Its only from 300 FPS and up that you get enough kinetic energy at all feasible hunting distances (up to 50 yards) to be able to comfortably hunt elk. Modern crossbows typically generate speeds anywhere from 280-350 feet per second, with some models topping 400 fps. There are a few more things that impact how fast your arrow is traveling after you shoot. #2: Even a 50 FPS speed difference alters kinetic energy significantly. 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. Remember, the speed of your arrow is at the point of the shot. If you know your arrow's weight (in grains) and your arrow's speed (Feet Per Second), then you can use our Kinetic Energy and Momentum calculator above to find out each! Corrected IBO Example - A 70#/29" bow that's rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with . For your reference, an estimated peep only weight is 20 grains, and a peep + tube is 45 total grains. Keep in mind that most IBO ratings are not real-world numbers. In the table below, you will see some base values there already, they are there to show you an example of a real-world situation with real values and what they look like when compared to a mid-range bow and mid-range set of arrows. 44 Yards - Maximum Effective Hunting Range. 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. 600 grain arrows will fly at ~82.5% of initial speed. But a bowling ball moving at the same speed is a whole different matter. Copyright 2023 The Everyday Bow Hunter. 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. 500 grain arrows will fly at ~90% of initial speed Also, make sure to check out our best crossbow rankings for a scoop on the top equipment on the market. How far can you shoot a crossbow? Decide on the draw weight and the arrow weight. Balanced Bowhunting 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 If you want to learn more about momentum and how to calculate it, we have a dedicated momentum calculator that you might enjoy! When you properly sight-in your crossbow for hunting you want to have a flat trajectory, the flatter the better. As the arrow moves through space, the kinetic energy drops. In closing, using an arrow speed calculator will provide a solid estimate; however, you have to shoot your hunting weight arrow through a chronograph to know exactly how fast it is flying. And the greater the mass, the longer the energy stays in the arrow as it flies. Draw weight: The more draw weight you pull, the faster the arrow will fly. 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. 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. Nevertheless, most archers do not use these exact parameters. By simply indicating the particular values of some parameters, this tool will help you calculate an arrow fps speed. 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. Power stroke is the distance, in inches, that the string accelerates an arrow down a crossbow's flight rail. As a general rule, with every 10 pound increase in draw weight, arrow speed rises by around 20 fps. As such we recommend that elk hunters stick to 300 FPS or more. At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. Arrow Ballistics Calculator Kinetic Energy, Drop, Speed, Momentum, Crossbow Kinetic Energy Chart, Calculations, Hunting Requirements, Crossbow Arrow Drop Charted Test Results. Use the Arrow Efficiency Calculator to find the optimal arrow for your bowhunting setup. Every inch of draw length above 30 will add 10 feet per second to the IBO value. If your target is to find how fast an arrow travels, then you aim right because the arrow speed calculator will easily help you with that With this archery calculator, you'll also be able to identify the different factors and what values can help you improve your arrow's speed. We appreciate your help. 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. How far will it penetrate? We have not done very precise tests to figure this out (we will update this post when we do), however a very close estimate would be to assume the following. Which leaves us with the only valid option for increasing the FPS of a crossbow: buying a faster model in the first place! All of these parameters are summarized in an equation that you can use to estimate the actual arrow speed: With this archery calculator, you can also find the momentum and kinetic energy of an arrow. The chart below demonstrates the minimum, as well as recommended, kinetic energy, for hunting different-sized game. Bowstring weight: Adding weight to a bowstring (peep sight, string silencers, string loop) will affect raw speed, but not by much. In the majority of cases once a peep is added the speed will only be a few fps off but the ratings of some bows are significantly off. Please keep in mind that the values below assume the crossbow configuration is not altered, and that the only change is in arrow weight. About the time I reached my fathers then age, technology changed drastically, making it possible for bow companies to achieve 300 fps with a hunting bow. 