ORIGINAL: mobow
A fast arrow is more forgiving of misjudged yardage, but only by a couple yards. But there is a trade off, and the shooter needs to decide if it's worth it or not. Speed is less forgiving, FACT. Gospel. The faster your arrow is flying, the more critical it is of form flaws and such....Everything is amplified. So, what you're gaining in trajectory, you could very well be losing in overall forgivness. Personal decision.
I've explained in the other thread why I'm going heavy/slower this year, no need to rehash it. The differences really are astonishing, it's not the advantage you would THINK it is.
Case in point......My light/fast arrow for hunting, I leave my pin set at 25 yards. 1" high at 20 yards, 1" low at 30. Now, with a slower/heavy arrow..... 1 1/2" high and low, respectively. Whoopidie doo.......What's an inch and a half on a deer??? Nothing. Nodda. Aim for the middle and nock 'em over with heavy....And my bow is much quieter, and.....I can be more pinpoint accurate.
Please don't think that I am doing anything beyond discussing here and not arguing with you as I KNOW you are more knowledgeable than I in this arena. With that said, if all of my shots were 25 yards or less, then you are 100% correct and I would have a heavier arrow. However, what is the difference at 40? 50? With my set up, if I am dead on at 50, then at 51 I am right at 1" low. 52 yards 2" low. 53, 3" you get the idea. So, would I have that kind of range estimation forgiveness with a 490 grain arrow?
I once killed a cow elk, my first elk, at 34 yards. I forgot to adjust for the distance beyond 30, but because of the "forgiveness" of the faster arrow I sliced her heart. Same with a mule deer buck that I originally ranged at 40 and he moved between then and when I was ready to shoot, and after I took the shot I ranged where he had been standing at 43 yards and the arrow was barely low at allon impact. Also, my only non pass-thrus have been on whitetails and those both buried in the opposite shoulder.
I'm not saying my reasoning is flawless, I am just telling you what it is. I am always open to changing my mind.