As a general rule, with every 10 pound increase in draw weight, arrow speed rises by around 20 fps. For every 3 grains of additional weight on the bowstring, subtract 1 fps from the IBO value. For every 3 grains of total arrow weight above draw weight multiplied by 5, subtract 1 fps from the IBO value. fps. You can check this calculator to see how fast the arrows lose height at different flight speeds. Draw length: A longer draw length creates a longer power stroke than a shorter draw length, allowing the bow to store more energy. So to what extent the arrow velocity affects the effectiveness of this type of weapon? When you pull the trigger most of that PE is transferred to the arrow and converted to kinetic energy (KE), which propels it downrange. Compare expected FPS across over 120 crossbows and decide which one to buy. While it is based on the bow speed IBO specification, you can input the individual settings of your bow. Notice that at 250 FPS this value cannot be achieved. While KE is an important factor in penetration, momentum is also critical because it determines the arrows ability to push through the target. Every bow gains efficiency a little differently. If youre planning on using 450 grain arrows, the information above suggests that your arrow will leave the crossbow at a speed of around 380 FPS (95% of 400). Scope sights have an advantage as they can easily be raised higher above the flight rail by simply installing higher rings, when this is done the crossbow will sight-in differently and appear to have a flatter trajectory, which is a good thing. You can measure arrow speed using optical chronographs, Doppler chronographs, or laptop-based audio applications. Kinetic energy (KE) is a measure of an arrows ability to transfer energy upon impact, and a higher KE can result in greater penetration and stopping power. You can assume, roughly, that an arrows kinetic energy is reduced by around 3-4% for every 10 yards it travels. Spine is measured by the number of inches a shaft deflects (bends) X 1000. 2022 Bear Alaskan Right-Handed 55-70 lb Model, Arrow Weight 423 grains (Easton Axis 5mm Arrows) , Additional Weight on Bowstring 20 grains. One thing to remember is that while kinetic energy provides the impact of your arrow on your intended target, what it doesnt necessarily provide is information on your arrows ability to penetrate and travel through your target. While it is based on the bow speed IBO specification, you can input the individual settings of your bow. As the arrow travels downrange it is constantly slowing down and dropping toward the ground, the further it travels, the faster it falls to the ground. What allows an arrow to ethically and effectively kill wild game is a combination of kinetic energy and momentum. If you were to shoot a 500 grain arrow from the exact same crossbow, its initial speed would be roughly 90% of 350, or around 315 FPS. . So the important question right now is: how much does initial arrow speed drop as its weight goes up? Knowing I shot my 315-grain antelope arrow at 309 FPS, I entered that data to find the most efficient arrow weight for my new whitetail arrow. A lighter arrow produces more arrow speed, but an increase in arrow weight (incremented by 25 grains) can increase and eventually decrease arrow kinetic energy. You will need to provide total arrow weight and initial speed for the calculation to be effective, as well as some other optional info (see below). You are welcome to share it, as long as you mention www.bestcrossbowsource.com as the original source of the data / research. *This Calculator Was Developed With The Help of The Ashby Bow Foundation*. Moisture and rain will slow the arrow's flight. As such we decided to use 400 grain arrows, as this was bound to yield results most closely resembling those that a new crossbow buyer will experience when shooting the arrows in their crossbow package. draw weight, and 350-grain arrow. 12.8 330. Momentum: 0.111 slugs. Momentum is often considered more important for hunting because it can help the arrow maintain its penetration potential. For the least effort, draw your bow, aim at the top bullseye with your top pin, and check to see if from 50 yards your 50-yard pin, for example, coordinates with the bullseye covering your 50-yard group. Calculations are largely based on the Exterior Ballistics of Bows and Arrows paper. A 10 ft-lbs difference in KE can potentially result in a noticeable difference in the arrows ability to effectively penetrate the animal and cause a humane kill. We strongly recommend reading our detailed kinetic energy tests and guide for more information. Arrow Speed Formula: You can determine the speed of the arrow along with other crucial parameters by using the following arrow speed equation: v = IBO+ (L30)10W/3 + min (0, (A5D/3) where: v = Actual Arrow speed in feet per second (ft/s) IBO = Speed of the arrow according to the IBO specifications L = Draw length measured in inches But it cannot. You can go to heavy with an arrow, but the answer is not as simple as that. Here are a few rules of thumb to remember: The Kinetic Energy and Momentum Calculators here use the gravitational constant to give you the best results for kinetic energy and momentum. The IBO standard began as a means to regulate archery competitions, but the majority of bow companies have adopted its guidelines to standardize the measurement ofarrowspeed for the purposes of setting bow specifications. 