crossbow fps calculator crossbow fps calculator

This specification determines the arrow speed, provided that you keep the following parameters: If you deviate from these parameters, the arrow speed will not equal the one given by the specification. However, here you'll find a bit of a contradiction because heavier arrows result in slower speeds, meaning compromising speed might be necessary to avoid losing momentum and kinetic energy so rapidly. But because these are rarely the conditions under which every archer will be using their bow, then comes the question: what the actual speed of my arrow is? The Doppler chronograph is fast and easy to use. Heavy arrows, coupled with the right speed for your target animal, optimized by a high FOC, can accomplish a lot more than a light, fast arrow. View Results* Dark Blue: Optimal arrow weight. For your reference, an estimated peep only weight is 20 grains, and a peep + tube is 45 total grains. Mid-Range Rise; Mid-range rise when sighting in a crossbow is the highest point in the arrows trajectory between the point blank range and the true zero point. Four terms to know when properly sighting in a Crossbow. And the greater the mass, the longer the energy stays in the arrow as it flies. To properly calculate kinetic energy, use the following formula: 1/2 Mass (Arrow Weight in grains divided by 2) x Velocity squared (Arrow Speed x Arrow Speed (in fps from the above formula)) / 225218 - The result of this formula is calculated in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). This should set your correct arrow speed and make the ballistics calculator work for you. For whitetail deer this requirement is lower any crossbow 250 FPS and up will be a safe pick. To find the distance that your arrow will travel, you can use the projectile motion calculator. As the arrow moves through space, the kinetic energy drops. Arrow Velocity Arrow Mass Your kinetic energy is 0 foot pounds, and your momentum is 0 slug FPS. This equation assumes that your bow puts the same amount of energy into each arrow. Finally, using our arrow ballistics calculator (which requires that both arrow speed and mass are known) we determined the values plotted in the chart below. If you want to learn more about momentum and how to calculate it, we have a dedicated momentum calculator that you might enjoy! Point Blank Range; Point blank range when sighting in a crossbow is the first point at which the line of sight intersects with the arrows path in the arrows trajectory arc. But that rarely happens, and heres why. The calculator assumes average air density and air viscosity. Every bow gains efficiency a little differently. Moisture and rain will slow the arrow's flight. Models at the high end of this spectrum tend to cost a lot so we should be pretty confident the top velocities bring equally impressive results before spending the cash. Balanced Bowhunting The arrow ballistics calculator below will help you determine your arrows vertical drop, speed, kinetic energy and momentum, for up to 70 yards out in 10 yard increments. One thing to remember is that while kinetic energy provides the impact of your arrow on your intended target, what it doesnt necessarily provide is information on your arrows ability to penetrate and travel through your target. With having said that lets sight these crossbows with a maximum point blank range drop of 3 inches and a mid-range rise of 3 inches. To make the change inarrow, I went back to ourArrow Efficiency Calculator. The calculator uses this data, along with AI models, to predict the performance . For the most accurate results, it is best to use a known speed and known arrow weight under 6 grain per pound to determine your corrected IBO value. Mine hits dead nuts from 30 out to 135 yards. For every inch of draw length under 30, subtract 10 feet per second (fps) from the IBO-rated speed value. 550 grain arrows will fly at ~85.5% of initial speed Modern crossbows typically generate speeds anywhere from 280-350 feet per second, with some models topping 400 fps. You should adjust the arrow speed given by the IBO specification according to the following rules: All of these rules can be put in one common equation: You can also use the arrow speed calculator to find the momentum and the kinetic energy of the arrow. Mike is an avid archery hunter and brings a military methodology to his hunting and life. Let's consider the following example: you are analyzing the bow of IBO 300. When using the calculator above, input your values and then compare them to those values in the tables below. For a more detailed explanation, check the notes below the calculator. When an arrow is shot from your bow, its impact, and ability to penetrate and make the kill is based not just on the speed of your bow. The overall weight of the weapon, its balance, arrow weight, ease of cocking, and precision are also important. You can check this calculator to see how fast the arrows lose height at different flight speeds. They see a bows IBO speed rating listed, and assume they