This is quickly becoming my favorite archery information channel.

I shoot a 393 grain 28in draw and I'm getting 298 fps at 69 lbs with my Hoyt Alpha max . Haven't been disappointed yet great set up for deer hunting .

I went down this rabbit hole recently checking out the ranch fairy videos. Long story short I ended up with a 495-grain arrow with a 200 grain fixed blade broadhead and I'm absolutely loving it.

One of the most informative arrow weight video I’ve watched. Thank you brother for breaking it down. Great video!

I'm set up with 530 grains with my 340 pro axis 5mm arrows. They shoot so smooth. I just bought some fob fletching for fun. I'm excited to see how they work

Love your videos...great information and presented with a ton of common sense. I especially appreciate the explanation of the compromise between speed and arrow weight. Most Ashby followers seem to miss this distinction. I have a 32" draw length, and shoot 65#, 481 grain at 291 FPS which gives me 91 ft.lbs at .62 M. I feel like this gives me a fairly decent compromise between speed and momentum / stopping power.

525gr total arrow weight, 14% FOC, 29” draw, 66lbs, Mathews triax. Shooting 262fps. Trajectory is just fine out to 50 yards which is my max distance. Can’t wait to see how they perform this year.

Hey Man - Love the videos! Would really appreciate a video going over workouts for better stabilization and pulling more bow weight. Keep up the great work!

Bowtech Insanity 30" @ 64lb w/ Gold Tip Hunter XT at 420 grain is shooting 307fps.... smoking them!!

Wish i found this channel earlier but i had to learn the hard way in building arrows (lots of money spent haha). Finally got a good setup 27” 350 spine with 75 grain insert and 100 grain broads Total weight 456 grains with 15% foc Thinking of maybe going 300 spine arrows but we’ll see

Thanks Kellen, I’m a new shooter and have learned so much from your channel over the past few months! Really appreciate you sharing all of your knowledge. Another great video, keep it up

The lighter the arrow the more speed decays over distance. Getting to the animal is one thing, getting 2 holes is quite another!

I agree with what your saying. I also did a ton of experimenting over the years.. I'm shooting 70# at 26" draw.. My sweet spot is 380-390gr arrow.. Broad head selection is a big factor along with van selection... I use to use a are around 400-430gr w 3 fletch blazer vans w killzone heads and I never once got a complete pass through, my arrow stopped as soon as the fletchings hit the body of a whitetail. I switched to different broad heads "all mechanical" and had the same Results. All shots were from 10-60yrds and hits from the shoulder to 2-3 ribs back... I then switched to a arrow under 400grs and to aae plastic fletch 1.6" and fletched them to 4 fletch and to a swhacker broad head.. I now git complete pass throughs at the same yardage and distance... Everyone I tried explaining this to says there's no why if I hit a whitetail in the shoulder at 60yrds I'll git a pass through until they watch a vid of me doing it or in person... Love your vids fellers.

Shooting a 462 gr goldtip black label out of a 70 lb xpedition set on 62 lbs at 271. Works well

Good information. Love the videos. Your discussion here was centered on a recommended weight range for the average male archer shooting exactly 70 pounds in the common range of draw lengths. For new shooters/hunters, it may be easier to think of it as shooting the heaviest arrow you can that maintains an acceptable speed for the game and terrain you plan on hunting.

You help a lot thanks dude! I hope this will be seen by many archers.

I agree it is important to pay attention and know your set up and to consider everything you said in the video. I wanted to share my experience.. I shot a bull elk at 18 yds, broadside. The arrow passed thru both sides and went another 8-10 yds as thats where i found my arrow. My set up: 2007 Hoyt Vulcan @ 65 lbs, 27" draw. I shot it with a Gold Tip XT Hunter, with a FOB on it.(27 1/2" ) 100 grain Slick Trick. My total arrow weight is right around 365 grains. For a short draw guy it is really hard to get those heavy weights without adding some weight in the arrow.

