Light arrows

[pktm]

Just picked up a Toelke T/D Recurve from a fellow Tradganger, what a sweetheart of a bow.
60" 50@28. I draw 26 inches so I think I'm getting at least 46 lbs. So I trying to find an arrow to match. So far what has been flying very well are my Beman 500 Bowhunter 28" shafts with a 145 grain point. Accuracy is beyond expectations. What I'm concerned with is those shafts only come to 7.3 gpi. Is that too light. I figure the total arrow weight to be around 400 gpi.

[rastaman]

Hmmmm...you are getting about 9 grains per lb of draw weight if the total weight is 400 grains....a 50 grain brass insert would definitely have you heavy enough if it didn't screw up your tuning.  

[ranger 3]

At your draw that should be fine at just a litle over 9 gpi.

[R H Clark]

gpi - grains per inch.A measurement of arrow shaft weight.

gpp - grains per pound.A measurement of grains of total arrow weight per pound of bow draw weight.

Easy to type the wrong one but it does make things more confusing.

No offence intended to anyone.
Randy

[CJC]

the real question is what do you intend to do?  if it is hunt, that is on the light side of enough.  you could cut another inch off of them and add that insert and be 10 gpp with ease.  if your just shooting 3-d and target leave it alone.

[SteveB]

I believe the golden rule is to shoot at least 10 grains per pound of bow weight;

Depends on the rule book    

I shoot 8gr/lb out of a 53# bow - hunting and 3D.

Steve

[R H Clark]

I too shoot around 8 gpp arrows.It would seem that heavier arrows are more popular today than I can ever remember in the past.I'm not saying it's good or bad.I do think though that there needs to be some balance between necessary weight and arc of trajectory.

I don't want to shoot an arrow so light that it looses too much energy at longer distances or so heavy that I have to hold 10 feet high at thoes longer distances.

Obviously a guy hunting in thick cover that is not going to have shots over 20 yards may choose a different weight arrow from a guy hunting antelope that isn't going to get a shot much under 40 yards.IMHO everyone should pick an arrow weight that best balances penetration to accuracy for them, at undetermined distance.

[Bob Sarrels]

I believe I would go a little heavier.  Perhaps  a brass insert.  I recommend to my customers to try to avoid less than 10 grains per lb.  More is better.  You will loose a bit of speed but might be impressed with better arrow flight an quietness not to mention longevity of the bow.  Don't ya wanna leave it to your kids?

[Diamond Paul]

Assuming your arrow is tuned right now w/ the point weight you are using, you could cut it down a bit and go heavier on the point to get total weight up, but 9grns/pound won't hurt the bow.  On lighter bows like yours, especially w/ your relatively short draw, a heavier arrow might help your penetration, though.  Be sure to cut the arrow in small increments; you might be surprised how much difference 1/4" makes in the spine of a carbon arrow.

[pktm]

Tried some 28" 2016's with 145 grain tips. Bare shafting showing stiff ? I thought I would be weak. Could be me. They shot very well and the bow dropped to a deadly whisper.
So I think I might try another round of testing them again.

[IronCreekArcher]

10 grains per pound seems to be the agreed upon industry standard.  I know there are the exceptions but the norm seems to be the 10 grains per pound mark.  I would strive to at least hit this point.  On a side note Black Widow will not warranty any damage done to their bows if the arrow weight is 8 grains per pound or less.  I think that might be a good indication of an arrow being to light...just my .02 cents.

[R H Clark]

No arguement that more arrow weight is easier on a bow.10 gpp does not seem unreasonable.I just like a little flatter shooting arrow and am well within the safe limits on the ILF limbs I shoot.