-450 grains is about perfect imo for everything in North America.

Those are good speeds your getting.

I'm not unhappy with the speeds at all compared to what I've seen and tested in person
I just never understand all posts I see of 550 gr arrows flying 310fps with 70# and like 27" draw

yeah i call b.s on that as well.


I can't realistically see with my draw length ever hitting 300 fps with my arrow unless something radical changes with bow technology.

I think at the 340ish IBO speeds we may be hitting a plateau for awhile

I mean draw weight is the only way..
Had a buddy with a full throttle bow which was 70#s but it's 70#s from start of pull to back nothing like anything I have and it was fast.. one of those things nobody wants to shoot, I mean I'd like to have one just to have it but I don't think it's very practical
I imagine I could obtain the ibo speed on my mathews if I just shoot the 350s out of it
Maybe I'll test it when it's not icey outside