500 or 400 spine carbon arrow?

[Flatout]

I'm a newbie starting off with a light practice recurve at 36#.  However, I have been taken captive by high FOC and heavy arrow thought, so I would like to setup my arrow at 13 grains per lb as I may eventually hunt with a 50 lb'er at 650 grains.  

This means that almost any arrow I buy for my light bow needs a 145 grain field point + 100 grain adapter for 245 grains up front at 36# at a 28" draw length (29.5" to 30" arrow).  Would you go for the 500 or 400 spine arrow?  No spine charts give me this info.

Thanks in advance.

[robtattoo]

Depending how close to centre-cut you are, even a 500 may be too stiff without a lot of point weight.
Don't think too much about what you may or may not hunt with in the future, get yourself more focused on how you're shooting your current setup & get your arrows to match the setup you're shooting now.

Can you tell us what the bow is?

You may want to check out Easton Archery's spine chart for Target bows, rather than Hunting bows.
Take a look at the Jazz arrows & the XX75s that should give you an idea of the spine-range you'll be in. Bear in mind that you only 'need' a 288gn arrow to be at 8gn/pound, the recommended 'safe' minimum.

Whilst you're learning to shoot well & consistently I really wouldn't worry too much about FOC etc... It won't improve your shooting at all.

[Apex Predator]

.500, or maybe a .600.  Easton Epic 600s may be what you need.

[sweet old bill]

at 36 lbs peak weight of the bow the 500 spine shaft will be on the stiff side.

 I sure do not know how you can do a math type analysis to come up with is 400 size or 500 size is the best bet at a total arrow weight in the range of 650 grains.

 I am shooting at 50 lbs bow, and am drawing 29 1/2 length arrows, I added weight and now the arrow total weight is 425 grains and they fly very well.

 I almost think that you will be ok with the 500 shaft due to your shorter draw length and lower bow weight.

 I will look to see the pro's provide there analysis.

Bill

[Flatout]

I'm planning on purchasing a kap t-rex bow and limbs.  

Since I live overseas and only come home every 2 years or so, I thought that I might want to be practicing with the same amount of arrow drop that I would eventually have on my hunting bow - that's why I was concerned with making a heavy arrow. I could pick up a heavy arrow bow and not have to make a lot of adjustment in my gap.

Thanks for all the input!

[Flatout]

Sweet Old Bill,

Sorry, I wasn't trying to say that I want an arrow in the 650 grain range on a 36# bow.  Actually, I wanted an arrow in the 13 grains per pound which would get me an arrow around 480 grains.

[Kelly]

My Grandkids have been shooting 500 spine out of their 30-40 pound bows for several years now and these have 125 grain points. The kids don't know anything about bare shaft testing and don't care to either. All they want to see is a straight flying arrow streaking to the target they are shooting at. 500 size should work real well for you.

[tiur]

try this:
take a 300grain fieldpoint( Bob Morrison sells them) screw it on to full lenght 500 spine arrow.
bare shaft at 10-15yards, if it shows stiff go to 600 spine- try full lenght, if it shows weak start cutting the shaft down . You can use a dremmel tool with a cutoff wheel to cut the shaft.
Good luck.

[Flatout]

Thanks for all the advice.  Going with the 500 at full length.  I can cut them down or pack on weight as needed. Found a heavy arrow Beman MFX that gives me weight without having to stack it in the tip.

Thanks again for all of your advice!