If you are trying to find what the best hunting arrow weight is, you are going to find that it isn’t a set number and that the weight is very personal versus a single arbitrary weight.
The best hunting arrow weight is different for you and me. Why? Because everyone has a different bow, draw length, draw weight, and hunting situation or preference.
The best arrow weight provides a combination of speed, kinetic energy (KE), and momentum. When optimized, you will have an arrow that will work for almost everything. In this post, I’m going to show you a very simple way to identify the perfect arrow weight for you.
Let’s get started.
See Our Arrow Weight Calculator here.
The Importance of Arrow Weight
Hunters often underestimate how critical arrow weight is for hunting success. Arrows are critical because they (along with the right broadhead) kill the deer, not your bow.
The arrow weight determines the speed, KE, and penetration capabilities of the arrow. A lower-weight arrow will have more speed and a flatter trajectory when shot. A higher-weight arrow will have more KE and penetration capabilities.
Finding the best combination of speed, KE, and momentum is where the importance of arrow weight comes in. With the right weight, you can maximize the effectiveness and lethality of your arrows no matter what you are hunting.
Understand that there are diminishing returns on both. Your arrows can be way too light and they can be too heavy. Too light and they cannot penetrate the animal. Too heavy and they lack the speed to get to the target effectively.
By maximizing the effectiveness of your arrows, you always know that you have done everything possible to make a clean and ethical kill.
My Arrow Weight Lesson
I used lightweight arrows that were around 375 grains for years and had a few less-than-optimal shots on deer. Some shots lacked penetration and others that hit the shoulder bone didn’t do much.
Because of this, I started doing a lot of research into finding a better hunting arrow. I was told continually that I needed to shoot arrows that were over 600 grains in weight if I wanted to maximize my arrow’s lethality.
I ended up buying some high-end arrows that were 605 grains. They hit the target hard and flew awesomely, but I could tell that they weren’t very fast and their trajectory wasn’t optimal even at 30 yards.
On the opening day of archery season that year, I had a doe broadside at 25 yards. When I took the shot, the doe dropped to spring away (like they do), and my arrow went over her back. I recorded the shot and watched it over and over to understand what I could have done better.
The answer: My shot was lined up perfectly, but the arrow was so slow that it allowed the doe to duck it. Her drop was pretty impressive to see, but that didn’t make up for the fact that my arrow was a dud.
What I learned from this, after extensive research and testing, is that you cannot arbitrarily pick an arrow weight and say it can fit anyone. 605 grains, as I know now, was too heavy for my setup.
Kinetic Energy Required for Hunting
Kinetic energy determines the amount of force applied at impact and influences how deep and effective the penetration of your arrow will be.
Here is the industry-recognized minimum kinetic energy required to harvest the most common game animals with a bow.
| Wild Game Hunted | Kinetic Energy Required (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Small Game (rabbit, groundhog, etc.) | < 25 ft. lbs |
| Medium Game (deer, antelope, etc.) | 25-41 ft. lbs |
| Large Game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.) | 42-65 ft. lbs |
| Toughest Game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.) | > 65 ft. lbs |
Arrow Momentum Required for Hunting
The table below outlines the momentum required for hunting the same game animals outlined above. Momentum, along with the weight and broadhead of the arrow, determines the penetration capabilities of arrows. Momentum is just as important, and in some cases more, as kinetic energy when it comes to hunting arrows.
The table below is calculated in slug feet per second, a common measurement for momentum.
| Wild Game Hunted | Momentum Required (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Small Game (rabbit, groundhog, etc.) | 0.163-0.210 slug fps |
| Medium Game (deer, antelope, etc.) | 0.207-0.305 slug fps |
| Large Game (elk, black bear, wild boar, etc.) | 0.349-0.433 slug fps |
| Toughest Game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc.) | 0.481-0.532 slug fps |
Putting It All Together
To determine the essential factors for deer hunting with a compound bow, one must meet specific requirements regarding kinetic energy (KE) and momentum. For deer hunting, as shown in the tables above, a minimum of 25-41 foot pounds of kinetic energy is recommended.
Similarly, deer hunting also requires a minimum of 0.207-0.305 slug feet per second of momentum. By understanding and applying these values to your bow setup, you can calculate the necessary total arrow weight for successful deer hunting with a compound bow.
Arrow Lethality and Effectiveness
When considering how different arrow weights impact lethality metrics such as penetration and pass-through, it’s important to understand the relationship between kinetic energy (KE) and momentum. These two factors play a vital role in determining the effectiveness of an arrow when hunting deer.
