Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 03:28:33 PM

Title: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 03:28:33 PM: So I am shooting 68 lbs with 29" draw.. arrow grain is 400, broadhead grain 100 G5.. Most bows that test over 300 fps are shooting a total of 400 grains, right? arrow weight + broadhead? I would like to stay above 300 fps.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: croix on August 10, 2010, 03:37:50 PM: depending on actual arrow length (29" draw - not sure on actual arrow length) at 68# draw i think you may be under spined, but if the 400's are working for you then so be it. as for arrow weight the minimum for wa. would be 408 grns and the less you go over that the better your speed should be. that weight also happens to produce near the max ke.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 03:48:15 PM: But.. If I have a 400 grain arrow and a 100 grain broad head with a 29.5" arround, 29 inch draw, 68 lbs. arent I just about under 300 fps? that is 500 grains, right? I do not see many quality arrows for sale under 400 .. just thinking out loud here.. want to maxmize speed while still maintaining tolerances and safety
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: Drifterat on August 10, 2010, 04:04:58 PM: Are you confusing the 400 "grain" number with the number of the spine? Arrow weight is by grains per inch (GPI) and it varies with arrow type and spine. What type of arrows are they?
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 04:17:15 PM: SH*T.. yes I am confusing it. Now I see.. I knew I had it somehow miscalculated. Thanks! I got it now.. mine are 8.5 grains per inch + broadhead comes out to abiout 345. Thanks.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: Button Nubbs on August 10, 2010, 06:07:02 PM: Which bow are you shooting? Manufacturer ibo specs are done with a 35Ogr arrow 3O" draw at 7Olbs draw weight. You would be suprised how much arrow weight, draw length and draw poundage effect arrow speed. Any reason for wanting to stay over 3OOfps?
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: 520backyard on August 10, 2010, 06:14:50 PM: Quote from: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 04:17:15 PM
SH*T.. yes I am confusing it. Now I see.. I knew I had it somehow miscalculated. Thanks! I got it now.. mine are 8.5 grains per inch + broadhead comes out to abiout 345. Thanks.
So your light if a gamie checks ya. Which they have been known to do.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: Old Dog on August 10, 2010, 06:34:53 PM: :yike: That whole set up is wrong. You should be shooting a 340 spined shaft, and like mentioned by croix, 408 grain arrow. I can't imagine that set up flies a broadhead very well. :twocents: Look for an arrow with a 340 spine, and around 10 grains per inch. ;) The broadheads are fine.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 06:49:46 PM: Quote from: Button Nubbs on August 10, 2010, 06:07:02 PM
Which bow are you shooting? Manufacturer ibo specs are done with a 35Ogr arrow 3O" draw at 7Olbs draw weight. You would be suprised how much arrow weight, draw length and draw poundage effect arrow speed. Any reason for wanting to stay over 3OOfps?

Martin Firecat TR2. 29" draw. yes.. specs are for 70# 30" draw and 350 grain arrow. the reason for staying over 300 FPS.. I just want to have as flat a trajectory as I can to 40 yards.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 06:54:42 PM: Quote from: 520backyard on August 10, 2010, 06:14:50 PM
Quote from: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 04:17:15 PM
SH*T.. yes I am confusing it. Now I see.. I knew I had it somehow miscalculated. Thanks! I got it now.. mine are 8.5 grains per inch + broadhead comes out to abiout 345. Thanks.
So your light if a gamie checks ya. Which they have been known to do.

Just checked archery regulations... 300 grains is the minimum arrow weight.. so is that the minimum arrow weight BEFORE the broadhead?
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: danceswitharrows on August 10, 2010, 07:03:33 PM: :chuckle:
NO!!!

Quote from: Old Dog on August 10, 2010, 06:34:53 PM
:yike: That whole set up is wrong. You should be shooting a 340 spined shaft, and like mentioned by croix, 408 grain arrow. I can't imagine that set up flies a broadhead very well. :twocents: Look for an arrow with a 340 spine, and around 10 grains per inch. ;) The broadheads are fine.

Could not have said it any better
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: bonkellekter on August 10, 2010, 07:05:08 PM: @ 70lbs. your minimum arrow weight (including BH, Fletch, nock, insert etc.) is 420 Gr. There is also a minimum of 6 Gr. per pound of draw weight as well
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: bonkellekter on August 10, 2010, 07:08:04 PM: Quote from: Old Dog on August 10, 2010, 06:34:53 PM
:yike: That whole set up is wrong. You should be shooting a 340 spined shaft, and like mentioned by croix, 408 grain arrow. I can't imagine that set up flies a broadhead very well. :twocents: Look for an arrow with a 340 spine, and around 10 grains per inch. ;) The broadheads are fine.

Oops!....... yep 408 Gr. arrow @ 68lbs.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 07:37:58 PM: So bottom line is bought to light of an arrow to meet the 6 gr p/pound of draw weight requirement. 10 grains keeps you legal added to a 100 grain broadhead + knock, etc..

BTW, Old dog.. with or without broadheads from 40 yards.. shots are right on the money with the current set up.

Thanks for the info..
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: halflife65 on August 10, 2010, 08:04:24 PM: Well, you can probably include the weight of the knock, insert and fletching, as well.