will get that raw arrow speed, or maybe a little better if they buy that bow. Every bow gains efficiency a little differently. Contact Us for More Information. When you look at this and compare it to the table above, you can calculate what the right arrow can accomplish after you shoot it. The arrow weight in grains (includes fletchings, wraps, inserts and also. . draw weight, and 350-grain arrow. If you look at the above chart you will notice that from 250 F.P.S. As such we decided to use 400 grain arrows, as this was bound to yield results most closely resembling those that a new crossbow buyer will experience when shooting the arrows in their crossbow package. *All data are approximate. If this tool does not calculate, please refresh the page and try again. 500 grain arrows will fly at ~90% of initial speed To correctly calculate kinetic energy, use the following formula: 1/2 Mass (Arrow Weight in grains divided by 2) x Velocity squared (Arrow Speed x Arrow Speed (in fps from the above formula)) / 225218 The result of this formula is calculated in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). fps. of draw weight your bow is reduced, raw arrow speed is reduced 15-20 fps. Notice that at 250 FPS this value cannot be achieved. This is very misleading as to what a true high performance crossbow will do when sighted in properly for deer hunting. Arrow Speed Calculator. The heavier your arrow, the slower its initial speed will be, and the lower its speed will be when it hits the target, resulting in lower kinetic energy. We've created a text where you'll find some of the basics related to IBO speed and how to calculate bow speed. In the majority of cases once a peep is added the speed will only be a few fps off but the ratings of some bows are significantly off. Also, make sure to check out our best crossbow rankings for a scoop on the top equipment on the market. We are working to correct this issue. The IBO standard began as a means to regulate archery competitions, but the majority of bow companies have adopted its guidelines to standardize the measurement ofarrowspeed for the purposes of setting bow specifications. Whitetail deer is particularly proficient at doing that. Simply put, many of the best crossbows available on the market nowadays (2015) receive their speed ratings based on arrows weighing roughly 400 grain. Knowing the rough speed at which your arrow will fly, you can now use our kinetic energy calculator to quickly figure out your arrow's initial kinetic energy. As you might expect, a heavier arrow flies slower than a smaller and lighter one. If you open any online store that is selling them, you'd see that the speed of the arrows (measured in FPS or feet per second) that are launched by each listed model is their most prominent feature. You can calculate your arrow's KE and express it in foot-pounds. 2. In short, you need as much FPS as possible without sacrificing the other parameters of a crossbow to values that make such trade-off unworthy. But a bowling ball moving at the same speed is a whole different matter. Red: Highlights specific speeds in fps and MAX energy (KE and M). All of these parameters are summarized in an equation that you can use to estimate the actual arrow speed: With this archery calculator, you can also find the momentum and kinetic energy of an arrow. . Now check the distance and estimate the speed below: If you are using a recurve bow, arrows can travel at up to 225 feet per second (fps) or 150mph, while arrows from a compound bow travel at up to 300 fps (200mph). of KE. Now, there are a few bows rated at 350+ fps based on the International Bowhunting Organizations (IBO) standard. Do 100 FPS make such an impactful difference? Kinetic Energy Vs Momentum for Hunting? 450 grain arrows will fly at ~95% of initial speed When you input your bow and arrows information in the calculator below, you can see right away what your arrows potential is. Power stroke is the distance, in inches, that the string accelerates an arrow down a crossbow's flight rail. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. It will give you a rough idea of how fast an arrow travels after changing the bow from the recommended specifications. While it is based on the bow speed IBO specification, you can input the individual settings of your bow. These records provide information on the performance of different components in a computer system when running specific games or applications. Archery Hunting 101: Bow Hunting for Beginners. A 70#/29 bow that's rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with a 400 grain arrow. Total string accessory weights in grains (peep, tube, silencers, etc.). 