Choosing the Appropriate Arrows is Vital in Archery

The type of arrow you use will be significant for the speed with which your bow will shoot. Even though you may have bought a bow with a high IBO speed such as over 300 fps, it won't be capable of reaching those speeds if you use a heavy fiberglass arrow. That being said, different arrows are made for different circumstances and you may need to use each type at some point or another.

There are a few features that are crucial in what makes a good arrow, namely weight, spine and straightness. Straightness and weight just about speak for themselves, as for the spine, it requires a little more explanation. When we talk about spine we are referring to the amount of displacement of the center point when it is launched. An arrow with a high spine will not flex as much as an arrow with a low spine. The level of spine that an arrow has depends on the stiffness of the materials in the shaft as well as the geometery of the shaft. Ideally you want this flex to be the same each time you shoot an arrow, but consistent spine is difficult to achieve.

The key to shooting accuracy isn't so much in the type of compound bow you use because they are all fitted with many of the same features. Where you will really find your edge is in a judicious choice of arrows, both in the quality of manufacture and the materials they are made from. Ensure the arrows you buy are straight, that they suit the bow and the type of shooting you will be doing. Your draw length will also influence the length of the arrow you need.

The four most common materials used to make arrows are fiberglass, wood, aluminum and carbon. We will look at the positives and negatives of each as well as the uses for each.

Wood was the original material of choice for arrows when bows were first invented and wooden arrows are still used today. Wood is an easy medium to work with, it's reasonably durable and flexible, they are also cheap. It has only been in more recent times that wooden arrows have been replaced with other materials. Wooden arrows can be used for indoor or outdoor shooting with equal performance. They can have a tendency to warp or bend making their flight less true.

Carbon arrows are strong, lightweight and fast through the air. They are meant to be shot by modern bows that can handle the lighter weighted arrows. Although they are called carbon arrows, and there are pure carbon arrows available, the most common kind of carbon arrow is an aluminum/carbon mix that gives the arrow added strength and durability. Carbon arrows are not as long than aluminum arrows which helps make them fast. They are for shooting over long distances and maintain their shape well. Carbon arrows are pricey so it will become costly if you have to replace them regularly.

Fiberglass arrows are heavier than other arrows and are usually used as a training arrow. Although they are more durable than wooden arrows and can be made to differing sizes to match the archer, they still tend to break quite easily and people tend to prefer aluminum arrows. Fiberglass comes into its own through the fact that the arrows can be made more consistent from one arrow to the next making their flight more reliable.

Aluminum arrows are used extensively by indoor target competitors. They are also used for archery tournaments. Aluminum arrows are also suited to beginner archers because of their resilience if they miss the target. The aluminum arrows are not as expensive as other types and easily replaced if they are damaged, broken or lost. There is also a consistency in their manufacture so you are less likely to get a bent or warped shaft. You can easily replace the arrow tips in aluminum arrows allowing you to keep the arrows for a long time.

There is no doubt that buying a compound bow is an important step when taking up the sport of archery, but as we have seen, it's just as important to choose arrows wisely and carefully. You may think that you are saving money by skimping on the cost of your arrows, but you may actually be dragging down the worth of your bow.