Hunting Arrows

[GCRocketman]

OK ... so I'm a new bowhunter ... my question is in regards to arrow weight ...

Specifically ... how do you determine arrow weight to stay within regs?

I think I'm askin' that right based on what I've been told.  LOL

[DoubleJ]

take your draw weight and multiply by 6.  That's the minimum amount of weight in grains, including your broadhead, that your arrows must weigh.

[D-Rock425]

 :yeah:so if your bow is set st 70# draw weight your total arrow must be no less than rep grains.

[Rainier10]

:yeah:so if your bow is set st 70# draw weight your total arrow must be no less than rep grains.

Fat fingers, he meant 420 grains if you are shooting a 70# bow.

[D-Rock425]

 :yeah:420

[Rainier10]

Or over 300 grains if you are shooting a 45#bow.  If you need to bump up your weight a little just put one of those lighted nocks on, those are legal now. 

But really 6 grains per pound of draw weight and at least 300 grains total if you are shooting a lighter poundage bow. 

[GCRocketman]

Ok ... so 390grains (round up to 400)

But HOW do I figure that out?  I know that my field points are 100grains.  So my broadheads should be as well yes?  Otherwise I need to resight?  (Feel free to call me a *censored* at any point).

How do you determine the grains of the arrows?  I have ... 300 spline Gold Tip Velocity arrowshttp://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Gold-Tip-Velocity-Hunter-Arrows-with-HP-2-inch-Vanes-1-2doz/productDetail/Carbon-Arrows/prod99990134001/cat100545.

I think that's where I'm confused ... The weight of the arrow itself.

They were cut to 28".

Thanks for the info y'all ... HUGE help.

[Carnivore]

Those arrows are listed at 8.5 grains/inch so at 28 inches you have 238 grains for a bare shaft.  Add the 100 gr for your tips plus the weight of the vanes, inserts, nocks etc. and that gives you total arrow weight if you don't have access to a scale.

[Rainier10]

Those arrows are listed at 8.5 grains/inch so at 28 inches you have 238 grains for a bare shaft.  Add the 100 gr for your tips plus the weight of the vanes, inserts, nocks etc. and that gives you total arrow weight if you don't have access to a scale.

You are going to be pretty close and maybe a little light. That is the marketing behind the arrow, lightweight and in this case it puts you right up against it.  My guess is your insert on those is the acculite insert and that is only 12.5 grains, your vanes aren't going to much more than that and your nock will be less.

If you don't have a grain scale I would take you fully assembled arrow to an archery shop and have them weigh the total arrow with all of the components to make sure you are good to go.

[GCRocketman]

Those arrows are listed at 8.5 grains/inch so at 28 inches you have 238 grains for a bare shaft.  Add the 100 gr for your tips plus the weight of the vanes, inserts, nocks etc. and that gives you total arrow weight if you don't have access to a scale.

You are going to be pretty close and maybe a little light. That is the marketing behind the arrow, lightweight and in this case it puts you right up against it.  My guess is your insert on those is the acculite insert and that is only 12.5 grains, your vanes aren't going to much more than that and your nock will be less.

If you don't have a grain scale I would take you fully assembled arrow to an archery shop and have them weigh the total arrow with all of the components to make sure you are good to go.

Y'all freakin' rock!!!

So I should stay at the 100grain for the broadhead yeah?  If I move up to 125 I'd have to resight the bow I've been told?

[Johnb317]

If you move to a 125 broadhead, you need to practice and set your pins for that weight as well.  Yes

The following is a decent write up on arrows and FOC. 

I'm hunting for the site I used where they calculate all.   Had it awhile back

[Johnb317]

Oops.   

http://www.huntersfriend.com/carbon_arrows/hunting_arrows_selection_guide_chapter_1.htm

[Rainier10]

If you need to add weight I would definitely do it at the front end, there are a few different options.  You can switch broadheads or there are weights that you can put at the back of your insert to add more weight.

What are the veins that you are using?  The 2" blazer types are going to be pretty light but I think that is the point of that arrow, lightweight.  Another option to get you heavier is longer arrows.  Just adding it up with 2" vanes I am thinking your arrow is somewhere around 370-380grains.  You could also back the bow down to 62#.

If your arrow is already at 390 you are good to go.  If you need to make a weight change in any way you are going to have to sight the bow in again but not any big changes.

[nw_bowhunter]

If you consider going to the 125 broadhead just make sure the spinning won't be affected. Depending on your poundage, length of arrows, etc could be a factor. Just check the sizing chart or check with a shop. You don't want an issue with getting your broadhead tuned in due to underspined arrows. More than likely not an issue but something to think about. good luck

[sneakyjake]

I've been shooting goldtip 5575s forever now. I finally got off my butt and worked on my arrows.  At 70 pounds I was coming in way under the required 420g all these years.  Last year I switched to 125g heads and could sense the arrows flew better right away.  The goldtip website lets you calculate your FOC pretty easily.  With the added weight I was still under.   I ordered wraps at 10 g a piece and did not like them. I went through all of this because I had 5 years worth of damaged arrows that I had not taken care of.  Kind of like broadheads, you get an investment and don't want to switch the whole setup.   Next step was the bitzenburger.  Articles recently published in the mags insisted the added helical compared to the offset only vs drag increased was minimal compared to arrow stabilization.  Spin baby spin.  The final step was getting inserts from 3 rivers at 3g each x 26.6 I am now at about 486g.  Perfect for elk.  Investment  was little, sighted in great.