The 6x6 bull suddenly emerged into view and then began moving in and out of shooting distance, never staying put for a solid shot. Eventually, he paused, and it became a now-or-never moment. The shot was pretty far but I felt confident and ready to go. I drew, settled into a steady aim on the bull’s vitals, and subconsciously triggered the shot.

A split second later, I caught a glimpse of the arrow racing toward the bull followed by the “thump … thump” sound of the arrow passing through. The bull thundered away, staggered for a bit, and then stumbled. Unsure of what would happen, I sent an insurance arrow just in case. Before I knew it, he was down. The moment was exhilarating but shocking as well. It was testament to the deadliness of a deep-driving arrow-broadhead combination. But, even more importantly, the first arrow had hit perfectly, slicing both lungs for a quick, clean kill.

In today’s archery world, there’s a lot of misinformation swirling around about what type of gear works best for top bowhunting performance. But, like most things in life, choosing one thing over the other usually comes with some sort of tradeoff. This type of “give and take” is often the case when selecting a serious, do-all hunting arrow.

Let’s take a look at the three most important attributes in a hunting arrow — speed, accuracy and penetration — and identify the key factors that will lead you to the best possible arrow for your hunting applications.

Speed Does Matter

Flat-shooting arrow speed is a blessing in certain bowhunting situations. For example, it’s quite common to encounter game, acquire the exact distance using a rangefinder, then to watch the critter take a few steps that quickly alter the shooting distance. In this case, you can operate the rangefinder once again and risk missing the shot opportunity altogether, or you can eyeball the yardage difference and focus on getting to full draw.

Of course, only you can decide what feels right and ethical, but if the shot is say 35 yards or less, and the distance variance is only a couple yards — plus or minus — you might be better off estimating the yardage difference and taking the shot. Being aggressive can sometimes make the difference between filling your tag and not, so a fast, flat-shooting arrow is good to have in these types of situations.

There are three ways to improve arrow speed: use a newer, higher-efficiency bow, increase draw weight and/or draw length, or use a lighter arrow. The first option is good but will require a major investment on your part, while the second option is a no-no in my book because pulling too much weight or using a draw length that’s too long for your build could wreck shooting form. So, this leaves us with the last option: using a lighter arrow or, better yet, a moderately light arrow.

I say “moderately light” because too light can hinder penetration (due to less momentum and kinetic energy), increase bow noise (due to less mass soaking up the bow’s energy), and reduce flight stability in windy conditions (imagine a heavy airplane vs. a light one – the heavy plane will fly with greater stability – and this holds true with arrows as well).

Overall, I’ve found that arrows in the 7 to 8 grains per pound of draw weight offer the best combination of flat-shooting speed, stability in the wind, and deep-driving penetration downrange. In most cases, this means a finished arrow weight of 420 to 550 grains (including field point or broadhead), depending on the archer’s draw length and weight.

My current hunting arrow is an Easton 5mm FMJ Match Grade shaft, cut to 26.25 inches, using a 125-grain broadhead, and three compact Bohning vanes (Blazer or Atlas). Overall arrow weight is about 450 grains out of my 62-pound bow. I find this type of arrow setup ideal for tackling big game in any situation.

Accuracy Improves Confidence

Shot-to-shot consistency — aka shooting forgiveness — is vital for bowhunters because it boosts overall hunting confidence. This is especially true for western archers who shoot longer distances. Remember, bowhunting doesn’t offer the luxury of warming up and aiming in a leisurely fashion; you could be cold, sore and shooting from a totally awkward position. This is why arrow setups that optimize your shooting performance under the worst possible conditions are best for hard-core bowhunting.

In this case, arrow straightness, weight and spine tolerance can make a big difference in tightening your arrow groups. Years ago, I tested dozens of different carbon shafts for spine and weight consistency, and I’m here to tell you that not all are created equal. However, I do believe carbon-arrow manufacturing is highly advanced and quality control is better than ever, which is great news for today’s bowhunter.

Of all the tolerance details that promote better shooting, spine is probably the most important. Easton uses an “Acu-Carbon Uniform Spine” manufacturing process to ensure each arrow shoots with the same dynamic flex as the next one. Victory Archery has adopted a “Spine Aligned” system that indexes the nock on each arrow, to bolster shot-to-shot consistency. Carbon Express uses a “Laser Match” sorting process to achieve precise spine consistency. These, and other manufacturing processes, are great approaches that have greatly improved the quality of today’s carbon arrows.

