Adding Weight to Arrows
Colorado
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I have been researching and reading about arrow weight and with having a low poundage setup for elk, I determined I need to make my arrows at least 400 grains. My arrows are Gold Tip Hunter 400. My arrows are currently weighted 325.5. I am going to get 125 grain tips to add some weight. Is there anything I can do to add more weight without getting different arrows? Also I asked some man in the pro shop when I just got into archery and he said my current setup will kill an elk. But will it? If anyone else thinks that my setup is fine let me know so then maybe I won't have to change my arrow weight. Thanks for the input and for helping me out.
What's your draw weight? Draw length? .. simple answer to add weight to arrows is adding weed eater line to inside shaft or gold tips have that weight system where you can screw weights to the back of the insert.. if your I inserts are already those one's, you just need to get some weights and the wrench... Or if you can afford it, step up to a heavier arrow like something in a 340 spine, throw some 125's on the front.. I feel like your going to have to do a lot of monkeying around to get another 75 grains out of the arrows you have..
Weight tubes are also an option.
What are you shooting now for now weight and draw length?
My draw weight is around 49lb, my draw length is roughly 28.75. I just pulled back the bow and marked on my arrow the deepest part of the grip and then added 1.75 to that. Pretty rough estimate but that is my draw length
How long are your arrows? I shoot traditional gold tip 400’s cut at 29 1/4” with a 150 grain point and they are like 460 grains.
Have shot thru a lot of elk with 60 pound longbows and 425 grain arrows. Assuming you are shooting a compound so you are going to be faster than my bows.
The most critical elements for getting good penetration are perfect arrow flight and sharp broadheads. You do want a broadheads that will not fail so a solid cut on contact head is best. For lower draw weights, I would suggest a cut on contact 3-blade like VPA or a 2-blade like the Cutthroat from Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear.
Arrow weight is lower on the list of importance as is FOC, but do come into account. 400 grains is adequate and more can be better. For example I have arrow setups for really big critters that weigh over 800 grains. With a 125 to 150 grain broadhead, you will have 15 to 18% FOC and that is good for what you are doing.
Good luck!
My arrows are 28.25 inches in length. Thanks for all the tips so far. What is FOC? Sorry for the question I'm still new to archery.
You can get general numbers using the gold tip calculators (https://www.goldtip.com/Resources/Calculators.aspx). FOC is "front of center" or the balance of weight in your arrow in relation to the center.
Easiest way to add weight is just buy heavier broadheads. Nothing wrong with a 150 gr or heaver if that works with your setup. Might have to pay attention to spine if you add too much though.
Ya can get brass inserts as well to increase weight. Goldtip also has an adjustable weight system cant remember name but you can screw the weight into the back of the insert!
Thanks to all of you I think I know what I am going to do. I did some more research and I think I am going to get 125-grain tips and add 50-grain brass inserts. In total that should bump me up to 400 grains for each arrow. One thing that concerns me is that my tip will be 175 grain. Will that be a problem with the 400 spine? If it is then I might just bump up the weight to 375 grain and keep it there. Will that do the job? And thanks again to everyone helping me out I really appreciate it. This year is going to be my first-year archery hunting and I'm going to go after elk, bear, and deer with a bow. Thanks for the help.
Yes, putting that much weight on your front end could soften your spine a bit.. Plus your going to have to remove old inserts to put new ones in, it can be done, but you could also ruin your arrow if done wrong (DO NOT heat up the carbon to remove the insert).. I do believe that with the draw weight/draw length combo, the heavier you can go the better..
Just food for thought, right now you can get the Cabelas Carbon Hunter arrow for $28 a half dozen fletched with 4 inch AAE vanes.. you could spine up to avoid any issues add the 125 grn tip you were planning on, by my math that should put you at around 440grns with approx. 12% FOC, your arrows wont move at lightning speed, but they will thump! so, you'd be good to go and for $60 you got a dozen arrows set up for what you are looking for and are not goofing around with removing inserts,adding weed eater line etc.. if I were in your shoes, this would be my move..
As far as broadheads, I echo the previous, good sharp cut on contact like a G5 Montec or Magnus Stinger 4 blade!
Good tip there from cohoyt.
You will need to do some tuning with your bow after making any changes to your arrows or point weight.
Since you are new to archery, it will be very good for you to find a good bow shop and ask for help and learn about your equipment.
Do you have a good bow shop nearby?
I do, I live 15 minutes from No Limits Archery. My birthday is coming up so my plan is to go to the archery shop and just get arrows for my birthday. I was thinking on getting 340 spine and Gold Tip hunter arrows. Then get a 125 grain tips and a 50 grain inserts. I think I should be good to go. My last question is if I should get 340 spine or 300 spine. And again thanks for all the help.
Ask them, but probably 340’s.
Good luck!
You might weigh your arrows to be sure, but I show them as 375ish grains. If that’s true a 125 grain point would put you close to your 400gr goal...
I built a generic bow in archers advantage with your specs and show a 400 spine being ok, even with 175grain point/insert weight, but I had to estimate your current speed...
The above advice is pretty solid, but you might not need new arrows. Regardless, do what gives you the most confidence in your setup, and good luck this year!
Another thing to mention... Your KE will stay pretty close to the same no matter the weight of your arrow.. the speed to weight ratio remains constant.. however, the heavier your arrow becomes the more momentum (energy after impact) you will get.. which I think in your case that could prove to be important.. the secret is to find that sweet spot, in regards to weight, for your set up.
Again, very good advice. Don’t go too heavy or you will induce more problems and complications to your setup. I do think you should be able to step up in draw weight this year if you work at it. That will definitely improve your lethality on game. A 50-55# modern compound is amazing!
340 spine? From a 50 pound bow? That's a very stiff arrow, and even from a compound, he'll need a lot of tip weight to get decent arrow flight. A heavy .500 spine shaft to start. Smaller diameter arrows, like an Easton Axis, 75 grain inserts and 125 grain head. That'll give you 200 grains up front, and a good foc. Because of your lite draw weight, even an aluminum shaft will give you a heavy arrow. A 2016, heavier 2018, or a 2114 with a 125 head will give you a good arrow weight.
I will almost guarantee that a Gold Tip Hunter 400 at 28.5''. Shooting a 100 grain tip weighs more that 325 grains - My guess about 360 grains. How are you figuring that? Are you actually weighing it or is that a calculation? If a calculation are you including the weight of nock, fletchings, insert?
You're right John, at 8.2gpi the shaft and tip alone is about 330gr (100gr) about 355 w/ the 125's. If that is in fact the correct gpi.