Is a 600gr arrow to heavy?

[Faith In Flight]

I finnally found a perfectly spined arrow after all my exhausting searching. And lots of cash spent. The arrow is a full length 2117 xx75 cammo hunter tipped with a 125gr field point. Perfect flight out of my 50lb Gamemaster II. Only problem is they are right around 600gr's. Its going to take me a while to get used to them. Previously I was shooting around 450gr arrows, and my aim at 20 yards now almost puts the point of my arrow on the target. That will take me a while to get used to. It also scares me that if I misjudge yardage i'll miss to easy. Also, they seem like they fly so slow. Im afraid of a deer jumping the string a bit to easy. Im new to all this, so w hat do you guys think? I hunt mostly whitetail and squirrels. Is 600gr's to heavy for my 50lb setup?

[kingrider]

Not too heavy--just get used to the trajectory.In my mind it would help with the string jumping because it will make your bow quieter.

[McDave]

If you're shooting full length 2117's, aren't they sticking out 3-4" in front of the bow at full draw?  If so, couldn't you get the same performance out of a lower spined arrow cut shorter?  If you could, your arrow weight would go down and your arrow speed would increase.  600 grains for a 50 lb bow is 12 gr/lb.  Nothing wrong with that, but as you say, the trajectory will be high and your shooting accuracy might suffer at any distance other than the one you regularly practice at.  I just can't see you being happy with that in the long run.  I would try 2115's, 2018's or 2016's until I found an arrow that would shoot right when it was cut about an inch longer than my draw length.  If it were me, I would like to end up with a 500 grain arrow, which would be 10 gr/lb of bow weight.

[Alsea]

Yip...that's way heavy for whitetails and squirrels...lol! 450 is just about right. As long as you don't go under 8 grns per pound you'll be OK and have a nice flat shooting and lethal set up...

[Tim Grant]

I had the same problem with arrows.  Bought several dozen.  Ben Graham of Hummingbird Bows set me up with 2016's cut 29" 125 gr. tip and they shoot great.  I shoot a 49 lb Hummingbird Long Bow.

Tim

[Al Dean]

a 2215 is close to a 2117 but 15% lighter

[Faith In Flight]

2016's cut at 29" with a 125gr tip are the exact arrows I just ditched for the 2117's. I've tried 2016's at 29", at 29 1/2, i've tried 2018's at 29-30", i've tried various carbons and composites. This is the first arrow to fly good for me.Thats why im afraid to even try another.

[longbowguy]

There is nothing the matter with your setup. It would be just about right for a big corn-fed buck, especially if you should hit a large bone. Less might not then get it done. 2117 is a good, tough hunting arrow.

[Faith In Flight]

Im goig to continue searching for a lighter arrow. I love the ideal of heavy hunting arrows, however the arrow just flys with to much of an arch. I have to hold to high. At 20 yards I have to cover my target restricting my view.

[Molson]

Faith-

Just a suggestion, but you might want to double check your release or make sure your getting all the way back and not creeping or plucking the string.  It just might be that those 2117's fly good for you because they are heavy and slowing the bow down enough to dampen a form error.  2016's at 29" out of a 50# bow really should fly like darts.

[Faith In Flight]

Molson. I did try some things today. The 2016's fly well with 100% perfect not even a slight form or release arrow. 2114's with a 145gr tip at 30" fly perfectly. Even if I dont do 100% perfect. Even with perfect form/release the 2016's do not fly well bareshafted.

[aromakr]

Faith:
I have to ask a question. Do you plan on hunting with arrows with no feathers? If not put feathers on them and shoot them. Bare shaft testing Carbons is one thing, but you should be able to select a aluminum shaft fletch it, cut it to the length desired and get great performance.The biggest problem most people get into is bareshafting aluminums and woods, its not needed.
Bob

[Faith In Flight]

Just curious, why would a carbon need bareshafting, and not alluminum or wood?

[Molson]

Because the same size carbon shaft covers a wide range of spines depending on how you add weight.  Aluminum and wood shafts do not.

[Terry Green]

You don't NEED that much for deer....but it will work...but I'll argue that it's way to much for squirrels - I don't think you can have too much for squirrels with blunts.    

Deer can jump the string on todays compounds....but you can lighten up a bit for sure if you want...long  as you get good flight and use sharp Bheads.....oh, and if you do lighten up, use Bheads on the squirrels.  

[Charlie Lamb]

Faith... let me suggest you look at the other elements of bow tuning. Errors in nocking point placement or brace height can have huge impact on how your arrow flies.

In the 2117 you may have found the perfect arrow for a poorly set up bow.

I agree with others that you won't be happy with an arrow that heavy... you already aren't!

[Charlie Lamb]

Let me add that typically, guys will have their nocking point too low and the same with brace height.

Vertical flirting of the arrow (porpoising) is an indication of nocking point issues. Horizontal flirting (fis]htailing) is an indication of brace height issues.

[Faith In Flight]

I already have the brace height set to the recommended maximum.

[Pinelander]

"Recommended" brace height is just that, recommended. You should experiment with lots of different brace and nocking point adjustments to find the best combination. Start with recommended brace, make nocking point adjustment, and then back to brace again. Brace height can change an arrow's "dynamic" spine tremendously. So much so, that a 2016 can be too weak, then decrease brace height and it will act stiffer.... and vice-versa.