Light g.p.i.

[Jotis]

It seems the trend in arrows coming out lately is everyone going lighter gpi. Is the trend in heavy arrow weight changing or is everyone just using heavy components?

 

[Billy Goat]

I have mostly always used what would be termed "light arrows" now.


If you want high FOC, you need lighter weight shafts to hit that target magical % number.

To shoot extreme distances at TAC, need a little lighter arrows to get it there.



Some sarcasm in my responses. I don't know if there's much of a change happening or not.

 

[98XJRC]

I think your seeing a small shift in archers trying to get a slight advantage in FOC and lighter GPI help achieve that. Both Easton and Victory released new arrows this year that helped achieve this which tells me that it’s more then just a small percentage of people looking for the lighter gpi shafts.

Granted it goes both ways. Some want the lighter gpi to add heavier components to increase their FOC while others want the lighter gpi to shoot further and flatter at archery events.

Personally I want a lighter gpi that’s durable, but allows me to still shoot with 200 grains up front total and be under 500 grains to flatten out my trajectory. I’m finding that the higher weight up front really requires a stiffer spine which is where a lighter gpi in a 250 spine is big.

 

[Wilderlife]

I've experienced the same as 98XJRC.

Over the last 12 months or so I've opted for a fairly stiff shaft, in a light GPI, with a decent amount of weight up front. It flies well and has penetrated everything I've shot it at superbly.

250 spine cut to 26.5 inches, with 45gn of components on the front and a 150gn broadhead. Total arrow weight is about 475gn, and I'm shooting 77# @ 28in.

 

[Jbehredt]

Gotta keep reinventing the wheel to sell the hot new merch every year.

 

[Bump79]

Personally, I like a lighter GPI shaft so that I can upgrade the components as they generally are a weak point. I'm usually targeting 8ish GPI on a .166 or 204 shaft at a minimum or they start getting brittle/weak with thin walls. Invest my weight where it's needed. For most all builds in my opinion, you're best off with the lightest arrow you can get durable. Without getting so crazy fast that flight gets wonky. I like 280-295 fps or less if you can't get there. Say 420ish grain minimum for durability.

FOC is the least important factor but I do like 13-18%. That's just a by product usually of getting an arrow durable. Brass is silly IMHO as it's adding mass without strength.

My favorite build is a X-Impact (or Element Storm) with 75 grain Titanium components. 100-125 grain head.

My next favorite for guys is a Whitewater Archery New Ground with a aluminum Ethics HIT and VPA collar. 100-50 head.

 

[Beendare]

My experience with the lighter GPI shafts -8GPI or so- is that they are not as durable as shafts that are 9GPI or higher.