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Hunting arrow weight for compound bow shooters

Weldabeast said:
What weight hunting arrows do you guys prefer? I like mine heavy. I'm about to build some out of the pile of arrows i have that have had the vanes come off. My current set are 530gr. but I've been playing around and my bow seems to like 630-650.
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I’m built like Gimli, son of Gloin. Thus, my bow is only 26.5” draw at 56lbs. I shoot 400gr beman bowhunter shafts with 100gr montecs and 2” blazers with standard inserts. Last I checked their full weight, it was around 500 even. I’m really happy with the penetration on them, although I have toyed with the idea of wrapping and increasing BH weight to 125.
 
My arrows aren't up to Ashby's standards per se. But I LOVE everything about being above 18% FOC in my experience. My wife shoots a 42-pound reign 6 with a 28-inch draw. She pushes a 175-grain bipolar ( 2 1/4 hybrid) right through deer. That is with a 75-grain brass insert, axis 340 shafts. She's at 21% foc if I remember correctly. In my opinion, most bowhunters would see minimal change in point of impact and significant penetration increase by going to a 150-grain head.
 
DelaWhere_Arrow said:
I’m built like Gimli, son of Gloin. Thus, my bow is only 26.5” draw at 56lbs. I shoot 400gr beman bowhunter shafts with 100gr montecs and 2” blazers with standard inserts. Last I checked their full weight, it was around 500 even. I’m really happy with the penetration on them, although I have toyed with the idea of wrapping and increasing BH weight to 125.
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Shouldn't u be using an axle?
 
Apparently not heavy enough. I intend to add 100gr next year but just got new bow sighted in with what I had last year.
 
I’m shooting the Carbon Express Pile Driver DS with a 150gr G5 Montec for a total of 417 grains.

I haven’t crono’d but I am shooting a 60lb draw weight, and I can’t watch the arrow to the target. I had considered switching to lighted nocks to fix that problem, but I think slowing the arrow down some via weight addition and switching my fletchings to either fluorescent colors of fobs will allow me to see shot placement better.

Next year, I plan to add at least 50 grains to try and up my momentum.

I never have really geeked out on now tuning and arrow performance, because it seems like an expensive rabbit hole. But, I think it is time to start being more intentional about my setup.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
IkemanTX said:
I’m shooting the Carbon Express Pile Driver DS with a 150gr G5 Montec for a total of 417 grains.

I haven’t crono’d but I am shooting a 60lb draw weight, and I can’t watch the arrow to the target. I had considered switching to lighted nocks to fix that problem, but I think slowing the arrow down some via weight addition and switching my fletchings to either fluorescent colors of fobs will allow me to see shot placement better.

Next year, I plan to add at least 50 grains to try and up my momentum.

I never have really geeked out on now tuning and arrow performance, because it seems like an expensive rabbit hole. But, I think it is time to start being more intentional about my setup.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
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Get that arrow over 500 if you want to see a real difference
 
Mr Price said:
Get that arrow over 500 if you want to see a real difference
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How much can I throw at a forward insert without getting crazy on the FOC? I’m not real familiar with what spines can handle what forward grain weight percentages.

I could up that insert to 100gr easily.
 
IkemanTX said:
I’m shooting the Carbon Express Pile Driver DS with a 150gr G5 Montec for a total of 417 grains.

I haven’t crono’d but I am shooting a 60lb draw weight, and I can’t watch the arrow to the target. I had considered switching to lighted nocks to fix that problem, but I think slowing the arrow down some via weight addition and switching my fletchings to either fluorescent colors of fobs will allow me to see shot placement better.

Next year, I plan to add at least 50 grains to try and up my momentum.

I never have really geeked out on now tuning and arrow performance, because it seems like an expensive rabbit hole. But, I think it is time to start being more intentional about my setup.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
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I love my lighted nocks, it makes seeing the arrow flight sub conscience. If you needed to add point weight to off set the added weight to the rear of the arrow then I say do that to accommodate the lighted nocks. In the end you've increased total arrow weight, and depending on what you add up front can increase FOC.
 
IkemanTX said:
How much can I throw at a forward insert without getting crazy on the FOC? I’m not real familiar with what spines can handle what forward grain weight percentages.

I could up that insert to 100gr easily.
Click to expand...

Yes, but you change one little thing and it changes many things. Adding 100 gr up front will likely mean cutting arrow shafts shorter, or buying stiffer ones because they will suddenly be under spined. Changing arrow length might mean a draw length adjustment, maybe new draw mods on your cams, and/or a new d-loop or even a new release to compensate. Then your bow tuning will change and have to be re-dialed in for good arrow flight again. The dreaded domino effect. Rarely could you just slap 100 extra grains on the front of an arrow and go shoot accurately without making other mods. And don't do it right before the season opener, because it might take weeks or months to iron everything out. BTDT.

