Tuning a newer, lighter, arrow to the bow

[bobcattin]

Just bought a new bow and got it absolutely dialed in with my older, 500 grain arrows. After listening to the Bowhunting Accuracy: arrow speed vs weight episode of Rokast, I'm thinking about dropping down to a 425 gr arrow to have a flatter shooting setup.

I have a new set of arrows that haven't been cut or fletched yet. Is it possible to build these at the lighter weight without having to mess with the bow at all? Or will lighter arrows always require the bow to be tuned? I don't have a bow press. Was thinking I could play with arrow length and some other variables to get the arrow tuned to the bow.

 

[Beendare]

The lighter arrow will probably be tuned if your 500g arrows were right on.

If not it will probably be an infinitesimal adjustment.

IMO, I think;
1) The key to the whole thing is to not be under spined...or close to underspined.
2) keep your hunting shafts over 9GPI. The lower GPI shafts have not been very durable for me, the thin wall carbons are fragile.

You can run the numbers....you should easily be able to build a shaft with a 9.5 GPI shaft and std insert that goes 420g.

 

[Madpacific]

As long as the spine is right, you will probably get away with just adjusting your pins or tape

 

[Skibness92]

Did you buy your new bow from a retail shop that has someone in house to tune bows? If you are second guessing the change in arrow weight, you could potentially call them up if need be!

 

[Bump79]

If they are similar in spine and the point weight hasn't changed much, you'll likely only have some small rest adjustments needed. Or cam shifting if you have that system on your bow.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I would agree with others that if your bow is already well-tuned, you will likely need little to no adjustment (other than moving sight pins or changing sight tape) after reducing arrow weight. That said, shoot to be sure…shoot broadheads alongside field points to make sure they’re still grouping together with the lighter arrows.

 

[wyodog]

It's been my experience that you should be close if you have the spine stiffness. if change other things like broadhead weight or anything else that changes the weight on one end of the shaft you may need to retune the bow.

 

[bobcattin]

It's been my experience that you should be close if you have the spine stiffness. if change other things like broadhead weight or anything else that changes the weight on one end of the shaft you may need to retune the bow.

Everything would stay the same but I would get rid of the 75 gr insert up front.

 

[Wheels]

I shoot both Easton Axis and 5.0’s with my bow and they both fly exactly the same, 60gr weight difference. I just switch out sights for whichever I decide to shoot.

 

[bobcattin]

I shoot both Easton Axis and 5.0’s with my bow and they both fly exactly the same, 60gr weight difference. I just switch out sights for whichever I decide to shoot.

When you say they fly the same, are you shooting paper, shooting bare shaft, or something different?

I'm going to build these new arrows and want to make sure that they are truly flying correctly.

 

[Wheels]

My bow is tuned, I shot paper, bare shaft and broadhead tuned with both arrows.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have a set of RIP TKO Elite 250's with 75gr HIT's that weigh 500gr, and a set with 16gr HIT's that weigh 441gr. I can shoot them pretty much interchangeably except for the sight difference.

 

[bobcattin]

I have a set of RIP TKO Elite 250's with 75gr HIT's that weigh 500gr, and a set with 16gr HIT's that weigh 441gr. I can shoot them pretty much interchangeably except for the sight difference.

Good information. Mu current arrows are 504 gr (RIP TKOs) and I'll be dropping to a 15gr insert.

What kind of 15 gr HIT insert are you using?

 

[Bump79]

Good information. Mu current arrows are 504 gr (RIP TKOs) and I'll be dropping to a 15gr insert.

What kind of 15 gr HIT insert are you using?

Here's some HIT options for you. Left to right. Ethics 15 grain Titanium, Easton 16 Grain Aluminum, Ethics 25-50 Grain Aluminum, Ethics 75-150 grain Stainless. I've got all of these around the shop.


This image is top to bottom - Iron Will 15 Grain Ti, Easton 16 Grain Al, 75 Grain Iron Will SS, 25-50 Grain Ethics Al

 

[Sizthediz]

If the shaft diameters are not the same you will have to adjust nock/ rest

 

[bobcattin]

Here's some HIT options for you. Left to right. Ethics 15 grain Titanium, Easton 16 Grain Aluminum, Ethics 25-50 Grain Aluminum, Ethics 75-150 grain Stainless. I've got all of these around the shop.
View attachment 893237

This image is top to bottom - Iron Will 15 Grain Ti, Easton 16 Grain Al, 75 Grain Iron Will SS, 25-50 Grain Ethics Al
View attachment 893238

Thanks. I have a brand new package of the easton inserts that I will use for now to save money.

Curious if you use the green tool Easton includes in the package or just use a field point? Seems like the tool would make it so my field points and broadheads would sit at different depths in the arrow?

I checked out your website and will definitely consider you for future purchases or inserts...but for now I have these and will try to save some cash. Thanks!

 

[Bump79]

Thanks. I have a brand new package of the easton inserts that I will use for now to save money.

Curious if you use the green tool Easton includes in the package or just use a field point? Seems like the tool would make it so my field points and broadheads would sit at different depths in the arrow?

I checked out your website and will definitely consider you for future purchases or inserts...but for now I have these and will try to save some cash. Thanks!

I use the tool. Just take your time, remove the nock first, use a good adhesive or the epoxy and store laying down while drying.