2022 Bear Alaskan Right-Handed 55-70 lb Model, Arrow Weight 423 grains (Easton Axis 5mm Arrows) , Additional Weight on Bowstring 20 grains. You can assume, roughly, that an arrows kinetic energy is reduced by around 3-4% for every 10 yards it travels. Be careful with increasing string weight, as it is equally important to string the bow comfortably. Arrow speed Value must be between 100 and 500 Feet Per Second. You can go to heavy with an arrow, but the answer is not as simple as that. Heavy longbow arrows will move slower due to their weight. Notice that our recommendation for elk hunting is 65 ft-lbs of kinetic energy (this is a conservative value, you can get away with less). At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. FOC stands for Front of Center balance point. I remember when I first started bowhunting; it was right around the time I became a teenager. It's also worth noting that these variables are affected not just by the arrow's speed vvv but also by its mass AAA. move slider or enter value. 15.5 300. Thus, when a manufacturer touts its bow as having a speed of, say, 350 fps, the truth is that a hunting weight arrow of 400-450 grains from that same bow will initially leave the bow much slower especially if the draw weight and draw length are significantly reduced. For the least effort, draw your bow, aim at the top bullseye with your top pin, and check to see if from 50 yards your 50-yard pin, for example, coordinates with the bullseye covering your 50-yard group. While there are other factors to consider when setting up a compound bow for hunting, all bowhunters want to shoot as fast an arrow as they can with their bow setup. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Before we see how to calculate bow speed, let's go through the main factors that influence the arrow speed to better understand how the actual speed is determined: Draw weight DDD This is the force required to pull a bow, expressed in pounds. As of 2021, crossbow speeds range between 300 FPS and 500 FPS. Bows 5-10 years old will tend to gain efficiency faster than one that is brand new. In the calculator below, we measure this in slugs. Its only from 300 FPS and up that you get enough kinetic energy at all feasible hunting distances (up to 50 yards) to be able to comfortably hunt elk. Factoring in the gravitational constant in both of those formulas for hunting arrows is necessary to account for the effect of gravity on the arrows motion. To learn more about kinetic energy and momentum, visit our kinetic energy calculator and this impulse and momentum calculator. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. All Rights Reserved. You can measure arrow speed using optical chronographs, Doppler chronographs, or laptop-based audio applications. Nevertheless, most archers do not use these exact parameters. Anderson, SC, 2023 N1 Outdoors. The most critical factor is the IBO speed entered as this is the starting point of the calculations. Which leaves us with the only valid option for increasing the FPS of a crossbow: buying a faster model in the first place! Use this tool to optimize your arrows now. The greater the draw weight, the greater the speed of the arrow shot from the bow. The IBO method (detailed in the arrow speed calculator instructions above) sets up a bow and an arrow weighing 5 grains per lb. As the older bows were less efficient out of the box, they naturally have more room for improvement. For every 3 grains of additional weight on the bowstring, subtract 1 ft/s from the IBO value. Arrow weight AAA If you guessed that the size and weight of an arrow influence its speed, you're correct. Arrow speed depends on several factors, including bow string weight, string length, string material, arrow weight, and weather conditions. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The gravitational constant (g) is the acceleration due to gravity, which is 32.174 feet per second per second at sea level. 36 Yards - Maximum Point Blank Hunting Range. We have not done very precise tests to figure this out (we will update this post when we do), however a very close estimate would be to assume the following. Draw length: A longer draw length creates a longer power stroke than a shorter draw length, allowing the bow to store more energy. The rule of thumb was that for every added inch of draw length, you increase raw arrow speed by approximately 10-15 fps. #3:Notall crossbows are suitable for hunting. Crossbow speeds are usually measured in feet-per-second (FPS). The most critical factor is the IBO speed entered as this is the starting point of the calculations. Welcome to our Arrow Speed, Kinetic Energy, and Momentum Calculator, where you can easily calculate your arrows speed, kinetic energy, and momentum based on the IBO speed of your compound bow, your draw weight, draw length, and arrow weight. To calculate arrow speed, measure the distance in inches between the two groups of arrows you shot from 20 and 40 yards. Try our arrow speed calculator below! You will need to provide total arrow weight and initial speed for the calculation to be effective, as well as some other optional info (see below). Reduce the IBO speed until the calculator shows the verified speed of 315; in this case, the correct IBO value would be 346 fps. For example, a bow designated as IBO 330 could achieve greater speeds than a bow rated as IBO 300. The crossbow community