Why You Should Never Hunt With an Arrow Under 400 grains

Are You Wasting Your Bow’s Power?

Would you fire a .22 round out of a .45-caliber pistol? Of course not. So why do so many bow hunters do the exact same thing with their setups by shooting ultra-light arrows that don’t match their bow’s capability?

If you’re shooting a modern compound bow over 50 pounds with at least a 26-inch draw length, you should never be shooting an arrow under 400 grains. Period.

This post will explain exactly why that line matters—and how going too light with your arrow costs you in lethality, accuracy, tuning, and the ethical outcome of every shot.

Built from the Field, Not a Forum Thread

I’m Mike Manley, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with decades of gear testing experience, both in combat and in the whitetail woods. I’ve seen firsthand what works, what fails, and what happens when a projectile doesn’t do its job. Now, I test hunting arrows with the same mindset: maximum effectiveness, minimum failure.

My goal is to help you build arrows that hit harder, tune better, and kill cleaner. And for most hunters, that starts with never dropping below 400 grains.

Why 400 Grains Is the Baseline for Bowhunting

If your draw weight is over 50 lbs, your bow generates enough energy to drive a heavier arrow, and when you don’t take advantage of that, you sacrifice:

Momentum
Penetration
Quiet shooting
Forgiveness on marginal hits

A 375-grain arrow might scream out of your bow, but it won’t carry the same force through tissue, bone, or brush. Speed falls off fast. Penetration dies even faster.

A 400-grain arrow is not heavy by modern standards. It’s the minimum threshold where most compound bows start to generate lethal momentum and maintain decent speed.

The Real-World Impact of Going Too Light

Let’s say you’re shooting 60 lbs at a 28″ draw.

With a 375-grain arrow: You might hit 285 fps, but KE drops fast beyond 30 yards.
With a 425-grain arrow: You might shoot 270 fps, but momentum and energy stay higher downrange.

The result? The 425-grain arrow punches deeper, penetrates bone better, and doesn’t fall apart when the shot isn’t perfect. And your deer dies faster.

Want proof? Use my Arrow Speed, KE, and Momentum Calculator and run your numbers. The difference is eye-opening.

Need gear recommendations? See my Top Bowhunting Gear Recommendations for 2025!

Lighter Arrows = Noisy Bows + Poor Tuning

Going too light also makes your bow louder. Why? Because less of the bow’s stored energy is absorbed by the arrow, and more is left behind as vibration. This means more noise at the shot and a higher chance of a string-jumping deer.

Light arrows also make tuning harder. They oscillate more in flight, can expose issues with form or rest alignment, and often lead to frustration in broadhead flight.

Want a quieter, easier-to-tune bow that just shoots better? Shoot heavier.

Why So Many Hunters Go Too Light

Some hunters chase speed. Some follow outdated arrow charts. Some just trust factory setups. The problem is, most of those are built for generic performance, not lethal results in real hunting scenarios.

A lot of pro shop arrows are in the 370-390 grain range. That’s fine for paper targets or 3D courses, but for actual hunting?

It’s a gamble.

Your bow has a power curve. Staying inside it gives you better tuning, better momentum, and better outcomes. Dropping below 400 grains puts you below that curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re just getting started and wondering whether 400 grains is really a big deal, this section is for you. Below are some of the most common beginner questions we get about arrow weight, especially related to the 400-grain minimum.

How do I know if my arrow is under 400 grains?

Easy — just plug your shaft length, GPI, insert, broadhead, and vanes into the Arrow Weight Calculator ➜ on this site. It will add everything up for you. Or, if you don’t know those weights, use the same low-budget arrow scale I use. Get it here ➜

Note: The 400 grains refers to the entire arrow, including:

Shaft
Insert or outsert
Broadhead or field point
Nock
Fletchings/vanes

If your total is under 400 grains, you’re probably sacrificing momentum, penetration, and performance.

What if I shoot a low-poundage bow?

The 400-grain minimum is geared toward adult hunters shooting 50+ lbs at a 26″+ draw. If you’re shooting 45–49 lbs with a short draw, your optimal weight might fall slightly under 400 grains — but it still needs to be heavy enough to maximize your bow’s capability.

📌 Use the [Everyday Arrow Weight Formula ➜] to find the best range for your bow. It adjusts for draw length, draw weight, and hunting distance.

Won’t a heavier arrow kill my speed?

Yes, your bow will shoot a bit slower — but you’ll gain more in penetration, noise reduction, and lethality than you lose in speed.

An arrow around 450 grains may shoot 250 fps instead of 280 fps, but it will:

Hit harder
Be less affected by wind
Be quieter (less string jump)

It’s about finding the arrow that matches your bow’s power curve — not just chasing numbers.

What if I never shoot past 25–30 yards?

That’s exactly why you should shoot a heavier arrow.

If your shots are under 30 yards, the trajectory drop is minimal. You don’t need blistering speed. What you need is an arrow that punches through vitals every time, especially on hard quartering shots or bone hits.

A 450–500-grain arrow is ideal for close-range bowhunting setups.

How do I build a heavier arrow that still shoots well?

Start with your target arrow weight. Then plug in your components using the:

Where 400 Grains Fits in the Performance Arrow Series

This post supports everything we teach in the Performance-Driven Arrow Build Series. If you’re ready to learn how to build arrows for lethality, not just velocity, start here:

If you want help planning it all out, follow the full Performance-Driven Arrow Build Series ➜. It walks you through every step, including how to match the arrow shaft, spine, insert, and broadhead to your target weight.

Final Word: The 400-Grain Rule Is Just the Beginning

You don’t need a 650-grain hammer to kill a whitetail. But you do need an arrow that matches the capability of your bow and delivers reliable penetration.

For most adult male bowhunters shooting over 50 lbs and with a 26″+ draw, that starts at 400 grains.

Anything lighter? You’re handicapping your setup.

Use the Everyday Arrow Weight Formula to find your real target weight.

Then build an arrow that hits like it means it.

Want to see exactly what I’m carrying this season? Check out my Personal Bowhunting Gear List for 2025!