Matching arrows
to your bow
What to buy, and why, for recurves, longbows, horse bows and compounds, plus crossbow bolts. Spine, length, weight and the parts that fit, with every number traced to its source.
What is arrow spine?
Spine is a measure of an arrow's stiffness: how much the shaft bends under force. Manufacturers determine static spine by supporting an arrow at two points and hanging a standard weight at the center.
The amount the arrow deflects (bends) under that weight is measured in thousandths of an inch. For example, a carbon arrow labeled "500 spine" bends 0.500" under the test weight.
A lower spine number means a stiffer arrow (less flex). So a 400 spine shaft is stiffer than a 600 spine shaft.
Wood arrows use a spine in pounds instead (e.g., "45-50# spine"). It comes from a different test, a 2 lb weight on a 26" span, and a higher number means a stiffer shaft, the opposite of carbon numbers.[1] It is not simply your bow weight: 3Rivers' chart puts a 45 lb recurve with a 28" arrow and 125 grain point at 40-45#.[2]
Static vs. dynamic spine
Static spine is the laboratory measurement on the arrow label, but dynamic spine is how the arrow actually behaves when shot from your bow.
On release, every arrow flexes and oscillates. This is called the archer's paradox. Dynamic spine depends on multiple factors:
Draw weight
Higher draw weight causes more arrow flex, requiring stiffer spine.
Arrow length
Longer arrows flex more than shorter ones of the same static spine.
Point weight
Heavier points make arrows act softer (more flex) on release.
Release style
Finger release causes more initial flex than a mechanical release aid.
Why spine matters
Using the correct spine is critical for safety and accuracy. If your arrows are too weak (under-spined) for your bow, they will flex excessively upon release.
Shooting with fingers, an under-spined (weak) arrow tends to hit right of the mark and an over-spined (stiff) arrow left. In a bare-shaft test, unfletched arrows that land right of your fletched ones are too weak, and ones that land left are too stiff. Left-handed archers see the opposite.[3]
With a release aid the arrow bends mostly up and down instead, so release shooters may need the opposite adjustments.[3]
A properly spined arrow flexes just the right amount as it leaves the bow, then stabilizes into straight flight. Your groups get tighter and more consistent.
The archer's paradox
When you release a bowstring with your fingers, the arrow is pushed forward but the back of the arrow (at the nock) wants to go around your fingers. This creates a flexing motion that causes the arrow to bend around the bow's riser.
A 30 lb recurve needs a relatively flexible shaft: Easton's 2026 target chart gives 800-700 for a 28" carbon arrow, 720-625 at 29" and 675-600 at 30", all with a 100 grain point.[4] Other makers' charts give different answers. If you use an arrow that's far too stiff (say 400 spine rated for 60 lb bows), the 30 lb bow won't flex the arrow enough: the arrow will fly left and the bow will "fight" the arrow.
Your bow's real draw weight
The label on your limbs, such as 30# @ 28", is the bow's marked weight: what it pulls when drawn to 28 in (71 cm). The 28 in is a convention. Recurves and longbows are all weighed and marked at that draw so they can be compared.[5]
Your arrows never feel the marked weight. They feel the weight at your full draw. Draw past 28 in and the bow pulls harder; stop short of it and the bow pulls less. That second number, your real draw weight, is the one every spine chart asks for.[2][6]
The AMO correction
The industry standard from AMO (the body now called the ATA) gives a simple correction for non-compound bows. Divide the marked weight by 20. Add that amount for every inch you draw past 28 in, and subtract it for every inch short.[5]
Weight at your draw = marked weight + (your draw length − 28) × (marked weight ÷ 20)
Example: a 30# @ 28" bow drawn to 26 in gives 30 + (26 − 28) × (30 ÷ 20) = 30 − 3 = 27 lb (12.2 kg).
The step is a fixed share of the bow's weight, one twentieth (5%) per inch, so heavier bows change faster.
| Your draw length | Bow marked 30# @ 28" (1.5 lb per inch) | Bow marked 40# @ 28" (2 lb per inch) |
|---|---|---|
| 26 in (66 cm) | 27 lb (12.2 kg) | 36 lb (16.3 kg) |
| 27 in (68.6 cm) | 28.5 lb (12.9 kg) | 38 lb (17.2 kg) |
| 29 in (73.7 cm) | 31.5 lb (14.3 kg) | 42 lb (19.1 kg) |
| 30 in (76.2 cm) | 33 lb (15.0 kg) | 44 lb (20.0 kg) |
Real limbs only roughly follow this rule, and a bow can be up to 2 lb (about 1 kg) off its marked weight and still meet the industry standard.[2] Treat any formula as a starting point, not a measurement.
More detail: other rules of thumb, and takedown limbs
Other estimates run from 1.5 to 3 lb per inch: 1.5 to 2 lb in World Archery's coaching manual,[7] a flat 2 lb at Bear Archery,[8] and roughly 2 to 3 lb on the 3Rivers charts.[2]
Takedown recurves add two more variables. On Hoyt's takedowns, a 23 in riser pulls about 2 lb more than the weight marked on the limbs.[9] One limb maker weighs its target limbs with the tiller bolts at their middle setting and its nature limbs at maximum, so turning the bolts moves you off the label.[10] Check how your limb maker rates them.
Why the charts want the real number
Spine chart rows are narrow: on Easton's target chart one row covers 40-43 lb and the next 44-47 lb,[4] so a few pounds of error can put you on the wrong row and the wrong arrows.
Weigh it if you can
A bow scale reads the pull at your own full draw, and a pro shop can weigh your bow for you.[6] Write the reading down next to your draw length: you'll need both every time you buy arrows or limbs.
Measuring your draw length
Draw length has a standard definition too. AMO defines it as the distance, at full draw, from the nocking point on the string to the pivot point of the grip, plus 1¾ in.[5]
For a first estimate, measure your wingspan from fingertip to fingertip and divide it by 2.5.[11][12] A 60 in (152 cm) wingspan gives a 24 in (61 cm) draw, and a 73 in (185 cm) wingspan gives 29.2 in (74 cm).[11][12]
Treat that as a starting point. Once you can shoot with steady form, measure your real draw.
