Arrow weight and speed

RocketRob16

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Messages
150
Thank you for you input. I consider overall weight vs arrow drop. Nothing is free, it's all compromise. I have plenty of time to experiment before season. I will say that I am not on the super heavy band wagon
Of course. Plenty of guys getting it done with what I consider to be a “lighter” setup but use what you have confidence in and shoot straight!
 

grainhog

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 8, 2022
Messages
126
Screenshot_20230314_113942_Gmail.jpg
Here are the 28 arrow weights from this thread plotted against speed with a cubic smoother (dashed orange line). As expected speed generally increases as weight decreases, though wide variation in speed measurements is left unexplained without the inclusion of draw weight, draw length, and likely other parameters.

Who has 2 thumbs and is in an all-day zoom training...
 
Joined
May 21, 2019
Messages
91
View attachment 530212
Here are the 28 arrow weights from this thread plotted against speed with a cubic smoother (dashed orange line). As expected speed generally increases as weight decreases, though wide variation in speed measurements is left unexplained without the inclusion of draw weight, draw length, and likely other parameters.

Who has 2 thumbs and is in an all-day zoom training...
Ha! I started this but actually had to do some real work yesterday. People should include draw weight and length, then we could really start to see some trends. This confirms what I was seeing though - sweet spot at around 500 gr and 280 fps. Id be curious if it has more to do with the limitations of modern bows and/or common draw weights/lengths than anything else.
 
Joined
Jan 29, 2020
Messages
518
294 FPS @ 445 grains. 3 pass throughs with small sharp fixed at this weight, one frontal on an elk. 2 shots same bull this past year Sevr 1.5 neither pass throughs.

Element Storm 300, 75 grain Nexxus Ti, 100 head, Easton Diamond 280 with GTO nock. Only thing I'd change is the nock.
View attachment 529321
What about the nock would you change?
 

Kularrow

WKR
Joined
Feb 26, 2021
Messages
375
I think I shot 8 elk with sub 400 gr arrows, no penetration issues at all. Only arrow that stayed in one was a bull I shot head on, and it was poking out between the hams.


At 300+ it was probably tuning issues not the weight of the arrow. If you are only getting 2-3" penetration, your arrow was hitting sideways.




I'm not saying light arrows are the way to go, but the light arrow isn't the reason that happened.
What broadhead were you using?
 

9.1

WKR
Joined
May 27, 2021
Messages
448
I finally shot my bows through the chronograph over the weekend:

470gn @ 263fps 65lb 29"
580gn @ 134fps 45#@28" drawing 29"

I was thinking about adding some arrow weight for my compound bow the next time I build some more, but this thread has me thinking maybe I should just stick with the weight I'm shooting now.
 

SDeel

FNG
Joined
Aug 25, 2020
Messages
8
Location
Ohio
just for fun. post your current hunting rigs arrow weight and speed.

512 gr @ 259 fps

I am happy with how these arrows shoot currently but I am going to build a 25 gr lighter setup to compare. hoping to get into the 270s
I'm at 270s with my vertix at 72# 300 black eagle rampage and 125 tips 120 grain inserts from ethics. They shoot really well like darts
 

Beendare

WKR
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
9,098
Location
Corripe cervisiam
I happen to be shooting appx the same weight arrow in my 65# compound and 51# recurve. 506g in the compound and 507g in what I think will be my recurve setup this year.

i primarily hunt with a recurve…and it will be one of these two
CB439B78-ED04-44FD-AA71-D1923B79BFEF.jpeg

29DEB4B1-0770-4316-A261-86BB17A48606.jpeg

that black arrow is the same spine but 75g lighter 7.94gpi, your typical high foc arrow shaft…it gives me much better trajectory…but man it vibrates like its going to break when it hits the target- no thanks.
 
Joined
Jun 21, 2019
Messages
2,571
Location
Missouri
It seems my bow is slow. V3x 29 70#, 28.5" DL, 500gr arrow and at 259FPS.
That does seem a bit slow. I would expect low 270's at those specs. Might want to check draw weight on a scale, could be pulling a little light. If so, adding a few twists to the cables would probably get it up to full poundage.
 
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
659
Location
Western WI
That does seem a bit slow. I would expect low 270's at those specs. Might want to check draw weight on a scale, could be pulling a little light. If so, adding a few twists to the cables would probably get it up to full poundage.
Draw weight was actually 67lbs. The guy at the shop thinks the slow speed may have more to do with the 4 3" vanes with a heavy helical.20230327_194307.jpg20230327_194417.jpg
 
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