Is it better to have an arrow weigh more and go slower or weigh less and go faster?

Question

I have a Hoyt Vectrix set around 67lbs. of draw weight, and I recently bought some arrows to be used from 65-80 whereas my old ones that are to be used from 55-70 lbs. I am noticing that they do fly slower and drop faster and was wondering if it has more kenetic energy than my old ones.

Answer 1

Depends on what you are shooting. Hunting large animals heavy... targets lighter

Answer 2

In the old days it was believed that the heavier arrow provided more kinetic energy Then the lighter weight arrow. Now the test results show that it is a wash- almost dead even. The faster arrow will generate the same kinetic energy as the heavy slow arrow due to the increase in speed the arrow is getting. But the bottom line is this- weight doesn't kill, speed doesn't kill, accuracy kills!

Answer 3

For penetration on game animals the heavier slower arrow will penetrate better. Some people recommend arrows with a total weight above 500 grains. For target archery the lighter arrow will fly flatter so a bit of error in range estimation won't matter as much.

Answer 4

Yes, a slower yet heavier arrow will drive deeper, but the formula is always a fine line. Don't get lost in energy. A pass through the lungs of a deer is a pass through regarless of how fast the arrow was going. If you need deep penitration for Boar, Moose, Elk or bear, then you need to trick out the set up. Lets remember that the Native Americans were killing Buffalo with a stick bow, a heavy wood shaft, a stone for a broadhead, and about 200 feet per second.

I worked on bows for years in a great bow shop. The trick is to start with a decent bow, which you have. Then set up an arrow that produces a min speed of about 220 fps off the rest, and had about 6 grains per pound of draw. There are variations and exceptions to the rule as with everything, but this it fundamental stuff.

So your arrow should be about 400 grains total with the broadhead(no more than 100 grain broadhead in needed). This will serve to kill deer sized game at hunting ranges. Now if you are shooting 240 plus feet per sec, you can consider a heavier arrow shaft to ballance a heavier broadhead; this will drive into heavy animals,

The faster the bow, the more play you have.

Now if you are hunting where you can't clear defined lanes, or you know your shots may be 30 to 50 yards(50 should be max in all bow hunting), or you want to compete in 3D shoots; then a lighter faster set up is in order.

I would not go lighter than 4 grains per pound, but some bow companies are saying that their bows can take a steady diet of 3 to 4 grains per pound, and shoot a lifetime.

All this considered, the most important thing is to paper tune the setup. If an arrow kicks beyond 2 feet, it will have trouble with a broadhead.

I like a heavy over spined carbon arrow with a Muzzy 90 grain broadhead. This setup has worked well for me. I think a quiet bow is as important as being still and scent free. Carbon may not be as straight as the best aluminum/ carbon combo arrows, but they are either straight or broken, no question as to if they as reusable.

2 years ago, I filled all my bow tags. I shot a big doe, a button buck, an 8 point, and a small doe, in that order with the the same arrow and broadhead. I just passed the blades over a diamond plate sharpener, but they were still sharp enough; Im anal about the blades

I have been shooting and hunting with a bow for about 20 years. I can shoot my slower heavy arrow well, but a novice might be better with speed. I shoot 240fps off the rest at 60 lbs draw, and a 31 inch draw length. This has some considerable drop out to 50 yards. If you are not great a judging yardage, it might be better to use a fast arrow on deer. This will eliminate some yardage issues, and be more forgiving for a mistake.

Either way, its the placement of the shot that counts, so use the set up that helps you hit a 3D target at all kinds of angles, and yardages. Don't warp your brain about energy.

Happy hunting, and remember that everthing killed with a bow is a trophy.