safe Arrow weight

catch wrestler · 05-27-2008, 08:57 PM

hello all,

I'm wondering what is the minimuim arrow weight for a 55# or 60# recurve? I have seen a few formulas but they seem to differ some. I use the recurve for small game like tree rats, woodchucks, etc, etc, etc... Because I am only worried about small game, I'm not as worried about penetration as I am about the speed of the arrow (less reaction time) and how flat it's trajectory is. Please advise.

catch wrestler · 05-27-2008, 10:45 PM

So.. after reading and researching some more, I see that the IBO recommends around 5grain per pound and AMO says around 6grain per pound. Those weights seem kinda light. What do other people think?

SteveBNy · 05-28-2008, 05:34 AM

You need to go by the individual bowyers recommendation.
Most are 8gr/lb min.
Some are a little higher - some a little lower.
I have a couple ILF setups that I feel comfortable shooting as low as 6gr/lb.
They are loud and I seldom do - I try to keep all my regular (hunting and target) setups around 195fps - less adjustment needed.

Steve

05-28-2008, 06:04 AM

Holy cow 195fps is cookin. My black widow 66lb is only kicking 185fps with a 600gr arrow.

I agree with steve on this one. It just depends.

LBR · 05-28-2008, 06:09 AM

Most wood bows require at least 8 grains per lb. Those IBO/AMO specs you found are for compound bows.

BC, you can do some things and pick up a lot of speed. 'Course a lighter arrow will be faster, but tinkering with the string, brace, etc. will also pick it up. A friend of mine got as much as 232 fps with his longbow (avg. 227 fps). Figure he would have blown it up if he'd shot it like that long (light arrows).

Chad

05-28-2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: LBR

Most wood bows require at least 8 grains per lb. Those IBO/AMO specs you found are for compound bows.

BC, you can do some things and pick up a lot of speed. 'Course a lighter arrow will be faster, but tinkering with the string, brace, etc. will also pick it up. A friend of mine got as much as 232 fps with his longbow (avg. 227 fps). Figure he would have blown it up if he'd shot it like that long (light arrows).

Chad

I don't mind the speed that much, but will be calling you soon. I need a spare string for it. Its only a 16 strand D97. Surprised they put such a small string on.

SteveBNy · 05-28-2008, 06:51 AM

BC - thats 8.2gr on most at a 29" DL.
All are between 51 and 53 lbs.
Let's me use the same arrows - just different point wghts.
Steve

LBR · 05-28-2008, 06:58 PM

16 strands is overkill--lol. I shoot 14 strands on my 66# longbow, 10 strands on my 65# selfbow. Dynaflight '97 is about 125# test per strand.

Normally I don't like the feel of a tiny string, but I needed to get all I could out of the selfbow, just so it's notas radical a change switching between it and my longbow at a tournament. I do pad the loops to 18 strands.

Chad