When I first started hunting with compounds, speed was NOT the big deal it is today. Most of the bowhunting books and articles I read recommended 9 gr/pdf. I always tried to stay close to that.

I stayed in the 8+ range until I got my Jennings Buckmaster and heard about Gold Tip Carbon shafts with inserts instead of outserts. I bought a dozen Gold Tips to see how fast I could shoot.

I gained speed, but I didn't like the extra noise that ws generated. The noise was the energy that was not being absorbed by the light arrow making itself known by vibrations in the bow. There are those who would say todays silencing technology, i.e., Limb Savers, etc., makes it a moot point. I disagree.

After I got my first recurve, the literature I read recommended 10 gr/pdf for traditional bows. I don't think I have ever reached that level. I get close to 9, but I don't believe I have ever surpassed it.

Heavier arrows absorb more energy and carry more energy downrange. Lighter arrows have lots of speed but shed that speed rapidly. They also absorb much less energy and shed it rapidly, too.

Bill