More detail: where the 1¾ in comes from, and measuring at the clicker
The added 1¾ in keeps draw length in step with the marking standard. AMO's 28 in draw is 26¼ in (66.7 cm) from the string to the pivot point.[5]
World Archery uses the same definition and gives the extra as 45 mm.[7]
On an Olympic recurve, one limb maker's method is to mark the arrow at the pressure button as it comes through the clicker, measure from the mark to the nock, and add 1.75 in.[10]
Compounds work differently
The AMO correction is for "a conventional bow", which means a non-compound one.[5] On a compound, draw weight and draw length are settings on the bow, not results of how far you pull. Easton's compound charts ask for the bow's peak weight and its speed rating, not the lower weight you hold at full draw.[4]
More detail: how a compound's weight and draw length are set
Draw length matters even more on a compound, because you can't simply draw a little less, and some models allow only limited adjustment.[16]
Spine selection tables
These starting points are for a recurve shot with fingers, a 29" arrow and a 100 grain point. They come from Easton's 2026 target chart and 3Rivers Archery's traditional charts.[2][4] Use your bow's actual draw weight at your draw length, not only the number on the limbs.[6]
For a heavier point, add 3 lb to your bow weight for every 25 grains over 100 before you read Easton's chart, and for wood/glass beginner limbs, subtract 5 lb.[4] The charts often disagree (here is why), so treat every number here as the starting point for a test shaft.
| Actual draw weight | Carbon: Easton[4] | Carbon: 3Rivers[2] | Aluminum: Easton | Wood: 3Rivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 lb | 800-700 | — | 1816, 1814 | — |
| 30 lb | 720-625 | — | 1914, 1913 | — |
| 35 lb | 675-600 | 500 | 1914, 1916, 2013, RX7-21 | 30-35# |
| 40 lb | 575-500 | 500 | 2114, 2016, RX7-22 | 35-40# |
| 45 lb | 525-450 | 500 | 2114, 2213, RX7-23 | 40-45# |
| 50 lb | 475-400 | 400 | 2213, 2214, 2312, RX7-23 | 45-50# |
| 55 lb | 440-370 | 400 | 2214, 2314, 2413 | 50-55# |
| 60 lb | 400-340 | 400 | 2314, 2413, 2315 | 55-60# |
A dash means the chart has no row for that weight. 3Rivers adds 5 lb for Fast Flight strings. With a 125 grain point, read its 125 grain column, which runs one 5 lb row stiffer: a 35 lb bow goes from 30-35# to 35-40#.[2]
Carbon, aluminum or wood
Carbon arrows
Popular ChoiceCarbon arrows use the deflection number as the spine. They're very consistent and resilient: carbon shafts don't bend permanently.
Aluminum (aluminium) arrows
Target FavoriteEaston's XX75 series uses a four-digit code (e.g., 1916). First two digits = approximate outside diameter in 64ths of an inch, last two = wall thickness in thousandths of an inch.[18]
- Very straight and uniform
- Can bend but be straightened
- Great consistency, lower cost
Wood arrows
TraditionalWood spine is given in a poundage range (e.g., "40-45# spine"). Wood spine is quoted for a 28" arrow and changes by about 5# per inch: a shaft that spines 50# at 28" acts like 45# at 29" and 55# at 27". So for each inch over 28", go about 5# stiffer; for each inch under, about 5# weaker.[19]
- Classic traditional aesthetic
- Quiet off the bow
- Can warp with humidity
When more than one size fits a recurve, pick the weaker one.[4] You can still fine-tune afterwards: a heavier point or a longer arrow makes the arrow act weaker, and a shorter arrow makes it act stiffer.
Why spine charts disagree
We gave one bow to six spine charts and calculators on the same day: a 30 lb (13.6 kg) recurve with wood/glass beginner limbs, a 28 in (71 cm) draw, a 29 in (74 cm) arrow and 100 gr (6.5 g) points, with a Dacron string where a tool asked. Three arrow makers' charts answered 500, 600 and 800-700.[20][21][22][23] A traditional shop's arrow builder said 800-900, an online calculator said 820, and a fourth maker's tool gave no number at all.[24][25][26]
None of these tools explains why its number differs from the others. The spread is not random, though: each chart was built for a particular kind of bow and arrow, and those assumptions decide the answer.
What each chart assumes
Easton target chart
Target recurve and compound- Recurve rows assume carbon competition limbs, a finger release and 100 gr glue-in points.[4]
- Wood/glass beginner limbs: read the chart 5 lb lighter.[4]
- Points: add 3 lb of bow weight per 25 gr (1.6 g) over 100 gr, and subtract 3 lb per 25 gr under.[4]
- If the range covers several sizes, pick the weaker side.[4]
- Compound rows assume peak weight, a release aid and a 301-320 fps speed rating.[4]
Easton hunting chart
Compound first- Built around compounds with a release aid, a 301-340 fps ATA rating and 100 gr screw-in points.[4]
- Adds traditional recurve and longbow columns for finger shooters, read at actual bow weight at your draw.[4][6]
- Arrow length runs to the end of the shaft, not including the point or insert.[4]
- Compound with fingers: add 5 lb.[4] Brace height under 6.5 in (16.5 cm): add 5 lb.[6]
3Rivers charts
Traditional- Weight is actual peak bow weight at your draw length, with a finger release.[2]
- One column per point weight: 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 gr for carbon; 100, 125, 145, 160 and 190 gr for wood and aluminum. 3Rivers calls 125 gr the most common.[2]
- The header reads "+5 for Fast Flight® bow strings". That implies the charts are set for Dacron, though 3Rivers does not say so outright.[2]
- Separate columns for recurves and center-shot longbows, and for longbows and self bows. Carbon sizes refer to Easton spines.[2]
One bow, every chart
Here is the same bow read off every chart this guide's fit finder uses. We entered it as an Olympic-style takedown, shot with fingers, for target use.
| Chart | Weight it reads | Where it lands | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easton target chart, carbon[4] | 25 lb (30 lb minus 5 for wood/glass limbs) | Row 21-26 lb, 29 in column | 800-700 |
| Easton hunting chart, traditional recurve column, carbon[4] | 30 lb | Row 29-32 lb, 29 in column | 500-400 |
| 3Rivers carbon, recurve / center-shot[2] | 30 lb | Below the lightest row (the 100 gr column starts at 32-36 lb) | Off the chart: no answer |
| Easton target chart, aluminum[4] | 25 lb (30 lb minus 5 for wood/glass limbs) | Row 21-26 lb, 29 in column | 1816 or 1814 |
| 3Rivers aluminum, recurve / center-shot[2] | 30 lb | Below the lightest row (the 100 gr column starts at 31-35 lb) | Off the chart: no answer |
| 3Rivers wood, recurve / center-shot[2] | 30 lb | Below the lightest row (the 100 gr column starts at 31-35 lb) | Off the chart: no answer |
Easton's web selector gives the same 800-700 as its target chart.[23] Its hunting chart says 500-400 for the same bow: its traditional columns sit on a chart built for hunting arrows with screw-in points, and the 5 lb deduction for training limbs is printed only with the target chart.[4]
None of these answers is the right one. Each is a starting point, and only shooting the arrows settles it.
The real conflict: longbows
Most disagreements shrink once you match the chart to your bow. One does not. For longbows, Easton's current chart and 3Rivers move in opposite directions. Easton's current hunting chart gives a longbow the spine of a recurve about 20 lb heavier: a stiffer arrow.[4] The 3Rivers charts give longbows and self bows the arrow of a lighter recurve: a weaker one.[2]
Every other chart we checked either moves a longbow toward a weaker arrow or treats it like a recurve. Only Easton's current chart goes stiffer, and it prints no reason.[4]
More detail: the longbow evidence, chart by chart
Easton's current hunting chart offsets its longbow column from its recurve column. A 12-16 lb longbow sits on the same row as a 33-36 lb recurve, and the offset of about 20 lb runs all the way down the chart.[4]
The 3Rivers shift toward a lighter recurve is 5 lb on the wood and aluminum charts, where a 41-45 lb longbow reads like a 36-40 lb recurve at 100 gr, and about 18-21 lb on the carbon chart.[2] A center-shot longbow uses the recurve columns instead.[2] Most recurves are cut to center or past it, and most longbows slightly less than center,[1] so with 3Rivers the cut of your bow's shelf decides the column, not the name of the bow.