I'm at 26.5" DL with 65# I believe I'm shooting around 460 ish grains on the FMJ 400 spine, seems to be a good set up, could probably go to a 340 spine but I felt with how short my draw and arrows are that a slightly more flexible spine would suffice.

Love the channel! Thank you! I do have questions regarding this video as well as a few others but I'm staying on topic. I had this issue. I shoot a Prime CT9 RH at 70#. I first shot the Easton Woodland Camo 340 spine and weighed in at 484.8 grains. It whistled so loud people asked if I shot the Seven Dwarves as my arrows whistles (LOUDLY!!!) while it worked. Speed: 305 fps. Regular 3 Fletcher Blazers. Then switched to the Dangerous Game 250 spine and weighs 768.8 grains. Dead silent! 4 Fletcher helical Bohning Zen vanes fly at 230 fps. Dead center. Same flight for field tip or the QAD Exodus. SAME HOLE!! (Sight: Axcel AccuTouch Carbon Pro, rest: QAD HDX, Release: Carter Whisper, Beestinger Hunter Stabilizers) I really love 3D and Indoor archery as well but having a tough time at finding arrows. My setup is so quite now people say it's as loud as a person taking a bite of a sandwich. Thanks for any suggestions as well as reading this BOOK of a response. Thank you. Semper Fi, CW

This has been extremely helpful, thank you 🙏🏹

I like how you see both sides of it most guys either want all the speed in the world or all the kinetic energy in the world you meet right in the middle somewhere. I totally agree you need to find that happy medium.

Thanks for keeping it real.

Build with FOC they do have a lot more impact. 28'' draw maxed out 72 lb, bloodlines cut 28''.5 with 50 gr. inserts, NAP Trevix Mechanical 100gr 3 blade total 424 gr. Maybe not be considered a "real FOC arrow". It had enough FOC and KE for 3 deer. From 15 yards out to 30 yards. with complete pass throughs, All quarter away way shots. From behind the ribs and exit the opposite side right behind shoulder. Arrows berried in the ground up to the starting of fletching. You are very correct in info. Also wish you would of touched on the FOC. A arrow with heavier inserts. Putting the weight up front lose less KE in flight. Which does creating more impacted.

I found a 550 grain is a happy medium speed and Bone punch through Power it flies nice and true out to 50 yards I'm only moving it 206 feet per second out of 60/29 1994 Mathews ultra light yeehaw

I shoot 440 grain arrow (VAP TKO) for field/outdoor target. With my PSE Shootdown and 31' DL I'm shooting at 280 fps, ideal arrow speed according to Tim Gillingham

200 grain single bevel broadhead for me thanks :-)

Our local bow shop needs to watch this. All they preach is speed. Grandson shoots a vertix, 75 lb 31 inch draw. Was shooting a 500 grain arrow at 293. I return from Colo they have him At 29 inch draw, under 400 grain arrow and 73 lb draw. His tape is off, he's shooting like crap etc plus he's leaving for Tennessee /Kentucky boarder where two of his friends have killed BC whitetail this week. Hope to get him back to at least 440 grain or he's going to have trouble tuning his fixed blade. Thanks again.

Monster MR-6 80lbs 28.5 dL. 585 grain black eagle X-impact 250 spine 250 grains of broad head and SS outsert 289 FPS. 415 grain black eagle rampage with Easton rps inserts (deep six) 100 grain broad head 334FPS. Carry both in my quiver.

27" 70lb bow 400 grains for me. Does the job every time.

Watch ranch fairy! He broke it down with evidence of video.

It does depend on what animal you're after like you said. I have a 28" draw with 70lb pull and I shot a 412 grain 340 spine arrow this past year for whitetail in the south. I had no problems with it getting great penetration with a Sevr 2.1 inch blade. I got a complete pass through on a buck at 25 yards. I shot another buck that the arrow went through the opposite side shoulder and poked out and he died less than 40 yards from the stand. The arrow travels about 304 feet per second but I wouldn't go any lighter for whitetail for myself not to say it can't be done. If I was going on an elk hunt I would not have the same set up though.

