arrow length

Arrow length: A simple guide for beginners

Are you a new archer? Are you trying to figure out the Arrow Length? If yes, you are at the right place. Read this article carefully, and you’ll get answers to all the questions coming to your mind. Most archery beginners look to understand the basics of bows, the various kinds of bows, and the components, but several new archers are puzzled about arrows.

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The cause behind the puzzling of new archers is arrows are too perplexing. They’re entirely confusing to select, and precise info on the internet about how to choose arrows is unavailable. They’re particularly complicated when trying to find out what type of arrow you may need. If you are not selecting the proper size of an arrow, you will surely be in danger.

Finding a proper arrow length can be tricky if you’re new in this field. Through some obvious and straightforward directions, you can find a valuable arrow without being puzzled. Arrows are usually sold and measured in inches. The size of an arrow varies from 20″ to 32″, so before ordering, you should have to know your correct arrow length.

Parts of an Arrow:

To know about Arrows, let’s begin with its parts

  • Head: The head is attached at the front of the shaft. Different kinds of heads are available in the market, and all of them are used for different purposes.
  • Shaft: The shaft is the span of an arrow. Different material is used to prepare shafts like wood, aluminum, and carbon. All of those materials always act differently.
  • Spine: The spin of an arrow is the diameter of an arrow.
  • Grains: Grains are the weight of an arrow. There are different methods to calculate the grains of an arrow.
  • Nock: A tiny plastic bit fits at the end of the shaft, and the bowstring fits inside the bit.
  • Fletching: The three vans situated at the end of an arrow 

For a better understanding, please see the following picture.ghgh

Difference between Arrow Length and Size

By the name, it looks like both should be the same, but there is a difference between arrow length and size. Don’t be confused; I am here to explain to you the difference between both of them.

Arrow length

Arrow length describes the length of the arrow shaft. It is located in the middle of an arrow.

Arrow Size

Arrow size describes the spike (intensity) of the arrow. The shaft size describes the thickness of the shaft, the stiffness of the shaft, and the distance that the arrow shaft will stretch before it twists or breaks.

Too Short Arrow

Which arrow is considered as a too short arrow? What might happen if an arrow is too short? Try to drag the arrow to maximum draw. If the arrow drops at the back of the arrow rest, it is assumed as too short.

If you try to shoot with a too short arrow, it could hurt your hand, which causes a severe injury and probable infection. The arrow should not be too close to your body. Long arrows are better than short arrows, but it is necessary to get the right length: not too short nor too long.

If you are a beginner, the Arrow Length should be slightly longer to avoid accidents.

Safe Beginners length

There are a lot of methods available to get proper Arrow Length,  and these methods are more precise than the methods I am going to explain. But all these methods are only for expert archers. You can follow any of the below-mentioned procedures to determine the correct length of an arrow.

For correct measurement, you may need to have an assistant who will measure the correct length. A tool for measurement and a marker for highlighting the correct measurement is also required for measuring the correct length of an arrow.

Once you understand the following rules, you will be better positioned to get a safer beginner’s length of an arrow.

Rule 1

  • Imagine your position for drawing a bow
  • Stand vertically to your fictional aim.

Rule 2

  • Imagine the position at which you will need maximum draw a bow, and the head should be pointed in the direction of the fictional aim.
  • The bow arm is fully stretched in the direction of the fictional aim.
  • The drawing arm’s elbow should continue to be positioned behind the arrow line.

How to Determine Correct Arrow Length

Method 1

  • A bow with light draw weight and an extra-long arrow is necessary for the best way of establishing the proper archery arrow length.
  • You will also require assistance from a helper who has a marker.

Step 1:

Get an extra-long arrow, almost 3 to 4 inches longer than your reach.

  1. Put the knock on your sternum and the middle of your extended arms. Ensure that the shaft is extended at least 2 to 3 Inches over the fingertips.
  2. The objective of using an extra long arrow is to keep yourself a bit safer as you are a beginner.

Step 2

Draw the arrow and anchor below the jaw.

  1. Check your posture and bow to ensure you’re not overdrawing the string.
  2. For the correct measurement of the arrow, you have to hold the position while someone is measuring the arrow shaft.

Step 3

 For safety, it is suggested to use a bow with the low draw weight

  1. If you have a bit of experience and are comparatively in decent form, you should spot the arrow behind the bow riser.
  2. Beginners are recommended to prepare the arrow a minimum of 2″ away from the back of the bow riser for additional protection.
  3. Gently release the arrow when your assistant is secure at your back.
  4. Take out the arrow, then gauge the distance from the mark you just made to the nock grove hole.

Method 2

By using this procedure, you can determine the Arrow Length without equipment only with the help of measurement tape.

Step 1

Begin with the appropriate posture and anchor position, with your bow arm stretched out towards the side. These are the basics of archery.

Step 2

As you are holding the tape with the help of the middle and index figure and making a posture, your assistant should have stretched the measurement tap and made a mark at the tip of your thumb.

It is necessary to keep your drawing arm elbow at the back of the arrow line, and the forearm is nearly parallel to the shoulder line.

The top of the index finger should be placed close to the corner of the mouth to control the anchor position. The drawing hand can also be positioned below the jawbone, almost with the edge of the cheeks.

Step 3

Do not twist the wrist. Direct the bow hand’s thumb in the direction of the imagined target.

Step 4

Note the distance from the tip of your thumb to the imaginary target while stretching your thumb away.

Step 5

After taking measurements till the thumb, adding one inch more 1” (25.4mm) to the size is recommended. It’s just for the safety of the beginners.

How to Get Right Beginners Arrow length

To get a suitable beginner’s Arrow length, you should have to take care of the following points.

  • Ensure that the hips and shoulders are aligned with the target direction
  • Ensure that the bow arm and shoulder are set in the correct position.
  • Ensure that the chin should remain up.
  • Ensure that the wrist should be in-line with the forearm.
  • Ensure that the bow arm should be fully stretched.
  • Ensure the string is fully drawn, and stretch it until it comes in front of your nose or chin.
  • Keep in mind that you should have to stretch the string but do not overdraw the string that went behind your nose and chin.

By following the instructions mentioned earlier, you can get perfect results. Best Hunting Arrows for Compound Bow

Final Thoughts

After a detailed discussion/procedure, the final thoughts on the Arrow Length for beginners are as follows:-

  • Do not use an arrow too short because it can hurt you hard, and you might get injuries and infections. So, it’s better to use too longer arrow than a too short one.
  • As a beginner, I recommend using the arrow with a 2 to 3 inches extended length for safety.

FAQs

Question: What are good beginner arrows?

Ans: Aluminum. These are best for beginners, but more expert archers also use them. They cost more than wooden arrows but are usually cheaper than carbon arrows.

Question: What happens if arrows are too long?

Ans: For beginners, too-long arrows are better than shorter ones because too-long arrows are safer.

Question: Are aluminum arrows safer than carbon?

Ans: Yes, aluminum arrows are safer than carbon arrows

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