what do I need to know about arrows? I've read references to cutting them to size? Do they need to be sized to your bow? Does arrow weight matter in hunting? Any help is much appreciated.
Arrows will be cut to your draw length. Any pro shop where you get your arrows will set you up. Weight does matter in any bow shooting. Lots of good threads on these subjects around.
You've come to the right place, lots of good info here. What kind of bow do you have? draw weight? draw length? Are you looking to buy some arrows? already have them? What tip weight are you going with? Welcome to the board!
Thanks for the welcome. To answer your questions: Draw length: 26" (I have alligator arms), Draw weight: 60#. I haven't gotten any arrows. The bow is Hoyt Charger, but won't be into the shop for a few more weeks. It's paid for, but I'm wrong handed, so it is going to be a bit of a wait. By tip weight I assume you mean grains? If we were talking firearms, I'd know my but from a hole in the ground. Arrows? Not a clue. I'm still looking at fixed vs. mechanical(Rage-type) broadheads. When I say I'm new, I mean like...new new. ETA: 35 year old soon to be first time hunter...
Yes, how much weight, (grains) heads do you plan on using? You should be shooting at least 5 grains of weight per pound of draw weight. So your total arrow weight, with field tip or broad head included, should be at least 300 grains. As far as what exact arrow, I have no idea. There are many to choose from and I'm looking for a hunting arrow myself. Did you buy the bow at a pro shop? They should be able to point you to arrows that will work for your set up. Congrats on the Charger. Hoyts are nice.
Thanks. Yes, but it from an archery shop. I plan to pick their brains when I pick it up, but I know there's lots of good info on here. 300 grains is my floor? Off to search for arrow/broadhead combinations.
5 grains per pound is the manufacturers miniumum weight. If you go under you're technically breaking the terms of the warranty, kind of like never changing the oil in your new car. Essentially, anything under 5 grains per pound is considered dry firing. Now, arrows. Yes pick the brains of the shop guys, but we'll give you a little insight beforehand. Arrows have a few very important measurements: Spine: This is most important. There are 4 main spine measuresments; .500, .400, .350, .300. The lower the number, the stiffer the arrow. Spine is the measurement of deflection over a length, so if the arrow deflects less, it's therefore stiffer. For a 60# bow, a .400 spine would work very well with a 100 grain tip, which is the most popular. If the arrow spine is too less, you can shatter the arrow upon release. If the arrow is way too stiff it will be hard to tune. Weight: As mentioned above, 5 grains per pound is the basement. Most pros reccommend 6 to 8 grains per pound, so 360 grains. This is pretty easy to achieve with an off the shelf arrow. I like blue streaks but they're pricey. Look at easton flatlines or gold tip velocity series. Both of these are 7.9 grains per inch. To figure arrow weight, simplpy multiply your shaft weight in grains per pound, by the length of your arrow (26ish). Then just add the components, those can be found online on the manufacturers websites. Tuning: This is key, and complicated starting out. Do a google search for the "easton archery tuning guide". This is a pdf file. Learn it, love it, live it. That should get you started. Good luck and enjoy!
As far as broadheads, start simple. Muzzy mx-3 or grizztricks. My brother took his very first deer this fall shooting 60 pounds with a muzzy mx-3 and easton bloodline. 30 yard shot, right in the breadbox, deer didn't go 30 yards.
FWIW Hunter's Friend has a "Carbon Arrow University" dissertation on arrows, draw length, physics. Caution: there is math involved. http://www.huntersfriend.com/carbon_arrows/hunting_arrows_selection_guide_chapter_1.htm
