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I shot 80 arrows over a Garmin C1 chronograph, from level clean out to 50 yards, to learn how varied components, together with arrow weight, draw weight, draw size, fletching, and tuning, have an effect on arrow velocity. Then I discovered how a lot a ten fps and 20 fps improve in velocity modifications your trajectory from 20 to 50 yards. Right here’s what I realized.

Tune Issues

​The distinction between a slight proper tear by paper and a bullet gap was 0.5 fps at level clean and 1 fps at 50 yards. That’s not an enormous improve in velocity, however what was attention-grabbing was how rather more constant the speeds have been as soon as the bow was tuned. There was a 2 fps excessive unfold with the untuned bow and a 0.08 fps excessive unfold with the tuned bow.

​Chrono Readings with a Slight Proper Tear 271.6 (2 fps ES)

​Chrono Readings Tuned 272.1 (.08 fps ES)

Arrow Weight

I used three arrows for this take a look at: an Easton Sonic 6.0 that weighs 440 grains, an Easton 5.0 that weighs 445.8 grains, and an Easton Axis Long Range 4mm that weighs 475.6 grains. All shot a bullet gap by paper and have been fletched identically.

​Chrono Outcomes

• Easton Sonic 6.0: 274.3 fps
• Easton 5.0: 272.2 fps
• Easton Axis Lengthy Vary 4mm: 264.1 fps

​The 6-grain improve in arrow weight dropped velocity by 2 fps, and including 35.6 grains decreased velocity by 10 fps. That’s about 1 fps misplaced for each 3 grains added.

​To see how arrow weight impacts down-range arrow velocity, I shot these identical arrows over the chronograph at 50 yards. The Sonic and 5.0 shot just about the identical arrow velocity at 50 yards. And the heavy arrow was solely going 4.6 fps slower than the lighter arrows. So it went from a ten fps distinction at level clean to only a 5 fps distinction at 50 yards.

​50 Yard Chronograph Readings

• Easton Sonic: 249.4 fps
• Easton 5.0:  249.3 fps
• Easton 4mm Axis: 244.8 fps

​Fletching

I examined two totally different fletching configurations at 50 yards. A four-fletch 2.25 TAC Driver and a three-fletch Blazer. The 4 fletch shot about the identical because the 2.75 TAC Driver with only a .5 fps acquire in velocity. The Blazer shot about 3.5 fps slower at 50 yards.

​Fletching 50 Yards

• 4 Fletch 2.25 Tac Driver on an Easton Sonic 6.0: 249.9 fps (2.75 TAC Driver Pace: 249.4 fps)
• Three Fletch Blazer on an Axis 4mm: 241.4 fps (2.75 TAC Driver Pace: 244.8 fps)

​Draw Weight

I arrange the take a look at bow on the center limb place, which is about 5 kilos off the max. That’s the farthest I might drop the draw weight whereas protecting the arrows in tune.

​To see how a lot draw weight impacts arrow velocity. I gave the limb bolts one flip at a time and shot by the chronograph till I hit the max. The primary flip in raised the draw weight 1.6 kilos and I obtained a 3.7 fps improve in velocity. The following flip elevated draw weight 2.2 kilos and jumped velocity up 5.2 fps. That’s a complete of an 8.7 fps improve and three.8 kilos from the start line. The bow wanted a half flip to hit the max draw weight, which jumped up the load by about one other pound. Pace elevated by 3 fps in that closing pound. In whole, I elevated draw weight by 4.9 kilos and velocity by 11.5 fps.

​On common, I obtained 2.25 fps gained for each pound of draw weight. The exception being the final flip of draw weight, which gained 3 fps for the pound improve.

​Draw Size

Subsequent, I needed to see how a lot an inch of draw size modified velocity. I  did this take a look at on the far finish of the adjustment vary and the center of the adjustment vary on a rotating module. On the far finish, I obtained 8.8 fps distinction, and in the midst of the mod, it was 10.3 fps distinction for an inch adjustment. I additionally tried .5 inch increments and noticed 3-4 fps distinction.

Does Pace Matter?

Now that I do know what impacts velocity and the way a lot, the remaining query is: Does any of it matter?

​I in contrast the trajectory of the Easton Axis 4mm Lengthy Vary (264 fps) and Easton 5.0 (273 fps) at 55 kilos and the Easton 5.0 at 60 kilos (283 fps) from 20 and 50 yards. I began by sighting in at 20 and taking pictures a gaggle. Then I went again to 50 yards and aimed on the identical level with the identical sight setting. This reveals the space between the 20 and 50 yard influence level. The arrow touring 264 fps dropped 35 inches, the 273 fps dropped 30 inches, and the 282 fps arrow dropped 26 inches. So the arrows have been dropping an extra 5 inches between 20 and 50 yards per 10 fps lower in arrow velocity.

Learn Subsequent: Best Hunting Arrows

​Remaining Ideas

Arrow velocity can present a noticeably flatter trajectory when you get a couple of 10 fps or extra improve in velocity. If that’s one thing that appeals to you, one of the best ways to get there may be to drop some arrow weight and improve draw weight. As soon as bow season is over, you possibly can add a flip or half flip to your limb bolts each month or two — whereas persevering with to observe commonly — and also you’ll simply add an additional 5 kilos to your draw weight. For arrow weight, you possibly can take a look at a number of the low-GPI arrows accessible, just like the Easton 5.0.