What weight is considered a heavy arrow

[Don W]

And when is it to heavy (keeping hunting big game in mind)

[Pat B]

I'd say anything over 10grs per pound of draw weight would be a heavy arrow. Consistency would be a limiting factor in an arrow's physical weight. 1000grs wouldn't be too heavy for some heavy game like water buffalo.

[JW_Halverson]

1) What are you hunting?

2) What is the draw weight of the bow?

[Don W]

Whitetail and 45, 50 or 55#.

[Pat B]

500gr to 600gr would be about average for a hunting arrow for 50# to 60#@28". Anything over that I would consider heavy.

[JW_Halverson]

Whitetail ribs break easy, easier when hit by a cut-on-contact broadhead.

10 grains per lb of draw weight will serve you just fine. If you were hunting something with a heavy coat, like black bear, I might suggest a heavier arrow. If you were hunting wild hog, I would definitely suggest a heavier arrow to get through that tough hide and armor-like shield under the skin.

[Allyn T]

Anything under 2000 grains and you might as well be throwing toothpicks.        ; )

[Gimlis Ghost]

A dead heavy arrows used to a limited extent with the English War Bow were like mini javelins, 36" or longer and a half inch thick at the head tapering back to about 3/8" at the nock. With a very heavy head.
I figure these were meant more for dropping a charger in its tracks than anything else. Much like the large caliber muskets and horse pistols , since those were shear overkill when used against humans.
Arrows that size dropping in among lightly armored infantry would be terrifying.

Many primitive tribes used and still use arrows even longer and heavier.

[Knoll]

If you have not yet found Mr Ashby's foundation, you'll find useful info there.
https://www.ashbybowhunting.org/

[Don W]

If you have not yet found Mr Ashby's foundation, you'll find useful info there.
https://www.ashbybowhunting.org/

Thanks for that. I had not found it.

[burchett.donald]

   Thanks Knoll, interesting read...As a hunter you learn to appreciate the heavier side...Kinetic energy along with perfect flight is the key for penetration...

[Knoll]

Yes, achieving great arrow flight is so so important.
Thanks to Dr Ashby's work, I've been persuaded that it's momentum at impact point, rather than kinetic energy at bow, that is determinant re penetration.
And recent work by Ranch Fairy (YT contributor and member of Ashby Foundation) has shown that kinetic energy out of the bow are closely grouped within wide range of arrow weights . . . but momentum at point of impact is widely dispersed from lightweight (less) to heavy (more) arrows.

[burchett.donald]

       Knoll, I have sat an thought many times on the impact down range...There is a perfect weight combination for each bow / arrow set up where the weight of the shaft doesn't impede the bows performance to push and become to sluggish...That is if one can find that "magic number"..I ran a few tests years ago changing point weight and measuring penetration on a new soft block type target. My findings at the time with my set up @ 57 lbs. was that the upper 600's gave me the deepest penetration @ 15 yds...That was just some back yard stuff and not real scientific...There are so many variables that come into play that I could go bonkers...I even found myself at one point carrying a small snuff can of lard to dip and coat the tips of my stone points in to keep the entry slick...Stone, pitch and sinew are not naturally slick against wet, sticky/bloody, hairy and flexible animal hides...I have found through bow hunting well over thirty years with  compounds, trad and then what I would consider Abo, that the heavy shaft gives you more "momentum of impact" down range agreed...
       It would be interesting to see maybe a chart where someone has tested a wide range of different weight shafts penetration from a given weight bow to determine best penetration from a given yardage...That would take some work, so many variables to consider...Perfect flight is a must...Bare shafting is key for me to achieve great flight

  Thanks again for the link to Dr. Ashby's work...
                                                                                                                                                             Don

[Knoll]

Donald, many of your conclusions are the same as Dr Ashby. And he (and his colleagues) had the advantage of being able to carefully study literally hundreds of fresh kills.      
And, unlike me  , Ashby had the knowledge of physics to explain the "whys".

[BowEd]

With an efficient 45# bow 550 to 650 grained perfect flying arrow shafts sharpened to a razors edge flying 165 to 170 fps. the deer does'nt have a chance [an elk either] if it's put in the sweet spot.If I had a choice between using a 10 grain arrow or a 12 to 13 grain arrow I'd use the heavier every time for hunting.10 grain arrows off a 50# bow are considered target shooting arrows by me.
Dr. Ashbys' findings are sound as brick of gold.Many including me have adopted his findings.
Perfect for us under 20 yard shooting hunters.
Another benefit is that most hunting type bows if over built a tad become more efficient shooting heavier arrows.
When deer hunting it's all about putting the odds in your favor in every catagory of hunting.