Easton's own earlier chart, still shown on its hunting shaft selector page, offsets the longbow column the other way: a 50-55 lb longbow sits on the row of a 32-36 lb recurve, so a longbow gets the arrow of a lighter recurve.[6]
Four archery retailers' charts agree, moving a longbow toward a weaker arrow by about 5 to 18 lb.[27][28][29][30]
Gold Tip uses one chart for recurves and longbows alike,[20] and Bear Archery's tuning guide matches wood spine to the bow's weight for a longbow too.[31]
So start from the weaker reading, and let your arrows have the final say:
- Start from the chart for your bow type. For a longbow not cut to center, that is 3Rivers' longbow / self bow column. For a center-shot longbow, use the recurve column.[2] Easton's current longbow column is the outlier: check any arrow it suggests against a test shaft first.[4]
- Buy two or three test shafts, or a test kit, before a dozen. Confirm the spine before you cut and fletch a full dozen.[24][32]
- Bare-shaft or paper tune. Shoot unfletched shafts beside fletched ones, or through paper, and let the arrow show you whether it is weak or stiff.[25] Start about 1 in (2.5 cm) long and cut ¼ in (6 mm) at a time while you bare-shaft tune.[20]
More detail: how spine is measured, and why wood and carbon numbers don't convert
Spine numbers come from two different tests. For carbon and aluminum, the shaft rests on supports 28 in (711 mm) apart and a 1.94 lb (880 g) weight hangs from the middle.[1] The spine number is the deflection in inches times 1000: a shaft that bends 0.500 in is a 500, and an Easton 1716 aluminum shaft bends 0.882 in.[33] A lower number means a stiffer shaft.
The AMO wood test uses supports 26 in (660 mm) apart and a 2 lb (907 g) weight.[1] Wood spine is quoted in pounds, such as 40-45#, and a higher number means a stiffer shaft, the opposite way to carbon numbers.[2]
Because the span and the weight both differ, the two scales convert only roughly. One spine calculator converts with a factor of 0.825,[1] and we found no arrow maker's table that converts wood pounds to carbon spine, so treat any conversion as approximate.
Arrow length
Arrow length (measured from the bottom of the nock groove to the end of the shaft) should be a bit longer than your draw length so the arrow extends beyond the bow at full draw.
The safest way is to have someone mark an arrow at full draw. Easton marks target arrows about 1 inch in front of the most forward point where the arrow touches the rest.[3] Adding 1-2 inches to your draw length is a common starting estimate in community guides, not a maker's rule.[34]
Example lengths
- 26" draw: ~28" arrows
- 28" draw: ~29-30" arrows
- 30" draw: ~31-32" arrows
An arrow that is too short for your draw can fall off the rest or be drawn inside the bow, which is dangerous. When in doubt, go slightly longer.
Tuning with length
Arrow length affects dynamic spine: longer arrows flex more, shorter arrows flex less. Some experienced archers fine-tune by adjusting length.
Our recommendation: Buy arrows in the correct spine and length from the start. If you don't own a high-speed arrow saw, have a pro shop or your retailer cut your arrows. Cut carbon only with a high-speed cut-off saw, because other saws can damage the shaft.[4][35] Expect a small fee, about $1 per arrow at the shops we checked.[36][37]
Point weight and total arrow weight
Point weight refers to the weight of the arrow's tip (measured in grains). Total arrow weight is everything combined: shaft, nock, fletching, insert, and point.
Archers often talk about grains per pound (GPP), the total arrow weight in grains divided by the bow's draw weight in pounds, as a guideline for arrow safety and performance.
- Under 5 GPP: too light. Below the IBO minimum[15] and bow makers' warranty minimums.[38][39]
- 5 to 8 GPP: meets the 5 GPP minimum. Check your bow maker's minimum, which can be higher.
- 8 GPP and up: also meets the stricter minimum at least one traditional bowyer sets for its warranty.[40]
The marker shows 8 GPP: a 240 grain arrow from a 30 lb bow.
5 GPP is the floor
The IBO rules set this floor,[15] and bow makers including Hoyt and Mathews write it into their warranties.[38][39] At least one traditional bowyer asks for 8.[40] Use whichever is higher, your bow maker's minimum or 5 GPP.
Above the floor
There is no single standard above the floor. One traditional bowyer recommends 9-11 GPP for its bows.[40] IBO's traditional class requires 10 grains per pound at 28" and no less than 450 grains, but that is a competition rule, not a safety limit.[41]
Hunting rules
Hunting rules set minimum bow weights, not GPP ranges;[42] see the hunting law examples. For hunting arrows, aim for 10-15% FOC.[43]
How point weight changes spine
Heavier points make an arrow act "softer" because more mass up front causes more flex on release. Easton's chart has a rule for it:
For every 25 grains of point weight over 100, add 3 lb to your bow weight before you read the chart; for every 25 grains under 100, subtract 3 lb.[4] That is less than one weight row on Easton's 2026 target chart, where rows are 4-6 lb wide.
Example: a 30 lb bow
For a 30 lb recurve, the IBO floor of 5 GPP is 150 grains.[15] If your bowyer asks for 8 GPP, it is 240 grains.[40] Use whichever is higher.
- Work out your total: shaft length × the shaft's grains per inch, plus point, insert, nock and fletching.
- Check it: divide by your actual draw weight and make sure you are at or above your floor.
Fletching
Fletching (feathers or plastic vanes) makes the arrow spin and steadies it in flight.
Which to choose depends mostly on whether you shoot off the shelf or from a raised rest.
Off the shelf: feathers
An arrow shot off the shelf brushes the bow with its fletching, so traditional archers mostly shoot feathers.[44] Felt, leather and hair shelf rests are made for them.[45] Feathers are lighter and more flexible than vanes, and give more drag and spin.[44]
Sizes vary by maker and arrow diameter; check the maker's chart.
Raised rest: vanes work too
An elevated rest, such as a rest-and-plunger or a stick-on rest, gives the arrow more clearance, so vanes are an option.[44] Stick-on rests with an arm take either.[45] Vanes are the more durable of the two.[44]
Sizes vary by maker and arrow diameter; check the maker's vane chart.[46]
Three or four? Most arrows carry three feathers or vanes. Some archers use four to steady large broadheads, or so that each fletch can sit lower.[44]
What fits what
A finished arrow is a shaft plus a few small parts: a nock at the back, a point at the front (sometimes held by an insert or outsert), and fletching. Every part has to fit the exact shaft you own, and the nock also has to fit your bowstring.
