Arrow selection process/questions
 

Hey everyone,

I got my bow this summer while on vacation and I have been looking in different catalogs for a set of better arrows to use. My main questions is how do you chose them? How does spine relate to pull weight? All the arrow charts I am seeing are not that helpfull(hard to read and understand) I am shooing a fred bear real tree extreme 32 28 inch draw length and set to 65 pounds draw weight.When I bought the bow I failed to ask aboutthe arrow weight of the arrows that came with it.Any help putting me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Andrew

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

Go to a pro shop and ask your questions and they will help you. They will try to sell you arrows because thats how they make there living. They can work with you on your bow, shooting and get you the right arrows for it.

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

Arrow spine is nothing more complicated than the relative stiffness of the arrow. The arrow stiffness has to be matched to your bow and, in some respects, to your shooting form in order for it to launch properly from the bow.

The spine you need depends on the performance level of the bow, draw weight, length of the arrow, draw length (not always the same as arrow length), and tip weight. The higher the performance level, the stiffer the arrow needs to be. The higher the draw weight, the stiffer the arrow needs to be. The longer the arrow length and/or draw length, the stiffer the arrow needs to be. The heavier the tip you use, the stiffer the arrow needs to be.

And, naturally, the lower the performance level, the lower the draw weight, the shorter the arrow/draw length and the lighter the tip, the less stiff the arrow needs to be.

Arrow weight and spine are not the same thing. Some people wind up confusing the two, looking at the grains per inch. Grains per inch tells you nothing but how much an inch of that particular shaft weighs. Although a stiffer spine arrow shaft does often weigh more than a lower spine, you cannot count on that always being the case. A shaft's weight does not tell you how stiff it is.

Most compounds made since 2000 are warranted to shoot arrows that weigh a minimum of 5 grains per pound of draw weight. A 70 pound bow would be warranted to shoot a 350 grain arrow. 60 pounder would handle a 300 grain arrow. But keep in mind that these are MINIMUM arrow weights to keep your bow in warranty. The warranty should not be taken as a recommended arrow weight.

I will tell you right up front that not everybody agrees with my views on arrow weight. So take any arrow weight recommendation you get - from me or anyone else - with a grain of salt. Or a few tons of it. ;)

The higher you go on performance - the higher energy your bow delivers, in other words - the more you can cheat toward the 5 grains per pound minimum and still achieve adequate penetration on game. The lower you go on the energy scale, the more you have to rely on arrow weight to get the job done.

Personally, I'm a heavy arrow fan and like my hunting arrows to range between 8-11 grains per pound for maximum penetration potential. Some guys shoot 5 grains per pound for everything, because they like speed and the flattest trajectory they can get.

I think a hunter shooting a bow that generates at least 55 ft lbs of energy would choose arrows somewhere in the middle, around 7 grains per pound. A good balance of arrow speed, acceptable trajectory and power. Below that 55 lb threshold, I'd say go up in grains per pound.

I also advocate a minimum arrow weight of 400 grains for hunting. A point of view a great number of people disagree with to the point of apoplexy. ;)

There is a good site run by Steve Jackson where you can get a whole bunch of good information. Arrow spine charts, weight/FOC calculators, ballistics calculators, etc. Some of the sections could use some updating, but it's still an excellent resource. http://home.att.net/~sajackson/archery.html

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

i shoot a fred bear 32 also, with a 63 lb draw wieght, and a 29 inch draw. i shoot easton XX75 2216's.

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

I took a look at one of my arrows they are pse carbon force dominator 300. If anyone knows about these could you give some info. I also measured them from the insert to the tip if the nock at 28.5 inches.

Andrew

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

Arthur P,

Arrow weight figures that you suggest are including the 100gr. broadhead or are they not.

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

Yes, I'm talking about total arrow weight; shaft, insert, fletching, nock and point. Except where I mention grains per inch. That is for raw shaft weight.

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

I use a program like The Archery Program or OnTarget, there is another one but I keep forgeting the name. They are a bit more accurate than using a simple chart or online calculator since you can enter more data. Most of the charts or online calculators either ask for draw length or arrow length assuming you use the correct length arrows for your set up. The programs you can enter both along with other factors to narrow your choices down a little bit more.

None of them are exact though and you still need to check your set up to see if it shoots well and may need to play with it a bit to get it perfect.

Excellent post Arthur!

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

Arhers Advantage;)

RE: Arrow selection process/questions
 

I got a chance to do some research on the net about these arrows. The dominator 300's have a weight of 7.6 grns per inch. So I am looking at a total arrow weight in the area of 335 to 350 grains with my broadheads,fletching, nocks, and inserts. I will say that when I have shot it the bow is nearly silent, shoots straight, and is very accurate. (5 arrows stacked into a 1.5 inch group at 20 yards)

Arthur P,
I know this is light for your standards which i do agree with I was just curious about these arrows and I now know how to go up from here. thanks for your great right up it helped me very much.

Andrew