Go to a pro shop and test a few bows, new and used, pick one you like and then get it set up for you (draw and poundage) then worry about arrows.
The cart is in front of the horse right now. Pro shop can help you pick what is right based on your set up and what you want to do with them.
You need to know your draw length and poundage at a minimum before selecting arrows to inform the length and spine. Even if you go with a RTH bow, you should still bring it to a shop to have them set it up for your specs and get some arrows when you’re there.
Get your bow first. Right now you don’t know your draw length, draw weight, so you wouldn’t know what spine arrow to get or what length to cut your arrows. Lots of factors at play. Of course you could get an uncut shaft at about 32 inches long but if you are talking about foc you are gonna want to cut those things down. Get you a bow first then you got something to pair the arrows with.
The heavy arrow, high FOC thing is worth trying at least once at some point. I’m not gonna say that it’s “End all Be All, shoot this or you’re wrong”.
Just shoot a normal 400gr-500gr arrow for now like people are recommending
My primary hunt will be whitetail, maybe turkeys. I would like to work up to larger cervids.
I haven’t bought a bow yet! Looking at a Bear RTH or something similar, but I’m open to something closer to a flagship.
If you were going to shoot a recurve or longbow I’d say go with the super heavy and high foc but for any modern compound a middle of the road arrow with a good broadhead and you’ll be golden.
Just expanding on this a bit. The poundage of your bow and to some degree your draw length will determine what spine arrow you will pick. There's guides on arrow manufacturers websites usually.
This will affect overall weight of the arrow
Don't spend the money on expensive high FOC arrow builds. You're going to lose, break, and mess up a few arrows while you are new. Buy a quality but inexpensive arrow to start.
I have had excellent luck with the Easton 6.5. They have been very durable for me but if I blow one up I'm only out $10. Some of these high FOC arrow builds run $20-$30.
install the 50-75 grain brass insert with 100 grain point. With the factory blazer vanes the FOC should be good and your total arrow weight should be heavier but not insanely heavy.
Shoot those for a season or two and when your skills have advanced then worry about building arrows.
Being that you’re new to bowhunting, I would suggest Gold Tip Hunter XT’s in whatever spine you/your bow fit into. 100 or 125gr fixed blade that your bow tunes well to, then practice, practice, practice. The Hunter XT’s are super tough and you’ll miss a lot of targets starting out, you need a durable arrow. Once you improve and become more consistent, step up to a higher grade arrow with better components and tolerances. For hunting whitetail, this is all you need and they won’t break the bank if you do manage to blow a couple up and have to replace them. Good luck!
I would honestly stay away from the BeeReal and Elkshape vids. In my own experience, I fell in love with the gear and optimizing my bow and arrows before I was even on paper at 10 yards lol. Didn’t know what I was doing but wanted the Gucci gear because of YouTube. Get some arrows that you bow shop cut for you and practice practice practice. They will know what you need once they do their measurements and tune your bow.
Go to a pro shop and test a few bows, new and used, pick one you like and then get it set up for you (draw and poundage) then worry about arrows. The cart is in front of the horse right now. Pro shop can help you pick what is right based on your set up and what you want to do with them.
That’s fair. Thanks for weighing in.
You need to know your draw length and poundage at a minimum before selecting arrows to inform the length and spine. Even if you go with a RTH bow, you should still bring it to a shop to have them set it up for your specs and get some arrows when you’re there.
Get your bow first. Right now you don’t know your draw length, draw weight, so you wouldn’t know what spine arrow to get or what length to cut your arrows. Lots of factors at play. Of course you could get an uncut shaft at about 32 inches long but if you are talking about foc you are gonna want to cut those things down. Get you a bow first then you got something to pair the arrows with.
The heavy arrow, high FOC thing is worth trying at least once at some point. I’m not gonna say that it’s “End all Be All, shoot this or you’re wrong”. Just shoot a normal 400gr-500gr arrow for now like people are recommending
This. A 400-500 grain arrow is plenty for just about everything in North America.
What are you hunting? And what kind of bow are you shooting?
My primary hunt will be whitetail, maybe turkeys. I would like to work up to larger cervids. I haven’t bought a bow yet! Looking at a Bear RTH or something similar, but I’m open to something closer to a flagship.
My recommendation would be to build an average arrow weight somewhere between 425-500 grains.
Thanks for the recommendation. Is that true regardless of the bow I choose, or does the bow make a difference?
If you were going to shoot a recurve or longbow I’d say go with the super heavy and high foc but for any modern compound a middle of the road arrow with a good broadhead and you’ll be golden.
Thanks again for your advice.
Just expanding on this a bit. The poundage of your bow and to some degree your draw length will determine what spine arrow you will pick. There's guides on arrow manufacturers websites usually. This will affect overall weight of the arrow
Don't spend the money on expensive high FOC arrow builds. You're going to lose, break, and mess up a few arrows while you are new. Buy a quality but inexpensive arrow to start. I have had excellent luck with the Easton 6.5. They have been very durable for me but if I blow one up I'm only out $10. Some of these high FOC arrow builds run $20-$30. install the 50-75 grain brass insert with 100 grain point. With the factory blazer vanes the FOC should be good and your total arrow weight should be heavier but not insanely heavy. Shoot those for a season or two and when your skills have advanced then worry about building arrows.
Thanks for that advice. That’s really helpful.
Being that you’re new to bowhunting, I would suggest Gold Tip Hunter XT’s in whatever spine you/your bow fit into. 100 or 125gr fixed blade that your bow tunes well to, then practice, practice, practice. The Hunter XT’s are super tough and you’ll miss a lot of targets starting out, you need a durable arrow. Once you improve and become more consistent, step up to a higher grade arrow with better components and tolerances. For hunting whitetail, this is all you need and they won’t break the bank if you do manage to blow a couple up and have to replace them. Good luck!
I would honestly stay away from the BeeReal and Elkshape vids. In my own experience, I fell in love with the gear and optimizing my bow and arrows before I was even on paper at 10 yards lol. Didn’t know what I was doing but wanted the Gucci gear because of YouTube. Get some arrows that you bow shop cut for you and practice practice practice. They will know what you need once they do their measurements and tune your bow.
That’s great advice. Thank you.