Total arrow weight for 47-53# bows

[last arrow]

Three bows from 45 to 50 lbs.  All are tuned to shoot the same 520 grain arrow.

[Friend]

Quite comfortable shooting a 635 gn arrow with 400 gns up front out of a 48@28 bow....

[Ben Maher]

Between 9-11gns per pound has always worked for me

[LookMomNoSights]

Very curious of what y'alls hunting arrows weigh for bows around 47-53#. Wood, aluminum, or carbon.

Squeeze, what do YOUR arrows weigh?  I'll go and say that what you will find regardless of arrow material,  is most people are going to be in the 10 to 12 grains per pound for HUNTING 99% of game animals.  That would be a solid average weight range.  Now of course,  some will go lighter.....some will be heavier. For whatever reasons for that being on what I would call a more extreme side for weight,  that's their monkeys their circus and if it works for them,  well that's it.  There would be more concern for things I'd say as you creep towards the lighter side.  Lots of bowyers might tell ya to NOT shoot under a certain weight for safety reasons and the construction of the bow.  Super heavy arrows for thin skinned game like deer?,  well the verdict is out on that so ........ I bet if you are in the realm of 10 to 12 gpp on your hunting arrows that you'll be a happy person when your shot placement is correct and you'll like to watch your arrows fly when you are just getting some fun shooting in as you will hold a very sufficient trajectory,  not bogged down by an over the top heavy arrow.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Never shot over 50lbs my arrows carbon 520gr I switched to wood and 560gr I am tinkering with some Aluminum that are 502gr. I have always shot a 2 blade broadheads.

[Rob DiStefano]

IMHO, what matters most is a sharp c-o-c broadhead AND consistent accuracy whilst on the hunt.

The ability to consistently deliver a lethal blade in the right spot, with "hunt shooting form" and not "target archery shooting form", makes for good kills.  Knowing your maximum consistent hit range is also important.  This is where heavier arrows will have increased arcs that might mean 10-17 yards is almost a gimme while 20 yards and beyond might be a "hail Mary".  The important part of this equation is you, the bowhunter, and how effective you are with controlling bow holding weights.  This can only be discovered by practice hunting.

Arrow weight is important.  The rule of thumb has always been around 10gpp, i.e. - a 500 grain arrow for a 50lb bow holding weight (not draw weight).  This is not a hard 'n' fast rule and is surpassed by consistent accuracy at a specific kill range.  Light arrows would not be a good choice because while they will have a lowered flight arc, they will lack in penetration, even of their broadhead is truly hair shaving. 

In the matter of broadheads, I've found the easiest for anyone to get razor sharp are good three blades such as the venerable Wensel Woodsman - lay flat on a file or sander belt and the blade angles are always spot on (see Charlie Lamb's How-To tip at the TG resources board).  Arrows kill by blood loss, not shock.  The twin or four blades will require some manner of understanding and retaining proper blade angles.  If I can't create razor sharp broadheads, I ain't going hunting.

Good arrow flight that will deliver the cutting edges straight, not with any fishtailing or porpoising, is also important.  This means both arrow spine and string nock placement and type of arrow rest and fit of the arrow nock to the string.  Add in shooting form, or lack thereof.

Over the decades I've had to drop down in both draw length and holding weight, and these days for 28@43 my completed woody arrows (broadhead or field/blunt point or judo point) are around 520-540 grains.  The rest is up to me.

[Maclean]

Rob, that's a great summary/overview.

Thanks!   

[Steve D]

Yep that was.

[Skeeterlegs]

50 lb longbow - 500 gr woodie with a  3 blade Snuffer.  43 lb recurve- 450gr with same said 3 blade Snuffer. Under 20 yards or I won't shoot.  Shot placement and perfect arrow flight is key

[Warchild]

I shoot 53-55# and like 10-11 grains per pound but also with high (20-28 percent) FOC. I have always shot heavier arrows but since paying attention to FOC, have seen a big increase in lethality. I shot through a nice sized cornfed buck last year and went through his shoulder with a 560 grain arrow with 26% from a 55# bow. Great performance.

[Terry Green]

Wolfie2nd and others.

You are correct... I had a couple of very frustrating days and I took it out here...

Yes, after running this place so long, its easy to get a short fuse.  I come here for refuge as well from all the chaos in life, and I drug some of that in here and I know better.  There's a lot that goes on here that no one sees, like trying to be taken over by a mafia type company, to finding out someone here has been posting pics of animals they have killed with guns for years.  I went off, and again, I know better.

Please accept my apologizies. 

[Maclean]

Terry, no harm, no foul. I hope I can speak for others in saying that we truly appreciate all you've done, and continue to do for this site, especially the endless behind the scenes efforts. I doubt the gang would exist without your tireless stewardship.

I just wanted to say thanks.

[Archie]

Please accept my apologizies. 

   

Accepted, of course.  And thank you, sir, for TradGang.

[David Mitchell]

Terry, thanks a bunch!   

[katman]

10-12 gpp, whichever tunes best. My eye likes the speed I get with them. Tried light arrows, struggled with high, especially in 'the moment'.

Some like chocolate some vanilla, experiment and see which you shoot best.

[GAlongbowhntr]

Wolfie2nd and others.

You are correct... I had a couple of very frustrating days and I took it out here...

Yes, after running this place so long, its easy to get a short fuse.  I come here for refuge as well from all the chaos in life, and I drug some of that in here and I know better.  There's a lot that goes on here that no one sees, like trying to be taken over by a mafia type company, to finding out someone here has been posting pics of animals they have killed with guns for years.  I went off, and again, I know better.

Please accept my apologizies. 

Terry, I don't know you, but I respect a man who can own it when he needs too.
Shoot straight brother.

[Wudstix]

 

[Mint]

I've been getting passthroughs on deer going with 9.5 and above out of my 47lb Palmer recurve. For deer I use the Palmer extreme cut which is a big four blade so i probably could go lower with a smaller head.  For hogs I like to go a little heavier with at least 10 and i plan on going up to 12 in case I want to shoot a nice boar. For hogs i use simmons two blade.

[gordydog]

My last 25 plus deer all taken with arrows 610-675 grains with bow weights 46-55#. I like the heavy arrow to help lower bow noise. Most shots 4-18 yards. Usually pass through, but hitting offside shoulder can stop my arrow.

[Wudstix]

When I shoot carbon arrows, I'll usually drop to 9-9.5 gpp from my listed bows.  Most of my other arrow materials will be around 700 grains from my listed bows.  Red Balau will be @900 grains.  Looking for some cape buffalo in Texas!!!