Quick Answer
Arrow weight significantly impacts performance during uphill shots, with lighter arrows exhibiting more noticeable deflection and heavier arrows maintaining a steadier trajectory. This disparity increases with incline severity and arrow speed. Proper arrow weight selection minimizes deflection and ensures accurate aiming.
Understanding Arrow Weight Dynamics
When shooting uphill, arrows are subjected to greater resistance due to increased air density and friction. This resistance causes lighter arrows to deviate from their intended path more dramatically than heavier arrows. For example, a 350-grain arrow may deflect up to 10 inches more at a 30-degree incline compared to a 500-grain arrow.
Choosing the Optimal Arrow Weight
To mitigate deflection and maintain accuracy, hunters should select arrows with a weight that balances their speed and the incline severity. For steep inclines (30-40 degrees), use arrows weighing at least 475-500 grains to minimize deflection. For moderate inclines (10-20 degrees), lighter arrows (400-450 grains) may be suitable, while flatter terrain (0-10 degrees) allows the use of even lighter arrows (350-400 grains).
Find more answers
Browse the full Q&A library by topic, or jump back to the topic this question belongs to.