I've ran my setup on the Goldtip.com calculator (under products) and I have a 15% FOC... I'm all worked up becuase it says stay between 8-12%... I can't do this unless I'm shooting a 450 gr. arrow out of a 57 lbs. bow....  Give me some alternatives.

Shoot what you have(so long as it is flying true) and don't worry about a calculator on a website that sells 99% of it's products to compounders.

If your arrows are tuned and you like the setup why worry about it. Plus there are those that are shooting EFOC and they are looking to get numbers like that and sometimes greater.

If it is not broke why try and fix it  

I'm shooting more than DOUBLE their max recommendation of 12% FoC. Arrow flight is perfect, and penetration is outstanding.

Like everybody else said - as long as your arrows are tuned, go with it. While higher FoC isn't necessary to kill a deer-sized critter, the added penetration can only help.

If the arrow shots straight, no side to side wobble, do not worry about it.
Most charts are not geared to traditional gear, and the people who make the charts do not understand trad gear.
There is far to much importance put on FOC, weight forward and single bevel broadheads.
Too many think that if they do not have the setup described on these sites, they can not hunt.
Trad shooters have been successful for years without  this.
Get your gear shooting smooth and quiet, learn to hit them in the lungs, and you will have fresh meat. No worries!

I shot compounds competitively for years and I can tell you the charts don't always apply there either.  They are, for the most part, a starting point when you don't have a clue what you want/need to shoot.  The arrow combination I'm shooting now (longbow) is definitely on the stiff side, but it works for me.

I got 16.5-17% FOC 10.5-11 GPP.....I'm bummed cuz I was shooting for 18%! Got some heavier inserts on the way for that...
Shoot what works for ya...

I have no idea what my FOC measures. My arrows somehow work just fine anyway!

What's wrong with 15% ????


I've got my arrow set up that way and a shoot like darts and are straight.  I don't think anything wrong with 15%

If it works for you, forget the charts

Reading too many charts, can turn your face blue !  So nock it off


Carl

Mine are at 17.25% and fly like darts, My arrows have never shot better since I switched to carbons and high FOC.

Mine are 22 % and shoot great.

23% FOC here...Those calculators are for wheelies and are behind the curve on the positive effects of higher FOC on arrow flight and penetration...JMHO, YMMV

David

Pastor Steve,

Traditional Archery is an art not a science... Tables calculators and formulas help to find a place to start, but the Witchery of Archery dictates that the only thing that matters is getting the arrow fly well on target... If that is the case, I would have full faith in equipment.. It's the nut behind the string that gets me into trouble...

I READ BACK HOW THAT #51 ACS bow bareshafted perfect... If thats the case... then you just need to have a lil faith!        
Sorta sounds like when Peter walked out on the water to me...    

BTW.. My FOC is in the mid twenties or maybe a lil more.. Why because I needed the arrow mass, so I had to cut down the shaft and put more weight up front... but it bareshafted well and flys well... and I am sure it is up to the task on whitetail!  When the string nut does what he's supposed to do!!!

I WISH I could get my compound rig up to 15%!!!

I'm sitting right at 12% now and I personally consider that a bare minimum.

I'd go as high a FOC as you can...until your arrows start dropping like rocks.

What everyone else said.... If they fly right, shoot straight and make it happen.

This is a "center your Chi" moment.. LOL  Don't sweat this stuff. Trad bowhunting is all about "feel".


JDS III