Newbie! Help me with my arrow (archery) problems?

Question

I just bought a bow for hunting next year and I don't know much about it. I am all set up to try it ut for the first time but I need arrows. What arrows do you buy for an OUTDOOR range etc. Just shooting into hay bails. I see all the arrows are like 60 bucks for 6 at the store is this what I am going to be paying?

Also I noticed n the back of a box of arrow it talk alot about Bow Draw weight for using that arrow. Is this something I really need to be concerned about as I have no idea what it talking about.

I just want to go out and try launching some arrows.......

Answer 1

Ok, some good advice, and some very bad advice on here. Arrows have a spine rating, this is a measure of how stiff the arrows are. As suggested above, I also suggest starting with aluminum. They have very good tolerances, another feature of arrows that I'll talk about in a bit, quite durable, and cheap. Some carbon shafts, like the one I'm shooting now, are more durable than aluminums, but there are plenty of carbon shafts out there that are nowhere near as durable.



Another advantage with aluminum is that it's easier to work on, putting points or nocks on aluminum shaft is a lot hassle free than carbon. So if you later on decide to work on your arrows yourself, it's something to consider.



Now, spine. With aluminums for every given draw weight and draw length combination, you have 2 or 3 spine sizes that will match you. Usually one is light weight and the other one heavy weight. Aluminum shaft sizes come in a 4 digit number, for instance 1716, 1714, 2014, 2012, and so on. The first two digits tell you the diameter of the shaft, the last two digits is the thickness of the wall. So a 1716 shaft has 17/64" outer diameter and a 16/1000" wall thickness. The thicker the wall the heavier the arrow, but also the more durable it is. Sometimes for a given draw weight and draw length you can get a choice, say a 1712 or a 1614. They're both the same spine, the 1712 is lighter but less durable than the 1614. Go here, this is the Easton archery website



http://www.eastonarchery.com/products/selection-target



Put in your bow weight and draw length, it'll tell you what size shaft to get. Stick with the Easton Platinum Plus for starter, about $50 for 12 arrows already made. The Platinum Plus might be cheap, but until very recently it holds the world indoor record at 25m.



Now tolerances. Arrows have different tolerances, straightness, weight, and spine. Out of the three you'll see straightness and weight tolerance usually mentioned by manufacturer. These two are somewhat good indicators of how good arrows are. Aluminum shafts from easton usually have a straightness tolerance of about 0.001" and weight tolerance of around .75%. Carbons on the other hand, if you buy a set that cost $100, you get straightness tolerance of 0.003". The biggest impact to your shooting however is the spine tolerance, and it's the one that manufacturers don't talk about. If you're shooting compound, the spine tolerance is not much of a problem, but it is a big deal with recurves. Aluminums also shine here, until you get to the high end carbons where a set cost you $180 up to $350 just for the shaft.

Answer 2

Targetbutt has the right info.

Do not just go out and buy a cheap arrow and "fling it" especially if you have a compound bow that you are shooting. Not having the correct spined arrow could result in major damage to the bow (too light a spine would be just like dry firing the bow and if you have never seen the damage that can do, ask an archer that has been around for a while, the noise and the pieces flying everywhere is impressive)

Go to a pro shop and get the correct arrows before you risk damage to the bow.

Answer 3

The arrows have to match the poundage of the bow, mostly because arrows have flex when they launch and with too much flex you can damage the arrows,can damage the bow, and loose accuracy. The arrows also must match up with the draw length or the accuracy suffers again. Aluminum arrows are the best to started with because they take a lot more abuse from shooting,especially if you hit a shaft, the carbons will crack or sliver, and slivered carbon in your skin is a bad thing. The aluminum arrows will have different specs to match up to the bow. The best thing to do is take the bow in and get some pro advise, but for basics you do need to match the bow and arrows for stress.

Answer 4

Yes draw length and amount of lbs. on the draw are very important when selecting arrows. They have charts to help you decide which is right for you. Aluminum arrows would be a better choice in my opinion as they are cheaper and will last longer when shooting frequintly. Here is a good starting point. http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.arrow-selector.html

Answer 5

i would take your bow to a pro shop, you need to have the draw weight and length adjusted to your capabilities, arrows need to be cut to your draw length which has to do with how long your arms are; carbon arrows are the preferred type to use nowadays but for just messing around aluminum arrows are cheaper, i would really recommend finding someone in your area to help you out with the basics and fit your bow to you, good luck, have fun, and be safe

Answer 6

Buy Target points.* Buy anything you need at reasonable prices, new or used archery equipment on Ebay and save lots of $$$.* Yes different arrows are used depending on what weight bow you have.*

Answer 7

as i remember it bow strenght is measured in pounds [effort to draw] a 30 lb. bow would be easy to draw but not much punch. then you work your way up to where you can pull a strong bow [say 90 lb & up] which is difficult but has a lot of punch. they now have compound bows which are a lot better but i don't know anything about them. if you plan on going hunting be sure and know what you are doing or you will probably hit some poor dumb animal in the *** and he will drag aroung for days before dying

Answer 8

go to walmart..buy cheap arrows. draw weight doesnt matter. (right now) buy cheap arrows and shoot your hay bails about 500 times or more. this will stretch out the string. take the bow back where you bought it, they will do a paper test to find your arrow you will need to buy.(theyre expensive, but if your not shooting birds in the air losing your arrows, they will last forever.) get carbon arrows. this way you know they are always straight. when theyre bent or cracked like wood or aluminum arrows, the carbon arrows will bust in half. this way you always know your arrows are good to go unless theyre busted in half.

Answer 9

yes you do need to be concerned about weight..its how much you are pulling when you pull the bow back...for practicing ...i would recommend using a recurve bow...to learn how to pull back and aim...and yes you will have to pay that much for arrows...each dozen is usually around $100.00