Choosing an proper arrow weight for your hunting situation require understanding the total weight that the arrow will carry. The total weight of the arrow will impact the speed with which the arrow flies from the bow, the noise that the arrow make as it is released from the bow, and the way in which the arrow will interact with the target upon impact with the target. For these reasons, many people finds it to be difficult to choose the proper arrow weight for there hunting situation, even with bows that may appear more similar in the features available to each hunter.
Arrows can be categorized into five different weight categories, each of which include arrows that have a certain amount of grains per pound of the draw weight of the bows. Ultralight arrows contain less than six grains of weight per pound of draw weight of the bows, and hunters who wish to maximize the speed at which the arrows travels typically use them. Super-heavy arrows contain more than nine grains of weight per pound of draw weight of the bows, and those hunters who wish to allow the arrows to penetrate the bodies of large and dangerous games use them.
How to Choose the Right Arrow Weight for Hunting
In between the ultralight and super-heavy arrows are the light, mid weight, and heavy arrows, which cover the weights that are in the middle of the draw weight range of the bows. These different arrow weight categories allow hunters to easily choose arrows that will be appropriate for the types of game that they will be hunting. The total arrow weight can be broken down into a variety of components of the arrow, such as the arrows shaft, arrow point, nocks, inserts, and vanes.
Each of these components have a specific weight, and each arrow will contain a specific amount of each of these components. Multiplying the grains per inch of the arrow shaft by the length of the shaft, and then by adding the weights of each of the other components of the arrow to that number, can calculate the total arrow weight. Finally, dividing that total arrow weight by the draw weight of the bows will create a grains-per-pound figure for the arrow.
This number will allow the archer to compare the arrow that they are using with the various weight categories of arrows. The material that is used to create the arrow shaft will impact the total weight of the arrow prior to adding the arrow point. Arrows with carbon shafts will typically have less weight than arrows with other shaft materials, and often have more consistently weights of each arrow.
Aluminum shafts tend to be more durable than arrows with carbon shafts, and can be straightened if they become bent. Wood shaft arrows naturaly contain more weight than arrows with carbon or aluminum shafts, and hunters using traditional bows typically use them. Checking the grains-per-inch rating of the shaft material that will be used will allow the arrow modifier to understand the impact that the shaft material will have upon the total arrow weight.
The arrows kinetic energy and momentum can help to determine the force of the arrow that is placed onto the target. The speed at which the arrow travels from the bows determines the kinetic energy of the arrow, and those who wish for the arrow to pass through the game that is targeted use it. Momentum is determined by the mass of the arrow, and those who wish for the arrow to continue forward past the bones or heavy hide of the game use it.
Many hunters opt for arrows that contain a balance between each of these two measurement. Front-of-center balance is a value that indicates the location of the weight of the arrow. This measurement can be obtained by measuring the balance point of the arrow and dividing it by the length of the arrow.
If the arrow has too little weight provided to the front of the arrow, it may not effective travel to the target. If the arrow has too much weight provided to the front of the arrow, it may drop too quickly along its path to the target. It is important to manage this measurement of the arrow, especially if the arrow is to be fitted with a broadhead.
The size of the game that is to be hunted will determine the weight of the arrow that should be used. Arrows that are used to hunt small game will not require the same amount of total arrow weight as arrows that are to be used to hunt large games. The large game will require additional mass of the arrow to allow the arrow to continue moving through the small diameter of the game.
The type of arrow that is hunted should be considered when adding up the total arrow weight. The arrow point is the last component that will be added to the arrow, and will impact the total arrow weight of the arrow. Hunters who is performing practice shots with their arrows typically use field points.
Mechanical broadheads are typically used on game of the weight of deer. Fixed-blade arrow points carry more weight at the front of the arrow, and those who wish to ensure that the arrow penetrate the game that is being hunted typically use them. The grain weight of the arrow point will shift the total arrow weight of the arrow.
A few habits that hunters can employ to ensure that the arrow weight of the arrows that are shot is correct. Ensuring that the arrows are weighed once they are finished constructing will ensure that each arrow has a normal weight. Adding weight to the front of the arrow rather than the rear will help to maintain the front-of-center balance of the arrow.
Finally, checking the spine of the arrow to ensure that the arrow will not flex too much when it is released from the bows draw string. These habits will ensure that the arrow weight and the arrow balance are correct. Youll find that these steps should of helped you alot.
