Does Arrow Weight Matter? [Know In Details]

When it comes to archery, choosing the right-weight arrow can greatly impact your overall archery performance. Whether you are a seasonal or a novice archer, 

Are you interested to know which factors influence the choice of arrow? How does arrow weight affect arrow penetration? Read this article to know more about arrow weight.

Does Arrow Weight Matter? 

Arrow weight is an important matter because it plays a crucial role in the accuracy, kinetic energy, speed, and momentum of the arrow.

In the case of hunting, To ensure a successful and ethical kill of the animal, you must choose the right arrow which suitable for your targeted species, the size of the game animal, and the hunting condition. Arrow weight impact on its performance. So, you gotta be very espicfic while choosing the right arrow weight. Cause it differ from the purpose of it.

Such as, Arrow weight for hunting 420 to 450  grain is effective. In general, a heavier arrow offers more kinetic energy and momentum but flies slower than a light arrow. So, for hunting, you have to choose heavier arrows for deeper penetration and improve wind-bucking traits.

In the case of target target archery, You will need faster arrows speed with high accuracy. Lighter arrows tend to have more accuracy and speed. These creates a tighter group and fly straighter. 

Since lighter arrows fall more slowly than heavier arrows, they are also more forgiving on longer shots. On windy days, lighter arrows can be less forgiving and more difficult to tune.

Too many heavier or lighter arrows can behave in abnormal flight and accuracy of the arrow. Therefore, they can be dangerous for you and your equipment.  So, arrow weight is a great matter in hunting, target shooting, and safety.

How Do Different Components Of Arrow Weight Contribute To The Overall Weight Of An Arrow?

Different components of arrows are shaft, insert, broad head, fletching, nocks, and arrow wraps. Each of them consists of a different weight and contributes to the overall weight of an arrow.

• GPI: GPI stands for grains per inch, and is the industry standard for measuring the weight of an arrow shaft. It determines the weight of the arrow shaft, including the length, wall thickness, material, and diameter of the arrow. In general, arrow shaft weights are commonly seen in three categories. Three different weight ranges for shafts:  5 to 6 grains per inch for light shafts, 7 to 9 grains per inch for midweight shafts, and 10 grains or more for heavier shafts.
• Inserts: The arrow inserts are made of brass or aluminum, and some manufacturers also offer metal inserts. These are the essential parts of an arrow. Generally, these weigh between 50 to 75 grains. 
• Arrow tips/Broadhead: Arrow tips or Broadheads are commonly used for hunting. These are commonly weights either 100 or 125 grain head. Which of course adds up to the whole arrow weight. Some archers also use arrow-weight tubes to increase weight and to get more penetration.  Different types of arrow tips are compatible with different types of bow.
• Fletching: Fletching is a crucial part of an arrow for spin properly. Typically, the standard three-fletch configuration with plastic hunting arrow vanes will add anywhere from 15 to 30 grains to the overall weight.
• Nock: Generally, a standard nock weighs around 50 to 10 grains. It also varies depending on the arrow makers. Sometimes, a lighter nock also weighs 10 to 30 grains more than a standard nock.
• Arrow Wraps: Have you customized your arrow with arrow wraps? It also includes the total weight of the arrow. It can also weigh 5 to 10 grains.

So, the choice of components depends on your specific needs( hunting or target shooting) and your personal preferences. 

As a result, it contributes to the overall weight of the arrow. You can find your overall arrow weight by adding all component weights. You can also use an arrow weight scale to measure your overall arrow weight.

How Does Arrow Weight Affect Arrow Penetration When It Hits A Target?

Arrow weight is a crucial factor that greatly affects penetration. Generally, a heavier arrow tends to have more penetration than a lighter arrow because it absorb more kinetic energy and momentum. You know that kinetic energy and speed have a proportional relationship. So, the more the kinetic energy, the more the penetration when it hits the target.

If you increase the weight of your arrow by 50 grains, you will gain approximately 1-1/2 percent more penetration at close range and up to 4 or 5 percent beyond 40 yards.

