Let\'s Talk Arrow Weight

[cohunter14]

I continue to read about heavier arrows and the advantages to them. I currently shoot arrows weighing in the 420 grain range and am considering bumping this up to quiet the bow a bit and help with arrow flight. How heavy are your arrows? Did you have to do anything extra to achieve that weight like adding trimmer line?

In my particular circumstance, I really don\'t want to have to buy new arrows, which is a must if I bump up to a 125gr tip from the 100gr as I am on the border of being under-spined. Does adding trimmer line change the spine at all? The other thing I notice is even if I bump up to a heavier spine and build my arrows the same way, I would still only be in the 450gr range with 125gr tips, which makes me think I would have to add weight some other way to get closer to that 500gr range.

I am currently shooting 64lbs (could easily bump this up to 70lbs, but again, arrow spine is an issue), 30.5\" draw length. Current arrows travel 295 fps.

 

[bowhunter]

I am pulling 68# and shoot a 30 inch arrow with a 100 gr broadhead. I added some trimmer line to it last year and upped my weight to 502grains. I do like the penetration and my groups tightened up a little. I had to adjust my sights for the extra drop which was only noticeable over 20 yards. I like the change.

 

[bowhunter]

I am shooting Goldtip 340s and added the .095 trimmer line which added 70 grains to my arrow.

 

[cohunter14]

Terry, that sounds almost identical to my setup (30\" arrow, Gold Tip 340\'s) except you are pulling four more pounds. So that didn\'t change the spine at all?

 

[bowhunter]

I don\'t believe the spine changes with the trimmer line as it flexes easily. I added the line to give me more weight and not mess with my FOC. If you added heavier tips or inserts that makes your FOC go up.

It is also easier to find your arrow when you bounce them off rocks or critters. the bright orange line sometimes bounces back on heavy impacts and pops the nock off and jumps out. :haha:

 

[cnelk]

Trimmer line wont change the spine.

Im shooting 420grs

The trimmer line is another item that you can use for tracking too
Ive had arrows break off, and had the trimmer still stuck in the animal and keeping the hole open

 

[bowhunter]

My FOC is 12.5% with the trimmer line........

 

[elky McElkerson]

i added inserts weights to my GT velocity 300\'s. i think my arrow weight 430?

 

[CNelk2]

I love seeing this topic. I enjoy this topic and discussing it with people who don\'t yet know what is what in the archery world. To me this long time debate is on a pendulum, and it swings back and forth all the time. When I first started shooting Compound bows everything was heading towards speed, but have always heard a lot of people say that speed isn\'t everything. I think a big part of the mind set of what the hottest thing is on the market is what they are trying to market. If the industry is trying to sell fast bows then that is what they throw in face, and that is what they want you to believe is the best thing. Unfortunately new comers to archery don\'t know enough and accept what ever they are told... I was one of them. The longer I shot archery the more realized that there were trade offs between speed and ease of tuning and penetration and a bit of difficulty tuning to name a few. The lighter your arrow weight is the less efficient your bow is.

I shoot 70LBS. and mine are 390 grain.

The best thing to do is experiment. Every bow is different.

 

[elky McElkerson]

no free lunch. every benefit comes at a cost.

speed bows. my buddy turned his speed bow into a regular bow. 80lb Mathews monster. i cant even draw it back. well,i can, i just look stupid doing it.

he shoots a 500+ arrow. he missed a target at 100 yards and hit the wood border of the target. i bet that insert is still there..it went DEEEEP! his bow isnt fast but it still is a speed bow..not with his arrows.

 

[cnelk]

Arrows are like women.

Some are built for speed, some are built for comfort

What\'s your flavor?

 

[cohunter14]

Arrows are like women.

Some are built for speed, some are built for comfort

What\'s your flavor?

Now I\'m even more confused! Based on that advice my quiver is going to look like I bought my arrows at goodwill. Each one will have a different weight, different color fletching, and different broadheads! :haha:

 

[Ucsdryder]

I\'m in the 525 range. Shooting an rpm360 at 72lbs 29\". Plenty flat and packs a wallop. The 6\" brace height is a little bit of an issue and hand torque can be a problem but I have it shooting well and have confidence out to 60 yards with my Magnus stingers.

 

[bowhunter]

I\'m in the 525 range. Shooting an rpm360 at 72lbs 29\". Plenty flat and packs a wallop. The 6\" brace height is a little bit of an issue and hand torque can be a problem but I have it shooting well and have confidence out to 60 yards with my Magnus stingers.

Now that sounds like a deadly setup. :upthumb:

 

[Ucsdryder]

I\'m in the 525 range. Shooting an rpm360 at 72lbs 29\". Plenty flat and packs a wallop. The 6\" brace height is a little bit of an issue and hand torque can be a problem but I have it shooting well and have confidence out to 60 yards with my Magnus stingers.

Now that sounds like a deadly setup. :upthumb:

It\'s only deadly if there\'s something to shoot at! But penetration isn\'t an issue. 15 years ago I hit a good bull in the shoulder in Idaho and it stopped my arrow with about 4\" penetration. I told myself I would do everything I could to maximize my penetration so if I ever had another poor shot I would have a chance to overcome it. I had a bowtech tribute with 80lb limbs for a while but after one of the limbs went bam while shooting I decided to go a different direction. The stingers are awesome as well.