Making heavier arrows?

[WYarcher8923]

Hello folks, I'm a new trad archer here on the (awesome) forums.  Love the amount of information on here, y'all really know your stuff.  

So I've been shooting trad for a few months now after having shot compound awhile.  I bought wooden shafts spined for my bow (45lbs@28, but I pull approx. 26 right now) and they're flying pretty well, plenty good enough for the small game and birds around here.  

But I'm semi-clueless on handling arrow weight.  I'd like to shoot heavier arrows for big game and waterfowl.  Are there any charts with suggestive hunting weights for various poundages or will I just need to experiment to find the right fit?

Damon

[moebow]

Damon,

You don't mention bow weight you are using but if you stay at about 10 grains per pound of bow weight, you can't go far wrong.  If you are shooting 45# then a 450 grain arrow will work, if 50# then 500 grains, etc.

It's not arrow weight for the game hunted but arrow weight for the bow weight.

Arne

[Bjorn]

8-12 grains per pound of bow weight pretty much covers it. With your set up and wood arrows you likely will be at 10 maybe more. Sounds like you are already having fun! Welcome to Trad Gang!    

[WYarcher8923]

That makes a lot of sense.  Let me make sure I got this right:  So my bow is 45lbs @ 28 inch draw, but I pull 26.  That would put me around 40lbs draw: I would need approximately 400 grains per arrow for consistent flight then.

I'm guessing weight distribution matters as well?  For example, a 250 grain arrow with a 150 grain point will fly differently from a 300 grain arrow with a 100 grain point, correct?  Or am I just over-analyzing...

[WYarcher8923]

Thanks Bjorn. I'm completely hooked.  I've not touched my compound in awhile, the poor thing, and already got longbows and lord knows what else in my eyes.

[Matty]

Yup. You're over thinking it. Stick with the 8-12 grain rule. Prob at least  10-11 for bigger animals.  And don't shoot lest than 125 up front.  If you're close to Fort Collins (cheyenne or Laramie) come on down we have a great range down here and you have CFA in cheyenne and  some very knowledgeable trad archers right  there to help get you goin'

[damascusdave]

Just what I was thinking...you can learn as much in one day with other experienced shooters as you will in a month on here...the one thing you will learn on here though is that when Arne speaks we all listen

DDave

[WYarcher8923]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. I'm outside of Cody, near the park. Perhaps a trip is in order after winter.