I'm thinking of switching to carbon arrows after trying one with more f.o.c weight than I can get with wood or aluminum. It shot really well. My question is that on all of the websites I've looked at to purchase arrows none of them say what the weight of the insert is and there aren't any choices of insert weights. I know different arrows have different weight inserts and they can range from 10 gr or so to 75 or more so it is really important. Does each type of arrow have a specific weight insert and everyone knows this? Also those who use screw in broadheads how do you align the head to where you want it if the inserts are already installed or do you?
Most of the arrow manufacturers web sites do give the insert weight - they just make it a bit hard to find :) Some list them under the particular model/spine arrow. Some list in separate tables.
3 Rivers web site also lists insert weights that aren't available in their printed catalog.
I think most regular inserts are are about 16 gr. I replace them with 75 gr brass inserts.
Gold Tips, and perhaps some others, have additional weights that can be screwed into the back of the insert. In the case of Gold Tips, weight can be added to the front, to weaken the spine, or the back, to stiffen the spine, or to both ends, to increase the overall weight of the arrow. Caution: if you add the same weight to both the front and back, it does change the spine, so you have to experiment to get what you want. The weights come in increments of 20 and 50 grains, and can be stacked. The basic insert, as has been mentioned, is about 15 grains, and is about the same for the front and back.
Gold tip inserts are 11 grains
Carbon express ones that I have weigh 9 grains
Don't know about others
I shoot Arrow Dynamic Liite Carbons with 100 gr brass inserts both purchased at 3 rivers Archery for recurves and longbows ranging from 51 lbs to 43 lbs. The arrows come with aluminum inserts standard. I use the same arrow for all my set ups but different point weights...from 175 gr to 300. Whatever it take to tun the arrow. Total arrow weight varies from 575 to 700 grains.
As far as getting them rotated the right way. Once you have them tuned to the correct field point I glue in the rest with the broadhead attached and rotate it into the position I want. It also give me the opportunity to spin the arrow to make sure alignment is correct. Sometimes I have to rotate the broad head/insert back and forth a bit to get the arrow to spin well. Once it is glued with JB Weld slow set epoxy, rotated and balanced I carefully set them tip up with the broad still inserted and tape them to a table or shelf or the like until the glue dries (usually over night). Just make sure to put them someplace out of reach of anything or anybody for saftey's sake. Good Luck!
"Also those who use screw in broadheads how do you align the head to where you want it if the inserts are already installed or do you?"
The only way I can do it is to use glue on broadheads with adapters and line them up when I glue in the adapter.The only other option would be to screw in the broadhead,rotate the nock to match and then re-fletch the arrow.
If you want to line up screw in heads,you really need to do that when the insert is glued in.