Legal Arrow Weight?

[LeeMajors]

I'm trying to figure out what my legal arrow weight will be under the regs.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/regulations/2012/wsr_12-04-098.pdf

(b) It is unlawful to hunt big game animals with any arrow
measuring less than 20 inches in length or weighing less than 6
grains per pound of draw weight with a minimum arrow weight of 300
grains.

at 65# draw my arrow needs to be 390 grains?  But at 73# it would need to be 438?

[pianoman9701]

The weight does include the broadhead

[LeeMajors]

The weight does include the broadhead

Yep, my arrows are 391 grains total with broadhead. 

[pianoman9701]

So, are you shooting 65 or 73? Are you a gorilla? 73 lbs is a lot of pull. If you need to add weight, there's all kinds of options. Obviously, you can go with a bigger broadhead. You can use weighted inserts (PDP inserts). If luminocks are indeed accepted in the new regs, that'll add 9 gr per.

[LeeMajors]

Draw weight is a long story.  Summary:  My bow started at 73# draw and I'm brand new to things.  When my buddy told me to wax my bow string, I figured I needed to rub enough to melt it in a bit.  Apparently that's not the case and now the strings are stretched a bit and it pulls 65#.  Gotta learn little things like this the hard way sometimes 

So, I was considering getting it re-strung, but it looks like that would require me to get new arrows.  Lighted knocks and 125gr points still wouldn't cut it.  New inserts sounds like a PITA, but I've never done that, so don't really know for sure.

I'm not a gorilla, but I do make it a point to hit the gym frequently.  Does one arm dumbell rows with 90 to 110 lbs count as gorilla?

[D-Rock425]

You're a gorilla freak.

[pianoman9701]

Draw weight is a long story.  Summary:  My bow started at 73# draw and I'm brand new to things.  When my buddy told me to wax my bow string, I figured I needed to rub enough to melt it in a bit.  Apparently that's not the case and now the strings are stretched a bit and it pulls 65#.  Gotta learn little things like this the hard way sometimes 

So, I was considering getting it re-strung, but it looks like that would require me to get new arrows.  Lighted knocks and 125gr points still wouldn't cut it.  New inserts sounds like a PITA, but I've never done that, so don't really know for sure.

I'm not a gorilla, but I do make it a point to hit the gym frequently.  Does one arm dumbell rows with 90 to 110 lbs count as gorilla?

Yeah, you're a gorilla. Is 73lbs comfortable for you? If your bow is fairly modern, take it down to 65 or even 60. You can kill elk all day with 60 lbs and with guns like you have, you'll be able to hold it back forever, which is excellent. Otherwise, you have to change your equipment and weight down them arrows a bit.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah 6 grains per pound and its for the total arrow broadhead and all. So 6 * whatever your draw weight is= your minimum legal weight.

Dang if he is a gorilla for shooting 73lbs. I hat to think what I am when I have been hunting with a 83lb bow

Maybe grape ape?

[LeeMajors]

Yeah I didn't think I qualified as gorilla since the other gorillas at the gym make me look average.

Looks like I'll leave it at 65# until I feel like dumping money into new shafts.  Hopefully lighted nocks will be legal and that will put me ~10 grains safely over the minimum. 

I shoot a Destroyer 340 and even at 65# my arrows are still doing 301 fps.

[carpsniperg2]

Another idea is to add a wrap to your arrows if you don't already shoot them. It will add about 10-15 grains of weight and it will help with visibility of the arrow and finding it after the shot. Even if the lighted nocks don't become legal.

Carps tip of the day: Always wrap your shaft

[Button Nubbs]

You can have your cables twisted and it will add poundage to your bow. I have never heard that waxing your string will stretch it out.

My arrow went thru both sides of my bull and stuck in the ground last year. That was at 60lbs. I wouldn't get hung up on draw weight too much.

[D-Rock425]

Carps tips on life

[carpsniperg2]

  

[deleted BGS]

So do the easton and beman arrows weigh what they say on them. For example; beman ics hunter 340. Does that weigh 340 grains? and the 9.3 gpi with that 340 arrow. that arrow is 9.3 grains per inch? Kinda confused

[carpsniperg2]

340 is the spine not the weight. You take you arrow length and * it by the gpi and you get the bare shaft weight.

