I'm using old herters recurve, 50lb at 28", 2020 aluminum cut to 31" three feathers. I initially have been using 125gr points, the arrow is heavy enough not to have to stack a bunch of weight up front. My FOC is now at about 17, total arrow weight is 598 grains.
I put a 145 grain point on and my arrows seem to fly more straight, it would put my arrows about 618 grains.....is that too heavy for a 50lb bow to shoot ?
Thanks for any advice

2020s are pretty stiff spine. 2016s @29" should be about perfect for your set up..............YMMV

Its not to heavy its about 12.5gpp its also good hunting weight.

I've already paid to have these arrows cut and feathered, I'd like to not toss money away and make these work for me if I can. An old gray beard at the archery shop steered me tward these, I hope he wasn't trying to clear old merchandise off the shelf....

Not too heavy.  FWIW, I shoot 650 gr in a 44# bow.  You will put a bit more arc in the trajectory, but practice and familiarity take care of that.  Heck, put some 160's and 180's on.  Might fly even better.

That is about the weight arrow I had with 2020's. I got first doz. back in 1973 for my 55# SK. Old Doug Kittridge picked them out for me, just told him my bow and draw length. IMO the 2020 was an overlooked size by many hunters. It works out of many weight bows. I knew an old guy that used them for hunting from a 45# recurve, shot a deer length wise with one. Heavy, and small diameter, a great combo for hunting.

I shoot 660gr 2117's out of a 53# bow. If you're getting good flight, learn the trajectory of the arrow and you'll be fine.

Ok thank you, appreciate all the feed back

I'd go with the 145 gr head esp if they are shooting good. The 2020's might be a bit overspined but the heavier head should counter that a bit. It also helps that the length is 31". Are you drawing over 28"?

Barely over, by a half inch maybe on a good pull

if you are both competent and confident within your hunting range, then too heavy is unlikely.

Note: There are always exceptions such a pursuing extremely wired game.


*** Have harvested a doe with 611 gn total out of a 51#r...400 gns up front...Big 3 BH....That past from brisket and extended approx 6-8"s beyond the inner thigh...she just laid down.

if you are both competent and confident within your hunting range, then too heavy is unlikely.

Note: There are always exceptions such a pursuing extremely wired game.


*** Have harvested a doe with 611 gn total out of a 51#r...400 gns up front...Big 3 BH....That past from brisket and extended approx 6-8"s beyond the inner thigh...she just laid down.

I think it is a personal preference...........For me an arrow traveling at 160-165 fps is most accurate-for me that's about 12.5-13 gpp. Others prefer a faster arrow. It also will reflect your aiming style. Generally those who use a reference are troubled by trajectory, and those who aim by looking-(see how I avoided that nasty "I" word?) don't know  how trajectory comes into the equation.  

I shoot AD trads 400 up front for a total of 780 grains out of a 51# Centaur.  I shoot the same arrow out of a 55# Centaur and a 57# pronghorn.
Here is a pig I shot with the 51# full pass through.m  Love heavy arrows and did I mention quiet.  
 

Heavy arrows are silent arrows. As long as you can keep you yardage in close and not shooting through windows in the brush, they are great.

The lighter arrows in the 9-10 gpp weight will shoot a flatter trajectory and have more advantages for many hunters.....

But....Shoot what is comfortable for you. Those arrows are certainly not too heavy for close range hunting.

He was trying to clear old merchandise off the shelf

DDave