Build my Mule Deer Arrow

[TimberMuleys]

Hey all, I recently upgraded my bow setup to a Matthews Lift X 33. I shoot a 30” draw with 75lb draw weight. I was hoping to go with a lighter arrow for the “range forgiveness” that James Yates talks about. I like the idea of getting Easton arrows since they are American made and possibly pairing it with the Sevr 1.5” Hyrbids. Does anyone have any recommendations? I would like to try to stay in the lower 400s for grains and hopefully around 300-320fps? Im a newer archery hunter and don’t know a ton. Just curious what some other hunters have liked/not liked to see if I’m on the right track or need to research some more.


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[Taudisio]

Hey all, I recently upgraded my bow setup to a Matthews Lift X 33. I shoot a 30” draw with 75lb draw weight. I was hoping to go with a lighter arrow for the “range forgiveness” that James Yates talks about. I like the idea of getting Easton arrows since they are American made and possibly pairing it with the Sevr 1.5” Hyrbids. Does anyone have any recommendations? I would like to try to stay in the lower 400s for grains and hopefully around 300-320fps? Im a newer archery hunter and don’t know a ton. Just curious what some other hunters have liked/not liked to see if I’m on the right track or need to research some more.


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I haven’t looked at eastons newest line-up. Go to their website and find the GPI for each line. If you know your arrow length carbon to carbon, you can do the math yourself. Add in nock, vanes, insert and broadhead. Last I recall the sonic 6.0 would fit around your weight you want to land at.
There are more knowledgeable people here on the specifics, but you can do the legwork yourself too, and learn along the way.

 

[Bamf_Pa]

Easton sonic or the lighter 5 mm shaft. Me if I was only hunting mule deer I would go with a Victory Vap non tko in 300 cut as short as you can get it with lighter aluminum outsert or Easton deep six and a 100 grain sevr or 125 whatever gets you a shade over 400 grains or go 250 with a heavier outsert or ethics heavier deep six and collar. That would land mid 400’s. Personally if it was mullies only I would build the arrow for speed and wind bucking capabilities. I’ve had good flight from black eagle 4 mm instincts as well and new focus inserts seem to be solid on paper have not played with em yet. I don’t put much thought in Easton claiming American made its marketing when they do make several things overseas including their Hoyt carbon bows, most if not all there recurves and several arrows. I’ve got similar specs and have had very good flight from 300s cut to 29 inches at 30.5 and 70 lbs on my lift. I run a lot heavier up front but I build arrows for elk, for deer only I would drop arrow weight.

 

[Slick8]

I'd use this from WT to Elk.
Black Eagle Carnivore's, 100 grains of added insert weight for some serious FOC and a 125 grain broad head of choice.

Mine is 125 Ram Cats.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The fancy set up would be procomps and the Hyde glue in mechanical.

Axis is too heavy for your goals, axis 4mm probably are too, so staying with Easton you probably have to go sonic as already mentioned if you want to stick Easton and can't justify procomp prices.

Victory has a few shafts that can accomplish your goals, most of their 4mm and 5mm shafts. Same with black eagle and gold tip.

 

[sndmn11]

250 spines

Sonic 6.0
29" with standard nock/insert
450grs w/125gr head
305fps predicted

Victory Rip xv
29" with standard AL insert/nock
414grs w/125gr head
317fps predicted

Sonic 6.5
29" with standard nock/insert
471grs w/125 head
298fps predicted

I'd choose the 6.5.

 

[Bump79]

Easton sonic or the lighter 5 mm shaft. Me if I was only hunting mule deer I would go with a Victory Vap non tko in 300 cut as short as you can get it with lighter aluminum outsert or Easton deep six and a 100 grain sevr or 125 whatever gets you a shade over 400 grains or go 250 with a heavier outsert or ethics heavier deep six and collar. That would land mid 400’s. Personally if it was mullies only I would build the arrow for speed and wind bucking capabilities. I’ve had good flight from black eagle 4 mm instincts as well and new focus inserts seem to be solid on paper have not played with em yet. I don’t put much thought in Easton claiming American made its marketing when they do make several things overseas including their Hoyt carbon bows, most if not all there recurves and several arrows. I’ve got similar specs and have had very good flight from 300s cut to 29 inches at 30.5 and 70 lbs on my lift. I run a lot heavier up front but I build arrows for elk, for deer only I would drop arrow weight.

Here's what you can expect for target arrow weights. This is calibration of this calculator to the speed test. By doing this first and adjusting the % at the bottom to real tesr you'll get the most accurate speeds.

460 grains will get you right at 300 fps.


403 Grains would get you to 320 fps.

 

[sndmn11]

Here's what you can expect for target arrow weights. This is calibration of this calculator to the speed test. By doing this first and adjusting the % at the bottom to real tesr you'll get the most accurate speeds.
View attachment 833271
460 grains will get you right at 300 fps.
View attachment 833277

403 Grains would get you to 320 fps.
View attachment 833278

Oh that's neat! I used 333fps in my calculations, but the % thingy seems to do the same.

