I know the concept for arrow weight is 10 grains per pound of draw weight and that's what I've stuck to ever since I started shooting trad bows. However when I shot at a trad shoot last weekend I talked to a few guys that are shooting arrows way below that. I'm getting new arrows (GT Traditionals 3555) any day now and I shoot a 55 pound longbow and recurve. My draw length is 27" so I know I'm actually pulling 52 pounds and was going to try to get by with 500 grain arrows. Who sticks to the 10 grains per pound concept? And whoever doesn't, do you still get good penetration when you shoot actual game?

A lot of guys drop their arrow weight for 3D to get a flatter trajectory. i wouldn't recommend going below 8 gpp as it get really hard on the bow. but some guys go down to 7 gpp just for the speed.

500 grains at 52 is fine. that's only 9.6 gpp. you could drop clear down to 420 with no worries.

now some guys really like to stay with the same weight they hunt with for 3D. and that's not a bad idea if you are training for hunting.

i like heavy arrows mine come in right around 14 gpi

a rough guess for my arrows is about 467 grains for my 44lb longbow for my carbons or 541 for my alluminums

thats 10.1 for alluminums and 8.7 for carbons if i punched in the numbers right

re punched in the numbers after checking arrow length carbon is 10.27 and 483 total grains out of my 44lb bow according to spine chart number  and 14.3 gpi

12 gr for the aluminums and 10.1 for the carbons would be closer I believe.
God bless you all, Steve

I use mine for hunting and 3D. I had them at 600 grains but recently dropped to 550 but I was using stiffer arrows. Now that I'm getting the 3555s I'm wanting to go a little lower so I'm wondering how much of a difference it would make going to 520 or 500 grains.

I shoot 9-10 grains on my bows with no complaints on penetration.My hunting arrows are 500 grains on my 55lb dryad longbow.beman mfx 500 cut 29.5 long w/2 blade simmons interceptor straped on the front.

The general convention is 8 - 10 grains per pound. But that's a guideline.
If you want to go heavier for hunting, more power to you.
If you want to go lighter for a faster arrow, have at it.
Just be aware that their are consequences for both directions and it isn't advisable to go too light less you stress your bow past tolerances.

Guy

What you really want to do is to shoot arrows that have been tuned for your bow.  If you were shooting 520 grain arrows that were tuned for your bow, and you just drop 20 grains point weight and start shooting 500 grain arrows, you will find that they are a little stiff for your bow.  On the other hand, if you've never tuned your arrows for your bow, you might not notice much difference.

For hunting, 10 gpp is fine as you probably won't be taking shots beyond 30 yards, and there isn't much arrow drop at that distance.  If you're shooting 3D at 50 yards, you would notice quite a difference in the point of impact between 8 gpp and 10 gpp arrows.

I strive for at least 10gpp but with heavier bows this gets harder to achive. I am shooting carbons at the moment to maintain the 10gpp because of the options available to increase the weight. With Woodies it seems to be a bit harder. You can use woody weights but more than 160 grains up front with some of my bows makes finding arrows with a stiff enough spine hard to find.

I do a lot of 3d shooting and use my hunting arrows for 3d as well. I also do not worry about the "score" I shoot 3d for the sole purpose of preparing for hunting. It it is a kill shot that is all that matters, not which ring my arrow landed in.

I shoot 10gpp for hunting and 3d.. I want the same trajectory

I'm strictly a bowhunter since I don't do formal 3D shoots.

Right now, with both of my low poundage recurves, I shoot a moderately heavy GPP arrow.

Look at my signature and you'll see the GPP for both 2212 arrows shot out of both bows.

I try to stick with around 10-11 gpp for my arrows. I use the same arrows for 3-d that I do for hunting. The way I figure 3-d shoots are just good practice for the real deal.

^^^^^ This.

Have shot 3D scores in the 9's with arrows from 9.3 - 12 gpp. All set-ups are point on at 25 yards out of my small stable.

My focus on 3D's is picking a spot and shot execution.

Targetting higher gpp ranges for hunting is simplified if you know your set-up performs, if  you can pick and focus on a spot and execute nice form.

I shoot for 10gr/lb, but do not sweat the details if they come in anywhere from 9-11gr/lb.

I try to stay away from 8gr/lb to protect the bow and do not like the trajectory > 11gr/lb.

I shoot 3D and target with my hunting arrows as that is what I am practicing for.

10-12 grains per pound here. Same for target,as for hunting. Shoots great out to 25 yards,why worry about farther than that? Safe for the bow,
hard hitting,and nice and quiet on release.
 

I like a heavy arrow between 10-12 gpp. I hunt elk and mule deer so I stay with heavy arrows.

10grns./# i like to shoot 3ds. Like i hunt.

Mine are right at 13 gpp.  I don't shoot at anything over 25 yards, and closer is my preference.  My minimum weigh is 640 grains and I shoot 50-57# bows.

I aim for 10-12.5gpp with my arrows. Use them for everything.