In general, a heavier arrow tends to have more momentum, which can aid in penetration and potentially increase the likelihood of a pass-through. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between arrow weight and velocity to optimize performance. A heavier arrow may carry more energy but could also slow down faster, affecting its trajectory and impacting accuracy.
To achieve the ideal balance for deer hunting, hunters should aim for a total arrow weight that delivers sufficient KE and momentum to ensure effective penetration and pass-through without sacrificing speed and trajectory. By reverse engineering the minimum KE and momentum requirements needed for deer hunting, hunters can calculate the optimal arrow weight for their specific bow setup.
Ultimately, selecting the right arrow weight involves finding the sweet spot that maximizes lethality metrics while maintaining speed and accuracy. Experimenting with different arrow weights and tuning specifications can help hunters find the perfect balance for achieving a successful and ethical hunt.
Finding Your Arrow Weight Starting Point
The best hunting arrow weight can be subjective. You may hunt in very close scenarios where you don’t expect to take shots longer than 30 yards, while others may need to be able to take long-distance shots.
Once you find your starting point, it is easy to flex and find a weight that works for your specific style and the animal you’re hunting.
Optimal hunting arrow weight is determined by several factors, but it starts with:
- The IBO Speed of the bow (in feet per second (FPS))
- Your draw weight
- Your draw length
- and any additional weight on your bow string (nock loop, peep, etc.) – normally around 20 grains
*Remember, arrow weight is always calculated in grains and the broadhead weight is included in the total.
The Arrow Speed, Kinetic Energy, and Momentum Calculator
Here on The Everyday Bow Hunter website, we have several archery calculators that will help you make better decisions with your hunting arrows. The arrow speed, kinetic energy, and momentum calculator below (see the formulas and math used here) will allow you to find your best hunting arrow weight starting point by showing you the point where speed, KE, and momentum are maximized.
Start by inputting your bow’s IBO speed (this is the max speed advertised by the bow manufacturer), your draw length, and draw weight, and your 20-grain bowstring weight estimate into the calculator below.
*If you know your bowstring’s exact weight, enter it.
*NOTE: I recommend making changes in the calculator to see how different values can change the capabilities of your arrows.
Once you have your base values entered, the missing value is your arrow weight. This calculator doesn’t simply provide a value because you will need to select your starting weight subjectively.
An Example Scenario: The Average Hunter
Let’s look at an example scenario. In the table below, I used the following base values from an average hunter and then increased and decreased my arrow weight by 25 grains to find my starting point. Using the calculator above, I then created a table to input what I found.
These are the example values I used (representing an average hunter):
- Bow IBO Speed – 335 fps
- Draw length – 27 inches
- Draw weight – 62 pounds
- Weight on Bowstring – 20 grains
- Arrow Weight – 423 grains (I have a set of arrows at this weight and thought it made a good starting point for my calculations.)
*You can use any arrow weight to start, but remember to check both lower and higher weights to see how it turns out as I did in the table below.
You can see in the table above that the highest values for kinetic energy (63.97 ft-lbs) and momentum (.537 slug-fps) are in the red boxes, while the green box is around the values that offer the best combination of the two.
You can see that as arrow weight increases, speed decreases, yet momentum continues to increase even at low speeds. But, you can also see where momentum begins to drop.
*Momentum is weighed slightly higher than KE due to a heavier arrow carrying more mass, while still increasing its penetration capability in flight.
Example Starting Arrow Weight
When looking for my starting point using the calculator and table above, I found that the arrow weight that provided the optimal balance of speed, KE, and momentum for this example setup was approximately 498 grains.
This weight provides a balance that allows this hunter to have a very effective hunting arrow for their setup. Being that they are shooting a 27-inch draw length and a medium-level draw weight (62 lbs), this hunter is maximizing their overall personal capabilities with the equipment they have.
*You can fine-tune this starting point even more by using smaller increments. I used 25 grains to keep the table smaller and more manageable for this example.
TOPWEIGH Arrow Scale with Arrow Holder
$20.99
Selecting the Best Hunting Arrow Weight for Whitetail Deer
Based on what you find above, the optimal arrow weight for your specific hunting scenario isn’t a one-size-fits-all. It’s a personalized choice that depends on your bow’s characteristics and your hunting preferences.
For instance, if you’re targeting whitetail deer at under 30 yards, you might lean towards an arrow that maximizes momentum for deeper penetration. Conversely, for longer shots, you might prioritize speed and a flatter trajectory.
Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that slight adjustments in arrow weight can significantly impact performance. A heavier arrow might mean the difference between a clean pass-through and a superficial wound, especially when hunting larger game like deer and elk. On the other hand, a lighter, faster arrow could be the key to hitting that distant target.
