Best Arrows For 40lb Compound Bow

Whether you use your compound bow for hunting, target practice, or maybe both, one of the most important things is what arrows you use. There is a common misconception that it is the bow that harbors all the power and while this is true to an extent, your arrows play an important role in your archery practice.

Before you get out into the field or onto the shooting range, you should make sure that you have chosen the right equipment. If you are using a 40lb compound bow, there are some arrows that will suit this type of bow and in this article, we are going to be showing you our top picks.

We will also be giving you all the information you will need to effectively and confidently choose your arrows.

Here Are The Arrows We Love

If you type in ‘the best arrows’ on a Google search, you will be rewarded with a seriously vast choice. There is no limit on the type, length, weight, flexibility, or style of arrows you could choose.

However, not all arrows are made equal and while many are of excellent quality, they may not be suitable for your 40lb compound bow. This is where a lot of archers, particularly beginners, begin to struggle.

It is important to know what you are looking for and what products are right for you. But to save you the hassle of having to trawl through endless online products, we have put together a list of the best arrows for a 40lb compound bow. Take a look below.

Top Pick – HHORB 30 Inch Carbon Archery Arrows

Many archers will practice both out in the field, hitting live targets as well as getting onto the shooting range for a bit of target practice. This diversity in the sport requires equipment to match and that is where these incredible arrows make their mark.

If you are looking for something with an excellent all-round performance that will provide accuracy, a good flight, and versatility then you might want to consider these.

The arrows are fitted with three TPU fletchings for optimal flight and control. They each measure 30 inches, but of course, this can be reduced should you need to. Made from carbon, they are strong and durable as well as being wonderfully lightweight.

These arrows have a standard diameter which is another point that makes them excellent for a variety of archery types. With the average diameter being 6.5mm, these sit at 6.3mm, which is marginally smaller.

The arrows are designed to be used with all kinds of bows but work particularly well with a compound. They have adjustable nocks for this reason and also come with screw-on arrow tips. This gives you the freedom to replace the arrow tip with a broadhead for when you are out bowhunting.

The thing that impressed us the most with these arrows was how smoothly they fly. With minimal hand shock, they leave the bow with a gentle glide and appear to cut through the air with some of the most delightful accuracy we have ever seen.

At the same time as this, they are so durable and one of the longest lasting archery arrows in their class. You certainly won’t be let down by them.

For Hunting – Paisi Carbon Archery Arrows

Pure, precision cut carbon is crafted into some of the straightest and most precise arrows we have ever seen. Not only this but the design is beautiful. If you are looking for a truly stunning arrow then these are definitely worth considering.

But so much more than merely looking great, the Paisi archery arrows demonstrate quality at its very finest.

They feature three hardy vanes made from a TPU material which gives a decent amount of weight and an accurate flight.

For bowhunting, you are going to need a much weightier arrow so that it can penetrate and these are exceptional for this. They are designed to be that little bit heavier without compromising on the speed of the flight while being weighty enough to get a kill every time. The arrows are specifically designed to be used with bows that have a draw weight between 40lbs and 70lbs.

The straightness of the arrows is to within +/- 0.003 and they come with adjustable nocks so that they can be used on a range of bows.

But what we really love about these arrows is the price. There are, of course, archery tools out there that can cost the earth. In other times, these things can be so cheap that the quality is questionable. But these arrows come at a decent price without having a negative impact on the quality.

If you are new to archery and want to try out various arrows to get a feel of what works for you, then we would suggest this to be an excellent starting point.

For Shooting Practice – Pinals Archery Spine

One of the first things you will notice about these arrows is the striking designs that they come in. Just because arrows serve a practical purpose, it doesn’t mean that they can’t show off your personality. In a choice of neon green or bright pink, they will certainly make a statement.

But aesthetics aside, these are strong, reliable, and powerful arrows that are ideal for shooting practice. They are designed for a bow with a draw weight between 25lbs and 70lbs, putting your 40lb’er right in the middle of this range.

You can convert the arrows from pointed to broadhead should you wish to get off the range and get on with some hunting, which proves their versatility.

The nocks are fully adjustable so even if you want to switch it up and use a different bow, namely a recurve, you have this option. With that in mind, they will fit almost any compound bow too.

The arrows come in packs of 12, which is pretty standard for any batch of arrows and the quality is second to none. They are fashioned from top-notch carbon which is lightweight, durable and gives an incredible degree of accuracy.

But what is most notable about these arrows is how straight they are. With precise measuring, these arrows are within the +/- 0.003 range giving you the confidence that they are truly ‘arrow straight.’

Why Are Arrows Important?

There are some archers that will simply grab the first arrows that they see and put them to use. This might be OK if you don’t mind compromising your performance but as we all know, every little aspect matters where archery is concerned.

From how you place your feet on the ground, through to the type of bow you use, your target distance and even where you place your hands, everything has its place. Your arrows are no exception to this rule and choosing the right type is fundamental in getting a decent and consistent shot every time.

Imagine a car, while it may run just fine with parts that are designed to be generic, it will run much better with parts that are designed specifically for that model. What’s more, if you tried to run a Ferrari with an engine designed for a mini wouldn’ t end well.

Similarly, if you try to operate your bow with arrows that are designed for something entirely different, you aren’t going to see such impressive results. You should always choose arrows that are meant for YOUR bow and not just some cheap sale items that happen to help you save money.

In the long run, you will thank yourself. Using the right arrows will improve your accuracy, consistency, and will give you a straight and speedy flight.