On my Hoyt nitrum 30 I run a 27in draw length, 28in axis arrows that weight in at 410 grains and 15% foc (16 grain insert and 125 grain broadhead) and at 64ib draw weight it’s shooting 320fps. For me this is perfect for the whitetail hunting especially in the woods where you really need those straight line shots to not his tree limbs and brush.

A heavier arrow will outperform a lighter arrow in a hunting situation every time!

457 grain Easton axis, 61 pounds at 27 inch DL, and I’m only shooting 228fps through the chronograph. The pro-staff said I should stick to lighter arrows, but in a real hunting situation, this set up works pretty good for me even at long range. I think his chronograph might be broke or something.

you mentioned nothing about noise. I've gone light and fast, and I've gone heavy. The heavy "slow" arrows I've shot are obviously better on less than ideal hits like shoulder, but I also don't have deer jump the string like seemed to be the norm with the light (400) grain arrow. I also shoot 70 lbs and 30" so it's a bit easier to run a heavy setup with good trajectory. One pin to 30 yards, and if it's farther I have time to range it. Honestly I think the greatest advantage to a heavy arrow is how well it deadens the bow. Last year I shot a buck that I misjudged the range, shot right over him, he looked where the arrow hit behind him and went back to eating grass. Calmed down, adjusted, and double lung and hearted him. With my old Gold Tip Velocity arrows the deer were on the run after the shot whether they were hit or not.

I’m shooting Easton Axis 300 spins with the Vertix at with what Matthews says is a 29” draw and 70lbs. Once I switched to the Axis from the Gold Hunter my arrows stopped breaking on shots. Once again you nailed it with this video. I learned a lot and really like the physics lesson. Totally forgot kinetic energy isn’t linear. I’m assuming my rig will shoot about 8-10 ft slower than yours. What broadhead are you recommending for this year? I hunt whitetail out of a tree saddle and my shots are never beyond 40 yards cuz I hunt in the woods.

what this does not take into account is draw length, anyone with a 26" or shorter dl cannot shoot fast and it takes heavy foc for penetration for a clean kill

The heavy vs light discussion is fascinating to me. There is a big misconception in the community with The Ranch Fairy, but the actual science that he, Darrell Barnett, and the Ashby Foundation are doing with arrow ballistics is fascinating and only benefits the archery community. It is fascinating and hopefully will open up the community to the importance of arrow ballistics research. This isn't meant to fuel the fire in the debate, I am just fascinated by the subject and the science that is being done behind it.

Great informative video. Thanks for your efforts

Excellent very good

I have a shorter draw length of 26” and have debated switching to the Easton FMJ 5mm but have heard that I have to short of a drawlength to shoot that arrow further than 40 yards. Do you agree? If so what would you recommend? I’m currently pulling 60lbs but I should be pulling 70lbs in the next 6 months or so

Question: does arrow "thinness" come into consideration for hunting arrows or is it not a big deal?

My daughter when in high school won a state championship in junior academy of science by testing this exact thing. Heavy slow arrows will always penetrate better, buy there is a tipping point.

Real curious what you would suggest for speed also I'm at 29.5 draw upgraded my bow to a 34 carbon defiant 80lb shooting 309fps and 408g goldtip hunter xt 300 spine.

Good video and you was right about my center shot being off thanks . My question. I shoot trx 38, 60 pounds, and 30inch draw can you recommend a good arrow setup for 3D

Great info as always

My FMJ 300’s are coming in at 504 on the scale at the bow shop. Shooting the Mathews Halon 32, 29” draw with 65#. Having good results but curious on your thoughts if you would recommend changing.

Mathews vertix, 75lb 29", 452gn @304fps, gt hunter pro arrows. Deadly!

I shoot the heaviest arrow I can with the most FOC. Also i want my arrow to get into the 270-280 FPS range. I’m shooting a Black Eagle 300, cut at 28”, 100gr point, 100gr insert, TAW 480gr, 272fps and FOC 17.05.

