You reckon this 40lb recurve would kill a small pig?

[jerp]

It looks like it will be a few months before I upgrade to a recurve or longbow with a higher draw weight. That's got me thinking I might go ahead and try to kill a pig with what I've got. It's not the fact that I'm only pulling 40lbs that has me concerned as much as it is the arrows. Thinking I would only be shooting targets with this starter recurve, I went with a really light arrow - 500's with a 125gr point - which gives me a total weight well under 400gr. (only 8.6GPP) They fly great but that does not add up to very much KE at all. How heavy a broadhead do you figure I could get away with without affecting spine too much? Or, if I just used a sharp 125gr 2-blade, would that light arrow kill anything? Small pig at 15 yards maybe?

[Redneck Archer]

as long as the blade is put in the right spot at a reasonable yardage. (like 25 and below)

just be very accurate and get within a good range of the pigs and dont pick out a 100+ hog out of the group... should be able to put down a 40-50 lber

[Mike Javi Cooper]

Yes

[LeanMachine]

sure will. Definitely stick with a smaller 2 blade.

[Coach W]

Sounds like it will do the trick, shot placement will be key!

[jerp]

If I wanted to go with a heavier broadhead, how much heavier do you think I could go without messing up arrow flight?

[Trick]

With a bow tuned using the Bare Shaft Planing method I can add 25gr or subtract 25grs and see the effects on the bare shaft. But I didn't see much difference when I shot a broadhead that was 25grs heavier or lighter than what the bow tuned to. To be safe I just stuck with what it tune to. Get some 150gr field tips and try it out. Thats the only way to really know.

Matt

[meangene1969]

Yes

[Buff]

one more yes

[AJ the TP Guru]

Well, since 50# is the norm for bigger game, why not?

I have a friend who killed a 350 bull elk this last season with a 45# compound. I know, not the same thing, but just sayin'.

[tommy]

This may be off topic, but are you really pulling forty pounds . I pull a bow back twenty six and a half inches I do not know the math but that could be maybe six pounds lighter and bring your forty pound bow down to a thirty four pound bow which is not legal in Texas.
That being said, a forty pound bow shot well and arrow placed in vitals should be all you need.
There is some where on the net a formula about arrow KE and I do not remember but I think the magic number being around 32 for the KE. It has been years since I have look it up. I am Just getting back in the swing of things. Tommy

[tommy]

I look this up hope it helps
velocityX velocity X total arrow weight in grains divided by 450240 equals KE
Deer 25 to 41 KE
pigs and large game 42 to 65 KE

[Buff]

I think the great BISCH hunts with light weight bows all the time and he has killed more hoof stock than parvo

[trad"Doc"53]

This may be off topic, but are you really pulling forty pounds . I pull a bow back twenty six and a half inches I do not know the math but that could be maybe six pounds lighter and bring your forty pound bow down to a thirty four pound bow which is not legal in Texas.
That being said, a forty pound bow shot well and arrow placed in vitals should be all you need.
There is some where on the net a formula about arrow KE and I do not remember but I think the magic number being around 32 for the KE. It has been years since I have look it up. I am Just getting back in the swing of things. Tommy

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought Texas did away with the minimum draw weight?

[tex4k]

I've had shoulder problems for a little over a year and have dropped way down in bow weight, last year I killed a 180#lb sow at Mesquite with a 40@28 Sage recurve, goldtip 35/55 tipped with a 160gr grizzly, got 2 holes and a dead pig at the end of a 70 yd bloodtrail. Also took out a couple of whitetail does this year with bow well below 50#.