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How heavy is too heavy?

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WhistlingBadger:
Hi, all.  Got my hickory arrows fletched and all, and they come in around 750g.  This is for a bow that draws about 45# at my normal draw length.  They penetrate like crazy, of course, and they're right on the button out to about 15 yards.  Beyond about 20 yards, I'm not crazy about the way they fly.  Nothing I can exactly put my finger on yet; they just don't "feel" quite right.  (some of this might be because I did the fletching wrong on several of them, a mistake I plan to remedy this evening)

Is that typical?  I know anything over about 10g per pound of draw is considered heavy, but I'm wondering where the tipping point is between accuracy/performance and penetration.  thoughts?

Pat B:
Most deer are killed within 15 yards with trad and primitive bows. If you are happy with the way they shoot out to 15 yards then go for it. Heavy arrows shot from a relatively light bow loose their energy pretty quickly in their flight.

StickMark:
W.Badger,
What kind of hunt and terrain are you considering?

I think the specific location of the hunt determines the "heavy vs moderate vs light arrow argument."

Ask this question on a variety of forums, and you'll find various approaches.
A heavier arrow can miss the vitals if you misjudge range. A 10 gpp arrow might kill on that same shot. But, a gap shooter can have a short distance point-on with 15, 16.5 gpp arrow, and not miss.

(I am playing around with 10 gpp vs 11 gpp right now, but I anticipate longer shots than 15 yards.  Arizona terrain, jumpy deer...)

Don W:
I've had the same issue with hickory. The stuff is heavy. I like an arrow around 650gr. I had made several arrows at that weight and then read some stuff from the Ashby foundation and it got stuck in my head.

I like the hickory because they're almost indestructible but I can't shot them beyond 20 yards either.

Pat B:
The Ashby Report is an excellent study on penetration on large, heavy boned African animals. There is lots of useful information about penetration, broadhead types and styles and arrow weight but it is specifically about the big game of Africa and around the world. Here in the US most folks hunt deer and elk and real heavy shafting is not that important. Many, many deer and elk have been killed here in the US using POC, Sitka spruce and Douglas fir and other local woods arrows weighing around 500 grains. Unless you plan to go to Africa, Australia for heavy animals or perhaps if you are hunting moose or grizzlies standard arrow shafting is sufficient. 

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