f you are someone who grabs a handful of random arrows each year randomly, you are not doing right. It is a must to understand how to measure arrow length and purchase accordingly. Selecting the right arrow length is easy, however, there are a couple of things that you should know.
You can measure an arrow’s length through various methods such as by determining your arm’s measurement, draw length, or other methods. Choosing the appropriate length not only results in improved performance but better safety as well.
Arrow manufacturers make numerous types of arrows to offer users a wide selection. From this exceptional range, you can pick the one that matches your bow. The final decision comes down to how to measure arrow length. Once you do, picking the right type and size for your bow will become hassle-free.
How To Measure Arrow Length In Simple Ways
Drawing the bolt beyond the arrow rest could be dangerous especially when the arrow is too short. Similarly, if it is too long, it would fail to maintain an accurate flight. These lengths differ for archers based on their experience. How far can a crossbow shoot and how far can a compound bow shoot greatly depends on arrow length.
If you have just started using a bow for the first time, measure your draw length and add 3 ¾ inches more to the measurement. The final figure is how long your arrow should be. Whereas, if you are a professional with consistent form, add ¾ or 1 ¾ inch more to your draw length. The final results will tell the length of your arrow.
Draw Length
Draw length measures how far you can pull back the bowstring using an arrow. It is probably the simplest way to understand how to measure arrow length. While draw length allows a user to determine their arrow length, it also impacts the overall arrow’s velocity.
Measuring draw length involves the following straightforward steps:
- Stand straight with both of your arms stretched out fully.
- Start from the end of the mid-finger of one hand and measure till the other. This physical measurement is known as ‘wingspan’.
- Now divide your total wingspan measurement by 2.5.
- The final figure is the draw length of your bow.
The draw length as well as arrow spine directly impact the length of an arrow. For instance, if the draw length is 28 in., the arrow should be 29 to 30 in. to end at the riser front. As a general rule, your arrow should always be an inch or two longer than the bow’s draw length.
Arrow Spine
It determines how much an arrow can bend or flex during the flight. Lower the arrow spines, the stiffer it would be. For instance, a 350 spine arrow bends lesser than a 500 spine arrow due to greater stiffness.
The best suited arrow spine depends on its length and both have an inverse relation. That said, longer the bow, lesser will be the spine and shorter the bow, higher will be the arrow spine.
According to the Easton spine chart, if your arrow is 30 in. long and the draw weight of the bow is 70 lbs., the spine will be measured as low as 250. This means the arrow will be less flexible and stiffer during the flight.
However, if you choose a 28 in. long arrow on the same bow, the arrow spine will shoot to 340. Simply put, if you want a low spine, choose an arrow length of more than 28 inches.
Draw Weight
It determines how much force an archer should exert to draw the arrow entirely. In longbows and recurve bows, the farther you pull the bow, the heavier the draw weight gets. Choosing the right draw weight and arrow size is important to achieve the flat trajectory of your shot. There are various types of bows in archery and require different arrow parts to accurately hit the target.
According to research, the bowman tried multiple combinations of draw weight and arrow length to achieve the most potent setup. He used a 350-grain arrow and pulled it beyond 70 lbs. As a result, the group size (1 group = 10 yds.) increased at places where the fast speed was no longer worthy of the reduction in accuracy.
Conclusion
When it comes to picking the appropriate length for your arrow, you have a lot to consider and think about. The common question is how to measure arrow length. While this is quite an easy process, people get confused due to the overabundance of information.
Measuring an arrow’s length is as simple as determining how long its shaft is. However, choosing what length arrows do I need was a lot more challenging. Make sure to consider factors like draw length, draw weight, and arrow spine carefully, and then choose one that fits all the requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
The standard arrow length for beginners is 28 in. However, the length varies from person to person and the draw length of the bow. That said, the best practice is to purchase an arrow that protrudes out of the arrow rest at least 1 inch. A couple more inches can ensure better safety too.
The method of measuring arrow length is the same for every bow. The distance from the start of the grip to the nock’s end is an arrow’s length. It can be determined using any measuring tape.
If the length of an arrow is too short, it can potentially hit the shooter. There are chances of ending up through the forearm or hand of the archer too. This is because the arrow pushes back slightly before it leaves the bow. A shorter arrow is less accurate and can fly abnormally and cause harm to anyone around.
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