Strict straightness and weight tolerances are also critical. Gold Tip uses an “End-to-End Straightness Process,” which measures shaft straightness at three different points using a laser beam, ensuring consistency. Easton uses a “five-point straightness check” to maintain strict tolerances. Every arrow company has its own method for measuring straightness, which is why I encourage you to experiment with different brands and models to see what shoots best for you.

I’ve used a Ram Product’s Arrow Spine Testing machine for years, which aside from spine, measures arrow straightness from one end of the shaft to the other. This is done by moving the dial stem and indicator at different points along the shaft and then turning it until it makes a 360-degree revolution. It’s a great tool for the discriminating bowhunter who wants consistency from every arrow.

In long-range shooting situations, consistent arrow weight is mandatory. I weigh each one of my hunting arrows and sort them for uniformity, demanding plus/minus 1.5 grains from one arrow to the next. This may seem extreme, but I’ve noticed a loss in accuracy when overall arrow weight varies too much, at least with my somewhat moderate arrow speed using a relatively short 27.25-inch draw and mid-weight bow poundage.

My suggestion is to go with a top-tier grade shaft. Sure, they cost a bit more, but they’ll save you a lot of headaches from having to constantly sort or “number and group shoot” your arrows to ensure consistency in arrow spine, weight and straightness.

I’m a big fan of Easton’s Match Grade arrows, which come in plus/minus .001-inch straightness and .5-grain weight tolerances. Gold Tip’s Air Strike and Pro Hunter and Victory’s RIP and VAP Elite models all come with the same precision-based quality tolerances — all proven accuracy winners. Carbon Express’ Maxima Red SD is another high-quality shaft with strict manufacturing qualities. This shaft features a spine-flex tolerance of plus/minus .0025-inch and weight sorting of plus/minus 1 grains — top-notch details that make a deadly hunting arrow.

Ways to Boost Penetration

Momentum Is Key: When it comes to deadly penetration on game, momentum is of greater value than kinetic energy (KE). Why? Because it’s more applicable to arrows compared to bullets. KE’s calculating formula places considerable emphasis on a projectile’s speed (actually squaring the value). This does a great job of capturing a bullet’s energy effect — its knockdown power and expansion capability. But arrows aren’t bullets and they don’t expand or produce shock. Arrows kill by moving forward and staying in motion despite encountering resistance from heavy hide, flesh and bone.

The calculating formula for KE is arrow weight x speed(squared) divided by 450,240 = KE in foot pounds (ft./lbs.). Whereas, with momentum, the formula is arrow weight x speed divided by 225,218 = Momentum, measured in slug feet per second (slug/fps). Overall, momentum is the product of mass and velocity of an object and its ability to stay in motion.

Let’s examine the momentum and KE values of two common hunting arrows weighing 450- and 500-grains (both 5mm diameter), shot from the same 65-pound bow using a 28-inch draw length. We can do this easily by using the speed/energy calculator located here.

At 30 yards, a common shooting distance on game, the 450-grain arrow clears the chronograph at 239 fps, which produces .429 pounds slug/fps of momentum and 45.9- ft./lbs. of KE. Meanwhile, at 30 yards the 500-grain arrow flies at 229 fps, which delivers .457 slug/fps of momentum and 47-ft./lbs. of KE. Overall, there’s a .028-slug/fps gain in momentum and a 1.1-ft./lbs. gain in KE with the 500-grain arrow vs. the 450-grain arrow — a solid jump in performance when looking at the momentum factor.

Perhaps a better way to look at this is to match the heavier arrow with a 60-pound bow and the lighter arrow with a 70-pound bow. Now, by using our same online calculator to compare the values, the 500-grain arrow flies 219 fps and generates .440 slug/fps of momentum and 43.72- ft./lbs. KE, while the 450-grain arrow flies 249 fps and delivers .443 slug/fps of momentum and 49.19- ft./lbs. KE. In this comparison, there is only .003 slug/fps difference of momentum between the two arrows — identical, really — but the heavier arrow is matched with a bow 10 pounds lighter! As you can see, a slightly heavier arrow packs considerably more momentum compared to an arrow only 50 grains lighter. Overall, this is solid proof that arrow weight and momentum can greatly improve penetrating capability, particularly downrange, so keep this in mind.