So, using weights for the nfused Axis 400 components (probably different than yours but maybe you can use as loose guidelines), you can get:
your arrow (assuming 29 inches at 8.5gr/in): 246.5gr
Insert: 16 gr
knock: 9 gr
fletching (I used Blazers at about 6gr each X 3): 18 gr
broadhead: 100 gr
TOTAL: 389.5
**I have not validated any of the weights myself. These are just what I got from websites, so actuals could be off a bit. I really need to buy a scale.

If you went to a 125gr broadhead you could go to 414.5. And, if you wanted to keep your arrows and didn't mind re-fletching, you could add an arrow wrap at about 10gr making it even heavier. However, I suspect you might already be underspined and the heavier broadhead might cause you problems. Probably just go with 340 spine arrows.

I just felt like doing some math. I also saw this thread and made me realize that I have new arrows this year so I better check them (mine are coming in at 412 gr). 340 spine, arrows are 27.75 inches, 100gr G5 Striker broadheads, arrow wrap, 3 Blazers.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 10, 2010, 08:23:05 PM: Quote from: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 07:37:58 PM
So bottom line is bought to light of an arrow to meet the 6 gr p/pound of draw weight requirement. 10 grains keeps you legal added to a 100 grain broadhead + knock, etc..

yes to light of total, you need 408grains total to be legal in this state. at 68lbs best way is to use a scale and make sure you are spot on or over in this case to make sure you don't get a nasty ticket.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 10, 2010, 08:47:50 PM: Quote from: halflife65 on August 10, 2010, 08:04:24 PM
Well, you can probably include the weight of the knock, insert and fletching, as well.

So, using weights for the nfused Axis 400 components (probably different than yours but maybe you can use as loose guidelines), you can get:
your arrow (assuming 29 inches at 8.5gr/in): 246.5gr
Insert: 16 gr
knock: 9 gr
fletching (I used Blazers at about 6gr each X 3): 18 gr
broadhead: 100 gr
TOTAL: 389.5
**I have not validated any of the weights myself. These are just what I got from websites, so actuals could be off a bit. I really need to buy a scale.

If you went to a 125gr broadhead you could go to 414.5. And, if you wanted to keep your arrows and didn't mind re-fletching, you could add an arrow wrap at about 10gr making it even heavier. However, I suspect you might already be underspined and the heavier broadhead might cause you problems. Probably just go with 340 spine arrows.

I just felt like doing some math. I also saw this thread and made me realize that I have new arrows this year so I better check them (mine are coming in at 412 gr). 340 spine, arrows are 27.75 inches, 100gr G5 Striker broadheads, arrow wrap, 3 Blazers.

awesome info.. thank you!
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on August 10, 2010, 09:51:23 PM: is it even possible to have a arrow/broadhead that weights under 300 grains? I am shooting around 550, seems like it would be hard to find an arrow/broadhead combo that would be under 300.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 10, 2010, 10:27:04 PM: depends on the bow and draw weight my wife shoots 49 lbs she has to be 294 grains to be 6 grains per inch but she has to make 300 min so we have to use a heavy head on it wich messes with the foc of the arrow the target arrows she shoots which are goldtip 3555 are about 250grains we have to add weight to the arrow by bigger head and more fletching and wraps to make her legal in this state so yes the lower end bows that are 40lbs to be legal at 28" or less draw often times have weights way under the 300grain mark you have to push to make weight.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 11, 2010, 10:30:20 PM: You will all be happy to know that I now have the proper set up...

Easton full metal jacket arrows, 340, 11.5 grains per inch, 29 inches, 70 lbs, 100 grain G5 broad head.. sound acceptable?
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: bucklucky on August 11, 2010, 10:35:56 PM: Perfect! You should be around 460-470 grains on your total arrow weight. That is a guess though. Your good to go! I shoot FMJ's but 400's with 85 grain Montecs 28 1/4 long and they are 417 grains at 69 pounds of pull. Great foc and kinetic .
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 11, 2010, 10:49:29 PM: yep :tup:
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: MDGrand on August 11, 2010, 10:54:21 PM: Thanks!

I did a ton of research on the proper arrrow and finding one that is pretty bad ass.. apparently these are known to be really true fliers and have a ton of smack. Gonna practice with them carefully as they are the money arrows.

Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 11, 2010, 10:59:51 PM: yes they are a very hard hitting arrow!!! i took 3 animals in new zealand to test them out and they worked great. a little heavy with a little more arc to them but that is not not bad out of my bow ;) i still like my goldtips better and that is what i use here to hunt with but the fmj are a nice arrow but they will bend like alum so be carefull with them and make sure if you wack one or skip it off somthing: to check if it is still strait and you will be good to go :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: halflife65 on August 12, 2010, 12:59:17 PM: Great arrow choice!
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: Old Dog on August 12, 2010, 02:43:49 PM: Quote from: MDGrand on August 11, 2010, 10:30:20 PM
You will all be happy to know that I now have the proper set up...

Easton full metal jacket arrows, 340, 11.5 grains per inch, 29 inches, 70 lbs, 100 grain G5 broad head.. sound acceptable?

:rockin: :tup: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Recommended arrow weight
Post by: danceswitharrows on August 12, 2010, 04:21:45 PM: Quote from: MDGrand on August 11, 2010, 10:30:20 PM
You will all be happy to know that I now have the proper set up...

Easton full metal jacket arrows, 340, 11.5 grains per inch, 29 inches, 70 lbs, 100 grain G5 broad head.. sound acceptable?

Great setup :)