The hunting arrow weight for the 60 pound bow is between 480 to 600 grains. Arrow weight for deer hunting is about 650 grains.

According to some arrow companies, a skinny carbon shaft arrow can penetrate deeply compared to a fatter arrow shaft when it hits the target.

On the other hand, A lighter arrow tends to fly more with high accuracy. But, they can’t fly properly in windy conditions. As a result, they tend to have less penetration to the target. These are only used for target shooting or 3D archery.

However, the weight of an arrow greatly affects the penetration when it hits the target because weight determines how much energy an arrow will absorb. This energy determines the penetration of the arrow.

Things That Influence The Choice Of Arrow

Here are some factors that greatly influence the choice of arrow. So, before choosing an arrow, one must consider these factors:

Draw Length & Arrow Length

Your suitable arrow length depends on your draw length. In general, arrow length is 1 to 2 inches greater than your draw length.

Don’t understand, how? Suppose your draw length is 28 inches. So, your arrow length should be 1 to 2 inches longer than your draw length.

The draw length determines the speed and accuracy of the arrow. So, to get high accuracy and speed during flight, the draw length must be compatible with your draw length.

Too short or too long arrows can lead to abnormal behavior during flight. As a result, it can lead to harm for you or your equipment.

Draw Weight

It is a crucial component when choosing an arrow. It affects the arrow’s spine or stiffness. Generally, you will need a stiffer arrow, if you larger draw weight. If your draw weight is lower, you will need a flexible arrow.

It also greatly affects the speed of the arrow. Typically, a heavier arrow tends to absorb more kinetic energy but flies slower arrow whereas a lighter arrow flies faster. So, before selecting an arrow, you must consider the draw weight of the bow.

Shooting Purpose

Your intended purposes greatly influence the choice of an arrow. Whether you want to aim for target shooting or hunting, it is crucial to understand your intended purposes.

Different shooting scenario needs different requirements such as arrow weights, design, and material. For example, the arrow weight for elk 60lb draw is about 480 to 540 grains and not less than 300 grains.

If you intend to shoot a target, you have to use a balanced arrow weight with target point arrow tips for better accuracy and consistency.

If you intend to hunt, you have to use a heavier arrow with a type design broadhead for better penetration to the target.  So, before selecting an arrow, determine your intended purposes to use.

Bow Type

Have you ever heard that an arrow is compatible with all types of bows? Not. So, your bow type influences the choice of arrow selection. For example, Compound bows require stiffer arrows because of their higher draw weight and faster arrow speed.

Generally, Carbon arrows are a great choice for compound bowls. Wooden arrows are compatible with longbows and recurve bows. So, it is important to match your arrow’s spine, material, and weight with your bow’s specification.

However, these are the main crucial factors for selecting an arrow. These greatly influence the choice of the arrow.

Recommended Arrow Weight Chart For Different Types Of Arrows

What If You Choose The Wrong Arrow Weight?

Arrow weight plays a significant role in overall archery performance. So, if you choose the wrong weight, what will happen? Let’s see:

A right-weight arrow provides a flatter trajectory of the arrow. Wrong arrow weight means a lighter arrow or a heavier arrow. 

In the case of a lighter arrow,

• They will flex more than a normal arrow. As a result, they become affected by wind conditions and other factors.
• Lighter arrows tend to have less accuracy and consistency. Therefore, it behaves in erratic flight during shooting.
• It can harm you or other equipment because of erratic flight.

In the case of heavier arrows,

• They tend to have more penetration but fly more slowly than a normal arrow.
• They can be dropped easily at long shot distances before reaching the target.
• They may need various adjustments to tune properly with your bow.

Frequently Asked Questions( FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Hope that you have got a clear vision of “Does arrow weight matter?” Arrow weight is the most crucial factor in archery performance. It greatly affects the speed, accuracy, and overall performance of the arrow. 

 A wrong arrow weight can lead to erratic flight of the arrow. As a result, it can harm you or others’ documents. Always be aware of your safety concerns and that’s all for today!