Well I have shot a 42 lbs longbow for a few years with great luck on hogs and deer... 485 gr arrow at around 175 FPS with no problems to 25 yds. My point on is 40 but will not take a shot that far at a live animal.

Great video and tips!

F or me lightweight with a. Good cutting tip works well 340 9.3gpi 29” straight pass through broke the largest rib on one side and upon exit broke the smallest rib then stuck in the ground a foot.

I shoot a 70 lbs, 25 inches draw length Mathews TX5. What arrow weight should I use to hunt deer?

Crazy u just made this video. I was just weighing my arrows last night.

Thanks. not getting the arrow weight based on charts...most charts call for 350 spin around 8.7...for 31 inches with 100 broadhead and change for veins/nock....about 380? and websites talk about 5-6 g per bow poundage so looking at 450-500 at 64 lbs (rough). So They are basically saying TArget shooting (not taking into account sound/penetration) ?. So I'm liking you pointing out heavier arrows.. Most shops seem to carry the 330-350s and recommend them for low 60s of bow weight. I'm going to go with 300 spines I'm thinking at 9.3 or so per inch.

I like the victory xtortions but they are finished weight on a 29 inch arrow with the 35 grain outserts they have to bump up foc, come in at 536 grains. At 65 pounds the RX3 is pushing them at about 264 ft./s if I max out the bow at 70 pounds now they’re pushing about 273 ft./s I still think that’s plenty fast enough hunting up here in New Hampshire where it will mostly be used from a tree stand on Whitetail. Thoughts?

From physics: Objects that are said to be undergoing free fall, are not encountering a significant force of air resistance; they are falling under the sole influence of gravity. Under such conditions, all objects will fall with the same rate of acceleration, regardless of their mass. So while I do get that arrows in flight are not undergoing free fall, the same acceleration due to gravity will be acting on them. So what is causing the trajectory change berween a lighter arrow compared with a heavy arrow if the shooting angle is held constant???

hmm. maybe thinking too much but So is it better to go up on weight for arrow shaft and go with 100 grain head or go lighter arrow and 125 head?

There's a happy median with any set up..but animals jump the string from sound .and no matter how fast your bow is if they hear it your done..you would have to shoot over 1300 fps have this not happen..this is why you see deer jump the string on so many cross bows..noise

Great vid. im just getting back to compound and just got a bear cruzer g2. My setup for now is 50lbs. 26in draw. should i switch to micro arrows or can i stay with standard? if i switch to micro ill have to get a new rest. i weighed my arrows and it was 386 with 100 grain broadhead. should i switch to micro or what could i build with a standard? Thanks

i’m getting more FMJs. right now, i’m shooting a 28” 340 spine at 70lbs with the Tx5. i was wondering if i should go with the 300 spine like the charts say to. after all the additions of the shorter brace height(5in) and IBO speed it says i should be shooting the 300. the 12 gpi seems a little heavy though.

Do you think you could do some Trad videos? You have an excellent way of explaining your points.

Okay so I’ve owned a bow for all of 3 weeks now... it’s a nice bow and was a gift.... it came with 50-60 pound limbs that I believe are maxed out.... my draw length is all of 27”.... the bow is a prime Rize and the g5 web site says about 330 FPS.....I’ve been shooting a 340 grain gold tip hunter with it cut at the center of the riser with I believe 100 grain field point and what ever insert the shop put in it.. first, what is that speed from the factory figured on and then what size fixed broadheads and weighted inserts (if any) do I need for hunting white tail and hogs.... I’m looking at switching to the gold tip kenetic platinums or the black label quantum’s for my hunting arrows (smaller diameter arrows) and would like a nockturnal lighted nock.... im not dead set on gold tips, it’s just what is at the closer local shop... there is another shop only 15 minutes further that I believe also has Easton and carbon express.... what fletched and cut weight arrow should I stay around, what weight should I be at on the front end and what total weight should I try to stick close to???I’m just trying to make sure I don’t injure an animal without recovering it.... but I’d like to be able to harvest a nice deer. As soon as I can find heavier limbs, I’ll change them. But on a budget right this minute

