Why Arrow Weight Always Matters
Do you think that you have already found the perfect arrow? Most people haven’t found the right arrow for them yet. Some say that it’s because they haven’t figured out the right weight yet. The more optimal the spine and weight of your arrow are, the better that you will be able to use the arrow to your advantage.
Getting to Know the Arrow Spine
The arrow spine measures the bend or the flex of the arrow. When you allow the arrow to take flight from your bow, it will flex. The moment that it is already in the air, it will straighten. If the arrow spine isn’t too good, you will make the arrow fly poorly and you do not want that. When you choose an arrow that is too weak, this can be problematic for you too.
There are some things that you should remember:
- Your draw weight, your arrow length, and the point will affect the flex of the arrow.
- High draw weights will need stiffer spines.
- Look for the spine number on the arrow’s label.
Remember that the better your spine is, the more accurate you will be whenever you would use your chosen arrow.
Learning More About Arrow Weight
Arrow manufacturers would have their calculations of the weight of the arrows they produce. They would put the weight in GPI. This is also known as grains per inch. There are different variables available such as the following:
- Length
- Thickness
- Materials
You may be wondering what materials are normally used to create arrows. These are the most common arrow materials used:
- Carbon fibers
- Composite
- Aluminum
- Wood
- Fiberglass
Some manufacturers would be using different mixtures of the available materials to achieve the weight that they want. Remember that arrow weight will also include the different components like the fletchings and inserts that you need to use for your bow and arrow.
You should also pay attention to the “Front-of-Center” also known as FOC. This is the balance point of the shaft. This will also provide you with details about how much weight can be seen on the front end of the arrow. The arrow’s trajectory can also be significantly affected.
The weight of the different arrows will be as follows:
- Light Arrows – 350 Grains
- Typical Arrows – 420 to 500 Grains
- Heavy Arrows – 600 Grains
Some people would love to use arrows that are heavier than that. You can use up to 700 grains but this is only advisable if you are not using traditional shooting equipment.
Why Arrow Weight Matters
One of the best reasons why you should think about arrow weight is you need to stay safe while you are using the arrow. The arrow shafts should be heavy to absorb the energy of your bow whenever you release the arrow.
Some guidelines are available when choosing the right arrow weight. If you would choose an arrow that is too light, it may cause some injuries and you do not want that too. Choosing an arrow that is too heavy will not be as problematic as a light arrow but your shooting distance will be compromised.
Arrow Weight and Their Pros and Cons
The more that you know about arrows and their arrow weight, the more that you can make the right decision.
Light Arrows
Expect that light arrows will be fun to work with. They are normally flat and they are also fast. They can be ideal if you need to shoot a target immediately.
Pros:
- They can hit targets easily.
- The fast movement will be very helpful.
- This can be helpful when you are trying to target different items that are placed close together.
Cons:
- They are louder compared to heavier arrows.
- They will not be able to penetrate animals better.
Heavy Arrows
You should know that heavy arrows will be more effective if you are trying to look for bigger animals to hunt.
Pros:
- They can penetrate animals easily.
- They are not as loud especially when you compare them to lighter arrows.
- Different animals can be targeted.
Cons:
- The distance can be compromised.
- Some bows will not be able to take the weight of the arrows.
The more that you know about the pros and cons of the arrows, the better your choice is going to be.
How to Pick Your Arrow?
Now is your chance to pick your arrow. You can base it on the weight although there are still different things that you need to think about. The bow that you are using plus what you would like to hunt will make a difference on the arrow that you will choose. Are you ready to make the best decision soon?