Is my arrow too light?

[buckeyebowhunter]

I had some Easton 2219 full length shafts lying around and decided to try to tune them to my 70# BW SAII. What I ended up with after bareshafting was a 30 inch arrow tipped with a 175 grain field point, this arrow flew pretty well. When I did the math on a calculator (dont have a grain scale) I ended up getting about 589 total grains. This would end up being about 8.7 grains per pound if my math is correct because I only draw about 27.5 inches therefore I figured I would be getting about 67 lbs.

I know the BW guys recommend between 9-11 gpp for hunting and I know that many of you guys on here are shooting a 600 grain arrow out of 50 lb bows. Does this mean I should have a heavier arrow? And if so how could I get my arrow heavier while keeping them flying well? I would only be using this bow for hunting whitetails right now. Was just hoping to get some advice  

[RedStag5728]

I posted a similar post about this. Right now my set up, I am shooting around 8.6 gpp. As long as you can put the arrow where it needs to be, and is as quiet as you can get it, you can't go wrong. If you're as concerned with weight as I am go with a heavier tip to increase your total weight and gpp.

For instance I am shooting a CTA Red Stag 57# @ 28", with my draw at 26.5 I am shooting ~53#. I am shooting Eastons Traditional Only 400 spine shafts cut to 28.5" lengths with a 150 grain broad head. My total arrow weight is 460 grains.

They were telling me that this is fine for whitetail as they are a soft bodied animal. However to be on the safe side, I plan on going with a heavier broadhead (220 grain) which would get me a perfect 10gpp, so long as they fly right out of my bow.

So don't fret so much about total weight, the important thing is getting that arrow on it's mark, and shot placement!

[Rob W.]

Drop a few strands of weedeater line in one and see if you like difference.

[Mike Bolin]

buckeyebowhunter-I am pretty sure that the Black Widow warranty states a minimum of 8 grains per pound of bow weight, so you should be fine. I am shooting 635-640 grains out of 53# and 54# Widow PL longbows because using a Easton 400 spine carbon, that is the weight they "tuned in" at. I DO like the penetration that the additional weight and foc gives me, but at 67# with a shaving sharp broadhead you won't have an issue with penetration on a whitetail! It is MY feeling that a heavier (read-10+ gpp) is easier on the bow, meaning that a heavier arrow absorbs more of the limbs energy, making for a quieter shot and longer limb life. BUT what you have will work just fine. Once the season is over you will have plenty of time to tinker around with a heavier arrow if you so desire. Good Luck! Mike

[buckeyebowhunter]

Do you guys think it would be better to try to tune my arrows with 225 grains up front since I still have plenty of arrow to cut away? This way I could get closer to 9 GPP or over? The only thing that would worry me about doing this is that my arrows are flying pretty darn good right now, and pretty fast as well.

[Fanto]

You could try adding a weight tube, either a commercially available model or else: weed-wacker cord or flyscreen rubber tube.

you may get away with this without impacting tune too much

I shoot 680gr with my 60lb recurve, which is much, much quieter than some other 550gr arrows I have.

[JamesKerr]

I would opt for more arrow weight personally but what you are shooting will not damage the bow in any way at all.

[buckeyebowhunter]

How do I know how much weight the weed whacker cord is adding without a grain scale? Do i use enough chord to run the entire length of the shaft?

[buckeyebowhunter]

with a 27.5 inch draw I have around 2.5 inches of arrow sticking off the end of my riser, does this seem like too much? or does that really matter?

[buckeyebowhunter]

I also forgot to take into consideration the weight of the inserts, feathers, and nocks. Not sure how much weight these factors would add to the 589 grains of total arrow weight that I calculated with a 30" 2219 arrow and 175 gr. field point.  

[Hot Hap]

Add about 75 gr. for the above. Hap

[randy grider]

67# with that kind of arrow weight will shoot very flat, and get excellent pentration, IF it is flying good. thats the biggest trick to penetration, an arrow that is flying perfect.

[buckeyebowhunter]

Thanks guys! The arrows fly pretty consistently fletched between me and my dad shooting the bow. The bareshaft is a little inconsistent at 15 yards sometimes nock left but mostly perfectly straight, i figured this could be from inconsistencies in my form?

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

As long as you are happy with the noise level from that set up it will be just fine. Silence generally trumps speed at stick bow ranges(Or so I am told by those who are more successful than I)

[Thumper Dunker]

My arrows are on the light side 8.0 +- I like a fast arrow for what I hunt. If its working and is quiet keep it.

[Thumper Dunker]

Originally posted by Thumper Dunker:
My arrows are on the light side 8.0 +- I like a fast arrow for what I hunt. If its working and is quiet keep it.

[Bjorn]

Personally I shoot a heavy arrow, but if yours is quiet and you like the flight don't mess with it.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by buckeyebowhunter:
Do you guys think it would be better to try to tune my arrows with 225 grains up front since I still have plenty of arrow to cut away? This way I could get closer to 9 GPP or over? The only thing that would worry me about doing this is that my arrows are flying pretty darn good right now, and pretty fast as well.

That's what I would try first. I don't like that much arrow out front. I like to have the back of my broadhead touch my finger at full draw...kind of a silent clicker if you will. I'm shooting 225 grains up front with my 47# XR (50 grain insert, long aluminum adapter and Zwickey Delta), with a total arrow weight of 470 grains. I like high FOC for flight and penetration. These are 23.25% FOC and paper tune to perfection.  Since you have plenty of shaft to work with, you should be able to trim and tune with more point weight.

[bornagainbowhunter]

I killed a lot of deer with my longbow before I knew anything about a grain scale or 10gpp.  Just sayin.

God Bless,
Nathan