Friend writes:
"Is 7.6 gpp too light?
From a penetration stand point, perform a search for the applicable polls which address perferred gpp.
The information will likely reveal that 1% may agree and that 99% disagree. This way, you will have reviewed for yourself the the general thoughts from a andequate representative sample."
I saw the poll in question. I found it interesting. However, that doesn't answer the question "Is 7.6 gpp too light?" the poll only answers the question "what weight arrows are people hunting with?" Even so, the poll can be instructive for new people to guide them on what arrows they may decide to use.
However, the original question was from a new trad hunter who already had an arrow, 7.6 gpp, and wanted to know if that arrow would damage his bow, or have insufficient penetration. He already knew that the arrow was the best flying arrow of all he'd made up. And, if I recall correctly, that person came back and said, well, no, penetration wasn't really an issue either - just bow damage.
So, there's been tons of stuff written here that isn't really close to answering his question, all geared toward pointing people to their own personal preferences. That's normal.
I would suggest that, if Kenny New likes the way the arrow shoots, likes the way his arrow penetrates, he should keep shooting it because I'm not aware of any evidence that he will damage his bow. In fact, I've asked on these boards for evidence. I haven't gotten any. I mean good evidence that would point to the problem of a 7.6 gpp arrow damaging that bow. There is none!
I certainly don't want to tell the man how to run his life. The poll is good for him because it merely says "hey, this is what others are doing." As far as damage, I think it would be reasonable to say, "some have suggested damage will occur, others aren't so sure, and use your own best judgment becuase there's really no data out there on 7.6 gpp versus bow damage.
And, maybe he can come back with some stories of his successes and failures and lessons learned.
The only one on here who has posted some "data" is JimB. Bravo! Most people have no interest in data, it seems. I mean, there's nothing wrong with saying "I shoot arrow 'A', and it works for me." But, that's completely different from "Will arrow 'B' work also?" or "Will arrow 'B' damage my bow?"
One guy says he hates statistics. Well, okay. But, others may be interested in a methodology for discriminating between the effectiveness of different things, arrows in this case. Statistical analysis is the only, not preferred, but only way to do that.
Here's what I wonder: since only 1% of archers shoot arrows less than 8 gpp, how is it that so many people know how inferior those arrows are? I mean, can one really know if one doesn't regularily use them?
The reason I ask this is because, as I have been writting this stuff, I've noticed that the heavy arrow people have never shown an interest in knowing what results people get with light arrows. And, when some evidence does get out there, that evidence is discounted, or worse, ridiculed. That's certainly fine with me. But, it also doesn't add to the wealth of information on archery that people come to this forum for.
Finally, the write up on this tread about Fred Bear is great. I really enjoy reading that. There is nobody deserving more respect in bowhunting than Fred. But, this is 2011 not 1943. There has been many changes in materials science since then. And, it occurs to me that in 1943, Fred wasn't stuck in the past, say 1920.
In addition, even though Fred may have had a personal preference, I wonder if he would have been adamantly against the different personal preferences of others, or whether he would have encouraged others and seen how their individual decisions have panned out?
So, I say to Kenny New, go ahead and shoot your arrows. Others shoot heavier arrows without problem. And still others shoot lighter arrows without problems. I fall in both categories. And, I have taken large game with arrows lighter than his with no problems. I've taken game with arrows heavier than his, agian, with no problems. And, I have yet to damage a bow. I will tell you if I do.
Good luck.
Topic: Is 7.6 gpp too light? (Read 589 times)