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. While it is based on the bow speed IBO specification, you can input the individual settings of your bow. FOC stands for Front of Center balance point. By drawing your bow, you convert mechanical energy (ME) and store it as potential energy (PE) in the bow limbs. For every 3 grains of total arrow weight above draw weight multiplied by 5, subtract 1 ft/s from the IBO value. Finally, using our arrow ballistics calculator (which requires that both arrow speed and mass are known) we determined the values plotted in the chart below. A 70#/29 bow that's rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with a 400 grain arrow. 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. But let's get a bit more precise (pun unintended): Aside from your aiming skills, animals jumping the string is the most common reason for disappointing results on hunting trips with a crossbow. And this is a bigger problem than you may think at the moment. The Doppler chronograph is fast and easy to use. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 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. Crossbow speeds are usually measured in feet-per-second (FPS). 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). You can check this calculator to see how fast the arrows lose height at different flight speeds. For example, it takes approximately 40 ft/lbs(+or-) of kinetic energy to kill a whitetail deer. This arrow speed calculator allows you to accurately determine the speed of an arrow. Thats a massive difference in a hunting scenario. 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. And of course, most of us operate within a more or less fixed budget and don't enjoy the idea of spending $3k-$4k on one of the latest and greatest models. 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. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. You will find that most modern bows are more than capable of killing most game animals. Three main factors determine how fast a crossbow will shoot: power stroke, draw weight and arrow weight. Another common speed rating is the ATA rating, which uses a 30-inch draw length, 70 lb. So if we have 100 ft-lb initial energy (at 0 yards), at 10 yards you can expect roughly 97-97 ft-lbs. This is what we included: The IBO speed is used as a standardized speed rating for bows. This does not affect or reflect on our recommendations or opinions. The speed decreases exponentially as the arrow travels. 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. 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. 2. Ever wonder exactly how much kinetic energy is released by an arrow, based on its initial speed and distance traveled? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. This should set your correct arrow speed and make the ballistics calculator work for you. Once you have this figure, you can calculate the kinetic energy produced by your bow. These records provide information on the performance of different components in a computer system when running specific games or applications. For every inch of draw length under 30, subtract 10 feet per second (fps) from the IBO-rated speed value. Bowhunting of any kind is a short range affair and is best kept under 35 Yards. 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. Lets find out. IBO Speed (feet per second) This average will get most bows within a few percent of real-world speeds. High Velocity; 325 - 375 feet per second arrow speed crossbows. Putting it all into perspective. A 70#/29 bow thats rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with a 400 grain arrow. there is very little difference in trajectory when you sight in at the recommended distance that is supplied with most crossbows. The IBO method (detailed in the arrow speed calculator instructions above) sets up a bow and an arrow weighing 5 grains per lb. Before we see how to calculate bow speed, let's go through the main factors that influence the arrow speed to better understand how the actual speed is determined: Draw weight DDD This is the force required to pull a bow, expressed in pounds. Point Weight (Grains) 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. 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. Practice has proved that shooting with a faster crossbow reduces or entirely eliminates the probability of this. 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. And your arrow would fly over it or hit a less desirable area, like the spine of the animal. If it doesn't, adjust your 50-yard pin until it centers on the 50-yard bullseye when you're at full draw. *All data are approximate. Do 100 FPS make such an impactful difference? We strongly recommend reading our detailed kinetic energy tests and guide for more information. View Results* Dark Blue: Optimal arrow weight. 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 number 225,218 is derived from converting grains to pounds and then . 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. 