Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: lonbow on December 08, 2020, 02:39:00 am

Title: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: lonbow on December 08, 2020, 02:39:00 am: I recently tested one of my bows and reached a maximum distance of 217 yards. Do you have a rough estimation how fast this bow shoots?

Just for interest: Can you also tell how fast an arrow travels for reaching 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 yards? How big is the divergence with different fletching sizes?

I´m really courious as I don´t have a chronograph yet.

Thank you!
lonbow
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: Del the cat on December 08, 2020, 03:27:13 am: The arrow makes a huge difference, (mostly weight and fletchings... but shape, spine etc too) so you can't really generalise. It's handy to keep a reference or standard arrow for comparison purposes. Then if you do measure arrow speed with that arrow and a specific bow you can relate it to the other results.
So without some sort of idea of the arrow it's impossible to guess. If its a regular field archery arrow of say 400gn I'd guess maybe 180 fps... if it's a hunting arrow it would need to be significantly faster. Some examples:-
52# 29" ELB I made shot about 177yards with a standard arrow (390 grain), it shot 208 with a 370 gn flight arrow.
80# @30" Standard arrow 196 yards, Flight arrow 232 yards... English Warbow Society standard arrow 160 yards
Del
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: loefflerchuck on December 08, 2020, 11:02:58 am: All the info about the bow and arrow would help
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: lonbow on December 08, 2020, 12:35:14 pm: That´s right, Del the cat. Different arrows would perform differently. It´s a good idea to use a reference arrow.
The arrow I used is a target arrow with 400 grains. The fletching is parabolic and 4.3 inches long, but only 0.4 inches high. The arrow has grey goose feathers.

The bow is made out of laburnum and it has a setback and sligtly reflexed tips. 40 lbs 27". This is my fastest bow so far.
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: Selfbowman on December 08, 2020, 01:47:23 pm: If you got over 200yds with 400 gr. That’s a good shot with those fletchings. Don’t know about speed. The bowyers bible 1 has some info using normal fletchings 500gr. thru different bows. We are blowing those out of the water today though. Arvin
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: bownarra on December 08, 2020, 01:48:48 pm: 217yds is pretty good. :) 170 - 180fps???
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: lonbow on December 09, 2020, 03:27:03 am: Thank you for your replies. 170 - 180 fps sounds really good. I´m truly amazed.
I´ve found the info on bowyers bible 1: A flatbow with 70 lbs was tested with a 500 grain arrow. It reached 210 yards with 177 fps. My bow might be in the high 170´s :)
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: PatM on December 09, 2020, 06:20:39 am: How did you measure the distance?
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: lonbow on December 09, 2020, 06:39:51 am: I measured it with a tape measure (30 m long). I measured 199 m which is 217 yards. This was the furthest shot. Some shots were 10 yards shorter.
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: Bob Barnes on December 09, 2020, 06:44:29 am: congrats on the good distance...don't you just love watching an arrow fly 200 plus yards? (SH) :OK
Title: Re: correlation of arrow speed and shooting distance
Post by: lonbow on December 09, 2020, 10:17:48 am: Thank you Bob Barnes! It´s a wonderful feeling actually. Seeing an arrow fly feels like infinite freedom (SH)