Start with the shaft's inside diameter. Press-fit nocks plug straight into it, and not all shafts have the same inside diameter, so know exactly which shaft you shoot before you buy nocks.[50]
| Shaft inside diameter | Nock codes that fit | Size class |
|---|---|---|
| .166 in (4.2 mm) | G, F | Micro (4 mm class) |
| .204 in (5.2 mm) | X, A | Small (5 mm class) |
| .234 in (5.9 mm) | H, H.E. | Easton 6 mm (Sonic) |
| .244 in (6.2 mm) | S (Super Nock) | Standard (Easton 6.5 mm) |
| .246 in (6.2 mm) | GT | Standard (Gold Tip) |
Buy the nock your shaft's maker sells for it: every arrow maker makes nocks to fit its own arrows.[50]
More detail: nock letters, and the .244 and .246 sizes
Four ways a nock attaches
Press-fit nocks
They push into the shaft's inside diameter with no glue, and you can turn them to line up your fletching for clearance.[50] Buy them by inside diameter and shaft maker.
Pin nocks and pin bushings
A pin bushing goes in the shaft and the nock clips onto the pin. Any nock labelled "pin" fits any pin bushing, because pins are one standard size.[50] Pin nocks suit target and 3D, and standard nocks suit hunting. The bushing adds weight at the back, which can change dynamic spine.[51]
Uni-bushings
Some archers fit aluminum Uni-bushings to protect the shaft ends from other arrows. Then you need press-fit nocks made for the bushing, not for the shaft.[50]
Conventional (swage) nocks
These are for aluminum arrows with a cone-shaped back end, called the swage.[50] You press them on by hand, or lock them with a glue that is not a cyanoacrylate (superglue).
Points, inserts and outserts
Glue-in points go straight into the shaft and are common on thin target shafts. They are usually set with hot-melt glue rather than quick-set glue, so you can heat them and pull them out to make changes.[52] Some break off in sections so you can trim the weight, for example from 140 down to 90 grains (9.1 to 5.8 g).[52]
Screw-in points thread into an insert glued inside the shaft. The usual thread is 8-32, and 75-150 grains are the most popular weights.[52] Screw-in points suit recreational archers, bowhunters and some 3-D archers, because you can swap field points for broadheads of the same weight.[52]
Match the point to the outside diameter of your shaft or insert, so it flows smoothly into the shaft.[52]
Not every insert is 8-32: some thin shafts take their own thread and points.[53] Check the thread before you order points or broadheads.
Whatever holds the point adds weight at the front: a standard aluminum insert might weigh about 16 grains (1.0 g), while a brass insert can weigh 100 grains (6.5 g).[54]
Front weight changes the spine you need. On Easton's chart, for example, a 29-inch arrow from a 62 lb bow needs a 340 spine with a 100-grain broadhead, but a 300 spine if the point is 50 grains heavier.[54]
More detail: thin-shaft inserts, outserts and how charts count point weight
Easton's 4 mm Deep Six HIT insert (20 grains, 1.3 g) takes Deep Six points, and Easton's Deep Six field points fit Deep Six inserts only.[53]
Outserts and half-outs are another way to hold a point on very thin hunting shafts. Easton's 4 mm half-outs weigh 50 grains (aluminum 8-32), 55 grains (titanium, takes 8-32 thread 5/16 in field points) and 95 grains (steel).[53] Easton's HIT inserts are made for its own shafts: the 5 mm HIT weighs 16 grains, and a Match Grade HIT collar adds 13-21 grains.[53]
Gold Tip counts point, insert, collar and any added weight together as "point weight" when you use its chart.[20]
Wood shafts
Wood shafts come in a few standard diameters, and each diameter covers its own band of spines. Here is what one supplier lists for Port Orford cedar shafts.[55]
| Shaft diameter | Spine ranges sold |
|---|---|
| 5/16 in (7.9 mm) | 30-35, 35-40 and 40-45 lb |
| 11/32 in (8.7 mm) | 40-45 lb up to 65-70 lb, in 5 lb steps |
| 23/64 in (9.1 mm) | 50-55 lb up to 75-80 lb, in 5 lb steps |
So once you know your spine, you also know roughly which diameter you are buying, and your nocks and points must match that diameter. These cedar shafts are factory spined to within 5 lb.[55]
Glue-on points need a 5-degree point taper cut on the shaft end. The 5-degree taper is an industry standard, so glue-on points fit any shaft cut with it.[56]
A taper tool cuts both nock and point tapers in each shaft diameter,[57] and traditional glue-on nocks are sized by shaft diameter too.[58]
Nock fit on the string
The nock has to fit your string as well as your shaft. When you nock the arrow, you want a small click: not too tight, not too loose.[51] A tap on the string should knock the arrow off.[59]
The arrow should easily hold its own weight hanging from the string, and nock tension matters most on bows of 30 lb (13.6 kg) and under.[3]
Many nocks come in a small and a large groove. Small-groove nocks are for skinnier strings, like those on low-poundage recurves; large-groove nocks are for compound bows and recurves with thicker strings.[50]
More detail: groove and throat, and Beiter nock sizes
Two parts of the nock matter. The groove is the tighter section that holds the string; the throat is the section that touches the string during the shot.[51]
Beiter numbers its sizes instead. The #1 is for thinner serving (generally 12 to 16 strands) and the #2 for larger serving (generally 14 to 18 strands), depending on material thickness.[51] Standard Beiter nocks are asymmetrical, for finger shooters; Beiter Hunter nocks are symmetrical, for compounds with a D-loop and release aid.[51]
A bad nock fit can cause dry-fire situations, string torque, serving damage and lost arrows.[51]
Front of center (FOC)
FOC describes the percentage of the arrow's total weight that sits in its front half.[43] Your choice of point, insert, nock and fletching all move it.
More detail: the FOC formula, and a worked example
FOC % = 100 × (A − L/2) ÷ L
L is the correct arrow length: bottom of the nock groove to the end of the shaft. A is the distance from the bottom of the nock groove to the balance point of the finished arrow, with point (and insert), nock and fletching fitted.[3]
To find A, balance the finished arrow on a knife edge with the point you will shoot mounted.[60] For example, a 29-inch Easton Axis 5mm 340 with a 100-grain point comes to about 415 grains (26.9 g) and 12% FOC, inside Easton's range.[54]
Some people work out FOC with total arrow length instead of shaft length. The answer comes out different for the same arrow, so only compare FOC figures worked out the same way.[60]
| Use | FOC |
|---|---|
| Target, indoors | 7-15% |
| Target, outdoors (0-90 m) | 10-15% |
| Hunting | 10-15% |
On Easton shafts, the recommended point puts the FOC in range on its own.[43]
More is not always better: too much FOC lowers an arrow's dynamic spine, which can cause tuning problems, and over 20% it makes finger-release consistency much more critical.[43]
More detail: FOC bands from bowhunting research
Dr. Ed Ashby's bowhunting research sorts arrows into four bands (AMO formula): normal FOC is 12% and less, high FOC over 12% up through 18%, extreme FOC (EFOC) 19-30%, and ultra-EFOC above 30%. In his study, the first measurable tissue-penetration gains from FOC appeared at the EFOC level, 19%.[61] These are his study's definitions, not an industry standard.