Small-Diameter Benefits: It’s hard to quantify how much more a micro-diameter arrow (4 mm) will penetrate through animal tissue and bone compared to a standard-diameter arrow (6.5 mm), but Dr. Ed Ashy, a renowned expert and leading authority on broadhead and arrow testing, discovered that “arrow drag” does influence an arrow’s overall ability to penetrate.

Ashby conducted extensive tests while shooting into various types of African game, both living and dead. He found that penetration was enhanced anytime the broadhead’s ferrule was larger than the arrow shaft and when the shaft exhibited an ultra-smooth finish, reducing friction against animal tissue and bone.

For this reason, today’s micro-diameter arrows, with their larger-than-shaft outsert design, could indeed produce greater penetration on game. Of course, broadhead style and size will impact depth of penetration, regardless of the type of arrow. But, when all things are created equal, there’s convincing evidence that these shafts will penetrate deeper into animal tissue and bone compared to larger-diameter shafts — a big plus when pursuing large, tough and possibly dangerous game.

Boost Downrange Speed: Smaller-diameter shafts can improve speed and energy downrange as well. This is due to less surface area across the entire shaft. Besides improved aerodynamics, these shafts also feature a shorter axis of rotation. What this means is they have the ability to rotate faster in flight compared to larger-diameter arrows, when using the same fletching and helical offset. There’s about a 15% difference in rotational speed between a micro-diameter arrow (4 mm) vs. a standard-diameter arrow (6.5 mm). This rotational speed can increase arrow spin and drag in flight, allowing you to use slightly smaller fletching to effectively steer the arrow and broadhead. This engineering detail can prove beneficial when you want to use smaller vanes for less wind deflection and improved speed downrange.

Final Thoughts

So, what’s the ultimate arrow? What I consider the best hunting arrow on the market may differ from someone else’s, based on certain small details. For example, I don’t like arrow shafts with glossy, reflective finishes — they can cause game-spooking glare when hunting the mountains and prairies out West. But for other bowhunters, shafts with smooth finishes may be their personal preference, since these shafts offer a glass-like finish that will enhance penetration and be easier to pull from targets — a great bonus. You can also say the same about a particular brand of arrow’s components or the arrow’s level of durability; bowhunters tend to lean toward one brand of arrow over the other based on small personal details.

But, aside from these things, the fundamental attributes of a good all-around hunting arrow will remain the same. A top-notch hunting arrow will provide the perfect blend of speed, accuracy and penetration all in one — producing a deadly combination. By using this balanced approach, you’ll end up with an arrow that’s ready to tackle any bowhunting situation. This will boost your confidence as a bowhunter.

Sidebar: Bucking the Wind

Like a high-coefficient bullet, a fairly heavy projectile with slimline aerodynamics is what bucks the wind the best, helping you shoot better in adverse conditions. For maximum shooting consistency in windy conditions, consider these four factors:

Don’t Reduce Arrow Weight: Speed is often touted as supreme in bowhunting, but in reality, it pales in comparison to shooting accuracy. A slow, heavy arrow will track better in the wind than a fast, light arrow every time. A heavy arrow flies with greater control, due to greater mass, whereas the light arrow will tend to get tossed around more, causing it to veer off course, missing the mark.

Increase Point Weight: More FOC weight is important, since it keeps the front of the shaft more resistant to rotating in flight as the wind pushes the rear of the arrow and fletching to the side. To increase FOC weight, you can switch from a 100-grain to a 125-grain broadhead, use a heavier insert or outsert, or consider lighter more compact vanes. It’s a simple fix in most cases.

Shoot a Smaller-Diameter Arrow: Today’s micro-diameter arrows offer less surface area and better aerodynamics. For this reason, they’ll prove more accurate while retaining increased energy downrange — a double whammy benefit.

Try Smaller Vanes: Small, compact vanes have less overall surface area, so the wind has less to press against, improving accuracy. However, don’t ever jeopardize shooting forgiveness in exchange for improved aerodynamics. For example, if you’re currently using 3-inch vanes with superior accuracy results under normal shooting conditions, don’t switch to 2-inch vanes in light of improved aerodynamics, certainly not if the smaller vanes shoot with less consistency under regular shooting conditions. In bowhunting, shooting forgiveness is the name of the game — a real confidence booster — so shoot what produces the best groups overall and then become familiar with your arrow’s flight pattern in the wind, so you can adjust your aim accordingly and achieve solid accuracy.