How to determine the correct arrow type?

[Virginiashadow]

Well, over the years I have learned some things about my bow and all the equipment on it....however, I just realized that I don't know much about selecting the correct arrow, specifically the weight of the arrow for a specific bow......anyone have any info. on why you selected the type of arrow you use and why?> Thanks all.

vashadow

[Rustywreck]

The spine (stiffness/flex) of the shaft is the first thing to look at. Many things effect the spine of an arrow, including the shaft itself and essentially everything that attaches to the arrow.
If wieght is an issue for you, as it is to many people, that would come second - it doesn't matter how light the shaft or fast the arrow if it underspined and doesn't shoot straight.
All the shaft manufacturers have charts to put you in the right neighborhood. Easton's chart have some flexibility in them.
I have accumulated a bundle of around 100 shafts that I am slowly giving away.
Myself, I have switched back to aluminum shafts for hunting. I have used graphite/carbon shafts, but have come to prefer aluminum for hunting.
My bow draws 72lbs and I use 2413 shafts. I have found aluminum raw shafts to be consistantly straighter than graphite, making them easier and quicker to tune broadheads. The extra weight of the arrow absorbs some of the vibration of the bow, making the bow quieter and smoother to shoot.

[Virginiashadow]

Thank you Feather. Do you feel the thickness of the arrow has any effect on a complete pass through?

vashadow

[kt]

my $.02 i would say that the stiffness definetely has something to do with a pass through, seems to me something more flimsy wont maintain energy on the way through. but arrow wieght has something to do with that as does speed. i would say ask the guy at your proshop, i havent been steared wrong yet. wait a minute, this guy talked me into buying 100 dollar a dozen arrows for the past 6 years, maybe i've been had. shooting beaman ICS arrows, all angles and distances nothing but pass throughs, and i think easton makes a chart to guide you to the right aluminum shaft
kt

[Virginiashadow]

thanks kt

vashadow

[Varmint Hunter]

Do you feel the thickness of the arrow has any effect on a complete pass through?

Some shooters believe that a thinner shaft penetrates better. This is only true when you're shooting field tips at archery targets. When a broadhead penetrates an animal it leaves a gapping hole in its wake. Even the fattest shaft can easily pass through a 1.25" hole without being constricted.

The arrow that penetrates the deepest is the one that flys true and hits the target animal straight on. An arrow that has not completely straightened out in flight causes the broadhead to enter at a slight angle, thus robbing it of its potential to fully penetrate.

VH

[Rustywreck]

We have to be sure we are talking about the same thing in regard to thickness. Do you mean shaft diameter, or wall thickness?
The wall thickness will add weight to the arrow, which will help penetration.
As far as the diameter of the arrow effecting penetration, I agree with Varmint Hunter - if it makes a difference I don't believe it would be enough to be concerned about. Once the tissue of the animal is cut, the resistance is pretty slight. It's pushing the broadhead through that takes energy. Foam targets don't make for a fair comparison to real game.

[TSadler]

If you are willing to spend about $70, I recommend getting Archers Advantage.

After you plug in the variables (and there's a lot), it will recommend the best arrows (and sizes) on the market for your set up.

I was shooting Carbon Express 200's for my bow because everyone said they were good arrows and the factory rep suggested that size. I wasn't happy with the way they shot, though. They were properly selected so I couldn't figure out why everyone loved those arrows.

Then, I got Archer's Advantage. It did not recommend ANY Carbon Express arrow for my bow. It did recommend about 30 others and provided weights and estimated speeds and spines for me to make my own decision. The spine chart was very simple to understand, too. So, I switched to Carbon Tech Cheetahs for my target bow. And man, was I impressed. I haven't decided which arrow to use for my hunting bow - either the Easton Axis or the Carbon Tech Rhino. But I am confident that both will shoot well with my set up.

The other thing is, you can change your varibles to see how it will change your arrow selections. My brother in law is sold out on Beemans, but the program doesn't recommend them for his set up. So, he changed the draw weight until it did recommend the Beemans. (I don't recommend doing that unless you already spent lots on arrows.)

Good luck!

[Rustywreck]

Tsadler,
I've heard of Archer's Advantage, but have never used it.
Does it calculate arrow speeds and such?

[Virginiashadow]

Wow, you guys are extremely helpful, I really appreciate everyone's thoughts. That makes complete sense about arrows flying true and getting a pass.....thanks a bunch. I am buying a new bow this spring and am just brainstorming. Great advice.

vashadow

[Rustywreck]

Virginia,
If all of this made sense to you, then check this out and explain it to me (it my has head swimming).
http://www.xmission.com/~fractil/math/kp.html [URL=http://www.xmission.com/~fractil/math/kp.html ]

[Virginiashadow]

Feather--thanks for giving me a headache in that link

Brett

[TSadler]

AA does an "estimated" speed first for each arrow it recommends.

Then, after you buy your arrows, weigh them and enter the information. If you are using movable sights and have a standard marker, it requests you take a solid 20 yard mark and a solid 30 or 50 yard mark. You enter the mark readings at those 2 distances and it will provide calculated speed, which is more accurate than a chronograph and then it will give you your sight tapes.

If you don't have a marker on your sight bar, AA can print one for you. That's how I get my pins quickly set for my hunting bow.

You can also add several bows.

My sister wonders why more pro-shops don't use it to recommend arrows for customers.

Here's their link - http://www.archersadvantage.com/

Perry also has several articles on tuning and uphill and downhill shooting that I have found very interesting and helpful.

[Virginiashadow]

thanks Feather

vashadow

[Rustywreck]

VS,
did you figure that stuff out on the link I gave you? If so, please explain it to me in terms I can understand.