[alwinearcher]

So do the easton and beman arrows weigh what they say on them. For example; beman ics hunter 340. Does that weigh 340 grains? and the 9.3 gpi with that 340 arrow. that arrow is 9.3 grains per inch? Kinda confused

No, the "340" is the spine of the arrow. 340 means that when the place a given weight (dont remember the exact number) on the center of the shaft over a 28" span the arrow will bend .340 of a inch..

The 9.3 GPI is the weight of the shaft, so a 28" shaft will weigh 260.4 grains. (not counting nock, point, insert and fletching)

[alwinearcher]

Carp if my answer had been as simple as yours i would of gotten it posted before you 

[carpsniperg2]

  I try to keep things simple and not hurt my brain or theres

[deleted BGS]

Ok thanks guys!

[alwinearcher]

I try to keep things simple and not hurt my brain or theres

That was my simple version!

[carpsniperg2]

  Well he got 2 simple answers then!

u jus moe edjamacted than I

[lokidog]

it is a pretty stupid rule!

I wish they would do a grains per pound draw, IF the arrow weighs less than a certain amount.  It really can screw a guy that has short but strong arms. 

When I shot a lighter arrow than now at 72 lb draw, I had to leave the dang things like three inches longer than necessary to get my weight up as I did not want to change broadhead weight.  I'm now older and weaker as well as shoot heavier arrows so I don't have to worry about it now.

[RadSav]

It just might be the worst rule on archery equipment in the state.  However, the traditionalists that have always ruled the roost are starting to loose their strength with the state rule makers.  They were right about bowhunters starting to loose hunting time with increased success ratios.  But, I doubt making over 50% of today's arrow choices illegal in this state has had much effect on reducing success.  I'd have to say liberal doe/cow seasons and rangefinders have had much more of an effect.

And it will never stop stupid people from acting stupid.

[sakoshooter]

Draw weight is a long story.  Summary:  My bow started at 73# draw and I'm brand new to things.  When my buddy told me to wax my bow string, I figured I needed to rub enough to melt it in a bit.  Apparently that's not the case and now the strings are stretched a bit and it pulls 65#.  Gotta learn little things like this the hard way sometimes 

So, I was considering getting it re-strung, but it looks like that would require me to get new arrows.  Lighted knocks and 125gr points still wouldn't cut it.  New inserts sounds like a PITA, but I've never done that, so don't really know for sure.

I'm not a gorilla, but I do make it a point to hit the gym frequently.  Does one arm dumbell rows with 90 to 110 lbs count as gorilla?

Waxing your string is important but it will not make it stretch. Your loss of draw weight is from another reason.

[RadSav]

I agree with Sako.  Waxing your string is necessary and rubbing it into the strands maximizes it's effectiveness.  So that was the right thing to do.

In professional sales training one of the first things you are taught is that consumers become happily involved in a product or service by becoming emotionally involved.  In archery that means "speed, speed and speed".  It is only after becoming emotionally involved that we as consumers begin to rationalize our emotional decision with logic. 

Bow manufacturing has become big business.  And the most successful of these companies know what their end customers emotional triggers are.  As a result all most all of them stock their bows with "Fast" strings rather than "Stable" strings.  8125 and similar strings are fast, durable and economically attractive.  Though it lacks the stability to maintain tune and ultimately poundage over time.

Even though they are always in a state of creep and thus unstable as compared to 452X or Xcel.  Sitting in a cool archery Pro Shop the creep is minimal.  Put them in a truck on a sunny day or out in the field when the mercury is pushing 80 degrees everything changes.  Even at 66# you will see some creep until the "Life" has completely crept out of it.  My advise to anyone purchasing a new bow is to find out what material the stock string is being made of.  If it is 8125 or similar upgrade to a premium 452X or similar string before you spend too much time trying to get it tuned just right.  It will save you time, money and a lot of headaches in the end.

[LeeMajors]

Guys, I hear what you're both saying, and maybe sitting in the back of the truck made the string stretch, because it was quite hot last September, but it damn sure got really hot every time I waxed it too.  At any rate, the end result is the same, my string obviously stretched, and enough that my draw weight dropped from 73 down to 65.  Maybe I'll get it re-strung next season, but for now I'm sticking with the 65# and 391 grain arrows.