Buy nocks, inserts and points made for your exact shaft model and size. Easton, for example, sells separate nock, insert and point families for each of its shaft diameters.[62]
When in doubt, give the shop the shaft's maker, model and spine, and let them pick the parts.
Target vs. hunting arrows
The best arrow for punching paper isn't always the best one for hunting or stump shooting.
Target shooting
Accuracy and consistency are king
Arrow weight
Lighter arrows for a flatter trajectory and faster flight, never below 5 GPP or your bow maker's minimum
Spine
Finely tuned, often slightly weaker for finger release
Fletching
Low-profile vanes sized for your arrow diameter (check the maker's vane chart)
Point weight
100 grains is the basis of Easton's charts;[4] screw-in points of 75-150 grains are the most popular[52]
Hunting and stump shooting
Penetration, durability, and visibility
Arrow weight
Heavier arrows for penetration and quiet flight
Spine
Robust shafts that survive impacts
Fletching
Feathers or vanes; some archers use four fletches to stabilize large broadheads[44]
Point weight
A standard broadhead weighs 100 grains, with 125 and 150 common; heavier points need a stiffer shaft[54]
Flu-flu arrows
Exaggerated fletching that slows the arrow down quickly. Great for aerial shots or preventing lost arrows.
Blunts and judos
Specialty points for stump shooting. Blunts won't bury deep; judo points have spring arms to grab grass and stay visible.
Know your bow
Arrows are only half of the fit. Before you buy them, make sure the bow itself suits you: its weight, its length, how its limbs attach, its string and its brace height.
Starting draw weight
Start lighter than you think. World Archery's coaching manual gives these maximum weights for novices:[7]
| Archer | Bow weight (max.) |
|---|---|
| Children 6 to 8 | Up to 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| Children 8 to 12 | Up to 12 lb (5.4 kg) |
| Girls 12 to 14 | 12-16 lb (5.4-7.3 kg) |
| Boys 12 to 16 | 14-18 lb (6.4-8.2 kg) |
| Girls 15 to 17 | 15-18 lb (6.8-8.2 kg) |
| Boys 15 to 17 | 16-20 lb (7.3-9.1 kg) |
| Women | 16-20 lb (7.3-9.1 kg) |
| Men | 18-22 lb (8.2-10.0 kg) |
Move up slowly. The same manual says never to raise a novice's bow weight by more than 2 lb (0.9 kg) at a time.[7]
A quick check: if you can't hold the string back for even a few seconds without shaking, the bow is too heavy,[65] and a bow heavier than you can handle risks injury.[66]
More detail: a strength test, and what elite archers pull
The same manual also gives a strength test. A novice should manage its 10-second draw-and-hold exercise 8 times without losing form, and once they can do it 10 to 12 times, 2 lb more is worth considering.[7]
For scale, the recurve men at the 2018 World Cup Final averaged around 48-50 lb (22-23 kg).[66] That is an elite figure, not a starting point.
Coming from a compound? A 70 lb compound with 75% let-off holds about 18 lb at full draw, while a 50 lb recurve holds the full 50 lb.[65] Don't pick a recurve weight from your compound's label.
Bow length and draw length
Bow length is measured tip to tip on the unstrung bow, with the tape following the limbs.[9] It has to suit your draw. If a short bow is chosen for a long draw, the limbs bend more than they were designed for and may even break.[7]
On a takedown recurve, bow length is riser plus limbs, and each step up in riser or limb size adds 2 in (5 cm).[9]
| Draw length | Bow length |
|---|---|
| Up to 18 in (46 cm) | 48 in (122 cm) |
| 18-20½ in (46-52 cm) | 52 in (132 cm) or longer |
| 20½-23½ in (52-60 cm) | 62 in (157 cm) or longer |
| 23½-25½ in (60-65 cm) | 64 in (163 cm) or longer |
| 25½-27½ in (65-70 cm) | 66 in (168 cm) or longer |
| 27½-29½ in (70-75 cm) | 68 in (173 cm) or longer |
| 29½-31 in (75-79 cm) | 70 in (178 cm) or longer |
| More than 31 in (79 cm) | 72 in (183 cm) |
More detail: how takedown risers and limbs add up
| Riser | Limbs | Bow length | String | Brace height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 in | Long | 66 in (168 cm) | 63 in | 8.5-9 in (21.6-22.9 cm) |
| 21 in | Medium | 64 in (163 cm) | 61 in | 8-8.75 in (20.3-22.2 cm) |
| 21 in | Short | 62 in (157 cm) | 59 in | 8-8.5 in (20.3-21.6 cm) |
| 23 in | Long | 68 in (173 cm) | 65 in | 8.5-9.25 in (21.6-23.5 cm) |
| 23 in | Medium | 66 in (168 cm) | 63 in | 8.25-9 in (21.0-22.9 cm) |
| 23 in | Short | 64 in (163 cm) | 61 in | 8-8.75 in (20.3-22.2 cm) |
| 25 in | Long | 70 in (178 cm) | 67 in | 8.75-9.5 in (22.2-24.1 cm) |
| 25 in | Medium | 68 in (173 cm) | 65 in | 8.5-9.25 in (21.6-23.5 cm) |
| 25 in | Short | 66 in (168 cm) | 63 in | 8.25-9 in (21.0-22.9 cm) |
| 27 in | Long | 72 in (183 cm) | 69 in | 8.75-9.5 in (22.2-24.1 cm) |
| 27 in | Medium | 70 in (178 cm) | 67 in | 8.5-9.25 in (21.6-23.5 cm) |
| 27 in | Short | 68 in (173 cm) | 65 in | 8.25-9 in (21.0-22.9 cm) |
Uukha, an ILF limb maker, gives its own guide for its target recurves: 66 in for a draw of 27 in AMO or less, 68 in for 28 in, 70 in for 29-30 in, and 72 in for 31 in or more.[10] At a 29 in draw that is one size longer than World Archery's minimum. That is Uukha's preference, and the two don't clash, because World Archery's figures are minimums.
How the limbs attach
A takedown recurve comes apart at the riser, and the way its limbs attach decides what you can mix.
ILF
Mixes across brandsThe International Limb Fitting is a uniform attachment that lets limbs from many makers fit risers from many makers.[67]
Hoyt Formula
Formula onlyBuying your first takedown? Spend more on the riser than on the limbs: most people soon go up in poundage and buy limbs again.[16] That makes a cross-brand fitting worth having.
Strings
String length follows bow length. If no string length is marked on the bow, use a string 3 in (7.6 cm) shorter than the bow: a 68 in bow takes a 65 in string.[5][9]
Low-stretch HMPE strings (Dyneema and Fast Flight) are not for every bow. If your bow was made before 1990, use only Dacron.[59] At least one bowyer warns that at draws of 29 in or more, a high-performance string can significantly increase the chance of limb-tip damage.[40] Whatever the age of your bow, check that its maker rates it for HMPE.
