How To Choose Arrow Shaft Size? Step-By-Step Process And Tricks To Use

Author:

Bob Magic

Published:

February 1, 2024

Updated:

March 13, 2024

The arrow shaft size is very crucial for your archery performance. It greatly affects the flight of the arrow, the arrow’s accuracy, and overall performance.

Several factors influence the choice of the shaft size, such as the bow’s draw weight, arrow length, point weight, and the material of the shaft. So, then how to choose arrow shaft size?

Arrow Shaft Size

Determine your arrow shaft size depending on your bow’s draw weight, arrow length, point weight, and material. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for optimal spine rating.

That’s not the all. If you are excited to know how do you choose arrow shafts size and its importance, read this article.

Salient Highlights

Arrow shaft size greatly affects the flight of the arrow, the arrow’s accuracy, and overall performance.
If the arrow shaft is too long, it may flex more at the time of flight, which can lead to inconsistency in flight and reduced accuracy.
The arrow shaft size can vary depending on your bow’s peak draw weight, arrow length, point weight, and material.

Table of Content

Page Title: How To Choose Arrow Shaft Size?[Step-By-Step Process]

Arrow Shaft Size Chart

Note: Arrow length is measured from the throat of the nock to the end of the insert.Point Weight = The total combined weight of the point, insert Ballistic Collar and FACT weight.

COMPOUND BOW/IBO SPEED 315+(FPS)
DRAWWEIGHT	PONT WEIGHT(grains)			ARROW WEIGHT(INCHES)
	100	125	150	25”	26”	27”	28”	29”	30”	31”	32”
	30-34			700	600	600	500	500	500	400	400
	35-39	30-34		600	600	500	500	500	400	400	400
	40-44	35-39	30-34	600	500	500	500	400	400	400	340
	45-49	40-44	35-39	500	500	500	400	400	400	340	340
	50-54	45-49	40-44	500	500	400	400	400	340	340	300
	55-59	50-54	45-49	500	400	400	400	340	340	300	300
	60-64	55-59	50-54	400	400	400	340	340	300	300	300
	65-69	60-64	55-59	400	400	340	340	300	300	300	250
	70-74	65-69	60-64	400	340	340	300	300	300	250	250
	75-79	70-74	65-69	340	340	300	300	300	250	250	200
	80-84	75-79	70-74	340	300	300	300	250	250	200	200
		80-84	75-79	300	300	300	250	250	200	200	200
			80-84	300	300	250	250	200	200	200	150

COMPOUND BOW/IBO SPEED 315-(FPS)
DRAWWEIGHT	PONT WEIGHT(grains)			ARROW WEIGHT(INCHES)
	100	125	150	25”	26”	27”	28”	29”	30”	31”	32”
	30-34			700	600	600	600	500	500	500	400
	35-39	30-34		600	600	600	500	500	500	400	400
	40-44	35-39	30-34	600	600	500	500	500	400	400	400
	45-49	40-44	35-39	600	500	500	500	400	400	400	340
	50-54	45-49	40-44	500	500	500	400	400	400	340	340
	55-59	50-54	45-49	500	500	400	400	400	340	340	300
	60-64	55-59	50-54	500	400	400	400	340	340	300	300
	65-69	60-64	55-59	400	400	400	340	340	300	300	300
	70-74	65-69	60-64	400	400	340	340	300	300	300	250
	75-79	70-74	65-69	400	340	340	300	300	300	250	250
	80-84	75-79	70-74	340	340	300	300	250	250	250	200
		80-84	75-79	300	300	300	300	250	250	200	200
			80-84	300	300	300	250	250	200	200	200

You can use the gold tip arrow shaft chart also.

How Do I Measure My Draw Length Accurately To Choose The Right Arrow Shaft Size?

Draw length is a measurement of how far an arrow can be used to draw back the bowstring. Here is the easiest way to measure your draw length accurately:

First of all, stand straight with both of your arms stretched out fully. This will also impact on adjust arrow rest so you gotta do it right.
Measure, on the other hand, starting at the tip of the middle finger, and this measurement is known as “wingspan”.
Once you have got the wingspan, divide the total wingspan measurement by 2.5.
The answer is the draw length of your bow.

Carefully measure the draw length of your bow because it greatly affects your archery performance and safety concerns.

Why Is Selecting The Right Arrow Shaft Size Important In Archery?

There are many reasons to select the right arrow shaft size in archery. Here is the importance of it:

Accuracy: The right size arrow shaft is crucial for archery performance. It will help to improve the accuracy of the arrow. Don’t you understand how it affects accuracy? Let’s discuss with an example: Arrow shaft size significantly affects the arrow speed and accuracy. If the diameter size of your arrow shaft is small, it will be less affected by winds and lead to a better arrow in flight.
Performance: The right arrow size is crucial to increasing overall performance. The correct arrow shaft offers improved accuracy of your arrow and provides a better flight of the arrow. Therefore, it reaches your target easily and works effectively.
Wind Drift: The size of the shaft significantly affects the wind. In general, A heavier size shaft is more affected by the wind. As a result, it shows abnormal behavior when it flies. But, if the shaft size is correct, it is wind resistance and will offer you less affected by the wind. Therefore, it allows you to have better arrow speed and provides improved accuracy of the arrow.
Aerodynamic Drag: Air moving over the surface of the arrow shaft and the arrow’s diameter produces aerodynamic drag. As a result, it can be reduced to lessen wind drift and improve arrow flight.
Safety: If the arrow shaft size is inaccurate, it leads to erratic flight of the arrow and can’t reach the target. If you use heavier arrow tips, it also can lead to erratic flight of the arrow. Thus, it can lead to harm for you.

How To Choose Arrow Shaft Size?