[RadSav]

That's a good poundage that most shoot well.  I'm all for you shooting that poundage and arrow weight.  Should be a great combination.  Though I'd get that new string as soon as you can afford it.

[pianoman9701]

That's a good poundage that most shoot well.  I'm all for you shooting that poundage and arrow weight.  Should be a great combination.  Though I'd get that new string as soon as you can afford it.

Yes, if the the string really did stretch that much, it has changed the breakover point in relation to your anchor. I would change it now and just dial the bow down to 65 if you're able.

[LeeMajors]

Hrm.  At 65# it still shoots 301 fps with my arrows and my groups are 2-3 inches at 50 yards.  (edit)  My inclination is, if it isn't 'broke' don't fix it.  In this case, it might not be 100%, but it's working good enough.

[Chesapeake]

So are the Gamies going to be running around the woods with a bow scale and grain scale? 

Seems the industry standard is 5 grains per pound isnt it?

Just silly. Glad I saw this post. I hadnt heard of this before, or I forgot I had.

[RadSav]

So are the Gamies going to be running around the woods with a bow scale and grain scale? 

Seems the industry standard is 5 grains per pound isnt it?

Just silly. Glad I saw this post. I hadnt heard of this before, or I forgot I had.

Oregon Gamies have in the past.  Don't think I have ever seen a Washington Gamie do it.  Though with my luck the first time I tried to get away with it would be the first time they checked.  I can not afford even a scratch on my record.  So I'll just shoot the heavier arrow here in the state.  Plenty of time to shoot how I like in Canada and Wyoming.

[Johnb317]

Problem is that arrow manufacturers keep going lighter. Beenan no longer makes the camo hunter at 10 gpi.  At 68 lb with a 27.5 arrow, 100 gr broad head and 4 fletch  i'm legal with a little buffer.  If you go heavier broad head and lighter shaft the foc changes.   But  don't want to give the game warden any chance to question.  Have heard that they ask what your poundage is and weigh the arrow, anyone been weighed? 

[Oneshot1Kill]

Really! Only 6gpi? My arrows I used last year were 14.8 gpi. My broadheads were 175 grains. Shot amazing up to 30 yards. Than fell like rocks.

[et1702]

Really! Only 6gpi? My arrows I used last year were 14.8 gpi. My broadheads were 175 grains. Shot amazing up to 30 yards. Than fell like rocks.

No, not 6gpi.  6gr per pound of bow draw (e.g., 70lb draw weight x 6gr = 420gr minimum arrow weight).  This includes BH, insert, nock, plus fletching & wraps.

ET

[Oneshot1Kill]

I got ya. Well it seems I'm still pretty high than. Still about double. I shoot traditional though so I need to be way up there.

[jechicdr]

With most arrows, if you shoot a stiffer spine, the gpi's go up as well.  If you optimize FOC, and shoot the proper spine for your draw weight, you will almost always be legal.  If you are shooting 65 lb draw, then the 340 with a 100 or 125 grain broadhead will probably get you legal.  If you shoot 73 lb draw, you probably want to go with 300 spine and a 125 grain (or even 150 grain) broadhead.  Not just to be legal, but to be able to tune your bow properly and shoot consistently.  Lot of people want a lighter arrow for speed to shoot further, but at the cost of energy downrange.

[carpsniperg2]

Washington wardens will enforce the law of 6 grains per pound of draw weight. They will carry a scale to weigh the arrow and you draw weight. I know people who have been checked.

[deleted BGS]

No, not 6gpi.  6gr per pound of bow draw (e.g., 70lb draw weight x 6gr = 420gr minimum arrow weight).  This includes BH, insert, nock, plus fletching & wraps.

ET
[/quote]



So how much do Bh, inserts, nocks and fletching usually weigh? Blazer vanes in particular 3 vane

[bowhunterty]

A 400 Easton FMJ -10.2 grains per inch, insert 16 grains, 3 blazers weigh 18 grains (6 grains per fletch), X nock 9 grains.
 

[deleted BGS]

Dumb question my bad, brain fart 

[carpsniperg2]

Not dumb and better safe then sorry