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. In the calculator below, we measure this in slugs. Momentum: 0.111 slugs. The chart below, and the research conducted is copyrighted material and is the property of BestCrossbowSource. Many bowhunters buy arrows that fit their bow, their draw weight, and their draw length; but fail to understand the unique characteristics of each arrow and the arrows ability to penetrate and kill the wild game they are hunting. Chasing 300 fps? ), Toughest Game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc. 1 slug equals 32.174 ft-lbs. For every 3 grains of additional weight on the bowstring, subtract 1 ft/s from the IBO value. Sight compensation of trajectory. With that said, the average efficiency curve utilized for the calculator is based on various bows from APA, Elite, Bowtech, Hoyt, and PSE ranging from 40lbs up to 85lbs. For the most accurate results, it is best to use a known speed and known arrow weight under 6 grain per pound to determine your corrected IBO value. Kinetic Energy Vs Momentum for Hunting? The gravitational constant (g) is the acceleration due to gravity, which is 32.174 feet per second per second at sea level. Anderson, SC, 2023 N1 Outdoors. 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. When using the calculator above, input your values and then compare them to those values in the tables below. Bow Manufacturer IBO Speed (ft/sec) Draw Weight (lbs) Draw Length (inches) Arrow Weight (grains) Weight Added to String (grains) (20gr = peep only, 45gr = peep and tube) Arrow Speed 0 ft/sec 0 mph Arrow Kinetic Energy 0 ft-lbs. Point Blank Range; Point blank range when sighting in a crossbow is the first point at which the line of sight intersects with the arrows path in the arrows trajectory arc. of draw weight your bow is reduced, raw arrow speed is reduced 15-20 fps. Using everyday masking tape, you can easily calculate the power stroke of your bow. Reduce the IBO speed until the calculator shows the verified speed of 315; in this case, the correct IBO value would be 346 fps. 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. 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. Finally, enter the Additional weight on the string if this is known. Every 3 grains of total arrow weight above draw weight multiplied by 5, will subtract 1 foot per second from the IBO value. Which means that if you want to be able to reliably hit live targets at 40 yards, you better have a crossbow that is able to launch arrows at 400 FPS or more. Heavy longbow arrows will move slower due to their weight. 15.5 300. 575 grain arrows will fly at ~84% of initial speed 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 Plan. This average will get most bowswithin a few percent of real-world speeds. You can also see how increasing your arrow weight will increase kinetic energy and momentum, but then decrease kinetic energy when the speed of your arrow decreases to the point where it can no longer provide the force necessary to increase your arrows lethality. Thus these values of speed, momentum, and kinetic energy, are only valid within a specific distance range. 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. Most professional bows use the IBO (International Bowhunting Organization) specification. *NOTE: The calculator below will provide you with an estimate based on your inputs. 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. of draw weight. Because most animals tend to "jump the string". The arrow speed calculator above provides a quick estimation. This tool should get you close to that. To exaggerate to make a point, a one-pound arrow would plummet to the ground the minute it left your barrel. Speed is needed to make the arrow arrive at its target quickly, but arrow speed is not what kills the animals you shoot with your bow. Let us see how to use this tool: Begin by indicating the IBO rating in fps in the Bow IBO rating field. Using the calculator above, you can see how changing even the smallest things can affect the lethality of your hunting arrows. At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. 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). Every inch of draw length under 30 will subtract 10 ft per second from the IBO value. A heavy arrow will produce a great deal of arrow momentum even at the price of arrow speed, but will eventually go down as arrow speed decreases. The calculator assumes average air density and air viscosity. Mike is an avid archery hunter and brings a military methodology to his hunting and life. We sometimes earn a small commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. And second, faster arrows leave less time for the animal to react to the shot sound. Reduce the IBO speed until the calculator shows the verified speed of 315; in this case, the correct IBO value would be 346 fps. The size of the heart/lung area is around 8 inches on a average size deer weighing 120 pounds. 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 )). Arrow weight AAA If you guessed that the size and weight of an arrow influence its speed, you're correct. With that said, the average efficiency curve utilized for the calculator is based on various bows from APA, Elite, Bowtech, Hoyt, and PSE ranging from 40lbs up to 85lbs. 