Arrows of different weights, what's the limit?

[FrankM]

I have these old arrows, some Gamegetters at 540 grains and some Gamegetter 2's at 506 grains. I want to practice with them and possibly hunt. Will the weight difference throw me off too much? Should I add 40 grains to the Gamegetter 2's?

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

For me, the "limit" depends on arrow flight. If they both fly well then use both.

I mix it up on purpose for the following reason:

If you pick up a stone you've never held and chuck it, without needing to practice you will hit what you're throwing at given it's within range of your ability to accurately throw that stone. Pick up another one, same thing. Somehow our brains compensate for the weight and shape of the stone, and we throw it without thinking. For arrows, I've found that if I don't over-think the shot and I trust that the same part of my brain that knows how to throw a particular stone will also know how high to hold for the shot given an unknown arrow weight, I hit what I'm looking at.

Just a theory, but I think exercising that trust and instinct is what makes for a good traditional archer and is the reason I love this sport so much - it's not about the gadgets but more about the feeling. Go with your gut.

[ron w]

Try them......only way to see if they are going to be good for you or not. If they fly well, so be it. 40grs. isn't alot just see what happens. Shoot them a distance that you would feel comfortable shooting at what ever it is that your hunting.

[JC]

Overall weight isn't nearly as important as matched spines. I have two sets of arrows using different shafts and heads built for the same bow, one set is about 680gr ea, the other about 630gr each. Both are tuned to the bow as good as I am capable. The difference out to 20 yards is less than a coke can...cuz they both will turn one inside out without me thinking about which arrow is which.

[reddogge]

I shoot a variety of arrows, spines and weights out of the same bows.  It doesn't give me much problem as I've come to know how each flies and adjust accordingly. Now this is just crapping around.  I use matched woodies to hunt big game.

[Bjorn]

With properly spined arrows I doubt you would detect a difference between 550 gn and 600 gn out to 25 yds.

[FrankM]

Playing with Stu's calculator, making a couple of changes to the Gamegetter 1's, they match up almost exactly with the Gamegetter II's. Weight is only about 20 grains different.
 
Awesome tool. Again, thanks for the help guys!