It is hard to find reliable speeds for short draw archers.  In this post I discuss recent results from two of my bows and some technical aspects regarding them.  

Warning:  This post contains technical content.

I spent some time the other night recording arrow speeds for submission to Archery Report’s Bow Speed Database.  This was previously mentioned in Archery Resources.  It was important to be as careful and accurate as possible to allow the comparison of true apple-to-apples.  We’ve all seen numbers reported that there is no way possible to produce – like someone shooting twenty pounds less than I am with similar equipment reaching speeds that exceed those my bows produce.  Machismo (or straight up guessing) on the part of the reporting party may play a factor in there somewhere. 

The Results 

2009 Bowtech SWAT – 376.8 gr arrow 

  • 26 5/8″ measured to AMO standard
  • 69.75 lbs (maxed out)
  • 14.6 gr on string (Fletcher TruPeep 8.8 gr, string loop 5.1 gr, tied string nocks .7 gr)
  • 376.8 gr arrow
  • 274 fps (three arrow avg) 

2009 Bowtech SWAT – 360.1 gr arrow 

  • 26 5/8″ measured to AMO standard
  • 69.75 lbs (maxed out)
  • 14.6 gr on string (Fletcher TruPeep 8.8 gr, string loop 5.1 gr, tied string nocks .7 gr)
  • 360.1 gr arrow
  • 279.3 fps (three arrow avg) 

2006 Reflex Highlander – 376.8 gr arrow 

  • 26 1/2″ measured to AMO standard
  • 67.25 lbs (maxed out)
  • 69.1 gr on string (1/4″ G5 Meta-Peep 6.5 gr, SIMS Super String Leeches 56.8 gr, string loop 5.1 gr, tied string nocks .7 gr)
  • 376.8 gr arrow
  • 259 fps (three arrow avg) 

2006 Reflex Highlander – 360.1 gr arrow 

  • 26 1/2″ measured to AMO standard
  • 67.25 lbs (maxed out)
  • 69.1 gr on string (1/4″ G5 Meta-Peep 6.5 gr, SIMS Super String Leeches 56.8 gr, string loop 5.1 gr, tied string nocks .7 gr)
  • 360.1 gr arrow
  • 263.3 fps (three arrow avg) 

Satisfaction

Since I can remember when 242 fps (using the latest machined-riser bow, a sizable over-draw and the latest carbon-aluminum arrows) was exciting you can imagine my excitement in seeing 279.3 fps (one of the three arrows actually went 280) with my new Bowtech SWAT.  At my short 26.5″ draw length I never really thought I’d see 280 fps with normal hunting tackle in the mid-priced range (which is what I shoot – nothing fancy here) that I believe has both sufficient axle-to-axle (ATA) and brace-height (BH) for reliable in-the-field performance. 

Technical Musings

Two different arrows were shot through each bow; a 376.8 grain arrow and a 360.1 grain arrow.  The weight difference was 16.7 grains.  The difference in speed between the two arrows shot through the SWAT was 5.3 fps.  If I divide 16.7 grains by 5.3 fps we see that for each reduction of 3.15 grains there is a gain of 1 fps.  Likewise, the same math exercise with the Highlander shows a speed difference between the two arrows of 4.3 fps.  Again, if I divide 16.7 grains by 4.3 fps we see that for each reduction of 3.88 grains there is a gain of 1 fps.  In other words it appears the SWAT is more efficient; it takes less of a reduction (3.15 vs 3.88) in weight to obtain 1 fps gain in speed.  However, there is a difference of 2.5 pounds draw weight between the two bows. 

Something I wondered about while shopping for bows was, “Has technology really produced faster, improved bows or are the numbers we see simply marketing hype?”  Notice that there is a significant difference in the amount of weight on the strings between the two bows.  Weight on the string affects speed, noise and vibration just as a heavier arrow would.  Generally, the more weight propelled by the bow’s limbs the quieter and more vibration free the bow will be and the less weight the bow’s limbs propel the louder the bow and less vibration free the bow will be as energy unable to be absorbed by the arrow (due to less mass) results in the side effects of noise and vibration.  Interestingly (and satisfyingly), the newer technology SWAT is quieter and more vibration free than the older Highlander even with all the weight on the Highlander’s string and the greater draw weight of the SWAT.  This is a nod to better technology producing quieter, more vibration free bows at least.  

If I were to try to equalize the weight on the string by reducing the Highlander’s 69.1 grains to the SWAT’s 14.6 grains weight on string I’d have to remove 54.5 grains.  Since each reduction of 3.88 grains realized 1 fps in speed for the Highlander I’ll divide 54.5 grains by 3.88 grains.  The result is a potential 14.05 fps gain in speed.  If I add that 14.05 fps to the 259 fps achieved by the 376.8 grain arrow the result is 273.05 fps; almost exactly equal to the SWAT’s 274 fps results (and at lower poundage).  Similarly, if I add that 14.05 fps to the 263.3 fps achieved by the 360.1 grain arrow the result is 277.35 fps; just short of the SWAT’s 279.3 fps.  So, potentially, if I removed the 54.5 grains of extra weight off the Highlander’s string I might (italics) be able to achieve similar speeds with an older bow at less draw weight.  That is quite interesting.  

However, one rule that I try to follow (it isn’t easy) is that during hunting season if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.  Due to some meddling last year I missed one deer during the late season and would have severely screwed up my trip to Texas, Outfitter Report – Hogs and Javelina in Texas and Boar Attack – Anatomy of a Hog Shot Gone Wrong, had I not checked my bow’s zero upon arrival.  So, I’m not likely to mess with the Highlander anytime in the near future.  I am convinced, however, that the noise level would significantly increase on the Highlander without the extra weight and the vibration absorbing String Leeches. 

Alright, so now that I’ve recorded the speeds, what do they mean?  Does any of this affect kinetic energy or trajectory?  I’ll save that for a future post.  So please come back.  You won’t want to miss it. 

happy hunting, dv

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