Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bassman211 on October 16, 2025, 02:53:02 pm
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I am trying to build a target bow for target shooting at my club. I had a 40 lb. reflex deflex hickory bow that I reduced to 29 lbs., so that I can shoot a volley of 50 arrows with out fatigue. It is all I can handle now with complete control. The bow shoots a 355gr. arrow which is the lightest arrow I have available through my chrony at 135 fps. Speed doesn't mean that much for the purpose at hand, but I wondering with a 290 gr. arrow how much arrow speed would I expect to pick up ? JUST CURIOUS.
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Assuming the efficiency doesn't change and the lighter arrow gets the same amount of energy into it as the heavier arrow (possibly a large assumption), then you equate the kinetic energy of the two arrows and get
V2 = (m1/m2)1/2 x V1
V2 = (355/290)1/2 x 135 = 149fps
Mark
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Mark not knowing the math that sounds about right to me. Bassman get some 5/16 shafts cut them to your length. Let’s say they weigh 300 gr. at 30”. That’s shaft only. If you cut them shorter you will lose about 9–10 gr. Per inch. Then barrel the shaft to lose another 60-70 gr. Put a 60-70 grain field point on and finish the arrow. You will easily get to 300 gr. I have ground the back of field points down to 60gr. Also. Some work but you don’t brake many indoors. 2” fletchings will help on speed also.
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Thanks for the info Mark, and Arvin. I was guessing 140 fps. Present arrows bare shaft tuned nicely, but I would have no problems buying lighter arrows either. My arrow velocities always seem low, and some of it is, because my draw length is only 25 inches.
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I am trying to build a target bow for target shooting at my club. I had a 40 lb. reflex deflex hickory bow that I reduced to 29 lbs., so that I can shoot a volley of 50 arrows with out fatigue. It is all I can handle now with complete control. The bow shoots a 355gr. arrow which is the lightest arrow I have available through my chrony at 135 fps. Speed doesn't mean that much for the purpose at hand, but I wondering with a 290 gr. arrow how much arrow speed would I expect to pick up ? JUST CURIOUS.
If you want a faster bow, are you against building a new bow designed to shoot faster?
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What is your exact draw length and is the bow 29# at your draw length?
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Sleek... yes I would be interested in a better designed bow for more speed even at 25lb of draw. Badger... my draw length is 25 inches at 29 lbs. I use a mark on the arrow ,and a weight scale to check, and repeat, and check ,and repeat. Sleek....with your design, and you building the bow what would you expect in arrow speed with the information above? curious.
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Sleek... yes I would be interested in a better designed bow for more speed even at 25lb of draw. Badger... my draw length is 25 inches at 29 lbs. I use a mark on the arrow ,and a weight scale to check, and repeat, and check ,and repeat. Sleek....with your design, and you building the bow what would you expect in arrow speed with the information above? curious.
I might have some bows i could modify to those stats and find out actually. Ill have to check. With a properly weighted arrow, I see no reason why 170 fps cant be reached. The arrows would start to resemble flight arrows at that light draw though just due to the need for light spine and light weight to meet even a 10 grains per pound.
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At your draw length a well built D/r bow should give you about 150 fps using 350 grain arrows. Thats not bad for target shooting. I don't think I would want to go too far below the 350 grains.
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Badger... the bow is made from hickory first thing. Secondly it has no reflex left ,but has no set either. It is well tillered, and has a deep cut out shelf to get my arrow to tune properly. I wouldn't considerate it well built by your standards, or Mark, Arvin, or Sleek, or Dave. I would love to see you guys build a 25 to 30 lb. bow of your design choice for target shooting at 10gpp, and come up with your arrow velocities. Then I would know what to shoot for to enter the world of elite bow building. I am pretty sure Sleek will take the challenge. Can't wait to see what you come up with for any of you are willing to try. Thanks much guys.
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Bassman I have built five bows for a IBO world champion. He has a 25” draw and pulls 35 # at 25”. The design is this . 65” ntn , 8” non bend handle, all Osage, 1-3/4 at fades. 1/4” at tips. Came off the same caul as my 67” record bows. It’s pictured In the bow of the month post. What point on distance are you looking for? With your draw length you may shorten your arrows to 27-28” back of point. That will reduce the weight. Do you shoot gap or instinctively? Three rivers sells youth arrows I think are 28” back of point take the crappy points off and make 60 gr. Points for them. They have 2” fletchings . You need to straighten them though. They don’t put a lot of time in straight arrows.
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What kind of string are you using? An easy way to pick up speed is to cut down on the strands and switch to fast-flight-type string material.
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Arvin ....thank you for taking the time to post that valuable information. That will be my next build. Badger... yes you are right about strings. My tests were done with a 10 strand D97 string that had proper nock fit. I don't pay much attention to point on Arvin, and the max shooting distance is 20 yds. I shoot split vision focusing on the middle of the target, but being aware of my arrow point at aIl times. The more accurate way to shoot target is string walking, but I am not comfy shooting that way. The target is five for a dime sized center, a four inside the diameter of a Pepsi can, and a one is hitting the paper. 30 shots. possible 150 points. We shoot for score 2 times in the course of the evening. 60 shots which is the reason why I am shooting low poundage bows.
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Try an arrow cut to 28” back of point shoot it about 20 times i f you like it cut them all that long. Get you spine right and you should be good. But that just my opinion.
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I will eventually try all of the above ideas, and thanks again guys.
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One other comment....fluid release does pick up fps, but for target shooting I hold at full draw for 2 to 3 seconds causing friction making for slower arrow flight.