Compound bows are powerful and complex weapons designed to take down game animals effectively. As the years go by, the technology that goes into compound bows makes leaps and bounds. And with this innovation comes the benefit of bows shooting faster than ever before. So how fast does an arrow fly from a compound bow?…
290-350 fps is how fast an arrow will travel from a typical compound bow. These speeds vary depending on how high-end the bow is, as well as the draw weight and draw length. A bow’s speed can change about 50 fps according to how it has been adjusted. A bow’s speed will slow down significantly when shooting a heavier arrow, but carry more momentum into its target. Speeds can go up to 370 fps but this is not always a good thing. At this high of a speed the margin for error increases.
How Bow Speeds are Calculated
It is important to understand how a compound bows speed is measured in order to have a grasp of how fast your bow is actually shooting. Feet per second or “fps” is the measurement of speed used when clocking arrow speeds.
When you shoot an arrow from a compound bow it loses speed as it gets closer to its target. Because of this, the speed of the arrow is measured just as it leaves the bow, not as it hits its target.
Almost all bow companies test their bows according to the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO).
IBO testing requires that bows be tested at 70 pounds of draw weight, 30 inches of draw length, 350-grain arrows. The fact is, the quick new compound bow you just purchased may not be shooting its arrows at 330 fps as you believed. You’ll have a slower speed if you choose the 45-pound draw option or arrows heavier than 350 grains.
When manufacture tests their bows to measure their fps, it is done in a controlled environment. So windy conditions will also affect your arrow’s speed making it perform below the manufactures stated fps.
What is Draw Lenth?
Draw length is the length your bow can be drawn from its resting position. Your draw length is determined by the length of your arm span. Your local archery shop will help you adjust your bow to the needed draw length.
Draw length is an important factor for your bow’s speed. When bows are tested at IBO standards the draw length is set to 30 inches. So if your bow is set any less than 30 inches of draw length your bow’s speed will be affected negatively.
A bow will lose about 10 fps for every 1 inch of draw weight that is deducted.
What is Draw Weight?
Draw weight is the force required to pull back a bow’s string. All compound bows have a draw weight that can be adjusted, some more than others. A bow can be adjusted with a range of about 50lbs, but some can only be changed by as little as 10lbs.
Draw weight is an important factor that will majorly affect your bow’s speed. If you purchase a bow advertised at 350fps but you set the draw weight to 50lbs, you can be sure you won’t touch that advertised speed. Still, actually being able to pull the bow back is much more important than a little bow speed.
Check your state regulations to make sure you are not going below the minimum poundage. Some states have a minimum of 30-45 lbs. The reason for these laws is so the game animal will be harvested humanly and effectively. You don’t want to doom a deer to a life of having an arrow stuck in his side, not going deep enough to hit a vital organ.
Arrow Weight
The weight of the arrow being used will also greatly affect your bow’s fps. The 350-grain arrows used for bow speed testing are lighter than arrows used for hunting. Bowhunters prefer a weight of around 420-grains.
Just remember, the heavier the arrow the slower the fps. For every 10 grains of weight added you will sacrifice about 15fps.
What is The Best Bow Speed for Hunting?
A 300-340fps is ideal for hunting. At this speed, the arrow has enough momentum to pierce through an animal but not too much to make the arrow lose accuracy or shoot clean through the deer. Most hunters will opt out of speeds below 300fps.
Best Compound Bow for Price
Your equipment can make or break a hunt so it is important to choose gear that will do its job and not slow you down. The Bear Archery Approach HC is one of the best bows on the market but somehow very inexpensive for its performance and build.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
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Best Hunting Broadhead
The Rage Hypodermic is an incredibly strong mechanical broadhead
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Conclusion
The speed at which an arrow leaves a compound bow has many factors affecting the outcome. That said, the average hunting compound bow will shoot 290-350 fps.
The speed is dependant on what kind of bow is being used as well as the draw weight and draw length the bow has been configured to.
When purchasing a bow just remember the advertised speed was recorded in a controlled environment with the bow draw weight set to 70lbs, draw length set to 30 inches and using 350-grain arrows. Even if you configured your bow to these specifications, it would still be highly unlikely to reach the advertised fps due to wind and human error. Just the slightest wobble in your arm will slow down the arrow. So reaching the speed your bow said it can produce is sadly, highly unlikely.
