Arrows too light?


Ethan Givan

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Ok so I was over at a buddy's house the other day shooting bows and he was looking at my arrows and he said that mine were too light. He said that I was running the risk of not having good penetration especially if the shot angle wasnt perfect. His dad agreed with him.

I think they are wrong. So i decided to get a second opinion from you guys. My arrows weigh 362 grains with the tip. Im shooting 68 lb draw weight. I havnt shot through a chrono before but according to an online arrow speed calculator im getting about 270 fps. Im shooting NAP thunderhead broadheads too. So are they too light? I personally feel confident that they will preform fine on deer and allow plenty of penetration but I havnt shot a deer with this set-up yet.Thanks for any input

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i dont know what a to light of arrow is, mine only weights total with a 100 grain muzzy is 268 grains, and am shooting 68lbs and the arrow is flying at 297fps i figure a sharp breod head and a lethal

shot, i hope will be fine, but like you this is my first time hunting with this set up and havent shot any deer.

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Light and fast is fine with perfect shot placement. Anything less than perfect will pose a problem in my opinion. Once again this is all covered by Dr. Ed Ashby.

I has happened to me and many, many others and I see poor penetration on hunting shows every day. The arrows zip through the ribs but hit a shoulder and there is the problem.

Here is one of Dr. Ashby's quotes:

Given two arrows of equal momentum, but with one deriving a greater portion of its momentum from mass than the other, the heavier arrow will change velocity (decelerate) at a slower rate as it passes through the tissues. In other words, the heavier arrow will retain a higher percentage of its impact velocity at any given time period during its passage through the animal’s tissues, thus it also retains a higher momentum at any given point during the time required for the arrow to penetrate.

Another way of saying this would be that, though the heavier arrow is traveling slower, it takes a longer time to stop. The result is that the heavier arrow will have a greater impulse of force than does the light arrow.

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I'm not a huge fan of super light arrows, but the most important concern is how they are flying. If they are hitting without any wobble, and you have good sharp broadheads, those two features are the most important factors in penetration. Much has been made of arrow weight when it comes to penetration, and yes heavier arrows do enhance penetration..........slightly. But that fact has been way over emphasized as far as it's magnitude of effect. In other words, it has been blown way out of proportion. So if the arrows are entering straight into the target, and flying accurately and are tipped with almost any of today's modern SHARP broadheads, That's really all you have to worry about. Anything else is just good conversation and nothing more.

Doc

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I'd be more worried about your bow...

362 gr. at 68 #'s draw is 5.3 grains per pound of draw weight. Between 6 to 7 grains, minimum, is what the manufacturers typically warranty.

With your arrow that light, chances are your bow is probably a bit noisier too.

I shoot GT 5575's too, but with 125 Thunderheads...How does your arrow spine check out with that light of a broadhead?...If I recall, I can't drop below 100 gr. or the spine will be too stiff.

For deer size (and smaller) critters, you're probably OK...marginal...but still OK.

I don't think I'd be saying that if your gonna be tacklin' moose or elk, though.

Bob

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I'd be more worried about your bow...

362 gr. at 68 #'s draw is 5.3 grains per pound of draw weight. Between 6 to 7 grains, minimum, is what the manufacturers typically warranty.

With your arrow that light, chances are your bow is probably a bit noisier too.

I shoot GT 5575's too, but with 125 Thunderheads...How does your arrow spine check out with that light of a broadhead?...If I recall, I can't drop below 100 gr. or the spine will be too stiff.

For deer size (and smaller) critters, you're probably OK...marginal...but still OK.

I don't think I'd be saying that if your gonna be tacklin' moose or elk, though.

Bob

Here is Gold Tip's arrow spine chart. Seems like Im ok according to it.

http://www.huntersfriend.com/arrowhelp/gold-tip-arrow-spine-chart.htm

I know its borderline too light but honestly I have never had a set up shoot better for me, so I think im gonna stick with it for this season. i will most likely move up to a 100 grain head for next year though.

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