The Difference in Crossbow Tip Weights

The tip is the most important part of the arrow. Arrow tips are manufactured from different materials in a variety of shapes, including steel practice points, judo tips, hunting broad-head tips and various other types. Tips match up with specific arrow-spines and purposes. Each of the tips has a specific weight that can make the shoot effective. The size and shape of the arrow tip work together with the spines to create a perfect flight path.

  1. Arrow Tip Styles

    • Crossbow arrow tips have five basic types -- target and practice points, judo points, blunt points, bow-fishing types and broad-heads. Some of these types have sub-categories. For example, the target and practice points category has four types -- target point, bullet point, combo point and field point.

    Tip Weights

    • Each of the arrow tips is intended for a particular grain weight. The most popular weights are 125, 100, 90, 85 and 75 grain. However, some archers use weights according to their own preferences. They can have arrows custom made for their hunting preferences. The 125-grain arrow is generally used for 35-pound bows, and the 75-grain arrow is used for 45-pound bows. Thus, the bow type also affects the arrow tip weight that is used.

    Tip Designs

    • Target and practice points are required for shooting into paper targets, grass-type targets and foam targets. Hunters shooting in simulated conditions and aiming at targets such as stumps or leaves use the judo pointed arrow. The blunt points are used for hunting animals such as rabbits and squirrels, because they knock the animal down rather than piercing the animal.

    Tip and Spine Balance

    • The forward force and weight of tip of the arrow works together with the resistance of the spines to keep the arrow on a straight flight trajectory. Without the spines, the weight of the tip would cause the arrow to begin to tumble in flight. But the spines create a force which pulls the tail of the arrow directly backward, so that the arrow flies true. Therefore the spines must be matched to the arrow design and weight. If the spines are too small, they arrow would begin to tumble. If the spines are too large, they create too much resistance, and limit the arrow's flight distance.