Most avid archers/bowhunters have heard or are aware of FOC (Front-of-Center), but how many of those archers/bowhunters have actually calculated their arrow’s FOC? If your running just a standard comes-with-your-arrows insert and a 100-grain head, you could probably benefit from a higher FOC.

Other than losing a few fps (feet per second), there is really no downside to running a higher FOC arrows. I have found, through lots and lots of testing, that if I’m anywhere above 12 percent FOC, I have fewer problems tuning broadheads. Plus, an increased FOC reduces wind drift, increases penetration and often boosts downrange accuracy.

I use www.archerycalculator.com to calculate my FOC. This is a free, simple to use and pretty self-explanatory site.

How to Increase Front-of-Center

The easiest way to get a higher FOC, in my opinion, is to install brass weights behind your standard arrow insert. Most arrow manufacturers offer them, and for the most part they screw right into the back of the standard insert. Some brass weights can even be installed after the arrows are built, but always check to be sure.

You can opt for a heavier head such as a 125- or 150-grain model, but not all broadhead manufacturers offer heads in these grains. The brass insert is by far your best option.

If your arrow is on the weaker side of your arrow’s spine chart, you might have to go up in spine when adding weight to the front of the arrow. Using lighted nocks will lower your FOC, so any weight added to the back of the arrow shaft will lower FOC. Just be sure to keep this in mind.

I personally run a stainless-steel half outsert with 50 grains of brass behind it (photo below). This allows me to run a standard 100-grain broadhead and have the desired Front-of-Center.