I ordered a longbow from Abe at Caribow in Manitoba. It is 52# @28" Slynx and I am looking to make up a new set of arrows. I currently shoot a re-curve with the same draw weight. I would like to send a pretty heavy arrow downrange. Any advice on weight, FOC, etc?
I would start with the recurve arrows that you already have and then let the animals you're going to hunt suggest the arrows you use.
Moose, elk, or a tree stand where you really want the exit wound for better tracking would suggest the heavy arrow.
Broadside deer in an open meadow might suggest a lighter, faster arrow.
Or just make up some wood arrows & enjoy the heck out of them.
I purchased a Javaman Elkheart from Gregg Coffee in January. It is 51# at 30". The bow I replaced is 53# at 30". Gregg suggested I shoot the Elkheart for a while with the arrows I already had on hand. We both knew they'd be pretty close in spine since I was only dropping 2 lbs. in draw weight. I got familiar with the bow using the "old" arrows (Gold Tip trad 400's, 31" with 200 grains up front). They were around 535 grains. I tried 440 grain arrows for a while, then settled on Dark Timbers from Big Jim. They are 400's, 32" with 275 grains up front. I found that I like shooting the Elkheart with heavy arrows. It's quiet, fast enough, and it hit's hard. Last Friday evening I double lunged a decent 8 pt. He took about 4 bounds, walked a few steps, and collapsed. He never knew he was hit. I personally feel that started with a very quiet bow.
I appreciate Gregg's advise that I hold off on changing arrows until I'd shot my new bow for a couple months. I then took my time and figured out the best arrow for my bow, and my style of shooting.
BTW, the Dark Timbers I now shoot come in at 620 grains.