 

[Bump79]

Youll need a 250 spine for sure.

Here's my 2 cents. Everything is a tradeoff. The 320 fps/403 grain arrow will be less forgiving in flight, less durable, more expensive BUT have a little better trajectory and time in flight.

The 300 fps/460 grain arrow will be more durable, better FOC, more forgiving in flight and a little less expensive. Still a fantastic trajectory.

Here's the thing when you start pushing these really high speeds. When it comes to drag (velocity loss) and flight forgiveness (force applied to blades/head) they are both tied to velocity squared. Meaning it's not the same difference 20 fps difference like going from 280 to 300. Also, while the higher velocity arrow will still arrive sooner and have a better trajectory - it's also shedding velocity faster. Meaning that at the animal the 320 fps arrow will have less KE and M.

A Sevr 1.5 Hybrid has a decent amount of blade exposed. Definitely minimized but it's nearly a small vented fixed. I'd lean towards an arrow the prioritizes durability and flight forgiveness. So 295-300 fps.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

I’ve killed over 100 critter from Mullies, bear, elk, a stupid amount of whitetail with a 375-400 grain arrow going a blazing 240-290 fps with my 25.5 draw using 60-70lb bows.

You can literally shoot whatever you want and will have more then enough energy. People get wayyyy to hung up on the heavy arrow weights, they just are not needed.

 

[Bump79]

Oh that's neat! I used 333fps in my calculations, but the % thingy seems to do the same.

Yeah the cool thing is you can calibrate it to a speed test like I demonstrated. I used to do the same and just cut some off but each bow varies. Then I realize most of the free calculators out there were completely wrong.. so I made my own and shared it.

 

[Stache Attack]

Be tough to not just stay on the axis route myself in your situation. I personally don’t like that 305-320 fps range I run in the 270-290 speed because it’s forgiving but still quite fast, in relative terms.

I would go gold tip pierce or black eagle x impact over vap personally due to component quality

The sonics are not durable in my experience

 

[Bump79]

The fancy set up would be procomps and the Hyde glue in mechanical.

Axis is too heavy for your goals, axis 4mm probably are too, so staying with Easton you probably have to go sonic as already mentioned if you want to stick Easton and can't justify procomp prices.

Victory has a few shafts that can accomplish your goals, most of their 4mm and 5mm shafts. Same with black eagle and gold tip.

I was thinking the same thing. To get weight and strength optimized I'd go glue in, Deep six or a 204 ID shaft and a HIT. Glue in options for micro are Thorn, Trifecta, Evolution Outdoors and Thrive Broadheads. Deep six is pretty much just Sevr. But micro .166 will be heavier than .204, so idk what he'd prefer

Here are some lighter GPI options for both 4mm/5mm

Shaft	Spine	Description	ID (Inches)	OD (Inches)	Grain per Inch
Victory RIP XV	250	Victory RIP XV 250	0.204	0.260	8.10
Sirius Gemini	250	Sirius Gemini 250	0.204	0.267	8.68
Victory HLR	250	Victory HLR 250	0.204	0.265	8.70
Victory RIP TKO	250	Victory RIP TKO 250	0.204	0.266	8.90
Gold Tip Black Label Quantum	250	Gold Tip Black Label Quantum 250	0.204	0.268	9.30
Whitewater Archery New Ground	250	Whitewater Archery New Ground 250	0.204	0.268	9.30
Sirius Orion	250	Sirius Orion 250	0.166	0.237	9.35
Black Eagle X-Impact	250	Black Eagle X-Impact 250	0.165	0.240	9.50
Easton 5.0	250	Easton 5.0 250	0.204	0.270	9.50
Kill'n Stix Micro Ventilator LT	250	Kill'n Stix Micro Ventilator LT 250	0.166	0.240	9.50
Gold Tip Airstrike	250	Gold Tip Airstrike 250	0.204	0.269	9.60
Element Storm	250	Element Storm 250	0.166	0.240	9.66
Easton Axis 4mm LR	250	Easton Axis 4mm LR 250	0.166	0.244	9.80
Gold Tip Pierce	250	Gold Tip Pierce 250	0.166	0.245	9.80
Gold Tip Pierce LRT	250	Gold Tip Pierce LRT 250	0.166	0.245	9.80
Gold Tip Pierce Platinum	250	Gold Tip Pierce Platinum 250	0.166	0.245	9.80
Victory VAP	250	Victory VAP 250	0.166	0.244	9.80
Victory RIP	250	Victory RIP 250	0.204	0.273	9.90

Below and attached is a few build ideas.

