GT 500 questions

[Stevejo]

Hi, new here.

I am going to order a GT 500 in a couple of days.

I've been shooting recurves and longbows for a long time. I'm no stranger to compounds, just havent spent a lot of time behind one.

Going to be hunting with this rig, primarily for elk, but everything lesser that is in season and that I can get time off for.

Also intend to shoot some 3d's.

I have some pretty serious questions and was hoping for some advice from you guys.

1. I am very comfortable with heavier weights. Shot a 70 pound GT500 this weekend and was not put off by the weight. I saw somewhere that 80 pound limbs are offered? Is this as in 70-80? meaning I could dial in a mid to high 70 pound elk thumper?

2. Is a heavier weight like this harder on the bow and components? (string, cams, limbs)

3. Does it take longer to get a bow in this weight range?

4. Is it worth it or should I just get a 60 - 70 and call it good?

I really like Axis FMJ arrows. Here in washington I have to have a 6gpp complete arrow to be legal. (29.5" draw) and this shaft looks like a good fit in gpi to get me there. working with a bow weight of 70-75 is there a known or baseline deflection I should start with? 250?

I am also completely intrigued by the FOB and have to at least try that sucker. looks pretty dang interesting.

That said, there is the question of a rest. I had pretty much decided on the QAD ultra pro series. I like the fact that it will lock up and contain the arrow. Now I understand that with the FOB I would need to take off the top retaining bar, but is there any compatibility issues with this rest on the GT 500 shooting a FOB?

Finally, just taking a swipe at it here, but at 6gpp and my 29.5" draw what can I expect in fps? Im guessing mid 270's?

Thanks for the help, great forum and great bow!
-Steve Jo

[archer58inPA]

Hi, new here.



1. I am very comfortable with heavier weights. Shot a 70 pound GT500 this weekend and was not put off by the weight. I saw somewhere that 80 pound limbs are offered? Is this as in 70-80? meaning I could dial in a mid to high 70 pound elk thumper?

2. Is a heavier weight like this harder on the bow and components? (string, cams, limbs)

3. Does it take longer to get a bow in this weight range?

4. Is it worth it or should I just get a 60 - 70 and call it good?

I really like Axis FMJ arrows. Here in washington I have to have a 6gpp complete arrow to be legal. (29.5" draw) and this shaft looks like a good fit in gpi to get me there. working with a bow weight of 70-75 is there a known or baseline deflection I should start with? 250?

I am also completely intrigued by the FOB and have to at least try that sucker. looks pretty dang interesting.

That said, there is the question of a rest. I had pretty much decided on the QAD ultra pro series. I like the fact that it will lock up and contain the arrow. Now I understand that with the FOB I would need to take off the top retaining bar, but is there any compatibility issues with this rest on the GT 500 shooting a FOB?

Finally, just taking a swipe at it here, but at 6gpp and my 29.5" draw what can I expect in fps? Im guessing mid 270's?

Thanks for the help, great forum and great bow!
-Steve Jo

O.K. Steve, Let's start w/ No.1
70lbs is plenty at your DL. Any bow preforms better at peak than dialed down. I'd stay w/ 70lbs. if I were you. You really won't need 80lbs. Just my opinion.

No.2
No.

No.3
Maybe

No.4
See No.1

At 29.5DL you'll have a 420gr. arrow(6gpi). You'll be shooting around 310- 315fps. w/ a loaded string @ 70lbs.
I can't speak about the FOB's, but the QAD is a great rest on the GT500.
I have a limb driver now, but have a QAD on my Synergy.
I would also suggest looking at a G5 ExpertII. A lot of guys are having great success w/ them and would be a good choice if you want to use FOB's. The launcher falls behind the shelf and contact is never an issue.

The GT500 is a bad *** bow. You made a great choice.

[Scablands]

I have shot FOB'd through the QAD with the top containment bar is place without contact.

[tim doll]

another thing is if you are going to shoot 3D a 70# bow would work better than trying to pull and hold an 80#er.

[Wood]

The 70 lb. bows I've bought maxed at 73 to 75 lb. from the Elite factory.

[Stevejo]

That's good info on the max of a 70 being 73-75, that's right about where I want to be.

A weird question. will a bow be more efficient cranked all the way down in poundage or does it matter. To phrase another way. Shooting 6gpp will a 60-70 pound bow set at 70 pounds shoot faster than a 70-80 pound bow set at 70 pounds?

These are the things that keep me up at night!

G5 expert II looks pretty awesome. My interest in the QAD and possibly the ripcord is it's containment system. and that you cann start the draw with the rest elevated and locked. Not critical, but not a bad feature either.

Still struggling with a decision there. The FOB website leans toward the ripcord for that technology as it is simpler.

Anything else in a containment system I should be looking at? Or is it over rated?

That consideration is entirely for a hunting situation, but I dont want to sacrifice accuracy, otherwise I'd use a whisker biscuit (not with a FOB of course)

Thanks for the help guys!
-Joe

[tim doll]

bows shoot more efficient when maxed out,,,

[2xR]

Steve - The short answer is YES, bottomed out is more efficient than not. As I recall you will loose 3-5 fps shooting at 70 lbs with 70-80 lbs limbs than you will shooting 70 with 60-70 lbs. limbs.

[Stevejo]

Thanks for the help guys. After exhaustive research ... I am ordering the 60-70 set of limbs.

Also, Im going to go with the limbdriver rest.

Thanks for the help!

[Po_Boy]

That's a great choice, you will love the bow!