For whitetail deer hunting, it is recommended that adult hunters use a heavier arrow with a weight of around 500 grains for optimal performance. A heavier arrow paired with a fixed blade broadhead enhances penetration capability, allowing for effective shots, even in challenging scenarios like hitting shoulders or taking shots within 40 yards.
You will find that when using the calculator above or when doing your calculations, 500 grains is a good middle ground for effectiveness. Some will use more and some will use less. It all depends on the speed and trajectory you need for whitetail deer.
Opting for a stiffer arrow spine and a well-balanced arrow configuration can significantly improve accuracy too. Focus should be on constructing an arrow that ensures lethal impact upon hitting the target, rather than solely prioritizing speed or front-of-center (FOC) balance. A combination of a heavy arrow, fixed blade broadhead, and proper arrow spine stiffness can greatly improve hunting success for whitetail deer.
Let’s look at a couple of examples using the example hunter’s values we used above.
Whitetail Deer Hunting at 30 Yards or Less
- Priority: At this range, a balance of KE and momentum is crucial for ensuring sufficient penetration and a humane kill. Speed is less of a concern due to the shorter distance.
- Optimal Arrow Weight: A slightly heavier arrow might be beneficial to maximize momentum and KE. An arrow weighing around 498 to 550 grains could be very effective. It offers good momentum for penetration and sufficient KE for a clean kill. You could go with a higher weight, but you have to look at the speed drop before doing so.
- Estimated Performance: With an arrow weight of 498 grains, you can expect a speed of approximately 236 fps, KE around 61.58 ft-lbs, and momentum around 0.52 slug-fps. This setup should provide effective penetration and impact at close range, ensuring a quick and humane kill. The more weight you add the more speed is lost, yet when using the calculator here, you will see how both kinetic energy and momentum can continue to increase based on your individual setup.
Whitetail Deer Hunting at Over 40 Yards
- Priority: At longer ranges, arrow speed becomes more important to maintain a flatter trajectory and ensure accuracy. However, KE and momentum still need to be sufficient for effective penetration.
- Optimal Arrow Weight: A slightly lighter arrow might be preferable to increase speed while still maintaining adequate KE and momentum. An arrow weight in the range of 448 to 473 grains, could offer a good balance.
- Estimated Performance: With an arrow weight in the 448 to 473 grains range, you can expect an increase in speed compared to the 498-grain setup, which will help with maintaining a flatter trajectory over a longer distance. The KE should still be sufficient for effective penetration, although there might be a slight decrease in momentum compared to the heavier arrow.
- Speed: Likely to be slightly higher than 244 fps, which aids in reducing the arrow’s drop over distance and improves accuracy at over 40 yards.
- Kinetic Energy (KE): While there might be a slight decrease from the 60 ft-lbs mark, it should still be within an effective range for ethically harvesting a whitetail deer.
- Momentum: Slightly lower than 0.52 slug-fps, but still adequate for ensuring the arrow penetrates effectively upon impact.
These are estimates based on an example hunter and two basic hunting scenarios. This should give you an idea of how to evaluate your situation and lock in an arrow weight that works for you.
Experiment and Test Your Arrows
I encourage you to experiment with different arrow weights using our calculator. See how weight changes affect the speed, KE, and momentum of your arrows. Remember, the best arrow is the one that feels right in your hands and performs as needed in your unique hunting situations.
Now, when it comes to finding an arrow that meets this weight or building one, you will want to take the arrow’s FOC into account and make sure you understand what works best for you there as well.
Shot Selection and Arrow Weight: Having a Plan B Arrow
Shot execution ability plays a critical role in determining the optimal arrow weight and broadhead options for bowhunters. For bowhunters with proficient shot execution skills, who consistently take well-placed broadside shots with patience and discipline, there is a wide range of arrow build options and broadhead choices available. I
n contrast, if a bowhunter prefers to take riskier or more aggressive shots, the equipment options may be more limited. That’s why having an arrow that will work for all hunting situations is critical. I call it a Plan B Arrow.
In such cases, it is often advised to use a fixed blade cut-on-contact broadhead along with a sturdier arrow build that offers increased mass and durability. Ultimately, a bowhunter’s shot execution abilities directly influence the selection of arrow weight and broadhead options, guiding them toward the most suitable equipment for their hunting style and skill level.
Conclusion
Selecting the best hunting arrow weight is a blend of science, experience, and personal preference. It’s about understanding the interplay between your bow’s capabilities and the demands of your hunting environment. So, take the time to experiment, adjust, and find that perfect arrow that feels like an extension of your intent as a hunter.
Have you found your ideal arrow weight? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
