RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

Well, the argument threads tend to polarize, don't they G2. ;)Of course, some guys think you're talking about hurling telephone poles when you say 400 grains.:eek:

Going extra heavy is just as bad an idea as going extra light, except you don't have to worry about tearing up your bow with extra heavy arrows.

The real answer is the same one that's been around since well before compounds. "For hunting, use the heaviest arrow that will still give you acceptable trajectory." What is acceptable trajectory? That's for the individual to decide.

Within 30 yards, trajectory doesn't vary hardly at all between an arrow at 5 grains per pound and one at 8 grains per pound. If one limits his shots to 30 yards, might as well use the heavier arrow. The extra weight carries more energy from the bow and carries it further downrange than the light one. More energy at the animal = better penetration.

Beyond 30 yards? If I ever decided it was worth taking a bow shot beyond 30 yards (might as well be using a rifle, IMO), I'd still use a moderate weight arrow and a rangefinder. Ultralight arrows give you a tad more leeway in yardage estimation, but not that much. A hunter should still know the exact distance to the animal. And, since the moderate weight arrow would start off with more energy at the bow, and carry a bigger percentate of that energy downrange than the ultralight one, it makes sense to me that it'd giveme better penetration and improvemy odds of making a quick, clean kill. If all doesn't go according to plan and I hit bone, the extra bit of energy can't hurt my chances of busting through it and into the vitals.

Super flat trajectory is nice to have, but I'dmuch prefer to increase my odds of making that quick, clean kill.

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

Arthur,

This is a great comment..."Going extra heavy is just as bad an idea as going extra light".

I'm currently at 74 ft pounds of KE. I have played with all other arrow weights for my bow. If I go any heavier the KE starts dropping down below69 ft. pounds, plus I get more drop in my balistics (4 inches more drop at 30 yards).
If I go any lighter, the KE starts dropping down and I get weak spine signs while paper tuning. I believeyou are correct if a person takes the time to figure it all out, they will find that there is a sweet spotwhere you aregaining the best of both worlds. I believe I have found that sweet spot with my set-up. Happens to be at 6.4 grains per pound of draw weight for my bow at it's current configuration.
Now when theday comes that I will be able to increase my draw weight from 62 poundstowards 70 pounds,then I will have to go up in arrow weight to remain in that sweet spot. I think we can all agree on that. Well, I hope so anyway. Nice talking with you all.

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

I'll add that flat trajectory is always nice to have, but can you get your fixed blade broadhead to fly accurately in high winds on those long shots, with a light arrow? Probably not...

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

Yes. I have shot my 352 grain arrows with fixed blade broadheads on windy days at my target set out to 30 yards and they have been accurate. I have not tried farther than that but I limit myself to 35 yards anyway.

There are several factors to consider when shooting on a windy day.
- If you are in the woods, wind is not as much of a factor as if you are in the open.
- If you are in the open, you should watch the vegetation between you and the animal to determine when is the optimal time to shoot. If the wind is gusting and you are losing an oportunity to shoot, don't take the shot. It doesn't matter how heavy your arrow is. A 20 mph gust of wind will deflect my pickup truck while driving.
- And not to beat a dead horse but if the arrow is traveling faster, there is less time for wind to alter it's course.

This whole subject is full of Catch22's and we could argue till the end of time. Shoot whatever you are comfortable with and what is safe for your bow. Don't condem others for there choices.

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

deleted for double post

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

But arguing can be fun....:DLet's keep going with this. I'm determined to get you guys shooting 395-420 grain arrows. I now have a purpose for the day. Don't get mad, I'm having fun here.

G2,

"And not to beat a dead horse but if the arrow is traveling faster, there is less time for wind to alter it's course".

Compare an arrow at 300 fps to a arrow at 275 fps. Notthat big of a difference. Looks like 3 hundreths of a second. Not even a tenth of a second. What the heck?

See middle of page on link below.
http://www.huntersfriend.com/arrowhelp/arrow-selection-5.htm

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

But I like my 550 gn arrows! I don't wanna go that light! :D

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

550...holy smokes Arthur. What are you hunting450 pound wild boar?

Believe me as soon as I get my back muscles in shape and dial my bow up to 70 pounds, I will be shooting a 481 grain arrow to take full advantage of what my bow has to offer. What KE are you getting, that is insane. HAHA![:-]

I was wrong to put a number range on the "best" arrow weight. Each bow and each persons set-up has it's own sweet spot. My best weight of arrow may not be the best for somebody else. I will admit to that. G2 are we still friends? [&:]

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

A few things that will give greater downrange speed are , small vane fletching , say 2" rather than feathers or quickspins or large area vanes like blazers , small diamater shafts , and light weight . But as allready stated these things are geared toward field target archery at long distance , for hunting these type of arrows are far from ideal . Give me alluminum shfts with 5" shield feathers and a cut on contact head , and the deer are in trouble , forget the speed , just hunt ............ or was that wind I forget .

RE: FASTER ARROWS
 

Well lets see. Not considering speed loss and trajectory.
An arrow traveling at 300fps can go 90 feet in 0.3 seconds.
An arrow traveling at 275fps can go 82.5 feet in 0.3 seconds.
So the extra 7 feet doesn't seem like a big deal and I agree with most about not worrying about weight in regards to speed.

The reason my arrows are so light is that is what shaft shoots best out of my bow. I have some weight tubes that I am going to try but I'm not messing with my setup until after the season. My setup is quiet, fast and deadly. I achieve complete pass throughs and only take optimal shots so I have confidence in it.

Yeah, we're still friends MilDot.