More detail: string length, stretch, twists and strand count
Go by that AMO length, not a tape measure. A 68 in AMO string actually measures 64 to 65¼ in (163-166 cm), depending on the bow and the string material.[59]
Twists fine-tune the fit: adding them raises the brace height, and removing them lowers it. Hoyt does not recommend fewer than 10 twists in a string.[9]
Dacron stretches more than modern materials. Untensioned, a Dacron string can measure up to 1 in shorter than under 100 lb (45.4 kg) of tension, while BCY DF97 or 8125 may vary by only ¼ in.[59]
| Draw weight | Dacron | Dyneema / Fast Flight |
|---|---|---|
| 10-30 lb (4.5-13.6 kg) | 10-12 strands | 12-14 strands |
| 30-40 lb (13.6-18.1 kg) | 14 strands | 16 strands |
| Over 40 lb (18.1 kg) | 16 strands | 18-20 strands |
A string change also changes your arrows: the 3Rivers charts count a Fast Flight string as 5 lb more bow.[2]
Brace height
Brace height, also called fistmele, is the perpendicular distance from the string to the pivot point of the grip.[9]
It matters in both directions. Too low, and the bow is unstable and the string will most likely strike your wrist; too high, and the power stroke gets shorter.[7]
Start from your bow maker's figure.[7] If your maker gives none, World Archery's generic chart is a fallback.
More detail: brace height by bow length
| Bow length | World Archery range | World Archery typical | Uukha (±10 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 in | 19.7-22.9 cm (7.8-9.0 in) | 21.5 cm (8.5 in) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| 66 in | 20.3-23.5 cm (8.0-9.3 in) | 22 cm (8.7 in) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| 68 in | 21-24.1 cm (8.3-9.5 in) | 22.5 cm (8.9 in) | 218 mm (8.6 in) |
| 70 in | 21.6-24.8 cm (8.5-9.8 in) | 23 cm (9.1 in) | 225 mm (8.9 in) |
To find the best height, shoot a few arrows at the suggested starting height, then unstring the bow, add 3-4 twists and shoot again, until the bow feels smoothest and quietest.[3]
Compounds are different again. Their brace height is set by the maker, and changing it changes the bow's draw weight and draw length.[3]
Crossbow bolts: buy what your maker specifies
A crossbow bolt is a short arrow, typically 16 to 22 in (40.6 to 55.9 cm) long.[68] It rests in a flight groove on the barrel, where the string pushes on its nock.[69] Manuals often call them arrows.
A crossbow's maker has already chosen the bolt for each model, and the manual lists its weight, diameter, length and nock style.[69][70]
Underweight bolts can cause a dry-fire effect and break the limbs.[69] The wrong nock can let the string shoot over or under the bolt.[69] Some makers also void or limit the warranty if you use other bolts or nocks.[71][72]
The crossbow's maker sets them. Use your owner's manual and the checklist below.
Five specs to look up in your manual
Length
Usually a minimum, often 20 in (50.8 cm), though some models need 22 in (55.9 cm) and some take 18 in (45.7 cm).[73][74] Match or slightly exceed the rail length: too short risks a dry-fire, and too long hurts stability.[68]
Minimum total weight
Count the finished bolt with its point fitted.[75] A bolt that's too light can't absorb the shot's energy, which creates a dry-fire condition that can damage the crossbow.[71]
Nock type
The nock has to suit the string and trigger. At least one maker's anti-dry-fire trigger works only with its own nock.[71]
More detail: example bolt specs from six crossbow makers
| Maker and models | Length | Minimum total weight | Nock | Point and other rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TenPoint and Wicked Ridge (2026 manual) | 20 in (50.8 cm) minimum on most models; Vapor 22 in (55.9 cm); Ranger models 18 in (45.7 cm)[73] | 370 grains (24.0 g); 400 grains (25.9 g) on ACUslide models[69] | Alpha-Nock, Alpha-Nock HP or HPX, Alpha-Blaze or Alpha-Brite; no flat, moon or capture nocks[69] | Ships with 100-grain (6.5 g) field points[69] |
| Ravin R26X and R29X | 20 in (50.8 cm) Ravin arrows[71] | 400 grains (25.9 g), including tip[71] | Ravin Clip-on only; no flat, half-moon, slotted moon or universal nocks[71] | Ravin arrows only; others void the warranty[71] |
| Excalibur (all models, July 2026 manual) | The bolts supplied for your model[75] | 350 grains (22.7 g), arrow and tip combined[75] | No nock: a flat threaded rear insert[75] | Points of 100 grains (6.5 g) or more; bolts weigh about 250 grains (16.2 g) bare[75] |
| Killer Instinct Rush 400 | 20 in (50.8 cm) minimum[74] | 370 grains (24.0 g), arrow and point[74] | Half-moon[74] | Never shoot without a field point or broadhead[74] |
| CenterPoint Sniper Elite 385 and Amped G2D | 20 in (50.8 cm)[72][77] | 400 grains (25.9 g) or more, finished[72][77] | Half-moon[72][77] | 100-grain (6.5 g) broadhead recommended for hunting (Amped G2D)[72] |
| Barnett (FAQ) | Given in your owner's manual[70] | 400 grains (25.9 g) required; never under 380 grains (24.6 g) including a 100-grain (6.5 g) point[70] | Not stated in the FAQ | Lighter bolts void the warranty[70] |
Where a maker gives two figures, as Barnett's FAQ does, use the higher one.[70] Specs also change by year: TenPoint's Alpha-Nock warranty rule names its 2019 and newer crossbows.[69]
Other maker rules: TenPoint designed its bolts for ideal FOC (front of center) with a 100-grain point; 125- or 150-grain (8.1 or 9.7 g) broadheads may need shoot-testing.[76] Killer Instinct's Rush 400 scope marks assume a 400-grain (25.9 g) bolt.[74] Ravin's bolts have a glued rear metal insert, and shafts without one are more likely to fracture.[71] Mission wants the vanes to start at least 1.35 in (3.4 cm) from inside the nock.[78] Excalibur's bolts have no cock vane, because their flat insert can face any way, and its illuminated Diablo is 265 grains (17.2 g) bare, the standard one 250 (16.2 g).[75]
Nock types
Half-moon (moon)
A crescent-shaped nock that lines up with the string.[79] Put the odd-colored vane in the flight groove and check that the curve of the nock matches the curve of the string.[74]
Flat (flatback)
A flat base that is easy to align.[68] Some crossbows use a flat threaded insert instead of a nock,[75] and some makers forbid flat nocks.[69][71]
Maker-specific nocks
TenPoint's Alpha-Nock has a deep groove and large radius base that hold the string on narrow crossbows to prevent shoot-over or shoot-under misfires.[69] Ravin's Clip-on nock takes about 5 lb (2.3 kg) of force to engage, with an audible click, and its opening sits perpendicular to the white cock vane.[71]
The wrong nock type can cause poor accuracy, dry-firing or equipment damage.[68]
Safety rules
- Never dry-fire. After one, have a dealer or the factory inspect the crossbow before you cock or shoot it again.[69] A dry-fire can also void the warranty.[78]
- Never uncock by dry-firing. The crossbow needs the bolt's weight to absorb its energy, so shoot an old bolt into a safe target instead.[69][77]
- Fingers below the rail. Keep your thumb and fingers below the flight deck and away from the cables.[69] Most injuries happen while target shooting with the crossbow on a rest.[75]
- Seat the bolt fully. Slide it all the way back under the hold-down spring until it sits firmly against the string.[75]
- Always fit a point. Never shoot a bolt without a field point or broadhead.[74][78]
- Inspect every bolt before every shot. Feel along the shaft and nock, flex the bolt 0.5 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm) listening for cracks, and twist it: a shaft that twists easily is damaged.[74] A cracked carbon shaft can shatter and throw fragments, and a damaged nock can cause a dry-fire.[69][71]
Crossbow hunting law: examples, not advice
More detail: crossbow rules in Ontario and New York State
| Where | What the rule says | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario, Canada | For moose, elk and bear: draw length at least 11.8 in (300 mm), draw weight at least 119 lb (54 kg), and bolts with a broadhead at least 0.87 in (22 mm) wide with 2 or more sharp cutting edges; deer and wild turkey need 99.2 lb (45 kg).[80] | Page updated 9 March 2026 |
| New York State, USA | A legal hunting crossbow needs a peak draw weight of at least 100 lb (45.4 kg) and a working trigger safety, and must be uncocked in or on a motor vehicle.[81] | dec.ny.gov page retrieved 18 October 2026 (no update date shown) |
These examples were correct on the dates shown and may already be out of date. Check the current rules where you hunt before you buy bolts or broadheads.
