What is the Best Arrow FOC for Hunting?

The best arrow FOC for hunting is between 11% and 15% for arrow setups that weigh up to 450 grains.  If you are using a heavy arrow setup and want to achieve maximum penetration, you can optimize your arrows to have a FOC of over 15% all the way to 30% if you can properly tune the arrow.  A lot of bow hunters who use heavy carbon arrows over 550 grains need a heavy broadhead and insert setups on their arrows to achieve FOC's of 18% or more.  When properly tuned, these types of heavy arrow, high FOC setups can assist with achieving maximum penetration on deer, elk, wild boars, and bear when bowhunting.

Use our Arrow Weight Calculator and FOC Calculator to optimize your arrows now.

The best FOC for hunting arrows varies depending on the preferences of the individual archer, the type of hunting, and the game being hunted. Generally, a higher FOC is preferred for hunting arrows because it can help to improve penetration and accuracy. A FOC of around 10-15% is considered to be a good range for hunting arrows. This range allows for a good balance of stability and penetration and a good weight distribution that makes the arrow more forgiving to changes in the arrow rest, bow-tuning, and shooting form.

However, it's important to note that when aiming to hunt big game the hunter will require arrows with a higher FOC, around 15% and more. This is due to the fact that these arrows will provide the penetration power needed for a clean, ethical shot on larger and heavier animals. While for small and medium game, a FOC in that 10-15% range will work well.

It's worth noting that the best FOC for hunting also depends on the other components of your arrow setup, such as the bow, arrow rest, and broadheads. Each of these components will affect the arrow's flight differently, so it's important to experiment with different FOC percentages and find the one that works best for you.