Determining the optimum arrow weight.

[eagle24]

How do you go about determining the optimum arrow weight from a particular bow.  Is heavier always better?  How much difference does FOC make?  I'm currently shooting some lighter weight bows and if I decide to hunt with them would like to get the max efficiency from them.  I have a 41# ACS-CX and a 46# Horne Mountain Bow.  My draw length is 29" and I am currently shooting the same 475 gr. arrow from each.  How do I determine if I would be better off with say a 400 gr. (lighter) or 600 gr (heavier) arrow?

[dad]

Trial and error, basicly a heaver arrow will give better penetration. It will also help cover a bad release and make the bow quieter. remember that if your bow is rateed 41# at 28" of draw you need to add 2.5 too 3 pounds per inch added draw lenght. The # on your bow of 41 and 46 add 3 to each weight for 44 and 49. The general rule is for hunting is 10 plus grans per inch of arrow. When you get your good arrow flight FOC will take care of its self.

[eagle24]

I've always liked the way a heavier arrow shoots and takes shock out of the bow.  My question here is how do I determine the weight arrow that will maximize the bows energy.  Should I go with the heaviest arrow that I am willing to shoot based on trajectory?  If for instance, Kinetic Energy is the all determining factor.  Is there a point (arrow weight) at which you are getting so heavy that Kinetic Energy starts to decline?  If so, how do you determine the optimum arrow weight before you reach that point?

[JL]

Hey Greg,

I am shooting the unweighted GT's 35/55's I got from you out of 50-55lb recurves. The way I see it, if I'm getting straight arrow flight and low noise out of my bows, I'm good to go. I shoot somewhere around 8-9grs per lbs. The carbons recover from paradox quickly and provide excellent penetration on deer. Folks are divided on the light/heavy arrow issue and there are plenty of intellegent points in both camps to go around. I'm a simple kind of guy and go with what works and puts meat in the freezer so the kids have plenty of deer burgers to munch on...

JL

[jeff / sc]

Is it not 10 gr + for pound of draw weight...50# bow at 28" drawing 28" = 500 gr arrow.  Seems like a lot of folks (including me) like a high FOC on carbon arrows.  Lots of info on this, do a search on Dr Ashby.  I'm generally shooting 550 -600 gr from my 50# @28 longbows drawing 27".

[eagle24]

Thanks Gerald,  You're fine I'm sure with your setup and I am probably paranoid.  Bottom line is I will be hunting a week in Pike Co., IL in November.  I'm torn between shooting my heavier bows and these lighter weight bows (which have really helped my shooting).  I think I will be using the lighter weight bows and just want to shoot the weight arrow that will give me the best penetration.  Good point about the arrow flight and the positive affect it has on penetration.  I'm shooting Beman MFX Classics from both bows and they are flying like darts.  I really feel like they will be adequate for any size whitetail, but if I can help my setup I want to do so.

[Mudfeather]

FOC doesn't always take care of itself. If your arrows are weak you acn get them to fly well by lighten up the point weight. I don't think that is a good way to go.

I have always started with an arrow that I thought would be stiff and weaken it by going up on point weight. That makes a more forgiving and  better penetrating arrow.

Two arrows...both spined right weigh 550 gr. One has a 200 gr head...one a 125...I think the 200 will perform better

[katman]

I am in the heavy arrow camp, quiet bow, more forgiving for me and therefore more accurate for me. My choice is to shoot as heavy an arrow that I can handle the trajectory on, that's 600-650 grains from 55# with 23% foc (300 up front)
Is there a point where you stop gaining KE? I don't know but to slow of an arrow also has its drawbacks on trajectory and time to get to the target without the animal moving.

[katman]

For tuning I like to start with the point weight I want and a full length arrow with a deflection that should work (experience helps here) that I know is weak and start trimming until they bareshaft tune with fletched arows. Choosing the appropriate shaft for the weight you want to end up with as there are choices in carbon shaft weight per inch.

I agree with mudfeather the higher foc should penetrate better, all else being equal.

For hunting I think heavier is better.