44 Yards - Maximum Effective Hunting Range. Even at 275 FPS you only get close to it at 10 yards out. The arrow speed calculator above provides a quick estimation. You should be able to successfully harvest If you change the values on your draw weight, draw length, and arrow weight; you will see how these changes impact your arrow speed, kinetic energy, and momentum. Here are some interesting things to note, based on the kinetic energy chart at the top of this page: #1: Kinetic energy drops are fairly predictable. 550 grain arrows will fly at ~85.5% of initial speed To calculate your arrow's kinetic energy you need to know two variables: 1) your total finished arrow weight in grains, and 2) the velocity of your arrow. Bowhunting of any kind is a short range affair and is best kept under 35 Yards. This calculator is based on average efficiency gains as arrow weight is increased from 5 grains per pound (IBO). 450 grain arrows will fly at ~95% of initial speed Arrow Ballistics Calculator Kinetic Energy, Drop, Speed, Momentum, Crossbow Kinetic Energy Chart, Calculations, Hunting Requirements, Crossbow Arrow Drop Charted Test Results. But that rarely happens, and heres why. Let us see how to use this tool: Begin by indicating the IBO rating in fps in the Bow IBO rating field. Now check the distance and estimate the speed below: If you are using a recurve bow, arrows can travel at up to 225 feet per second (fps) or 150mph, while arrows from a compound bow travel at up to 300 fps (200mph). Because there is a huge difference between shooting a deer with a 300 FPS crossbow and a 400 FPS (or faster) model. If you open any online store that is selling them, you'd see that the speed of the arrows (measured in FPS or feet per second) that are launched by each listed model is their most prominent feature. To achieve this the arrow will actually intersect with the line of sight twice, giving you a dead center hold on the target for many yards without hold-over or hold-under. Also, make sure to check out our best crossbow rankings for a scoop on the top equipment on the market. Draw weight: The more draw weight you pull, the faster the arrow will fly. Draw length LLL This is the distance that the string is pulled back. Reduce the IBO speed until the calculator shows the verified speed of 315; in this case the correct IBO value would be 346 fps This calculator is based on average efficiency gains as arrow weight is increased from 5 grains per pound (IBO). As the older bows were less efficient out of the box, they naturally have more room for improvement. It will give you a rough idea of how fast an arrow travels after changing the bow from the recommended specifications. Not too long after that came the advent of the speed bow, and soon, almost every bow on the market was capable of hurling anarrowat 300 fps. *Initial speed = our base speed determined using a 400 grain arrow: 425 grain arrows will fly at ~97.5 of initial speed When you input your bow and arrows information in the calculator below, you can see right away what your arrows potential is. If you try to do all of these calculations by hand, keep in mind what units you actually use! The same is true of a crossbow arrow. While there are other factors to consider when setting up a compound bow for hunting, all bowhunters want to shoot as fast an arrow as they can with their bow setup. In arrow flight, trajectory refers to the exact arcing path the arrow travels from the crossbow to the target downrange, as soon as the arrow leaves the power of the bowstring it is subjected to atmosheric drag (slowing it down) and gravity (pulling the arrow down to earth). The heavier the arrow is, the faster gravity will pull it toward the ground, but arrows or bolts do not have an even weight throughout. Which results in easier aiming and thus, in improved precision. For example, if you increase the draw weight by 5 pounds the speed of your arrows can increase by 10 fps. Simply put, many of the best crossbows available on the market nowadays (2015) receive their speed ratings based on arrows weighing roughly 400 grain. A longer draw length results in a longer power stroke than a shorter draw length, allowing the bow to store more energy that then is transferred to the arrow. The second conclusion is that this drawback of shooting slow weapons can be remedied to a good extent by simply reducing the distance we attempt shots at. So when you see a certain crossbow rated at 350 FPS, for example, this was most likely calculated using a 400, maybe 425 grain arrow. Sight compensation of trajectory. *All data are approximate. FOC stands for Front of Center balance point. Nevertheless, most archers do not use these exact parameters. 