Selecting the correct arrow is an extremely important step to honing in your archery setup. There are several different arrow manufacturers that make great arrow shafts to fit your specific bow model. The first thing to figure out is how long your arrows need to be. A good rule with today’s bows is to cut your arrows the same length as your draw length. If you’d like to err on the safe side, add a half inch to your draw length to account for different rest styles and potential broadheads you may plan on shooting.
Arguably the most important component when selecting an arrow is making sure the arrow is properly spined. Arrow Spine is simply a measurement of the stiffness of the arrow. As a general rule, the faster your bow shoots, the stiffer your arrow should be. Most arrow manufacturers will have a spine chart on their website that helps your determine which shaft you should shoot based on a couple factors including arrow length, draw weight and the IBO speed of your bow.
In most cases, depending on the manufacturer, the lower the number labeled on the arrow, the stiffer the spine is. For example, a 250 spine will be stiffer than a 500 spine. In some cases and manufacturers, that rule is reversed, so be sure to refer to the spine chart by your arrow manufacturer when selecting your shafts.
The next aspect to consider is arrow weight. Arrows are all labeled with a G.P.I. or Grains Per Inch. This is a measurement of how heavy the shaft is per inch of length. After finding the proper spine your arrow should be, you can start comparing the GPI of different shafts to find an arrow that is desirable for your objectives. A light arrow will shoot faster, but a heavier arrow will have greater kinetic energy downrange. Generally speaking, a lighter arrow will be used if the objective is to target shoot, while a heavier arrow will be used in hunting scenarios.