For bow-hunting examples, see hunting law in the safety chapter.
Your crossbow bolt checklist
- Maker, model and year of your crossbow, and its owner's manual.
- Length: the manual's figure, and the length of the bolts that came with the crossbow.
- Minimum total weight, counted with the point fitted, and the bolt weight your scope is set up for.
- Nock type by name (for example Alpha-Nock HPX, Ravin Clip-on, half-moon or flat), including any lighted nock your maker approves.
- Point weight the bolts were designed around, plus any broadhead width your hunting rules set.
- Shaft: whether the warranty requires the maker's own bolts, and any vane orientation or fletching clearance rule.
- When unsure, reorder the bolt that came with your crossbow.[82]
Safety and a buying checklist
Most arrow safety comes down to one idea: the arrow has to be heavy enough, long enough and sound enough for the bow it leaves, whichever of the six bow types you shoot.
Minimum arrow weight
Arrows must weigh at least 5 grains per pound of the bow's maximum shooting weight, its peak weight as set up.[15] Below that, bow makers void the warranty or tell you not to shoot the arrow.[13][38][39] At least one traditional bowyer asks for 8.[40] Use whichever floor is higher. Point weight and total arrow weight works through an example.
Never dry-fire
Never draw and release your bow without an arrow on the string. It can damage the bow and hurt you or people nearby.[13][14] If it happens, don't shoot the bow again until a pro shop has inspected it.[8][38] Bow makers don't cover dry-fire damage under warranty.[14][83]
Check your nocks too. Throw away any nock with a crack or damage of any kind: a bad nock can cause a dry-fire.[51]
No wood arrows from a compound
Long enough for your draw
Never shoot an arrow that is too short for your draw.[85] Arrow length shows how to measure it.
Hunting law: examples, not advice
Whether you may hunt with a bow at all depends on where you are.
| Where | What the rule says | As of |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | It is an offence to use any arrow to take, kill or injure any deer (Deer Act 1991, section 4).[86] | legislation.gov.uk text retrieved 18 October 2026 |
| Great Britain | It is an offence to use any bow or crossbow to kill or take any wild animal (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 11; Wales has parallel wording).[87] | legislation.gov.uk text retrieved 18 October 2026 |
| Germany | Federal hunting law forbids shooting hoofed game, wolves and seals with arrows or bolts (Bundesjagdgesetz, section 19).[88] | gesetze-im-internet.de text retrieved 18 October 2026 |
More detail: US examples, with minimum draw weights
| Where | What the rule says | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State, USA | For big game, the bow must produce at least 40 lb (18.1 kg) of pull at 28 in or at full draw, and arrows must be at least 20 in (50.8 cm) long (WAC 220-414-070).[42] | app.leg.wa.gov text retrieved 18 October 2026 |
| United States | In an ATA survey of 2016-17 regulations, 33 of 50 states set a minimum draw weight, 11 were silent and 6 had none; the minimums were 30, 35 or 40 lb for white-tailed deer.[89] The ATA recommends 30 lb for states that adopt a minimum.[90] | 2016-17 regulations (ATA document, May 2019) |
These examples were correct in the sources on the dates shown and may already be out of date. Check the current rules where you hunt before you buy hunting arrows or broadheads.
Your buying checklist
Copy this into your order: a shop can only fit what you tell it.
- Bow type: Olympic recurve, barebow, traditional recurve, longbow, horse bow or compound. For a longbow, say whether it is center-shot: the 3Rivers charts read center-shot longbows like recurves.[2]
- Draw weight, marked and actual: the number on the limbs and what the bow really pulls at your draw length. Non-compound bows are marked at a 28 in (71.1 cm) draw, and the 3Rivers charts count roughly 2-3 lb for every inch either side.[2][5]
- Draw length.
- Cut length, and how it was measured: Easton measures from the bottom of the nock groove to the end of the shaft, Gold Tip from the nock throat to the end of the insert.[18][20]
- Spine, as a range, and which chart it came from.
- Point weight, counting any insert, half-out or collar, and the point type: glue-in, 8-32 screw-in, or glue-on for a 5-degree taper.
- Shaft inside diameter and nock size: the shaft's maker and model, its inside diameter, the nock model (or pin nock and pin bushing), and the groove size that clicks onto your string.
- Fletching: feathers if you shoot off the shelf, vanes only with a raised rest; three or four fletches.[44]
- Total arrow weight, checked against your floor: 5 grains per pound or your bow maker's figure, whichever is higher.
- Buy a test kit or three shafts first. Charts disagree, and a few test shafts cost less than a second dozen.
Where to buy
Start with a local archery pro shop if you have one. Staff can weigh your bow, check your draw length, cut shafts and fit the parts, and some keep test shafts. In the US, the ATA's store locator finds archery shops by ZIP code. Elsewhere, a local archery club can point you to one.
Buying online? These independent archery specialists in the US sell shafts and arrow-building parts.
- 3Rivers Archery, Ashley, Indiana. Arrow shafts and arrow-building supplies, field points and broadheads.
- Kustom King Traditional Archery, Altoona, Pennsylvania. Wood and carbon shafts, feathers, nocks, points and broadheads.
- Black Widow Custom Bows, Nixa, Missouri. Bows, arrows, shafts and arrow-building supplies.
- Lancaster Archery Supply, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Arrow shafts, fletched arrows and arrow components, plus compound bows and crossbows.