2. Example - A 70#/29" bow that's rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with a 400 grain arrow. Please keep in mind that this approach will only give you close estimates, and that it becomes a less accurate the further out we go (I wouldnt suggest using it for anything beyond 70 yards, which is far beyond what youll be hunting from anyway). 475 grain arrows will fly at ~92.3% of initial speed At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. Actual ballistics data will vary slightly based on weather conditions and how high above sea level you are. Power stroke is the distance, in inches, that the string accelerates an arrow down a crossbow's flight rail. The chart below, and the research conducted is copyrighted material and is the property of BestCrossbowSource. There are a few more things that impact how fast your arrow is traveling after you shoot. If you want to learn more about momentum and how to calculate it, we have a dedicated momentum calculator that you might enjoy! True Zero; True zero when sighting in a crossbow is the second point at which the line of sight intersects with the arrows path in the arrows trajectory arc. Corrected IBO Example - A 70#/29" bow that's rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with a 400 grain arrow. For every 3 grains of total arrow weight above draw weight multiplied by 5, subtract 1 ft/s from the IBO value. . You want to know the arrow's speed when you increase both the draw length and the arrow weight. Bowstring weight WWW Adding accessories to a bowstring impacts its speed; for every 3 grains of extra weight on the bowstring, deduct 1 fps from the IBO number. Practice has proved that shooting with a faster crossbow reduces or entirely eliminates the probability of this. . You should adjust the arrow speed given by the IBO specification according to the following rules: All of these rules can be put in one common equation: You can also use the arrow speed calculator to find the momentum and the kinetic energy of the arrow. Once you have this figure, you can calculate the kinetic energy produced by your bow. Another common speed rating is the ATA rating, which uses a 30-inch draw length, 70 lb. As you might expect, a heavier arrow flies slower than a smaller and lighter one. Ever wonder exactly how much kinetic energy is released by an arrow, based on its initial speed and distance traveled? Bows 5-10 years old will tend to gain efficiency faster than one that is brand new. The rule of thumb was that for every added inch of draw length, you increase raw arrow speed by approximately 10-15 fps. This arrow speed calculator allows you to accurately determine the speed of an arrow. Chasing 300 fps? We are working to correct this issue. For every inch of draw length under 30, subtract 10 ft/s from the IBO value. During my teens, I spent countless hours with my dad in our archery shop, buildingarrows, tuning bows, and then testing their performance right outside in our backyard. Knowing how your arrow speed changes with the increase in arrow weight, you can now easily figure out the new kinetic energy: For instance, if you know your crossbow shoots your current 400 grain arrows with a speed of 400 FPS, our chart above tells you to expect 124.8 ft-lb of kinetic energy at 30 yards. Mike is a Veteran who served 21 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Sergeant Major from the 5th Special Forces Group. Hopefully you find the above charts and information useful in determining what crossbow to buy and how kinetic energy changes based on arrow weight and speed. Arrow weight AAA If you guessed that the size and weight of an arrow influence its speed, you're correct. Draw length: A longer draw length creates a longer power stroke than a shorter draw length, allowing the bow to store more energy. The values in the table below come from the following bow and its associated settings. Use this tool to optimize your arrows now. 1 slug equals 32.174 ft-lbs. Arrow weight: Again, the rule of thumb is that for every 5 grains of added arrow weight, you will drop raw speed by 1-2 fps. When you properly sight-in your crossbow for hunting you want to have a flat trajectory, the flatter the better. The momentum of an arrow is linked to arrow penetration. The most critical factor is the IBO speed entered as this is the starting point of the calculations. For example, it takes approximately 40 ft/lbs(+or-) of kinetic energy to kill a whitetail deer. For every inch of draw length under 30, subtract 10 feet per second (fps) from the IBO-rated speed value. Knowing the rough speed at which your arrow will fly, you can now use our kinetic energy calculator to quickly figure out your arrows initial kinetic energy. And remember, in bowhunting speed is good but it is far from everything. To calculate arrow speed, measure the distance in inches between the two groups of arrows you shot from 20 and 40 yards. The arrow ballistics calculator below will help you determine your arrows vertical drop, speed, kinetic energy and momentum, for up to 70 yards out in 10 yard increments. ), Any additional weight on your bowstring (nock loop, peep, etc.). The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. For every inch you reduce, the draw length reduces around 10 fps of your bow speed. Values below should be considered very close estimates of what you will experience in the field (a 2% margin of error should be assumed). TenPoint today unveiled its new-for-2022 Nitro 505, the fastest crossbow in company history and one that sets a new industry standard with an advertised speed of 505 feet per second with 400-grain bolts. An arrows momentum is defined by how much force is required to stop an object. For every inch of draw length above 30, add 10 ft/s to the IBO value. 