I went out this morning and set my target at 30 yards and when shooting I notice an arrow drop when it's in the air. I'm getting my groups fine. My bow is a compound bow 40-50lbs and I have it set at 40lbs and am shooting a 500 grain arrow with a 100 grain field tip. I'm getting used to the 40 lbs, is it time to crank it up to maybe 45lbs to get a straighter arrow flight? Or is this normal. I'm hitting the center of the target regularly in good groups.
I would say it's normal shooting 40lbs. Try turning it up a bit. You may also want to try 75-85 grain field tips as well.
500 grains out of a 40 pound bow is going to experience alot of drop. I would drop the arrow down to 350-380 grains and shoot a cut on contact fixed head
Keep it comfortable above all else. You will see a noticeable arc in the arrow at 40#, regardless of arrow weight. I see it at 57#. There is no such thing as "flat" when it comes to archery.
At 40 pounds and 600 grains total weight and your sight at 30 yards, your arrow will reach 4.8 inches above target when at mid-point (15 yards). If you were to shoot at 40 yards with the same pin, the arrow would be almost 9 inches too low. so yes it is a normal ballistic curve... The more pounds, the less the curve is pronounced, but it is still there
All arrow flight is a ballistic arch. The height of the arch will depend ultimately on how fast the arrow is going. Remember, the instant the arrow leaves the bow, it is falling towards the ground. This is why the longer distant pins are the lower ones. This raises the bow and increases the height of the shot.
Sorry guys, this is what happens when your dealing with a newbie. I found the arrow box and they are Shaft Size 500, not 500 grain as I originally said but I am shooting with 100 grain field points. I guess I don't know the weight but they are Blackout X5 Envy arrows and I did find that it says 7.2 grain per inch of arrow. I appreciate everyone's help. I had read about the ballistic arch and I guess that I forgot about it.
Turning it up would help some as well as going to a little bit lighter head. What is your draw length? The reason I ask is I've seen some new guys get some arrows from a box at the store throw some field tips and start shooting. Most arrows are around 31 to 32" long so if you have a shorter draw length you don't need all that excess arrow weight. That could also help lower your arrow weight.
I have a draw length of 26 1/2 and I believe the arrows are cut to 27 or 28". I've been shooting ok for a beginner but now that my eyes are getting trained to follow the arrows a bit that's when I noticed the drop, but now I've realized the ballistic arc. Once again thanks for all the help and explanation
