Most bows nowadays can launch an arrow upwards of 340 feet a second. But do you need to shoot an arrow that fast to kill big game animals effectively? What is the best arrow speed for hunting? In this article, we will answer all those questions and more.

Here is the short answer: 

For hunting big game animals the best arrow speed is between 230-330 feet a second. The dependent factor of what speed you will want is how much your arrow weighs. If you have a light fast arrow, it will not be as effective on big game as a slow heavy arrow.

With the short answer out of the way, we can look at the best arrow speed for big game, when you might want a slower arrow, and when you might want a slower arrow.

When you would want a slower or faster arrow

Choosing between a slow and fast arrow is difficult so here is when you would want a slower or faster arrow. 

If are hunting big game animals, like moose, elk, deer, or caribou, then speed isn’t as important as arrow weight.  For big game animals, depending on your draw weight, you will want an arrow between 500-650 grains and moving upwards of 230 feet a second. Big game animals won’t duck an arrow that is moving 230 feet a second any more than they would duck an arrow moving 300 feet a second, so it is not important to get a fast arrow but instead get a heavy one that way you can get away with a less than ideal shot.

For small game, any arrow speed will work. Small game animals such as squirrels or rabbits are very easy to take down so arrow speed is not what matters most. However, what does matter is shot placement because it is very difficult to hit such a small target.

If you are hunting any animal at long range, you will want to stay towards the upper end of the speed spectrum. If you have to shoot past 50 yards on an animal, you will want an arrow around 250-290 feet a second and about 480-550 grains of arrow weight to ensure that you have enough energy when your arrow reaches your target. 

Best arrow speed overall

Now we know when you would want a slower or faster arrow we can see what the best arrow speed is.

There really is no such thing as the best arrow speed because speed is a very dependent factor that is not consistent among all bows. You could have a bow with a 50-pound draw weight shooting a 500-grain arrow at 230 feet a second while a bow with a 60-pound draw weight shoots the same arrow at 245 feet a second. So there is no best speed for a bow, but there is the best arrow weight and speed combo which would be the heaviest arrow you can shoot while still being able to shoot at ranges past 60 yards. Which, for most people, is a 500-grain arrow that is traveling upwards of 250 feet a second assuming you have and average bow setup.