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). Bow/Arrow Speed Calculator (Estimate from IBO/ATA) This calculator will estimate the speed of the bow/arrow based on the speed rating of the manufacturer and individual setup of the bow. To calculate arrow speed, measure the distance in inches between the two groups of arrows you shot from 20 and 40 yards. Generally speaking, adding 20 grains of overall weight to the string will only deduct about 5 fps off the raw arrow speed. Total string accessory weights in grains (peep, tube, silencers, etc.). The momentum of an arrow is linked to arrow penetration. You want to know the arrow's speed when you increase both the draw length and the arrow weight. , which happens to be the most important factor in regard to hunting with archery equipment. If the exact speed is not available, use the Bow/Arrow Speed Calculator to estimate the arrow speed. You can go to heavy with an arrow, but the answer is not as simple as that. In general, all three methods can be used with equal success as there is little difference in measured speed. The Archery & Crossbow Ballistic Calculator is an easy-to-use tool for calculating the flight path, the velocity and the energy of crossbow and bow arrows. As you know, IBO speed is a standard measure of the speed of a bow, and by using it as a baseline for all calculations, our calculator can provide you with accurate and reliable results. For every inch of draw length above 30, add 10 ft/s to the IBO value. This calculator is based on average efficiency gains as arrow weight is increased from 5 grains per pound (IBO). 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. For more information on understanding arrow weight and FOC click here. This is because the large draw weight imparts more energy to the arrow. They see a bows IBO speed rating listed, and assume they will get that raw arrow speed, or maybe a little better if they buy that bow. Draw length: A longer draw length creates a longer power stroke than a shorter draw length, allowing the bow to store more energy. The optical chronograph is insensitive to shooting distance, but shooting errors can destroy the chronograph. At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. Models at the high end of this spectrum tend to cost a lot so we should be pretty confident the top velocities bring equally impressive results before spending the cash. The overall weight of the weapon, its balance, arrow weight, ease of cocking, and precision are also important. 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). #3:Notall crossbows are suitable for hunting. Kinetic Energy & Momentum Calculator Find out the kinetic energy of your arrow or bolt using the following simple calculator. 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. of KE. If you use the chart above to compare kinetic energy between a 350 FPS and a 300 FPS crossbow, youll notice that the first one delivers significantly more KE at 50 yards, than the second crossbow does at even 10 yards! Point Blank Range; Point blank range when sighting in a crossbow is the first point at which the line of sight intersects with the arrows path in the arrows trajectory arc. 550 grain arrows will fly at ~85.5% of initial speed It's also worth noting that these variables are affected not just by the arrow's speed vvv but also by its mass AAA. Arrow Velocity Arrow Mass Your kinetic energy is 0 foot pounds, and your momentum is 0 slug FPS. As the older bows were less efficient out of the box, they naturally have more room for improvement. 475 grain arrows will fly at ~92.3% of initial speed Use this tool to optimize your arrows now. To make the change inarrow, I went back to ourArrow Efficiency Calculator. Created by the International Bowhunter's Organization, the IBO speed is given as a speed value in feet per second (fps or ft/s), and the higher this number is, the higher the speed that could be achieved with that particular bow. Light Blue: Range of efficient arrow weights. Now, enter the Draw length of the bow. Draw length: A longer draw length creates a longer power stroke than a shorter draw length, allowing the bow to store more energy. 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. Arrow speed Value must be between 100 and 500 Feet Per Second. You can calculate your arrow's KE and express it in foot-pounds. If this tool does not calculate, please refresh the page and try again. So let's focus on that. For example, if you increase the draw weight by 5 pounds the speed of your arrows can increase by 10 fps. And remember, in bowhunting speed is good but it is far from everything. The crossbow community has been obsessed with velocity ever since the resurgence of the crossbow as a viable weapon for hunting. In other words, how much force is required to stop an arrow? Even at 275 FPS you only get close to it at 10 yards out. For every inch of draw length under 30, subtract 10 ft/s from the IBO value. Arrow drop test results Every bow gains efficiency a little differently. This calculator is based on average efficiency gains as arrow weight is increased from 5 grains per pound (IBO). 12.8 330. 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. These will result in relatively small variations that you should not worry much about. Draw length LLL This is the distance that the string is pulled back. Kinetic Energy: 5.55 foot-pounds. Simply put, many of the best crossbows available on the market nowadays (2015) receive their speed ratings based on arrows weighing roughly 400 grain. 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. Arrow speed is determined by your bows IBO speed (fps), your draw weight (in pounds lbs)), your draw length (in inches), the arrows total weight (in grains), and the weight of what is on the bowstring (in grains) as outlined above.
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