torn
 

I had a 3D shoot this weekend and got a chance to check my bow's speed.
400 gr arrow at 57# and 28" she gave me 255 fps.
Then I shot an arrow with a FOB and lost another 5 fps.
I didn't like that at all.....

But then there was this guy from Iowa ( The only redneck in Belgium ) Tom Bear, and he gave me one of his arrows to shoot.
1" shorter, carbon and 85gr fieldpoints instead of my 125gr.
Suddenly my 82nd did 299 fps !!!
I never got caught up in the whole speed deal but now I am concidering going for a lighter arrow........

Frank

45 fps is pretty substantial. Must have weighed about 100 grains less than your arrows; maybe a bit more than 100 grains. You could safely shoot a 285gr arrow, if keeping to the 5gr/lb rule. Would make a nice 3D setup.

However, for hunting I'd go with something a little heavier. Probably anything around 325gr and up would be OK (I've used 315gr) and if most of your hunting shots are around 25 years or less the present 400gr arrow you are now shooting would be just fine.

I build 5 gpp for 3D and usually run around 430 grains for hunting.

I shoot 5gpp for 3D (331gr) and build 430 grain arrows for hunting. The fps difference is 35 fps or so.

I'm fairly new to bow hunting and have a couple questions. When you say the arrow weight are you just taking the gpi and multiplying by length of your arrow and then adding the weight of the broadhead your shooting?? For example my arrow shows me 9.3gpi and shoot a 28" arrow = 260 then 100gr broadhead gives me a total of 360? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

I'm pretty sure they are including the weight of the nock, insert, and fletching as well. That would make your total arrow weight.

I don't understand why you guys are not shooting the same weight arrow in 3D as you would for hunting. Isn't the whole purpose of shooting 3D to prepare you for the woods?

No! The whole purpose of me shooting 3d is to compete. I travel to national events to shoot 3d competitions, as well as indoor ones. Its not about getting better at hunting for some;)
Its a competitive sport just like anything else. How deep you delve into it depends on what you want to get out of it.

Anyways, I'd say your arrow weight is probably 400+ with the FOB on it. If your getting 360gr by just adding the tip weight and shaft weight you will need to account for the nock, insert, and fletchings, and anything else. There is much more to arrows than lighter and heavier as well.

If you are wanting to compete,then get a lighter arrow but keep your foc around 10%.\

If you are just warming up for the hunting season,keep what you have because it is near perfect.

You are absolutely right, 3D is a competition. And having an edge over your competitors is having an advantage. Material choice is such a thing. I am keeping my arrow set up as it is, since I don't have a second bow. I only shoot my hunting rig.

I just wanted to see if anyone built an arrow that sits somewhere in the middle, between a heavier hunting arrow and a lighter 3D arrow.

TFOX, always nice to hear from you

I am thinking of changing the FMJ's to carbons to reduce weight.
But the carbon scares me a little bit.....

F.