Ready to find your arrow?
Answer six questions about your bow and get a spec you can take to a shop: spine, cut length, point weight and the parts that fit.
Sources
Every number in this guide is cited where it is used. The sources are makers' charts, catalogs and manuals; rulebooks, standards and laws; guides from archery associations and retailers; online calculators; published research; and a few blogs and one community post. Sources were retrieved on 18 October 2026 unless a year is shown. Makers update their charts, so check the latest version before you buy.
- Dynamic Spine Calculator instructions (12-25-10). Stu Miller (3Rivers Dynamic Spine Calculator) (2010).
- 3Rivers Archery spine charts (ArrowCharts.pdf). 3Rivers Archery.
- Easton Arrow Tuning and Maintenance Guide. Easton Archery.
- Easton 2026 catalog (Target Arrow Size Selection p29, Hunting Arrow Size Selection p30). Easton Archery (2026).
- AMO Standards (FP-3 standards booklet). Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization (AMO, now ATA).
- Easton hunting shaft selector. Easton Archery.
- Coaching Manual Level 1. World Archery.
- FAQ | Bear Archery. Bear Archery.
- Hoyt recurve owner manual. Hoyt Archery.
- Choose & configure | Uukha. Uukha.
- Zeroing in on Draw Length. Elite Archery.
- Selecting the Right Bow for You. Archery360 (Archery Trade Association).
- Bowtech Owner Manual (2010). Bowtech.
- Hoyt 2012 Compound Owner's Manual. Hoyt Archery (2012).
- 2025 IBO Rules. International Bowhunting Organization (IBO).
- Improve Your Game - How To Pick Your First Bow. Archery GB.
- Warnings & Use. Easton Archery.
- FAQs - Easton Archery - Archery Questions Answered. Easton Archery.
- Wood arrow spine chart (WoodChart.pdf). 3Rivers Archery (2006).
- Arrow Spine Selector Tool. Gold Tip.
- Victory Archery Arrow Guide. Victory Archery.
- Easton Arrow Size Selector. Easton Archery.
- Easton Arrow Size Selector result page (800-700). Easton Archery.
- Trad Bow Nation Arrow Builder. Trad Bow Nation.
- pfeilrechner.com Arrow Calculator. pfeilrechner.com (3d-bogenparcours.com).
- Find Your Arrow - BEA Intelligence. Black Eagle Arrows.
- Arrow spine chart. Kustom King Archery.
- Arrow spine charts. Sportsman's Warehouse.
- Spinewert-Rechner (spine calculator). Bogensportwelt.
- Spinewert (spine guide). Arrowforge.
- How to tune your arrow (Fred Eichler). Bear Archery.
- 3Rivers Dynamic Spine Calculator. 3Rivers Archery.
- Easton Target 2024 catalog (alloy shaft and component specifications). Easton Archery (2024).
- A beginner's guide to arrows (community post). r/Archery (Reddit).
- Safety Information. Gold Tip.
- Archery Pricing (pro shop price list). Tibbits Archery.
- Gold Tip Hunter Fletched Arrows (custom cut option). Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Hoyt recurve owner's manual (PDF). Hoyt Archery.
- FAQ. Mathews Inc..
- Frequently Asked Questions. Black Widow Custom Bows.
- IBO Traditional Rules. International Bowhunting Organization (IBO).
- WAC 220-414-070. Washington State Legislature.
- The Simple Guidelines to Correct Arrow Balance (FOC). Easton Archery (2022).
- Feathers vs. vanes: Here's what you need to know. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Guide to Traditional Archery Arrow Rests. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Bohning Vane Usage Table 2025. Bohning (2025).
- Tricks for Finding Lost Hunting Arrows (editorial guide). Realtree.
- Lighted Arrow Nocks. FeraDyne Outdoors.
- 10 Tips on How to Find Lost Arrows (review blog). Pickabow.
- A basic guide to arrow nocks. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Arrow Nocks: Everything You Need to Know. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Basic guide to target archery arrow points. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Easton Hunting 2024 catalog (PDF). Easton Archery (2024).
- FOC Calculator | What is Front of Center in Archery?. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Port Orford Cedar Wood Shafts. 3Rivers Archery.
- Steel Glue-On Field Points. 3Rivers Archery.
- Bearpaw Taper Tool. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Traditional Nock (Trad.). The Bohning Company.
- How to Choose the Right Recurve/Longbow String. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- Understanding and Applying FOC (Dr. Ed Ashby, 2005). Ashby Bowhunting Foundation (2005).
- 2019 Terminal Arrow Performance Update. Ashby Bowhunting Foundation (2019).
- Easton Target 2025 catalog (PDF). Easton Archery (2025).
- SOLID-Reflective Arrow Wraps (product page). Onestringer.
- Archery Lesson: How to Find Lost Arrows. October Mountain Products (2018).
- How to know if your bow's draw weight is too heavy. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- How heavy is a recurve bow? The draw-weight question. World Archery.
- How to Match Limbs and Risers for Your Takedown Recurve Bow. Lancaster Archery Supply.
- How to Select Crossbow Bolts?. EK Archery.
- Owner's Manual for most crossbow models manufactured by TenPoint Crossbow Technologies and Wicked Ridge Crossbows (2026 general manual, PDF). TenPoint Crossbow Technologies.
- FAQ. Barnett Crossbows.
- R26X/R29X User Manual (rev. 1.4, PDF). Ravin Crossbows.
- Amped G2D De-Cocking Crossbow Owner's Manual (PDF). CenterPoint Archery.
- What is the minimum arrow length that I can shoot with my crossbow?. TenPoint Crossbow Technologies.
- Owners Instruction Manual, Model 1002 - Rush 400 (PDF). Killer Instinct Crossbows.
- Excalibur Crossbow Owner's Manual (July 2026, PDF). Excalibur Crossbow.
- What broadhead and broadhead weight do you recommend?. TenPoint Crossbow Technologies.
- Sniper Elite 385 Compound Crossbow Owner's Manual (PDF). CenterPoint Archery.
- Mission Crossbows Owner's Manual (2019, PDF). Mission Crossbows.
- Halfmoon Bolt Nocks 2219 Dozen Bag. Easton Archery.
- General regulations | Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary. Government of Ontario.
- Crossbow Hunting. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
- What arrow should I use with my crossbow?. TenPoint Crossbow Technologies.
- Elite Archery 2022 Owner's Manual. Elite Archery (2022).
- Bear Archery 2024 Owner's Manual (compound bows). Bear Archery (2024).
- Beginners guide to archery. Archery GB.
- Deer Act 1991, section 4. legislation.gov.uk (UK Government).
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, section 11. legislation.gov.uk (UK Government).
- ยง 19 BJagdG - Einzelnorm. gesetze-im-internet.de (German Federal Ministry of Justice).
- ATA Bowhunting Equipment Standards, May 2019 board meeting (PDF). Archery Trade Association (ATA) (2019).
- Position Statements - ATA. Archery Trade Association (ATA) (2019-05-20).