600 grain arrows will fly at ~82.5% of initial speed. 3. Notice that our recommendation for elk hunting is 65 ft-lbs of kinetic energy (this is a conservative value, you can get away with less). Lets find out. The factors that impact the overall speed of your arrow are: In addition, it is important to understand that sometimes even minor changes to your draw length, draw weight, and arrow weight can seriously affect the speed, kinetic energy, and momentum of your arrows when they are shot from your bow. If you look at the above chart you will notice that from 250 F.P.S. That's a tough question to answer. The sights on a crossbow compensate for arrow drop by their installed height and not all sights are installed at the same height so not all crossbows shoot the exact same trajectory in appearance. Archery & Crossbow Ballistics Calculator: Initial velocity: fps m/s Arrow mass: gr g Angle of departure MOA Shaft length: in cm Shaft diameter: in mm Vane length: in cm Vane height . A fast arrow has the flattest trajectory possible, and thats a good thing, for several reasons, the biggest being the leeway in aiming at a distant target at an unknown range. The overall weight of the weapon, its balance, arrow weight, ease of cocking, and precision are also important. By simply indicating the particular values of some parameters, this tool will help you calculate an arrow fps speed. (That lowers the reticle in the scope, meaning you have to raise the crossbow back to POA) If it hits high, increase your FPS in your profile settings until the arrow drops into the slot. Meaning that we can increase the speed by simply using a lighter shaft or broadhead, but that would actually reduce the penetration potential of the arrow because momentum is mostly affected by the weight of the projectile. Plan. Maximum Point Blank Range; Maximum point blank range when sighting in a crossbow is the height of the mid-range rise and the arrow drop beyond true zero, both are equal in measure. Modern crossbows typically generate speeds anywhere from 280-350 feet per second, with some models topping 400 fps. Archery Hunting 101: Bow Hunting for Beginners. Finally, enter the Additional weight on the string if this is known. And the greater the mass, the longer the energy stays in the arrow as it flies. We sometimes earn a small commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. To properly calculate momentum, use the following formula: Mass (Arrow Weight in grains) x Velocity (Arrow Speed (in fps)) / 225218 The result of this formula is calculated in slugs. Mine hits dead nuts from 30 out to 135 yards. For whitetail deer this requirement is lower any crossbow 250 FPS and up will be a safe pick. To exaggerate to make a point, a one-pound arrow would plummet to the ground the minute it left your barrel. Here is an example to demonstrate the use of the values above: Example: lets say you know your 400 grain arrow will fly at 350 FPS. And this is a bigger problem than you may think at the moment. Let us see how to use this tool: Begin by indicating the IBO rating in fps in the Bow IBO rating field. Two main ways in which speed affects precision: First, faster arrows have flatter trajectory, meaning they drop less as they fly toward their target. Bonus fps! Given enough time, deer would duck in preparation for a big jump. Heavy longbow arrows will move slower due to their weight. The greater the draw weight, the greater the speed of the arrow shot from the bow. 525 grain arrows will fly at ~87.8% of initial speed However, here you'll find a bit of a contradiction because heavier arrows result in slower speeds, meaning compromising speed might be necessary to avoid losing momentum and kinetic energy so rapidly. Considering that the vital area (heart and lungs) of a whitetail deer is 6" to 8", we can see how easy it is to miss the target when using a slower bow or a crossbow. Similar in design, the 35 3/4-inch-long Horton Storm RDX attains 370 fps from a 16 1/2-inch power stroke and 165-pound draw weight. move slider or enter value. *The number 225,218 is derived from converting grains to pounds and then . 