It could blow up your bow or make the string jump off the cam, causing an injury or damaging your bow.вЂќ вЂњIf you shoot too light of an arrow, it causes all kinds of issues. вЂњBow manufacturers set their speed ratings for safety reasons to prevent injuries,вЂќ Bentcik said. Arrow shafts must be heavy enough to absorb the bowвЂ™s energy when you trigger your release.ДЇollow the bow manufacturerвЂ™s guidelines for choosing a safe arrow weight. He said bow manufacturers set their safety ratings around 5 grains per pound to prevent injuries. Photo Credit: Victory ArcheryД«entcik said the most important factor in arrow weight is safety. Your arrow weight has to be calculated against your draw weight for the best performance. Archers who shoot a recurve or longbow normally use arrows weighing 700 grains or more. Bentcik said few Americans use arrows weighing 700 grains or more unless theyвЂ™re shooting traditional equipment. Click here to learn more.ДЇor reference, light arrows weigh about 350 grains, a typical arrow weighs 420 to 500 grains, and a heavy arrow weighs over 600 grains. The FOC can significantly affect the arrowвЂ™s trajectory, especially when shooting a fixed blade broadhead. Bowhunters should also pay attention to their arrowвЂ™s FOC or вЂњfront of center,вЂќ which calculates the balance point of the shaft and how much weight is distributed to the front end. The term вЂњarrow weightвЂќ is its total weight and includes all components such as: nocks, wraps, inserts, fletchings, broadheads or field points.

Its VAP-SS and Xtorsion arrow, for example, feature stainless steel mesh infused with the carbon layers to make a heavier, harder hitting arrow. Victory also infuses different materials into the carbon layers of its shafts for strength and durability. Pre-preg is the term for carbon fiber that has been infused with resin and varies depending on the resin type and carbon strand count. Victory Archery utilizes a variety of different carbon fiber вЂњpre-pregвЂќ in its shafts to achieve a wide range of weights across several different shaft diameters. Arrow weights change with many variables, including the shaftвЂ™s length and thickness and its material, such as wood, aluminum, fiberglass, composite or carbon fibers. вЂњOnce you determine the spine you need, you can pick an arrow weight.вЂќ About Arrow WeightДЄrrow manufacturers calculate an arrowвЂ™s weight in grains per inch, or GPI. вЂњThe more dead-on your spine, the more accurate youвЂ™ll be,вЂќ Bentcik said. The higher the number, the more flexible the arrow. The spine number is a deflection rating that measures the distance an arrow flexed with an 880-gram weight that is suspended between rollers 28 inches apart. YouвЂ™ll find the spine number on the arrowвЂ™s label. In addition, short arrows are less flexible than long arrows, and heavier points need shafts with stiffer spines than do lighter points. As draw weights decrease, so must the arrowвЂ™s stiffness. Bows with high draw weights need arrows with stiffer spines.

Your draw weight, arrow length, and point weight affect the arrowвЂ™s flex, so you must find the right spine for your setup. An arrow that is too weak can be dangerous to shoot out of high-poundage bow. Arrows fly poorly if they flex too much or not enough. When you shoot an arrow, it flexes while leaving the bow and then straightens out in flight. Quick Tips on Arrow SpineД«efore discussing arrow weight, letвЂ™s recap arrow spine, which measures an arrowвЂ™s flex or bend. He also shares tips for choosing arrows to ensure you achieve your bowhunting goals.

We spoke with Jayson Bentcik, Victory ArcheryвЂ™s national sales manager, to learn why arrow weight matters. An arrow of optimal spine and weight sharpens your accuracy and helps you harvest game more reliably. Arrows are as crucial as your bow when bowhunting, so itвЂ™s vital you find your perfect arrow.

Arrow spine chart