It is crucial to choose the right arrow shaft size for improved archery performance. So, how to determine arrow shaft size? Here is step by step guide to selecting the arrow shaft size:

Step 1: Determine Your Bow Weight
Step 2: Measure The Arrow Length
Step 3: Determine The Arrow Point Weight
Step 4: Choose Arrow Material & Size
Step 5: Consider Your Bow Type
Step 6: Calculate Overall Arrow Weight
Step 7: Understand Arrow Spine( Stiffness)
Step 8: Use An Arrow Shaft Size Chart

Step 1: Determine Your Bow Weight

First, determine the weight of your bow. The stiffer your arrow spine, the more weight you contain.

Isn’t it clear, right? No? Then Let’s break with an example:

Suppose the weight of the bow you are using is sixty pounds. So, the arrow dynamic spine strong enough to withstand this kind of force is required. Right, weight also can make it easy to hold an arrow on a bow.

Step 2: Measure The Arrow Length

In this step, you have to measure the arrow length. Do you know how to measure the arrow length?

With a draw length of 28 inches, it is recommended that the arrow length be more than the draw length by one to two inches. Thus, you should aim for an arrow length of 29 to 30 inches. This extra 1 to 2 inches will provide you with safety.

Step 3: Determine The Arrow Point Weight

Think of the weight of your arrow points. It has significant impacts on the arrow shaft diameter. There are different kinds of arrow points available, including arrow weights that are lighter and heavier.

You have to use heavier arrow points if you want to use bowhunting. Therefore, you will need a stiffer arrow shaft for your heavier arrow points. You must use a less stiff arrow shaft if you wish to use a lighter arrow point.

Step 4: Choose Arrow Material & Size

The material and size of your arrow affect the flight and penetration.

Let’s discuss with an example:

Aluminum arrows and carbon materials arrows are commonly used. If you choose a carbon arrow, you must use a small-diameter arrow shaft because carbon arrows are typically lighter in weight. As a result, it can help you with the speed and wind drift.

So, then what is the best diameter arrow shaft?

Currently, there are three main options for arrow diameter: standard (.246″), 5mm (.204″), and 4mm or micro-diameter (.165″).

Step 5: Consider Your Bow Type

Are you a compound bow user? Or a traditional bow lover? For anything else, you must consider the types of your bow.

For example,

If you use a compound bow, The stiffness of your arrow may vary depending on the bow settings. Since you’re using compound bows instead of a traditional recurve bow with no let-off, the correct arrow spine must usually be less stiff. It will be better to use an arrow selection chart.

Step 6: Calculate Overall Arrow Weight

The overall weight of the arrow can affect its speed and penetration. So, it is very crucial to calculate.

Your arrow’s overall weight is the weight of the shaft, arrow nock, fletching, and any additional parts of the arrow.

You can use an arrow weight calculator to determine the overall weight of your arrow.

Step 7: Understand Arrow Spine( Stiffness)

You know that the arrow spine refers to the stiffness of an arrow. An arrow that is in balance will flex as it leaves the bow, then come back to true and hit the target with precision.

For example,

Your bow weight is under 60 pounds, and the arrow length is 30 inches, you should use a 340-spine arrow. You can use an arrow shaft chart for better understanding.

Step 8: Use An Arrow Shaft Size Chart

Once you have got your arrow length and chosen the points, you can use an arrow chart to find the proper spine weight. You can also use hot glue for arrow inserts.

Yes, you can use hot glue for your arrow inserts. Among the archers, it is a common practice. Be careful about temperature sensitivity and its application process.

What If I Choose The Wrong Arrow Shaft Size?

If you choose arrow shaft size is wrong, it can lead to several negative impacts on your archery performance:

Reduced Accuracy: The shaft size affects the weight of the shaft. If the arrow shaft is too stiff or too flexible for your bow’s draw weights, this could make the arrow veer off course. For example, If you use a large-diameter arrow shaft or a high-poundage bow with a weak spine arrow, the arrow will flex excessively upon release, leading to an erratic flight of the arrow.
Safety Risk: Some arrow shaft sizes are very short, and some of them are long. If you use an arrow shaft that is too short, it can lead to an erratic flight of the arrow. It potentially causes injury to you.
Equipment Damage: If the arrow is too light, it can lead to damage to your bow. Compared to heavier arrows, lighter arrows draw less energy from the bowstring. Vibrations from all that extra energy trapped in the bow can harm your equipment.
Inconsistent Arrow Flight: If the arrow shaft size needs to be corrected, it can lead to a consistent arrow flight. For example, If the arrow shaft is too long, it may flex more at the time of flight, which can lead to inconsistency in flight and reduced accuracy.
Poor Wind Performance: Larger-diameter arrows are more affected by wind drift, which can reduce accuracy in outdoor shooting. For example, In windy conditions, an arrow with a standard diameter of.246″ may drift more than one with a smaller diameter, such as a 5mm (.204″) or micro-diameter (.165″).

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

What Makes A Good Arrow Shaft?

Material, flexibility, weight, straightness, and spine flexibility make a good arrow shaft. The shaft material can be carbon, aluminum, or a combination of them.

What Arrow Shaft Size Do I Need?

The arrow shaft size depends on your specific bow type, weight, and the arrow length you want to use. It will be better to use an arrow shaft selection chart.

What Size Is A Normal Arrow Shaft?

The 9/32″ and 5/16″ ICS style shafts are the most popular options for hunting arrows.

Final Thoughts

In the end, how to choose arrow shaft size? It isn’t too much tricky. Arrow shaft size is crucial in archery performance.

You have a clear vision of the arrow shaft size. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and an arrow shaft spine chart for easy understanding. Always follow the safety concerns.