has been obsessed with velocity ever since the resurgence of the crossbow as a viable weapon for hunting. We operate independently and do not provide Sponsored content. And we purposefully say "speed that could be achieved" because these marked speeds are not usually the ones that an archer can attain while using his bow with his specific setup. Plan. The arrow must be 28" in length and supported at each end of the arrow. Note that the above is valid if speed is NOT increased at the expense of reduced arrow weight. Privacy Policy, N1 Outdoors N-Tune Nock Tuning Reflective Arrow Wraps (various designs), N1 Outdoors Bowhunt Oh Yeah Bowhunting Tee, N1 Outdoors Just PassN Through Bowhunting Tee (Heather Royal), N1 Outdoors N-Tune Nock Tuning Reflective Arrow Tracers (24-pack), Just PassN Through Tee (featuring Magnus Black Hornet Ser-Razor Broadhead), Just PassN Through Tee (featuring Iron Will). But let's get a bit more precise (pun unintended): Aside from your aiming skills, animals jumping the string is the most common reason for disappointing results on hunting trips with a crossbow. It's measured by applying an 880-gram weight to the arrow, suspended from the center of the shaft. Point Weight (Grains) So if we have 100 ft-lb initial energy (at 0 yards), at 10 yards you can expect roughly 97-97 ft-lbs. Let us see how to use this tool: Begin by indicating the IBO rating in fps in the Bow IBO rating field. Enter speed and arrow weight data into the calculator. For example, if you increase the draw weight by 5 pounds the speed of your arrows can increase by 10 fps. Crossbow Kinetic Energy 200 FPS 225 FPS 250 FPS 1/3 10 20 30 40 50 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 Yards travelled by arrow Kinetic Energy ( In food - pounds) Chart by Visualizer The most critical factor is the IBO speed entered as this is the starting point of the calculations. Granted, this is not as accurate as a chronograph, but it'll give you an idea. Mike is a Veteran who served 21 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Sergeant Major from the 5th Special Forces Group. SHORT STROKES. Remember, the speed of your arrow is at the point of the shot. Arrow Speed (FPS): Arrow Weight (grains): Advanced Shaft Length (inches): Shaft Diameter (inches): Fletching Length (inches): Fletching Height (inches): Calculate Reset to defaults Distance (yards) Drop (inches) Arrow Speed (FPS) Kinetic Energy (ft/lbs) Momentum (lb/sec) 0 10 20 This calculator is based on average efficiency gains as arrow weight is increased from 5 grains per pound (IBO). ), Toughest Game (cape buffalo, grizzly, musk ox, etc. This arrow speed calculator allows you to accurately determine the speed of an arrow. With that said, the average efficiency curve utilized for the calculator is based on various bows from APA, Elite, Bowtech, Hoyt, and PSE ranging from 40lbs up to 85lbs. Then, the more draw weight you use to pull, the quicker an arrow will fly and the more kinetic energy it will have. A lighter arrow produces more arrow speed, but an increase in arrow weight (incremented by 25 grains) can increase and eventually decrease arrow kinetic energy. We strongly advise that you stick with the recommended values to maintain lots of room for error, particularly if youre new to hunting. A 70#/29 bow thats rated at 350 fps is has been chronographed at 315 fps with a 400 grain arrow. This does not affect or reflect on our recommendations or opinions. Please keep in mind that this approach will only give you close estimates, and that it becomes a less accurate the further out we go (I wouldnt suggest using it for anything beyond 70 yards, which is far beyond what youll be hunting from anyway). Sight compensation of trajectory. In general, all three methods can be used with equal success as there is little difference in measured speed. When it comes to how much an arrow's weight affects its speed, the consensus is that every additional 5 grains of arrow weight reduces arrow speed by an average of 2 fps. This is because the IBO speeds are determined under a set of particular conditions: Then, for comparing bow speeds, you'll need tomaintain these factors constant. We strongly recommend reading our detailed kinetic energy tests and guide for more information. Spine is measured by the number of inches a shaft deflects (bends) X 1000. We sometimes earn a small commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. To calculate your arrow's kinetic energy you need to know two variables: 1) your total finished arrow weight in grains, and 2) the velocity of your arrow. 1 slug equals 32.174 ft-lbs. All Rights Reserved. These are calculated as follows: Our arrow speed calculator converts the units automatically. 