[GrainofPain]

This should come as no surprise, as Troy F already did this test. But here's the result of a 0-40y test I did with my daughter this morning at the range.

Some things from this test that stood out to me:

• Heavier arrows lose less speed (over 40y) vs lighter arrows
• Heavier arrows lose less KE (over 40y) vs lighter arrows
• A moderately heavy arrow (500-600gr IMO) seems to provide the most (initial) KE
• With a lower poundage bow, the above is exaggerated

 

[168p&y]

So your sacrificing almost 6" of drop at forty to gain 5 ft lbs. 5 ft lbs 99% of the time ain't making a difference 6 inches is a big difference

 

[GrainofPain]

I try and shoot my deer under 20y 😎

 

[Uniquename]

You lost 23 fps at 40 yards ?

 

[GrainofPain]

With the arrow near IBO weight yes. The lighter arrows seem to not be able to carry the same amount of energy through air resistance. Thus the lower FPS at 40y

 

[168p&y]

I try and shoot my deer under 20y 😎

Don't we all in a perfect world

 

[168p&y]

With the arrow near IBO weight yes. The lighter arrows seem to not be able to carry the same amount of energy through air resistance. Thus the lower FPS at 40y

Weird your PSE puked that much 415gr to 450gr on my 80+ lb mach 1 didn't change much maybe 4 fps.

 

[168p&y]

I miss read second arrow weight that's moving

 

[GrainofPain]

Haha. Sorry, I probably could have organized the data a bit better. Kids running around everywhere

 

[168p&y]

Curious how much helical feathers on heavy arrows vs offset vanes on lighter arrow

 

[GrainofPain]

That would be an interesting test. I will plan on doing that in a week or two.

 

[Longbow_7]

So your sacrificing almost 6" of drop at forty to gain 5 ft lbs. 5 ft lbs 99% of the time ain't making a difference 6 inches is a big difference

The overall drop doesn't really matter, because you will be sighted in for whatever arrow weight you're shooting.

For example, my bow with 2 different arrow setups (charts from archer's advantage).

278fps arrow, total drop at 40 yards is 34.8"
338fps arrow, total drop at 40 yards is 24".

Does this mean I "miss" by 10 inches with the heavier arrow?
No. Because my 40 yard pin is sighted in with either setup.

My drop per yard with the heavy arrow is 1.8"
Misjudge yardage by 5 yards, 1.8x5 = 9 inch miss

Drop per yard with the light arrow is 1.2"
Misjudge yardage by 5 yards, 1.2x5 = 6 inch miss

Is that significant? You decide. Personally I'm going to range at 40. At 20 the difference in 5 misjudged yards between the 2 setups is 1.5".

 

[79inpa]

Where did you find 90 lb limbs for a evl 34?

 

[79inpa]

Which can is on your bow. The one that goes up to 30 or the one that goes to 31.5

 

[168p&y]

Oh because the trajectory doesn't matter for overhead branch's till that giant 180-190 inch non- typical is standing there 1/4 ing away and your way slow New Breed eclipse won't clear that little branch you couldn't reach with pole saw.

 

[GrainofPain]

Which can is on your bow. The one that goes up to 30 or the one that goes to 31.5

Limbs are 980 -16 deflection. I have the EC cam on this bow

 

[79inpa]

Those limb numbers mean nothing to me. Where do I get them?

 

[Billy Goat]

Curious since it's not mentioned, what was the tuning done for each arrow weight?

 

[Gatorgar247]

No matter the speed erosion at 40 . The lighter arrow is still much faster than the heavy arrow. Which translates to a better trajectory. Flat shooting in brush is a must. Animal moving 3 yards after you draw is a big deal too.

 

[GrainofPain]

Curious since it's not mentioned, what was the tuning done for each arrow weight?

The only tuned arrow (for the EVL) was the 582gr. That being said, all 3 flew pretty well and nothing crazy is happening on paper at least.

For the Supra, the 403gr arrow was tuned