Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

I would like to get the opinions of my fellow hunters. What is your theory on arrow weight and speed? Lets say 20 yard shot whats the difference in a light arrow traveling 310fps versus a heavy arrow traveling 240fps. I mean I know the speed is better the longer the shot but Dont you think in theory that in short shots the speed makes up for the weight difference?
I know this is a big debate. I just would like to get everyones opinions. Light and fast does it equal heavy and slow??????

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Honestly it really depends on what you consider "heavy" and what you consider "light". ? Which would correspond to KE and momentum.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

I have arrows that vary from 355 grains to 525 grains. There isn't much difference out to 30 yards, which is where a majority of game is taken. But at 50 yards and beyond (wheresomewestern biggame is engaged)the point of impact changecan be thedifference between a hit and a miss. I have tried to stick with a medium weight arrow (410 grains) and always use a lazer range finder for shots beyond 30 yards.

The justification for the heavy arrow seems to be diminshing, in my opinion. The small diameter arrows combined with today's superior broad heads give more than adequate penetration in a 60 lb. plus compound bow. I enjoy shooting the heavy arrows (smooth and quiet), but these new Axis arrows give the best of both worlds. Penetration of a heavy arrow with the trajectory of a medium weight arrow.

I could still make a case for the light arrow when it comes to smaller game, like antelope, that might be taken at long range.Maybe setting upa dedicated bow for antelope. A PSE X Force that shoots real light 3-D arrows tipped with Rage two blade expandables. But for deer and elk, current set up is working fine.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

I am a medium wieght and good speed type of guy. I like shooting at least 450gr and all my bow shoot em over 270fps. Thats produces some great penetration.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

I wish I could do that.:eek:


BUT,my philosophy is pretty much the same but my 360-380 grain arrows are considered extremly light by most but I only hunt with 58#'s and have NO problems with penetration.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

This is what Grains I will be around and I was told I was nuts! Im gonna give it a whirl and see what happens.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Ahhh, nevermind....[&:]

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Sometimes, they say the proof is in the pudding.

290 grain arrow, 29", 70#, over 350 fps. HCA Iron Mace. Speed Pro Carbon Revolution 5.5 gpi arrows.

38 yards, passthrough.


18 yards. Passthrough.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Is this a spinnerbait or a buzzbait? I don't think I'm gonna bite this time. [8D]

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Proof is in the puddin!!! Nice shooting Quick...

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Umm, the bow limb says Limbsaver, not High Country. Thought that top pic looked familiar.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Actually, the bow says "Quiksilver" - and yes... I'm so vein that I actually put stickers with my username on my bow. LOL It gives it character.

I can assure you that it's a 2007High Country Iron Mace.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

My bad[&o]. Please accept my apologies to you, Quick. I'm sorry. Good shooting and beautiful bucks.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

I agree with Roskoe 100 %. When the carbon arrow came out in the mid 80s to late 80's they where very small. They looked like pencil leads and the weight was more than most carbons arrows of to day. The penetration was unbelievable. When the Gold tip came out and the carbon arrow started becoming bigger around and lighter we lost a lot of the penetration. The arrow was still penetrating great, but not anything like the first ones. The axes arrow came out and now the carbon arrow are smaller diameter and some of the weight is back and guess what. I have always shot carbons not for the lighter weight, but for the way they penetrate. I have shot a lot of aluminum's and had lots of pass through s with them. It's the way that the lighter carbons pass through game with out braking are bending. Its almost like you missed and just shot the arrow in the ground. I have had them blow through the shoulder blades before. I do like the the speed of the newer bows, but not for the same reasons of most bowhunters and think if you have a bow shooting in the 260 to 280s you have a fast hard hitting bow and it's putting out lots of energy for bowhunting. The harder the bow is hitting the more likely your going to get a pass through and if you make a bad shot a bow hitting hard and has good penetration can some times turn it into a good shot.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

If I am 99% sure my shot will be 25 yards or less I have no problems shooting a relative heavy arrow. To me that would be 450 to 500 grains. I would never shoot anything heavier for the hunting I do. IBowhunt areas a lot of the time where I know there is a really good chance my shot will be 35 to 45 yards that's when I prefer a lighter arrow, 340/350 grains.

I have hunted with arrows as light as 320 grains out of a 60# bow and got complete pass throughs;)

Dan

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

quicksilver shot a buck w/ a 290 grain arrow and got a complete pass through. How much more penetration are we talking about here? What, his arrow didn't stick in the mud as far as the first ones? [8D]

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

I have a relatively light set up being that I only shoot 26 inches of draw and only use about 55 lbs of draw weight. I can shoot arrows with 200 grns of difference from arrow to arrow and not have to change my 20 yard pin setting.

Paul

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

How small a target are you shooting at??[8D]

Dan

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

i shoot a 285 grain arrow out of my xi at 52 #and a 289.4 grain arrow out of my 60#guardian,at fifty yards you will still have total pass thru on a white tail,my buddy that guides up in alaska shoots a guardian as well and shoots 300 grain arrows out of his,he told me no reason to go heavy,if300 grain will take out a brown bear it will take out any other animal in north america.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

wicked arrow,
You do know that shooting a 289.4 grain arrow out of a 60# Guardian will void your warranty.

Dan

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

sorry i didnt buy the bow for the warranty,i boughtfrom the good reports i get up in alaska,im not worried..

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

Mean v2 beat me to the punch. I think that a good rule of thumb is to shoot at least the manufactures minimum spec on arrow weight. The other one intangible is shot placement. I believe most any bow shooting a deer sized game through the ribs is going to have a pass thru but if you put your shot in the shoulder socket even the heaviest bows and arrows probably wont pass thru the majority of the time.

If you want to test your theory shoot light andheavy arrows into a 3d target and see how far each one is penetrating at different distances. It should give you an idea of how much penetration each has and whether or not speed vs weight really matters in your opinion. I happen to shoot axis fmj at 29" with 100 grain tips which puts me at about 395 grains. 72# draw weight at 29" draw length. Havent chrono'ed but i assume im in that 265-275 range.

After posting my first reply i sat and thought a little bit. Here is what i came up with. Lets say you are shooting a 70# bow with 350 grain arrow at 10 yards and using the same bow you shoot a 450 grain arrow at the same distance. My theory is that the lighterfaster arrow at this distance would probably penetrate a little further. Now as you back up your lighter faster arrow will probably have a flatter trajectery than the heavier slower arrow but the penetration will probably deminish the further you go back. So what i am trying to say is there is probably a breaking point where each arrow out performs the other at set distances but why not go somewhere in the middle to get the best of both worlds. Just my 2 cents.

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

If your shooting 289.4 grains with you 60 lb guardian that considered dry fire!

RE: Light arrow (fast) Heavy arrow(slow)
 

sorry the weight was wrong,its 313.10