600 grain arrows will fly at ~82.5% of initial speed. - 400 F.P.S. True Zero; True zero when sighting in a crossbow is the second point at which the line of sight intersects with the arrows path in the arrows trajectory arc. The arrow speed calculator makes it easy to estimate the speed of an arrow! Muley Short Sleeve T-shirt | Solids, Coues On Short Sleeve T-shirt | Black/Gray, Western Whitetail Multicam Flexfit Mesh Cap, +/- 1 inch change in draw length ~ +/-10 FPS, +/- 10 pound change in draw weight ~+/- 18 FPS, +/- 3 grain change in arrow weight ~ +/- 1 FPS, +/- 3 grain change in string weight ~ +/- 1 FPS. Confirm the zero by shooting a . Because there is a huge difference between shooting a deer with a 300 FPS crossbow and a 400 FPS (or faster) model. And remember, in bowhunting speed is good but it is far from everything. The new speed, s2 = sqrt (350/450)*300 = 264.5 fps. For every inch you reduce, the draw length reduces around 10 fps of your bow speed. Light Blue: Range of efficient arrow weights. How far can you shoot a crossbow? And second, faster arrows leave less time for the animal to react to the shot sound. While it is based on the bow speed IBO specification, you can input the individual settings of your bow. Speed is good, but whether shooting carbon arrows such as Beman's ICS Crossbow Hunter or Easton's Bloodline, XX75 aluminum or its . . After you've entered these values, the calculator will display the actual arrow speed, momentum, and kinetic energy of the arrow , What is IBO speed? The combined speed, kinetic energy, and momentum calculator below will help you estimate the potential each arrow has based on its weight and your personal bow setup and settings. Reduce the IBO speed until the calculator shows the verified speed of 315; in this case, the correct IBO value would be 346 fps. Once you have this figure, you can calculate the kinetic energy produced by your bow. Thus these values of speed, momentum, and kinetic energy, are only valid within a specific distance range. *The number 225,218 is derived from converting grains to pounds and then . This is because the large draw weight imparts more energy to the arrow. At the time lets call it the Round Cam Epoch the chase was for 200 fps. Here are a few rules of thumb to remember: The Kinetic Energy and Momentum Calculators here use the gravitational constant to give you the best results for kinetic energy and momentum. Point Blank Range; Point blank range when sighting in a crossbow is the first point at which the line of sight intersects with the arrows path in the arrows trajectory arc. To achieve this the arrow will actually intersect with the line of sight twice, giving you a dead center hold on the target for many yards without hold-over or hold-under. What is important, is understanding how this impacts the arrow you choose to buy and use when hunting, along with the broadheads you use. Sighting-in your crossbow properly to compensate trajectory. With that said, the average efficiency curve utilized for the calculator is based on various bows from APA, Elite, Bowtech, Hoyt, and PSE ranging from 40lbs up to 85lbs. Practice has proved that shooting with a faster crossbow reduces or entirely eliminates the probability of this. This tool should get you close to that. There are a few more things that impact how fast your arrow is traveling after you shoot. Bonus fps! Kinetic Energy & Momentum Calculator Find out the kinetic energy of your arrow or bolt using the following simple calculator. Finally, enter the Additional weight on the string if this is known. Arrow speed specification. The heavier the arrow is, the faster gravity will pull it toward the ground, but arrows or bolts do not have an even weight throughout. That is defined by an arrows weight, broadhead, and momentum. The same is true of a crossbow arrow. 12.8 330. Chasing 300 fps? How far will it penetrate? Kinetic energy (KE) is a measure of an arrows ability to transfer energy upon impact, and a higher KE can result in greater penetration and stopping power. At the rated 350 fps IBO the speed should be 319 so we know that the IBO is slightly high. As the older bows were less efficient out of the box, they naturally have more room for improvement. Arrow Speed Formula: You can determine the speed of the arrow along with other crucial parameters by using the following arrow speed equation: v = IBO+ (L30)10W/3 + min (0, (A5D/3) where: v = Actual Arrow speed in feet per second (ft/s) IBO = Speed of the arrow according to the IBO specifications L = Draw length measured in inches 1. If you're planning on using 450 grain arrows, the information above suggests that your arrow will leave the crossbow at a speed of around 380 FPS (95% of 400). If you were to shoot a 500 grain arrow from the exact same crossbow, its initial speed would be roughly 90% of 350, or around 315 FPS. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. By drawing your bow, you convert mechanical energy (ME) and store it as potential energy (PE) in the bow limbs. Using multiple chronographs positioned at varying distances and heights, we calculated the drop in projectile speed at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards. The same team that conducted the above research suggested a way to calculate the effective range for each bow/crossbow model: Divide the crossbow velocity (in FPS) by 10.