For millennia, bows and arrows have been synonymous. A key element in lethal delivery systems, they come in an assortment of sizes, weights, and colors to suit any need. Arrows, fin-stabilized projectiles, are composed of several key parts that work together to form a reliable projectile. Discover more about these components in this article.
Shaft Material
Arrows come in a variety of materials and each has an effect on how the bow shoots and behaves. When selecting your shaft material for your arrow, consider its ease of manipulation, strength, and durability. Wood is an ideal choice for archers, as it can be cut into many different sizes and shapes. When stained or sealed, wood offers different weights and appearances. Some of the most commonly used wood arrow shafts include laminated birch, Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and bamboo. They're perfect for target shooting or indoor archery but can also be an effective hunting companion.
Cedar is another popular option for arrow shafts. It's a tough and lightweight wood that was first used by the Oregon Indians to craft their arrows. Cedar's slow growth rate and fine grain make it an ideal material, although it can be hard to locate in the woods. Other shafts can be made from plastics like polycarbonate and some even combine different materials - like bonded carbon and aluminum - creating what is known as a hybrid composite arrow, offering great versatility.
Aluminum arrow shafts offer superior rigidity and strength over other arrow materials, making them the ideal choice for beginners or those needing more durable arrows. Arrows of this type can be used for most archery tasks and typically cost less than other types. Unfortunately, they're harder to straighten or cut than other arrows due to their shape. These arrows are ideal for high-level indoor shooting or those needing a more durable arrow. Usually, they're identified by a four-digit code to differentiate them from other arrows.
When buying arrows, check them for straightness and correct any bends with a tool designed specifically for this task. Furthermore, cutting them into the desired shape and tapering them so they fit securely into your bow is recommended.
Point Type
Arrow points come in a variety of materials, shapes, and weights for different purposes such as practice or hunting. Selecting the correct point can have an immense effect on how well an arrow performs; so it's essential that you pick one that works best with your bow and shooting style. Target archery, 3D archery, or hunting requires a precise amount of force at your target site. The shape of an arrow point plays a significant role in how well it penetrates a target. The shape of an arrow tip can affect its trajectory when shot, including how quickly and accurately it travels. Generally, more aerodynamic points fly faster than less aerodynamic ones depending on the type of arrow you use and what kind of target you're shooting at.
Another factor affecting an arrow's bend is its weight. Heavier points tend to flex more, making them harder to control since they require more energy to move than lighter arrow points require. When selecting a point for your arrow, it is important to ensure the size matches both the shaft size and overall diameter. These numbers can be found on most field point size charts to help you decide the proper fitting for your arrow. A point that's too thin can be challenging to remove from a target, while one that's too fat will penetrate too deeply. For optimal fit, select a point that matches your arrow shaft size and fits securely without slippage.
Field points come in two basic varieties: screw-in inserts and glued-on. Both types are popular among archers, though screw-ins tend to be preferred by traditional archers who shoot wood shafts with a 5-degree tapered end. Glued-on tends to be more costly but easier to install on arrows with press-in nocks. Before purchasing arrows, it's essential to decide the type and quantity needed. Purchasing in bulk can save money and ensure consistency between arrows in your box.
Weight
The weight of your arrows is an integral aspect of a bow's performance. It influences factors like arrow flight, penetration, and stability. The two primary units for measuring an arrow's weight are grains per inch (GPI) and grains per pound (GPP). GPI assigns a specific grain weight to every inch of its shaft, while GPP takes into account all aspects of construction and composition when determining weight. Lighter arrows are easier to shoot and less noisy, plus they tend to fly faster and flatter than heavier arrows.
However, lightweight arrows do not offer the same level of penetration as heavier ones - which is essential when shooting deer or other game animals. To enter a deer's body, an arrow needs to penetrate bone like its shoulder blade or chest cavity. Lighter arrows may offer slightly greater penetration when fired from a compound bow or hunting archery bow designed for big game hunting. The most effective way to increase arrow penetration is by using heavier arrows with thicker points.
Another advantage to using a heavy arrow is its increased momentum, which can help propel your bow further away. When hunting in remote areas or open fields, having extra momentum from an arrow with greater mass can mean all the difference between an accurate shot and one that misses. In addition to increasing arrow speed, weight can also help reduce wind drift and enhance accuracy. Furthermore, a heavier arrow has greater mass and is therefore more resistant to vibrations.
When considering arrow weight, it's essential to ensure it is balanced correctly. This process can be complex and necessitates in-depth knowledge of the arrow's design. Calculating arrow weight begins by measuring the length of your arrow from its nock groove end to its shaft end. Next, find its balance point - where its center lies - and multiply that number by the overall length - this is known as its front-of-center number (FOC), which is essential when shooting long-range shots.
Spine
The spine of an arrow plays a significant role in its performance when shot. Its ability to flex and bend correctly when shot will determine how effectively it carries energy through its target, as well as guarantee that it returns to its correct path after leaving your bow - thus optimizing accuracy and penetration. The spine of an arrow should be stiff enough to resist compression while still allowing it to flex slightly as it travels through the air, keeping fishtailing at a minimum and guaranteeing a straight flight. A stiff arrow will transfer more energy toward its target and deliver maximum force when it strikes it.
Manufacturers use a standard test for measuring an arrow's spine that is widely accepted by bow companies and archery retailers. To do this, attach the arrow to two supports that are 26 inches apart and press its center with an 880 grams weight (approximately 2 pounds). Once a measurement is taken, the number of thousandths of an inch is converted to an arrow's spine rating. Generally speaking, this range ranges from 500 to 1200. Many arrow manufacturers provide charts and selection guides to help archers select their proper spine. These calculations take into account factors like bow length, draw weight, point weight, and tip weight when making the decision.
No matter which manufacturer's arrow selection chart an archer uses, the key to success is finding which spine best suits their bow and shooting style. Once this has been determined, they can input that information into an archery software program like The Archery Program or Archers Advantage; this will tell them whether their chosen arrow is too soft or stiff and could mean the difference between an incredibly accurate bow and one that strays from it. It is essential to note that perfecting the spine of an arrow can be quite a challenge. In fact, many archers will purchase multiple arrows in order to test their performance and ensure each has been correctly spined.