Total weight

[GaryR]

Correct me if I'm wrong. An arrow is to weight 10 grains per pound of draw weight roughly. My scale doesn't weigh grains so I converted to grams. For my 55lb bow I need my arrows at about 35.5 grams right?

[Pat B]

There are 437.5 grains to the ounce and 28 grams per ounce. You'll have to do the math. 

[GaryR]

I already did the math, that's not a problem. Is a 550 grain arrow correct for a 55 lb. bow? How much does this draw weight to arrow weight ratio really matter?

[Grasshopper Mouse]

It's a guideline. Roughly 8-10 grains of total arrow weight per pound of bow pull weight.
Too heavy and you get poor arrow cast with a parabolic flight, but rockin' penetration on game.
Too light and you run the risk of harming the bow, think "dry fire."
It's a guideline.

Guy

[GaryR]

Ok 8-10 grains per lb. give or take how much?

[Buckeye Guy]

Just pick a weight and be consistent till you get the feel for things then try differant weights. 550 grains for a 55 lb bow is a good weight for hunting bows and you can go higher!
if you shoot strictly targets you may like a lower weight
Have fun
Guy

[GaryR]

Thanks guys. The reason I ask, I made some heads out of spoons today that were barely over 100 grains. Then I weighed one of my shafts and it was nearly 500 grains alone. By the time it was sanded down to an acceptable weight, I tested its strength and, crack, then I just went ahead and snapped it in two. Now I'm paying closer attention to shaft weight from the start. These are my first so I'm stumbling as I go.
Gary

[JoJoDapyro]

Grams times 15.5 = grains.

[Pat B]

For a hunting arrow around 500gr is good. 550gr should fly well from your 55# bow. My cane and sourwood shoot arrows are between 550gr and 650gr. I shoot about 55#@26". If you learn the trajectory of your arrows at different distances a heavy arrow is not a detriment.