Arrow Ratings Opinion??

[beachpeaz]

A couple weeks ago I posted "opinion on sighting in new bow" and got lots of great advice.

Several people asked about arrow weights and I had no clue.

I checked my arrows and they have the following: 400, 8.4 gpi

2 questions:

1) What does that mean?

2) What does everyone else use / recommend?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

The only number we could comment on is the GPI without knowing informationon your set up. GPI is grains per inch. the 400 number is thes pine of the arrow and without knowing the draw length and # draw no one can tell you if it is correct for your set up

[beachpeaz]

wasn't looking for "correct for set-up," They are matched to my bow and draw length. Some people were mentioning switching to a heavier arrow. I figured one of those numbers were the weight, but I don't know what an "ideal" weight is or what people generally shoot.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I would have to go check my numbers but my Full Metal jacket arrows ar like 11 gpi - 100 grain tip. inserts and fletchings and such I am probably in the 450 -460 grain range. I think my KE at 10 yards was 73ft/#.

you should look up the spine chart too so you know if you are on the limit of a spine selection. There is overlap in the selections and sometimes that switch can make a tweak.

Then there is the calculations and verification of weight forward of center. I think there were threads here last years that went through the FOC .

Edited September 10, 2012 by Culvercreek hunt club

[chiefbkt]

We can't recommend anything without a few more details, ie; draw weight, arrow length, point weight, etc.

[Marti375]

The only thoery I use is, no less than 5 grains per pound of draw weight. There for 70# draw weight no less than 350 weight grain arrow. Every arrow manufacturer uses a different grading system which is rather annoying. Stick with the correct weight and try some differen arrows to see how they react.

[SteveB]

You need the correct spine (deflection or stiffness) weight rating to match a bow's spec - which are draw wght and draw length.

The 400 on your arrow is what is called the static spine. The dynamic spine is how that arrow reacts from your bow when shot and is influenced by static spine, arrow length, point weight and center shot.

Then you need to be sure that correctly spined arrow will give you a finished weight equaling minimum 5 grains per lb of draw weight - higher will hurt nothing.

As others have said, no one can recommend a heavier finish weight arrow without knowing a bows specs and the weight of the tip/broadhead you wish to use.

[Doewhacker]

The 400 doesn't necessarily mean that's what the spine is, different brands use different numbers and they are not always the easiest thing to figure out at a glance. For example, I shoot 70 pounds, 29 inch draw and use carbon express Piledrivers 450's, the spine on mine is .300 (I think) and the weight is 13.6 gpi which puts my total over 500 grains with a finished arrow and tip.

The spine is the important part on any arrow, to much or to little and you will have problems with arrow flight. Things that affect spine are length of arrow and the amount of weight up front. A longer arrow will have a weaker spine than a shorter one and more weight on the front will also work as a spine weakener. But by shortening an arrow by as little as 1/2 an inch it will stiffen up the spine.

Weight is also important, I prefer heavy over light any day of the week in a hunting set up. But it must work for your set up, if it is me I go with the heaviest properly spined arrow I can afford.

You could drive yourself nuts messing with different arrows and lengths, weights, point weights, fletching ect. Welcome to archery lol.

[beachpeaz]

My draw length is 29 1/2" and my bow, although suppose to be 60# was actually measured at 64#. The specs I mentioned earlier are 400, 8.4 gpi. They are obviously a carbon arrow (don't know the manufacturer though). Just know that they were $75 for 6 of them and they were definitely several levels up from the cheapies they had at the bow shop.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Sounds right. My bow is 63# 29" draw. I believe my arrows are 400s, i can check tomorrow though to make sure.

[nybuckboy]

mine are 28" 400 spine Beman MFX Real Treeand 60# draw.

[5.9cummins]

mine are 28" 400 spine Beman MFX Real Treeand 60# draw.

Same here only i have the classics and they are tipped with a 125 head.

[wdswtr]

Well that puts you at 239.4 grains on your arrows. Add in your broadheads plus inserts and vanes.

I also shoot Full Metal Jackets and after shooting all sorts of brands I will not switch back. 11.3 gpi I believe puts me at 464 with full dressed arrow. Personally after seeing the difference in the way they put deer down I would not be under 450. Need grains to penetrate and can not stress razor sharp broadheads enough.

[Doewhacker]

Here is a link to Easton's arrow selector. As I said in another thread, you would be fine with that arrow length to go up to a heavier spine. The recomended spines are in the .320 to .340 range but you could handle a .300 spine and have a heavier broadhead.

http://www.eastonarchery.com/store/shaft_selector

Edited September 12, 2012 by Doewhacker

[beachpeaz]

cool, thanks.