Choosing the Right Hunting Arrows for your Compound Bow.... Without Mastering Physics!
- Boss Crewmember Shellie McCarthy
- Jul 22, 2015
- 4 min read
It's that time of year when bowhunters are counting the days to their archery season! Trail cameras are set and streaming exciting photos, scouting trips are planned, GPS/maps are set and then you realize you need stock up on arrows! As you know it is hard for us ladies not to be drawn to the bright colored fun fletched arrow combinations while most of you guys are trying to keep the budget in check with all the gear needed for a successful hunt. So....let’s figure out how do this!
My goal for building my hunting arrows is to increase my total arrow weight in order to increase potential kinetic energy, which equates to better penetration. My 3D arrows are built to be a light as they can be to minimize my pin gaps and extend my range. But for hunting I want an arrow that can drive a broadhead with the sharpest and largest cutting area that I can shoot. This is much harder for us girls as our bows do not have the energy that comes with heavier draw weights and draw lengths.
There are many terms and numbers associated with arrows shafts published by top arrow manufactures that can cause confusion when making the best selection for your compound bow. Remember, there are no perfect arrows; there are only arrows that are perfect for YOU. To know what’s perfect for you though, you have to start shooting.
One term that is important to understand when selecting arrows is arrow spine. Arrow spine is the static measurement of deflection of a shaft. Basically this is how much the arrow bends. It is measured by the number of inches the arrow bends or deflects x 1000 due to a specific amount of weight hanging from its center. Example: a 500 arrow bends .5 inches when weight is applied. Arrow spine is critical in preventing erratic arrow flight that can result in poor shooting groups. Most arrow manufactures label their arrows 500, 400, 300, 250, ect. The higher the number, the more bend in the arrow. Arrows come in many different spines and straightness. Carbon Express arrows configure their arrow spine in the opposite direction with the lower number being the more flexible spine. Be cautious of how some arrow manufacturers configure their arrow shaft spines.
I shoot 350 Spine Black Eagle Rampage arrow shafts. I utilized their sizing chart to make my selection. This arrow very different from my Black Eagle 400 spine PS23 arrows that I shoot for target and 3D. The Rampage is smaller and diameter than my PS23 and is designed to drive a broadhead with optimal speed, accuracy and kinetic energy for great penetration.
Here are my steps in choosing my hunting arrow:
1. Determine arrow length. You can have your local archery pro shop help you with this. I prefer the help of my husband and use a fabric tape measure and silver sharpie. Start your measurement from the bottom, inside the nock grove. I like my arrow to be one inch beyond my rest. 27.5 inches for mine.
2. Know your exact draw weight. My draw weight is 62lbs. I prefer to have my local archery pro shop weigh my bow on a proper bow scale.
3. According to the Black Eagle sizing chart @ 60-65lbs, 27.5in arrow my spine should be approx 350.
4. Next you need to consider the weight in your components (nocks, inserts, out-serts for small diameter arrows, bushings, fletching) I utilize a small portable scale to weigh each of my components.
MY Back Country Set up: Total Arrow Weight: 388.5
*Rampage 350 spine shaft (225.5g)
* Platinum Bone Crushing Half-Out inserts (58g)
* 27.5” Length
* 2” Blazer Veins / Standard nocks ( 18/25g)
* 100g Broadhead
**State of Idaho has a minimum arrow weight of 350 grains **
**NEVER use an arrow that weights less than 5 grains per pound of draw weight. This could be equal to dry firing your bow! Another important factor in selecting hunting arrows is the broadheads you choose.
Unfortunately mechanical broadheads are not an option for us Idaho Big Game hunters. Luckily fixed blade broadheads can give good penetration, durability, and are fairly inexpensive in comparison. Again, this is a personal preference. It is critical for your arrow spine to handle the weight of your broadhead. Good broadhead flight is nearly impossible to obtain if you are not shooting a properly spined arrow.
Broadheads come in many different sizes and weights. Should you choose a “heavy” broadhead you will need to consider a heavier spine. A major variable of broadhead flight is the arrows front-of-center balance point (FOC). FOC describes the percentage of the arrows total weight that is located in the front half of the arrow. I am no math whiz but I was able to easily determine my arrows FOC with this simple diagram:
Why is FOC important? The more weight you have out front the better the arrow will stabilize in flight with less wind drift. Also the more weight you add to the front of the arrow shaft the more kinetic energy it will provide.
Selecting the proper arrow is the most important factor that will determine the difference in a clean kill or tragic mistake. Correct spine arrow allows for straighter flight and good FOC allows for better stabilization of your broadhead. The goal in hunting is to make a well placed shot count with great arrow flight and good penetration. I don’t want to miss the opportunity to take down that 350 class Bull Elk!
So ladies have fun purchasing your fun fletched bright arrows that are a perfect fit for you and guys, be confident with your choices because everyone can hunt like a BOSS!
Boss crewmember Eli Rooney wrote a great article about Broadhead tuning. Be sure to check it out!
- Shellie
Your local archery shops can help you with your hunting arrow selection! In the Treasure Valley visit Dead on Archery in Meridian and Garden City or Archery Central in Caldwell.
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