I wish channels would do more info like this but for recurve =/

The truer analogy is if you threw a softball and a baseball, my 390 gn arrow at 320 FPS penetrated as far as my 495 gn at 272 FPS but shooting a 50 yard target holding on a 60 yard pin is a 1 inch difference with the same experiment with heavy arrow there’s a 6 inch difference flat shooting is king! am I crazy or does this make sense 🏹 🤷🏽‍♂️

I’m shooting a 300 spine Sirius arrow with 20% foc a 100 gr tooth of the arrow 1” broadheads with a total weight of 515 gr

So how can us guys with ape hanger arms get some assistance with some lighter set ups and solve our wicked weight woes? I have a 31.5 inch draw length and I"m shooting 70lbs out of my new Traverse. Love the bow. I'm using Black Eagle Rampage 250 spine with 125 grain tips, 51 grain BE half-outserts with AAE Max Stealth 4 fletch. They weight 578 grains. They hit like a mack truck but I still think that it is too heavy and slow for whitetail. I have yet to Chrono this set up and will this week to see where it's at speed wise. Any suggestions for a lighter weight arrows that won't break the bank or leave me single?

FOC is as important arrow weight, if not more. Two arrows of equal weight, the one with the higher FOC is "More gooder" . If an arrow has no punching power at distance, it doesn't matter how fast it gets there. I would rather have a bad shot with a heavy arrow than a bad shot with a light one. Just saying - stuff happens and nobody's perfect 100%. Know your bow & arrow setup and take ethical shots. For me that means 30 yards is max hunting distance. Shooting 3D critters is another story. I can reach out to 60, but to have a clean quick kill I prefer 20yards. If you shoot from an elevated stand, take a few practice shots to know how your arrow responds. Good Luck out there.

I'm shooting arrows just under 450grs total weight, 70lb draw @ 29.5" from a PSE Stinger. My longest shot will probably be 20 yards in the woods. ArcheryCalc says 67 and change ft.lbs. of energy at just shy of 260fps. Should be plenty good for Whitetail, right?

Just curious about your opinion. I shoot the Elite Era set at 68 lbs 27 1/2" draw. Am I better off shooting a 485 grain arrow 11.4 foc 260 fps, a 460 grain arrow 9.4 foc 270 fps, 448 grain arrow 8.6 Foc approx 275 fps? Thanks for all the information you provide. I appreciate any insight you have for me on this issue.

FMJ with a heavy Broadhead causes the arrow to mushroom implode when it hits bone. I would go with a thick heavy aluminum arrow with insert

I could use some advice. I shoot a mathews switchback. I'm a 28.5 draw, 70# limbs (I have to check what may actual weight is set at) and I recently purchased some easton hexx arrows online. The shop recommended 400 spine even though by the chart I should be at 330 spine. I shoot 100 grain broadheads with standard insert and typical blazer vanes. I haven't had my arrows cut yet (28.25" insert to center of nock) but something tells me he underrated my spine. Can I get these cut and shoot without worry or should I push for a swap to the 330 spine?

After many years of messing around with different arrows I finally stuck with what I have about 3 years ago.And it's pass through city. 30" draw, 74# draw weight, 30" Axis 340's, 6" dip & crest (it's weight), 4 fletch blazer, Nockturnal nock, standard insert w/ 100 grain head. And added 12 grain footers to strengthen the business end and improve FOC, they come in at 474 grain total arrow weight. Plenty of energy, averaging 273 fps and the arrows fly "perfect".