Tips For Choosing 40lbs Arrows

Before we start looking at some great tips to help you choose the right arrows for your 40lb compound bow, it is important that we point out the obvious.

Since your compound bow has a draw weight of 40lbs, you will need to look for arrows that are designed to be shot at this weight. Typically, the ideal draw weight will be given between two extremes and will be displayed on the arrow packaging or the product description.

If you are at all confused about this, the best idea is to head to your local archery shop and speak to a professional who will be able to advise you on the correct arrows for your bow.

But with the obvious aside, there are plenty of other factors that all archers should keep in mind when shopping for arrows.

These are one of the most common pieces of archery equipment that you will use so it pays to choose something that is going to stand up to the demands of this challenging sport.

Choosing The Right Arrow Length

Now, you’re going to be looking for the draw weight that each arrow is suited to and once you find this, it can be tempting to think that you have found a compatible arrow. But you’d be wrong.

The draw length of your bow will determine how long your arrows need to be and it is imperative that you stick with this.

As a rule of thumb, you should always aim to have an arrow that is one inch longer than the end of your arrow rest once it is placed inside. If it is any shorter, this could be a potential hazard, and the last thing you want is to be practicing dangerous archery.

If the arrow is very slightly too long, this won’t cause too much of a problem but when it is too short, there is a chance that it could become stuck once the bow releases. This may then result in the arrow snapping and sending debris towards you or damaging the bow.

That in mind, it is also important not to use arrows that are massively too big. A little extra length is OK but when you start having loads of extra inches, you will begin to notice that the arrows do not fly as quickly.

Since you are shooting a compound bow, it can be very easy to determine the correct length for an arrow. You will need a friend, your archery equipment, and a marker then you will be good to go.

Simply nock an arrow and draw the bow to its full draw length. Have your friends stand at the side of you, out of the way of the arrow and get them to mark a point on the arrow where it is one inch off the arrow rest. Once you have done this, you can measure from the nock groove to the point that you marked and you’ve got your ideal arrow length.

Choosing The Arrow Material

The arrows that we have looked at in this article are all made from carbon. That is because this is the most popular material to make arrows today. However, it is not the only one.

Carbon is a very lightweight material that offers extreme durability. Where archery is concerned, particularly bowhunting, you need something that is going to stand up to the challenge. Carbon is ideal for this.

These arrows will not bend and are excellent for hunting since they typically have a slightly smaller diameter making them excellent for penetration.

If you prefer something with a little more weight than an aluminum arrow is a great choice. These will travel at a slower speed so that is a factor to consider, however, there are good points to them.

Aluminium arrows are typically much quieter when they are released and while they may be more susceptible to damage than their carbon counterparts, they do offer greater spine choices.

However, for archers who want the best of both worlds, there are hybrid arrows that are made from a carbon/aluminum blend. They offer consistency, durable, speed, and versatility.

Choosing The Arrow Diameter

You might not think that the diameter of an arrow makes much difference, after all, the difference between them is millimeters. However, it can have a huge impact on your performance and is something that should absolutely be taken in consideration.

The average diameter of an arrow is 6.5mm but there are variations on this, as we saw with one of the products we looked at earlier.

However, depending on the type of archery you do, you might need a thinner or more chunky arrow.

For bowhunters, a smaller diameter is definitely preferable. This is because these arrows will penetrate the target a lot more easily, giving you more chance of an effective kill. This is owing to a decreased surface area and therefore, less friction.

However, there are even smaller diameter arrows known as micro-diameter and these have an even more minimal diameter which can greatly improve your performance out on the field.

Conversely, if you are practicing archery on a target, then you might need something a little thicker.

Choosing The Arrow Spine

Something that a lot of people omit to think about when selecting their arrows is the spine. But this is one of the most critical factors, particularly if you don’t want to compromise the flexibility.

If an arrow is too flexible, this can result in it veering off course as it travels down the range. This may be OK for some types of archery but you should be thinking about this before you commit to purchasing.

The stiffness of the arrow is typically given on a numerical scale. The higher numbers represent more flexible arrows while lower numbers tell us that the spine is a lot more rigid.

It can feel a little confusing knowing how to choose but the best way to make a decision is to consider the dynamic arrow and the static arrow.

The static spine refers to how the arrow behaves when a weight is hung from its middle when still. This weight must be 1.94lb and hung in the center of the arrow, which must measure 29 inches.

As the weight is hung, you will measure how many inches the arrow bends and times this by a thousand. This will give you the number that represents the arrow’s bend.

To understand the dynamic spine, you must look at how the arrow behaves once it is released from a bow. This is a lot more difficult to calculate since so many factors come into play here.

Things like the weight of the fletching, the design of the arrow head, the speed of the bow, and the insert weight are all taken into consideration. But wait; there’s more!

As a general rule of thumb, the lower the draw weight of the bow, the lower the spine should be. For a 40lb compound bow, you should be looking at an arrow spine of around 400 for a 30 inch arrow and 500 for a 28 inch arrow.

Conclusion

Archery is a diverse sport and there are many different types which require many different pieces of equipment. As such, no two bows or sets of arrows are the same and when you are using a 40lb compound bow, you will need to make sure that you choose the right arrows.

The best place to start is to look at the information regarding what draw weight the arrows were made for. If 40lbs is within this range, you’re on to a good start. However, there are other factors you should consider such as the length or the arrow, its diameter and how flexible it is.

We have picked out some of what we consider to be the best arrows for a 40lb compound bow, now it’s just up to you to choose your favorite,

About Brad Harris