RE: Light arrows bad choice for hunting
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beprepn---ok, bear with me and help me out buddy--I'm not a math PhD. Regardless of the bows KE, or I assume its potential to store KE to be passed to the arrow upon release, the KE formula of mass X (velocity)2/450240 would apply to the released arrow regardless of what the bows ability to store KE was. As we are debating the performance of the arrow downrange in terms of speed&trajectory vs KE&penetration, the KE formula/arrow would be the focus. Most of us would agree a heavier arrow has the ability to transfer more of the KE stored in the bow, but even so, based on the KE formula, velocity is the heavier weighted factor in the equasion. So if the lighter arrows velocity is greater, and you already have enough KE for your hunting purpose, is not the velocity/trajectory consideration more important?
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Is a hunting arrow not most efficient when it contains the minimum KE to give you a pass-through on the animal while maintaining the flattest trajectory? Dave
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Lazyarcher,
One of the effects of the arrow choice is that the heavier arrow is more efficient at transferring energy from the bow. This is a real effect which is 11% for the bow for which I did the calculations. As you point out, since the formula for KE depends on velocity squared, this isn't a big change in velocity, but I think to include it is the fair way to do the comparison -> we are trying to get all the effects of changing the arrow weight.
And I agree that energy left in the ground on the other side of the deer is wasted - for that shot. For most all of our bows, I think that it is mainly on a bad shot that the extra momentum down range would be important.
beprepn