Hunting Trajectory

[swampthing]

Out to 50 yards or so, stump shooting, the difference between 125g blunts and 190g points is strange. The mid range trajectory, how high the arrow is midway to target,  is less with the 190's. I found that the overall trajectory is less with the 125's, but, with the 190's they don't have to be held so low on target. Inside 50yds the arrow is not so low, i.e. held higher or closer to target point on, and it maintains a smaller arch, mainly because the arrow is basically "lobbed" up. Works. 7fps slower not a big deal.

[The Night Stalker]

Put a toothpick on tour riser as a sight. I know there is a great difference between 250gr and 175gr for me.  I am going to try two different bows that are the same make and model but 9lbs of pull separate.
  How will the arrow point of impact difference be at let's say 40 yards.

[KSdan]

Not quite sure what you mean. One thing for sure- you can not defy physics.  All other things being equal, a heavier arrow is going to have a greater degree of trajectory.

You may be seeing a visual anomaly with the secondary.  It could also be affected by a lower foc on a cedar shaft, that is the arrows could becoming out of the bow differently.  At a different distance the 125 may show a similar degree of variation.

[Bjorn]

The first comparison is 'blunts' vs 'points' which in itself creates another  variable, so 190 gn 'points' may indeed fly like 125 gn 'blunts'.

[swampthing]

They are 190g field points, Can't find that weight in blunts.

[swampthing]

No defying here, I just have to "aim" the 190's higher in the beginning. As in the sight picture has a tighter "gap" with the 190g tip for inside 50 or so yards.

[swampthing]

Those 125's require me to hold too much under for close range shooting.

[KSdan]

Aiming higher means you are compensating for gravity which results in a higher arc of trajectory. Physical LAWS.  Very predictable/calculable/repeatable.

[swampthing]

My amount of correction and aiming gap inside 40yds. is pretty tight.

[Big Papa Daddio]

Great subject to discuss. I have been working with the variables of heavy versus light and everything in between also. The short answer I have found is that the lighter arrows drop less than the heavy arrows at increasing distances. But, I have found that each arrow / bow set up has it's own merits. Example, In a 61 # bow I have set up 2016 with 125gr, 2018 with 145gr, 2020 and 2117 with 175 gr & 2219 with 250 gr. They all shoot great but the effective range for each is less as the weight goes up. The 2016 is good to 40yd, the 2018 & 2117 35yd, the 2020 30yd and 2219 25yd.
My experience has been to fit the set up to your hunting plan and what works best for you and don't worry about performance the way the wheelie boys do.

[CDorton]

I think the point swampthing is making is that he's a gap shooter, and with the 190 gr points he's using less gap, which is beneficial to him. I think some guys are missing the point or interpreting it wrong. He's not claiming the heavy arrows shoot flatter. At least that's what I'm getting out of it.

[Big Papa Daddio]

CD, I don't see misinterpretations. If you shoot heavier arrows you will see more of the arc in flight. The other guys are on the mark.
Got your point too. Good addition.
If you are refering to me,
I am speaking to the old saying of there is more than one way to skin a cat. That is part of the fun in Archery.

[CDorton]

Originally posted by Big Papa Daddio:
CD, I don't see misinterpretations. If you shoot heavier arrows you will see more of the arc in flight. The other guys are on the mark.
Got your point too. Good addition.
If you are refering to me,
I am speaking to the old saying of there is more than one way to skin a cat. That is part of the fun in Archery.

No, I wasn't referring to anyone in particular. Everyone has made good points. I was just trying to help clarify. It took me a minute to get what was being said myself.

[swampthing]

Less gap at hunting distances is what I'm seeing. If all I did was shoot past 50 yards, the light arrow would be my choice.

[swampthing]

Less gap at hunting distances is what I'm seeing. If all I did was shoot past 50 yards, the light arrow would be my choice.

[Cherokee Scout]

Are the arrows the same length?

[Orion]

Less gap means you're holding the heavier arrow higher to account for the greater arc in the trajectory.  Nothing new or different about that.  It's a law of physics.

However, your interpretation of what's happening in your first post is inaccurate.  Your 190 grain arrow doesn't have a lower/flatter trajectory.  It has a greater/higher trajectory.  That's why you need to hold it higher, i.e., have a smaller gap, to hit your target, vis-a-vis your 125 grain point. Regardless, you figured out what works for you, and that's good.    

[swampthing]

Exactly same length.
  Inside hunting distances there is less of a gap. Allows for "more of" a point and shoot set up inside 35-40yds. or so.

[FerretWYO]

If the gap is smaller you are aiming higher. Makes perfect sense.