1. We appreciate your help. To properly calculate kinetic energy, use the following formula: 1/2 Mass (Arrow Weight in grains divided by 2) x Velocity squared (Arrow Speed x Arrow Speed (in fps from the above formula)) / 225218 - The result of this formula is calculated in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Here are the results of a research that compared the effect of a deer jumping the string when shot using bows with different speeds at different distances: For instance, we can see that at 30 yards, a shot deer would drop about 6 inches before an arrow reaches it, if said arrow travels at 258 FPS. Execute. The chart below demonstrates the minimum, as well as recommended, kinetic energy, for hunting different-sized game. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. 4. ), Toughest Game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc. Mid-Range Rise; Mid-range rise when sighting in a crossbow is the highest point in the arrows trajectory between the point blank range and the true zero point. Crossbow Kinetic Energy Chart, Calculations, Hunting Requirements, Compare expected FPS across over 120 crossbows, Arrow Ballistics Calculator Kinetic Energy, Drop, Speed, Momentum, Crossbow Arrow Drop Charted Test Results, Best Hunting Crossbow For The Money in 2020. To properly calculate arrow speed, use the following formula: IBO Speed(in fps) + (Draw Length 30) x 10 Additional Weight on Bowstring (in grains) / 3 + MIN(0, (Arrow Weight(in grains) 5 x Draw Weight in Pounds) / 3 )). 13.6 320. When an arrow is shot from your bow, its impact, and ability to penetrate and make the kill is based not just on the speed of your bow. Putting it all into perspective. This equation assumes that your bow puts the same amount of energy into each arrow. All Rights Reserved. #3:Notall crossbows are suitable for hunting. In other words, how much force is required to stop an arrow? When you look at this and compare it to the table above, you can calculate what the right arrow can accomplish after you shoot it. The same team that conducted the above research suggested a way to calculate the effective range for each bow/crossbow model: Divide the crossbow velocity (in FPS) by 10. And second, faster arrows leave less time for the animal to react to the shot sound. Arrow Speed Calculator Bow Manufacturer IBO Speed move slider or enter value ft/sec Draw Weight move slider or enter value lbs Draw Length move slider or enter value inches Arrow Weight move slider or enter value grains Weight Added to String (20gr=peep only, 45gr=peep and tube) move slider or enter value 1. Because most animals tend to "jump the string". We shot 400 grain arrows from 9 different crossbows, achieving nine different initial speeds ranging from 200 to 400 FPS in 25 FPS increments. It will give you a rough idea of how fast an arrow travels after changing the bow from the recommended specifications. Thus, when a manufacturer touts its bow as having a speed of, say, 350 fps, the truth is that a hunting weight arrow of 400-450 grains from that same bow will initially leave the bow much slower especially if the draw weight and draw length are significantly reduced. At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. Let's consider the following example: you are analyzing the bow of IBO 300. Every 3 grains of additional weight on the bow string will subtract 1 foot per second from the IBO value. Crossbow Kinetic Energy 200 FPS 225 FPS 250 FPS 1/3 10 20 30 40 50 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 Yards travelled by arrow Kinetic Energy ( In food - pounds) Chart by Visualizer Anderson, SC, 2023 N1 Outdoors. The arrow speed calculator makes it easy to estimate the speed of an arrow! If you were to shoot a 600 grain arrow instead, your initial speed would be roughly 82.5% of 350, or around 290 FPS. This calculator is based on average efficiency gains as arrow weight is increased from 5 grains per pound (IBO). Now, there are a few bows rated at 350+ fps based on the International Bowhunting Organizations (IBO) standard. Calculate arrow fps speed How fast does my arrow travel. Reduce the IBO speed until the calculator shows the verified speed of 315; in this case, the correct IBO value would be 346 fps. For more information on Kinetic Energy and Momentum, please see Kinetic Energy, Momentum and Arrows Enter the arrow weight (grains) Enter the arrow speed (fps) Momentum = Kinetic Energy = Archery Report Sites Archery Report Archery Calculator The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. To find the distance that your arrow will travel, you can use the projectile motion calculator. As the older bows were less efficient out of the box, they naturally have more room for improvement. Arrow speed Value must be between 100 and 500 Feet Per Second. So, the closer you can get to your target, the more kinetic energy your arrow will have. Some of you might be in the position of owning an older model and wondering if upgrading to a 400 FPS+ model would have a great impact on your hunting experience. Factoring in the gravitational constant in both of those formulas for hunting arrows is necessary to account for the effect of gravity on the arrows motion.
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