I added 50 gr insert weights to my Gold Tip Hunters, along with 100 gr broadhead, 29-1/4" length carbon to carbon and about 470 gr total. Bow is Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo set at 65 lbs. Adding the weights bumped my shafts from 340 spine to 300. The 300's do fly better, but it was an unexpected expense to buy new shafts and fletch them, and lots of tuning to dial it all in again. Don't know if the extra 50 gr was worth all that.
 
like.2.fly said:
Yes, but you change one little thing and it changes many things. Adding 100 gr up front will likely mean cutting arrow shafts shorter, or buying stiffer ones because they will suddenly be under spined. Changing arrow length might mean a draw length adjustment, maybe new draw mods on your cams, and/or a new d-loop or even a new release to compensate. Then your bow tuning will change and have to be re-dialed in for good arrow flight again. The dreaded domino effect. Rarely could you just slap 100 extra grains on the front of an arrow and go shoot accurately without making other mods. And don't do it right before the season opener, because it might take weeks or months to iron everything out. BTDT.

I added 50 gr insert weights to my Gold Tip Hunters, along with 100 gr broadhead, 29-1/4" length carbon to carbon and about 470 gr total. Bow is Hoyt Carbon Spyder Turbo set at 65 lbs. Adding the weights bumped my shafts from 340 spine to 300. The 300's do fly better, but it was an unexpected expense to buy new shafts and fletch them, and lots of tuning to dial it all in again. Don't know if the extra 50 gr was worth all that.
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I’m pretty sure I am WAY over spined right now. The pile driver dual spine lists my arrow at .402 spine. With only 417 grains, and just barely forward of center. I won’t be doing it before season, because I won’t have time to do adjustments before season. I never did a true balanced setup like a competition archer. All I did was adjust my draw length and draw weight to my needs, had the bow shop cut the arrow past my rest, tossed a 150gr field tip on it and paper tuned it for 5-10 minutes. Sighted in after that. Nothing seriously tuned.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
I like to keep mine around 400-420 grains. The number 1 reason we miss as bowhunters is not knowing the yardage. Shooting a 500 gr arrow cost me my illinois tag last year. Was only off by 5 yards. Completely missed the deer. I'll take a fast, flat shooting bow anyday than a bow shooting rainbows.
 
bowkill00 said:
I like to keep mine around 400-420 grains. The number 1 reason we miss as bowhunters is not knowing the yardage. Shooting a 500 gr arrow cost me my illinois tag last year. Was only off by 5 yards. Completely missed the deer. I'll take a fast, flat shooting bow anyday than a bow shooting rainbows.
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I'd argue that the number one reason folks miss is because they're shooting beyond their effective range - the only time needing to know the yardage comes into play.

You can set up most modern compound bows with a 500-650 grain arrow and a cut on contact razor sharp broadhead, a single pin, aim where you want to hit with a deer inside 30 yards, and you're doing all you can do.

I think most misses are a combination of bows not being properly tuned, arrows not being properly tuned, archers not being properly tuned, and animals moving at the shot. Not knowing the yardage may be a factor at times, but you're not doing your job if it is...
 
IkemanTX said:
How much can I throw at a forward insert without getting crazy on the FOC? I’m not real familiar with what spines can handle what forward grain weight percentages.

I could up that insert to 100gr easily.
Click to expand...
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IkemanTX said:
How much can I throw at a forward insert without getting crazy on the FOC? I’m not real familiar with what spines can handle what forward grain weight percentages.

I could up that insert to 100gr easily.
Click to expand...
At 60 pounds 340 or 300's will do you well. You could probably get away with 400, just have to see if they shoot. I would say 340 would be your sweet spot though. Obviously shaft length and some other things play in. That would get you in the area though.
 
bowkill00 said:
I like to keep mine around 400-420 grains. The number 1 reason we miss as bowhunters is not knowing the yardage. Shooting a 500 gr arrow cost me my illinois tag last year. Was only off by 5 yards. Completely missed the deer. I'll take a fast, flat shooting bow anyday than a bow shooting rainbows.
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My bow is slow and from 20 to 40 yards the arrow drops roughly 9 inches with my current 610 grain arrows. That is more than enough to miss your animal but id never shoot at a deer that far. 30yds and under the drop isn't very significant. 3inches if i remember right. I'd rather miss low than high. I'll do like lobbing them at pigs from distance.
 
I got very interested in FOC after my wife lost a buck to very poor penetration. If you guys have never set your wife up a bow, and then have that set up cost her her first buck, well.... I don't recommend it:tearsofjoy:. She is now shooting axis 340's with a 75 grain insert and feathers. Tried a few heads, had good results with bi-polar 175's, and stinger 150's, this season will likely be zwickey delta's at 200 or so. She has a 28 inch draw and pulls 44 pounds on a reign 6. Her setup zips through deer now.
 
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