 

[htlt_surfboards]

Ive got a lift 33, 29.5 draw, at 75lb. I shoot a 260 spine axis that comes in at 506grains. This shoots 285fps out of my bow for a reference for you. I had 300 spine before I got the lift and had to go 260 spine to get it to tune right. Im considering trying the 5mm with heavier inserts keeping my arrow weight the same to up my FOC but waiting a bit to see how the reviews wind up being for the 5mm.

 

[Billy Goat]

Personally, I probably wouldn't go for over 300 fps, even with mechanical you are loosing some forgiveness with your setup in my experience.


I'd drop poundage to 70 if not 65#, I'd lay money you will be more accurate, you have enough DL, you really won't gain much with the extra poundage. No matter what, you have plenty of energy in your setup.


The new Easton shafts seem pretty nice, and probably what you are looking for. I haven't shot them, but handling them I wouldn't be hesitant to. I'd still stick with hits as the halfouts might be better than any out there, but I'm still not a fan.

 

[ATL]

I was thinking the same thing as Billy Goat. 65-70#/80% let off modules. Use a 300 spine shaft at approx 28” carbon to carbon. 50-60 grain insert/outsert and 100 grain head. Those basic spec’s should provide many options for you to choose from.

I like internal components, easier to work with and provides a clean profiled, durable arrow. That means 6-6.5mm diameter and above. My favorite shaft right now is the BE Spartan. From Easton the Sonic 6.0 is similar in diameter, just slightly lighter.

 

[HilltopHitman]

Victory HLR..

 

[qbadder]

Easton 5.0 in 250 cut around 29" with either the 50 grain brass insert or the 55 grain match grade half out. With a 100 grain broadhead you are going to be around 450 grain total weight with a decent FOC. I've ran the 5mm Axis since 2007 and will be running the 5.0s going forward. I've been shooting them for a few weeks now and I really like them so far.

 

[billysmals]

As a general rule, those larger diameter (6mm-6.5mm) will have easy to work with components but drift a lot in wind. If that matters to you or taking long shots, drop down to 5mm or 4mm. I've shot multiple 5mm shafts, they are easy to work with components both with collars, half outs, and HIT's from many people to give you buget and material preferences. I have used podium archery half outs and collar, HIT's with Iron will collars, HIT's alone (brass and standard), and used the black eagle half outs and there are many other companies that provide options (Easton, Ethics, VPA). I like titanium for the strength and weight savings, but it comes at a price. You have enough options that you can find the weight you want. 4mm is great for wind drift and penetration, but the components can be more finnicky, although I've used the Easton titanium half outs and they have worked okay (use them currently on easton 4mm and BE x-impacts for experiments I'm running). There are some good new 5mm options.

Expensive New Stuff
Easton 5.0 (Match grade)
Victory HLR

More budget option for 5mm
BE Rampage-pretty economical for .001 straightness and a light weight shaft, even in 250

If you can cut your arrow to 28-28.5 and drop to 70lbs you will have more options for spines and can run lighter weights. Longer than that with 75lbs it's likely a 250 spine option.

Depending on what you choose you can easily run $350 a dozen for some of those things- New match grade Easton 5.0 or Victory HLR are $205 a dozen minimum and then some of the fancy components are another $100 easily + vanes.

 

[Bump79]

As a general rule, those larger diameter (6mm-6.5mm) will have easy to work with components but drift a lot in wind. If that matters to you or taking long shots, drop down to 5mm or 4mm. I've shot multiple 5mm shafts, they are easy to work with components both with collars, half outs, and HIT's from many people to give you buget and material preferences. I have used podium archery half outs and collar, HIT's with Iron will collars, HIT's alone (brass and standard), and used the black eagle half outs and there are many other companies that provide options (Easton, Ethics, VPA). I like titanium for the strength and weight savings, but it comes at a price. You have enough options that you can find the weight you want. 4mm is great for wind drift and penetration, but the components can be more finnicky, although I've used the Easton titanium half outs and they have worked okay (use them currently on easton 4mm and BE x-impacts for experiments I'm running). There are some good new 5mm options.

Expensive New Stuff
Easton 5.0 (Match grade)
Victory HLR

More budget option for 5mm
BE Rampage-pretty economical for .001 straightness and a light weight shaft, even in 250

If you can cut your arrow to 28-28.5 and drop to 70lbs you will have more options for spines and can run lighter weights. Longer than that with 75lbs it's likely a 250 spine option.

Depending on what you choose you can easily run $350 a dozen for some of those things- New match grade Easton 5.0 or Victory HLR are $205 a dozen minimum and then some of the fancy components are another $100 easily + vanes.

Great points. A shaft that I started using as a base for builds is the Whitewater Archery New Ground shafts. They give you the option to buy without components and save a little $$. I hate half outs with a passion so I like that I can ditch them and use a HIT/collar combo. They seem to be around a .003" straightness and fly well within my ability. Good for the price - time will tell.