Here's the part that hits me as odd about the whole 5 grains per lb magic number.


A grain is equivalent to roughly 64.8 milligrams.......lets say 65mg for round numbers.

If you are shooting a 65 lb bow at 5 grains per lb your arrow needs to weigh 325 grains or 21.125 grams.

If you are shooting the same bow at 4 grains per lb your arrow will weigh 260 grains or 16.9 grams.

If you are shooting the same bow at 3 grains per lb your arrow will weigh 195 grains or 12.675 grams.


As you can see the difference between 1 grain per pound setup on a 65 lb bow is about 4.2 grams for every change in 1 grain/lb.

For anyone who doesn't know........a mildly rounded teaspoon weighs about 5 grams. We are talking about the weight difference of less then a teaspoonful of sugar here people. If an arrow or bow was going to explode into complete failure I don't see how 4.2 grams extra weight will magically make it totally safe.

The 5 grains/lb is a guideline........nothing else. It is not some magic number that is so set in stone that ANY variation from it will result in total disaster. If High Country bows were exploding all over the country and killing archers I am sure you would have heard about it by now. I doubt they would ever consider giving their customers what amounts to a grenade with the pin pulled and think it was a good idea for long term market success.

Also when you consider things like this you have to start factoring in arrow construction. I am quite certain that in our lifetimes someone will make an arrow that is lighter and stronger then the components used today. No one ever thought you could stop a bullet with a fabric either before the day kevlar was invented.

Things change............and with the evolution of compounds into the "speed freak" arena IMO that is where you will see bow companies trying to find a nook (HCA) will focus their efforts.

Hell, Bowtech built a growing empire on fast bows..........worked well for them.


The problem HCA will have is when other companies reveal to the public that their bows shoot just as fast if not faster when using those lighter arrows it will show that HCA hasn't really done anything inventive..............just tried to slip one by the uninformed majority out there.