How slow is to slow?

[crotch horn]

I have a short draw and had shoulder surgery. Because of the surgery I have had to drop bow weight to around 47lbs. I checked my arrows and they are only flying around 135fps. They fly really well and are 650 grains. Am I better off dropping arrow weight down to around 550 or not worrying about it? Thanks guys.

[James Wrenn]

It depends on what you do with the bow.If hunting and only taking close shots you will get used to it.If you are not always taking between the feet shots and shoot 3ds and other things I would get rid of some arrow weight myself.Get below 500gns and you will still have plenty of arrow weight for most things and get rid of some of that arch.jmo

[jrchambers]

thats kind of a personal decison, myself i wouldnt like 135 one bit but that will still kill critters, i like the looks of flat fast flight.  it would seem to mee that you are in the arrow weight range of diminishing returns

[Ragnarok Forge]

If your inside 20 yards that speed will kill and provide good penetration.  Out past 25 yards your going to see serious drop off on trajectory.

[ChuckC]

My opinion is that your arrows are needlessly heavy.
ChuckC

[cacciatore]

daniel,I use 650 gr for my 60-65# bows when hunting elk.Since you hunt whitetails you can drop in arrow wheight still mantaining a good penetration,I like a high FOC,but sometime the balance of your set up is much more important,accuracy is always the main factor bowhunting.

[Ground Hunter]

All good suggestions, Loose some arrow weight, and if you can, reasonably work work up in bow weight.  Injuries excluded, I think most people could shoot slightly heavier bows with just a little extra work.  H

No brain - no gain.

[reddogge]

Try a 475-500 grain arrow and they will fly like darts compared to 650 grain.  I notice a big difference in flatness of trajectory between a 430 grain and a 520 grain arrow out of 45# bows shooting 3-D.  These are wood arrows by the way.

[Jesse Peltan]

I'd go with a 400-500grain arrow.  What are the current specs of your arrows?

[bearsfeet]

I am shooting a checkmate hunter II that is 47lbs.
I am using Easton epic st 500's with standard inserts 1" aluminum footing and a point wieght of 200 grains. It puts me around 450 grains and it shoots about 181 FPS @ my draw of 28.

I think if you shoot a lighter arrow and have a good point wieght once you dial it in and put the arrow where it needs to be you should have no issues!

What is your draw length by the way?

[jerryb]

Try yo stay around 10grs. per bow weight.and you will be ok for medium size game.

[vtmtnman]

Originally posted by ChuckC:
My opinion is that your arrows are needlessly heavy.
ChuckC

 

You only need 470 to be at the magical 10gr per #.

[Blackhawk]

Are you shooting 47# at your "short" draw or is the bow 47# at 28'?  If you have 25-26" draw with the later, then your bow is pulling only about 40#.

Otherwise, I agree with the mob that 10 gpi is just fine.

[IronJohn]

I mainly shoot around 47#@26" and use a 27" 1916 with 125gr. head. Not sure what they weigh but have had pass thru's on Whitetail deer. My arrows are  flat to about 25 yards and then they drop off pretty quick. For hunting within 20 yards you shouldn't have a problem..........IJ

[Builder]

I agree with the above suggestions. 47#'s is enough for whitetail deer. After my shoulder surgery I shot a 42# bow with a 500 grain arrow. I shot the largest body buck I had ever shot with a complete pass through. I did shoot a two bladed head.

[lpcjon2]

N.J state minimum # for deer is 35#'s.So you should be good and lighten the arrow a little and your set.

[dragon rider]

Agreed - 47# is plenty.  If you'd feel more secure with more speed, go down to a 400gr arrow - that's plenty for whitetails.  When you get right down to it, the secret remains use a razor sharp broadhead and put it in the right place.

[crotch horn]

I am shooting 47lbs @ my 26" draw. It is amazing how much speed we short draw guys get robbed of. I used arrows at about 550 the first year and had a passthrough on a black bear so I know that it is enough. The reason for going up in grains is better penetration on marginal hits. I currently am shooting CX 250s with a lot of weight up front. I bought some Ashby 315 grain BH but I think I am going to drop back to a 225 head & 50 grain inserts. I am going to see what combo shoots well between 550-600 and go from there I guess. I can always drop more weight if need be. My shoulder surgery was pretty massive and don't want a second one. I can still shoot my 60 lb @26" bow but only for 20-30 shots before the pain gets bad. Boy does it spit an arrow though. Thanks for the advice. Obviously I am a fan of Dr. Ashby's work on BH & FOC.

[Builder]

I think those cx 250's are too stiff for that poundage. I would try a 150 with the 250 grains up front.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I would work on tuning to see if your arrows are to stiff. 600 spine might be a better shaft for you.