jhco
Member
I just purchased a 72inch wooden longbow 48# @ 28'' and I was wondering what length arrow should I be using? Arrow matterial will me aluminum or carbon and used primarly for target/recreation maybe some light hunting.
What length arrow should I be using?
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MCgunner
Member
28.5". Look on a box of arrows. Many have he arrow length vs pull length on the back of the box. I just got through buying some arrows yesterday and noticed that. I shoot 29", though, with my 28" pull compound without a problem, but I bought some 28.5" Easton Stalkers yesterday. They seem quite accurate and consistent. I'd been shooting cheapo 28" field point youth arrows, but at this point in my bow development, I figured it was time to get real, LOL. These Stalkers seem pretty high quality and were only $3.89 at Academy. Most quality arrows seem to run 5 or 6 bucks a pop. I'm pretty satisfied with the choice after shooting them.
Now, I've got to find a broadhead that will approximate the POI of 125 grain field points. That should be fun. I tried one of my son-in-law's 100 grain three blades and it hits way low. I found some 2 blade 75 grain broadheads on ebay I think I'll order and try. If they shoot high, I can try 100 grain field points. I don't really trust those fold up blade broadheads. Just seems like something to screw up.
Now, I've got to find a broadhead that will approximate the POI of 125 grain field points. That should be fun. I tried one of my son-in-law's 100 grain three blades and it hits way low. I found some 2 blade 75 grain broadheads on ebay I think I'll order and try. If they shoot high, I can try 100 grain field points. I don't really trust those fold up blade broadheads. Just seems like something to screw up.
TheBookGuy
Member
Arrow to bow ratio is generally 1/2 the bow length. With your 72" bow it sounds like a comparable version of the English longbow, which shot arrows (from tip of head to nock) one yard in length.
Now obviously the shorter the arrow the less pull is needed, unless you have a compound bow-then you need an arrow long enough to pull pass the "bump".
In Asia there was a long bow invented for riding horses, it shot a much shorter arrow but it had a lot more power then most "riding bows" at the time.
check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_archer
Now obviously the shorter the arrow the less pull is needed, unless you have a compound bow-then you need an arrow long enough to pull pass the "bump".
In Asia there was a long bow invented for riding horses, it shot a much shorter arrow but it had a lot more power then most "riding bows" at the time.
check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_archer
MCgunner
Member
I just base it on draw length. You need to measure your natural draw length. Mine is 28" and I have a 28" draw compound. I could have a longbow 300 feet long and my draw length would still be 28". Everyone had different. My son-in-law buys 29.5" arrows, 29" draw bow. I think I mis-read your post and was assuming you stated a 28" draw.
Bare i mind that you can shoot a 31" arrow with a 28" draw, you'll just have excess arrow length that will add weight to it.
Bare i mind that you can shoot a 31" arrow with a 28" draw, you'll just have excess arrow length that will add weight to it.
NoirFan
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First, congratulations on your first longbow! Your bow is 28" draw, so get 28.5" arrows. Wood bows are susceptible to overdraw damage so this will help prevent that.
Before you buy another bow and set of arrows, go to an archery shop and get your draw length measured first. 28" is industry standard but yours may be longer or shorter than that.
ETA: Wood longbows tend to favor arrows underspined by about 5 pounds. So you would want to buy shafts in the 40-45 pound range.
Before you buy another bow and set of arrows, go to an archery shop and get your draw length measured first. 28" is industry standard but yours may be longer or shorter than that.
ETA: Wood longbows tend to favor arrows underspined by about 5 pounds. So you would want to buy shafts in the 40-45 pound range.
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jhco
Member
That question is answered so next what kind of arrow should I get aluminum,carbon,wood,fiberglass?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Wood = Cheap, Dangerous. They can develop cracks over time and if one lets go in the bow, it can stick through your bow arm.
Fiberglas = Indestructable, heavy, slow, fairly cheap. Must be larger dia. to get enough spine.
Aluminum = Strong, light, fast, bend easily, farely expensive for the best ones.
CF = Smaller dia., strong, light, fast, stiff, will break before they bend, very expensive.
rc
Fiberglas = Indestructable, heavy, slow, fairly cheap. Must be larger dia. to get enough spine.
Aluminum = Strong, light, fast, bend easily, farely expensive for the best ones.
CF = Smaller dia., strong, light, fast, stiff, will break before they bend, very expensive.
rc
jhco
Member
I use to use aluminum arrows in a compound bow and bent alot of them, wound you say that a carbon arrow would break at the same point that an aluminum one would bend?
A wooden bow deserves a wooden arrow. I personally perfer poplar, red oak, and river cane with a hardwood foreshaft. I wouldn't call wooden shafts dangerous and reed arrows are almost bullet proof.
As NoirFan pointed out overdrawing is a real danger to wooden bows, so never let someone shoot their arrows from your bow if their's are longer.
As NoirFan pointed out overdrawing is a real danger to wooden bows, so never let someone shoot their arrows from your bow if their's are longer.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I'm no expert. I had to give up bow hunting several years ago due to shoulder problems.
However, my best bud is a big-time deer hunter.
I have noticed he doesn't get bent arrows anymore with CF.
The only one I have seen break was stuck in a deers off-side shoulder joint, and it broke when the deer ran between two trees just before dying.
rc
Voodoochile
Member
Um first off, what is your draw length?
Even though your bow is rated at 48# @ 28" does not mean that is what you will be pulling if drawn to your proper anchor point.
For instance:
I have 2 60" 52# @ 28" recurves but I draw to a 27.75" which means I need a 29" - 29.5" arrow of the proper spine for the best efficiency & safety.
For you in Aluminum if you do pull to 28" the 2016 or a 2113 will spine about right for you @ 30" arrow & 125gr. tips.
Carbons would be Gold Tip 35/55's, Carbon Express 090's, or a Easton 500 at the same length & tip weight but they'll be a tad stiff.
Even though your bow is rated at 48# @ 28" does not mean that is what you will be pulling if drawn to your proper anchor point.
For instance:
I have 2 60" 52# @ 28" recurves but I draw to a 27.75" which means I need a 29" - 29.5" arrow of the proper spine for the best efficiency & safety.
For you in Aluminum if you do pull to 28" the 2016 or a 2113 will spine about right for you @ 30" arrow & 125gr. tips.
Carbons would be Gold Tip 35/55's, Carbon Express 090's, or a Easton 500 at the same length & tip weight but they'll be a tad stiff.
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