arrow mass weight

[Bruinbow]

Been wondering about arrow mass weight ? I have been shooting sense the early 60's and I don't understand the guys that shoot the massive heavy arrows . I shoot 60# with an arrow that total weight is just over 600gr. I have shot with guys that have arrows that are over 800gr. and they have a rainbow trajectory . I am not being critical just can't get it to fit in my brain . I don't want to shoot the ultra light arrows either , I have seen them have very poor penetration and they drop fast at longer ranges as well . I feel that I have found a happy medium with my setup in that I have very little difference between 20 and 30 yds and on a deer sized animal I get a complete pass threw . So could anybody help me understand or am I just all wet ?

[ironmike]

sounds perfect to me,an 800 gr arrow(which i have)is ffor a 75-80# bow.10-11 gpi is were it's at,but, if your hog hunting up close or bear hunting up close,i'd see the advantage of 14 gpi.

[Friend]

A subjective question posed to an approximate 39,000 members will likely derive the answer one wishes to hear.

Satisfied personal results should serve to satisfy your needs. One’s own personal confidence is paramount when executing a shot on live game.

Note: Your arrow mass in conjunction with your bow specs do not fall w/I the gray areas of controversy for North American game.

[Zradix]

well said Sir.

[RecurveRookie]

I think most guys are shooting 8 to 10 gpp.  I like 8 to 9.

[katman]

People should shoot the gpp they are most accurate with. That seems to run 8-14 gpp depending on who you talk to, what and where they hunt.

[Bruinbow]

I have recently shot an arrow spined for my setup that was around 1200gr. and at 20 yds. it hit 2 ft. low and didn't stick in the backstop very well . Just dropped down barely hanging in by the tip of the arrowhead . My curiosity is there are some heavy heads out there that are 200gr. plus and I am wondering if I am missing out on something . I shoot a 125gr. 2 blade now . I only heard of those very heavy setups just a few years ago . The owner of the archery shop I frequent tells me that my setup is not broke so don't fix it . I truly am wondering I guess , how heavy is heavy and how light is to light ?

[luvnlongbow]

In my HMO an arrow that weighs 10 to 12 gpp will perform very well.

[CRS]

I prefer an arrow weight of 10 grains per pound of actual draw weight.  I have shot heavier and lighter, but am a middle of the road guy anymore.

Sometimes my arrows tune a little higher or lower, but normally are within rounding distance of the magic number.

[nineworlds9]

9-14 gpp seems like a good range for reliable hunting and you can find what works best for you, it also helps to consider the bow, some bows are more efficient than others.  I have seen a lighter pounds but more 'hot rod'/efficient bow lob a heavy arrow relatively flat and a much heavier pound/ less efficient bow lob it like a rainbow.  i would just experiment until you find something that is first and foremost ACCURATE for you.  most would agree having a tough razor sharp broadhead hit the right spot is more than half the battle right??

[Bruinbow]

What about the heavy heads like the Meathead or the like ?  

[duncan idaho]

10 to 10.5 for performance in the field.

[Thumper Dunker]

I like mine about 8-9gpp But Im hunting varmits.
You need a fast arrow for coyotes. And if I ever get a shot at our 90 pound deer it will be just fine. You can be too light and also too heavy. The 10 gn to every ten pounds is a good rule in most cases. If it works its not broken. I do not think Ishi thought a whole lot abought it. I like what Friend said.  

[Nativestranger]

Depends a lot on the bow. Some are loud and shocky below 10 gpp warning you of lost efficiency. Others shoot 7 gpp without complain and fast to boot. With a straight limb longbow I don't want to be shooting below 12 gpp at all.

[Knawbone]

Bruinbow, what shaft wood are you shooting now?

[Bruinbow]

I seem to have not asked the question properly . I am wondering about the HEAVY HEADS and some of the setups that some people shoot . I know that my setup for all of my bows is correct . I just was curious about the HEAVY setups , that's all . I have been shooting sense 1962 and I wont claim to know everything but I do know what I am doing . So does any one on here shoot the very HEAVY setups and why do you do it ?  

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Bruinbow:
I seem to have not asked the question properly . I am wondering about the HEAVY HEADS and some of the setups that some people shoot . I know that my setup for all of my bows is correct . I just was curious about the HEAVY setups , that's all . I have been shooting sense 1962 and I wont claim to know everything but I do know what I am doing . So does any one on here shoot the very HEAVY setups and why do you do it ?      

Guys shooting very heavy point weight do so to achieve a high Front of Center while also increasing arrow weight. Best of both worlds for penetration in general terms.

So....one guy's 600 grain arrow (total weight) is wood with a 125 grain broadhead and another's 600 grain arrow (total weight) is carbon with a 250 grain broadhead. Both weigh a total of 600 grains a d both have been proven to work, but there may be some benefits to the one with the heavier point weight (higher Front Of Center).

[Bruinbow]

What about a setup ie 50# with 30" arrow that has a mass weight of lest say 900gr. ? I have seen some setups like that and what is the advantage of that or is there none ? Howard Hill shot an eliphant with a 1200gr. head but he was pushing it with 115# , dont know how heavy the shaft was though .

[katman]

Bruinbow, biggest advantage I see with your suggested 18gpp is noise reduction. Second would be gain  in  momentum for really big critters. That much weight would be difficult for me to shoot accurately at unknown ranges.

With modern light weight carbon shafts you need not have such a heavy total weight, example I have some the have 300gr point weight and 600gr total weight out of low 50 pound bows.

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Bruinbow:
What about a setup ie 50# with 30" arrow that has a mass weight of lest say 900gr. ? I have seen some setups like that and what is the advantage of that or is there none ? Howard Hill shot an eliphant with a 1200gr. head but he was pushing it with 115# , dont know how heavy the shaft was though .

Never shot anything over 600 grains myself.... Maybe someone else will chime in.