I would like to see you actually do a video on the difference between a 600 grain Arrow at 240 ft per second and a 380 grain Arrow at 280 feet per second I think you would be surprised that there isn't a huge difference in drop we sight or bows in for whatever range we typically shoot to me 40 or 50 yard shot is a bit ridiculous and last maybe you're an elk Hunter where I typically hun are shots range 15 to 25 yards so it has no bearing whatsoever shooting a 700 grain Arrow the difference in Arrow flight with 25 to 30% FOC is immeasurable you need to try it

Thank you

I have a draw length of 26" and pull weight of 60lbs and running arrows at 388 in weight and that's after switching from 100 gr to 125 broad heads, Am I fighting my way uphill with my setup?

Love your videos keep it up and wheres your pro shop I wanna visit it.

New to archery here I'm shooting a diamond edge 320 at 60lbs (working my way to 70lbs) with a 28.5 draw length. Im not going to shoot anything past 40 yards. What arrow weight would best suit me?

Same

I have a random arrow question. What is your opinion on lighted nocks? Do they effect your accuracy? Are they necessary? What kinds do you like?

what about 25o or 350 grains arrow to a 50 pounds bow or 70 pounds one to hunting the only thing im worry for its to not get an accident shooting a light arrow that will get broke in half for the bow strngh and hit my arm or forearm

Funny, I just called and talked to Wayne w that exact question.

Question I just weighed my arrows and is around 540 grains.. my arrows are Easton axis 300 spine with a 75 grain insert and a 100 grain point .. I'm shooting at a 65 lbs and 29.5 in draw .is this to heavy???

Have you calculated how many grains per pound of draw weight your ideal set up works out to be?

I’m a 30.5” draw at 66 lbs. Shooting a 300 spine black eagle spartan with 50 gn insert and 100 gn Broadhead. Arrow weighs 508 gn, Shooting about 280 fps. You think I should try and drop some weight?

What do you think about adding weight to the arrow by installing nylon rope in the tube?

When you speak of a “standard insert”, what is that? How many grains?

Im not a hunter, shooting long distance 50-100m with xpedite 68# with VAP 300 , 380gr and its less parabole like heavy arrow and very fast, cant be beter.

480gr, 14% foc, 29.5 draw, Onieda Aeroforce set at 50lbs 225fps

So I have a 31.5 draw length would a 489 grain arow be ok or is that getting heavy I shoot 80 lbs aswell I need heavier arows to a degree I think for safety I tried light arows I'd have so much string vibration or something it would brake knocks and rip off my kisser button constantly

When you say a 450 grain arrow, does that mean a 350 grain arrow with a 100 grain field point? Or is that the weight without the point?

Hey! Couldn’t find a place to message, setting up my bow 80lb draw, 530 grain fmj arrow at 30.5 inches, 30 inch draw black 5, is that arrow to heavy or too light

thanks good info

Today im gona testing the Easton Axis5mm 300spine arrow whit 70pound. Its about 450grain i think:-)

Kudos on the short draw length mention! What about arrow weight for target archers?

So what you’re saying is my 368 grain hunting arrow is way to light?

That's why they make a EZV sight.

Stop shooting 40 and 50 yds? 665gr out of a 57lb @28 longbow for 175 FPS

So if shooting under 240 fps at an alert deer results in missing the animal more often than hitting it, how does any trad archer anywhere hit a deer? Most traditional bows are quieter but I've shot some loud recurve bows especially comparing to compound bows loaded up with arrow weight to shoot under 240 fps. I would always advise someone to be comfortable shooting their setup and to be confident in their trajectory but your explanation just over exaggerates the abilities of traditional bows and compound bows shooting below the 240 fps mark you gave. Trajectory of heavy arrows really isn't that bad and any online calculator you use is going to fail to show efficiency of the bow. Personally, I tested the online calc with a 950 grain arrow. The online calculator said 90 fps and my bow shot it over 40 fps faster. still a slow arrow at that point but bows have efficiency which means hunters can build heavier arrows without losing as much speed as you made it sound like.

Cant really compare ping pongs to 360 grn arrows flying at 290+..these arrows are heavy enough to kill any North American animal.