Everyone likes fast bows. Everyone likes quiet bows. But which is better? That’s left up to personal preference. But I have my opinions, and I know a few facts. Here’s what I think and know.
Without question, both speed and quietness are desirable traits in compound hunting bows. Fast arrows reach destinations quicker. Quiet bows refrain from alerting deer, or as much, during the shot process.
In the past, bowhunters often had to choose one or the other as the primary characteristic. They’d sacrifice quietness to gain speed, or speed to gain quietness.
Today, that’s still true, but not nearly as much so. Fortunately, modern bow advancements allow archers to enjoy the best of both worlds. At least, more so than they did before. Now, that range of sacrifice is greatly diminished compared to 30, 20, or even 10 years ago.
Bow Speeds in Context
Most modern flagship bows are advertised between 340-360 fps. Even some “budget” bows land within the lower end of that range. Regardless, it’s important to know that most bows, once purchased and set up for the consumer, don’t shoot quite as fast as advertised. In reality, a lot of finished setups are shooting 280-320 fps.
That’s true for multiple reasons. First, IBO speeds are obtained with a 30-inch draw length, 70-pound draw weight, and a feathery 350-grain arrow with field point. Generally, a finished bow setup doesn’t match those settings.
Furthermore, many archers can’t implement those specs due to their size or strength. Regardless of circumstances, shorter draw lengths, lower draw weights, and heavier arrow setups result in slower bow fps. You can use a chronograph to accurately know what your setup can do.
What’s Best for Maximizing Accuracy?
Accuracy is another important factor. When choosing a setup, it’s good to assess what’s best for maximizing accuracy. Of course, in terms of elevation (up and down) accuracy, a faster arrow speed does make it easier to be accurate.
This is due to a smaller space between yardage pins. Faster arrow speeds require shorter distances between your 10, 20, 30, and each subsequent pin. From an elevation perspective, faster speeds leave more room for error in yardage estimation.
Pros of a Fast Bow
A faster compound hunting bow comes with a number of advantages. Some of the pros associated with higher arrow speeds include the following:
- Longer viable range
- Flatter arrow trajectory
- More forgiveness in estimation of range
- Shorter flight time
- Increased overall accuracy (from an elevation perspective, not windage)
- Improved penetration (so long as arrow weights remain heavy enough)
Cons of a Fast Bow
Faster bows offer advantages. However, as with most things, these come with drawbacks, too. Some of the cons associated with faster arrow speeds include the following:
- A more rigorous draw cycle (especially in speed bows)
- Less forgiving of inconsistencies during the shot process due to a shorter brace height
- Decreased overall accuracy (from a windage perspective)
- Decreased penetration (if arrows are too light)
- Increased maintenance requirements
Tradeoffs to Think About
As noted above, prioritizing speed over quietness, or vice-versa, comes with tradeoffs.
Bowhunters must consider these when deciding their setups.
What’s most important? Speed? Quietness? You decide. Then, choose and build your archery setup accordingly.
What Makes a Bow Quiet?
There are numerous things that can assist in creating a quiet bow. In simple terms, bows with less vibration tend to be quieter. These bows are more efficient and transfer more energy through the arrow during the shot process.
So, how is this achieved? It starts with better designs. Some bows are simply quieter than others. The design behind the engineering makes these bows quieter or louder. For example, longer axle-to-axle bows, and models with split limbs, tend to be quieter.
How a manufacturer designs the cams, limbs, and riser, all influence how quiet or loud the bow becomes, too. Because quietness isn’t the only metric of interest, some brands sometimes seem to sacrifice this element to achieve other goals they rank ahead of this.
Additionally, how is remaining residual vibration dampened by manufacturers? Multiple ways. Limb dampeners, string dampeners, rest silencers, stabilizers, heavier arrows, and more, can reduce vibration and sound.
If you already have a bow, there are a few things to consider for reduced noise. As just noted, these include tightening up bow bolts and components, adding string silencers, implementing limb silencers, upgrading the stabilizer, shooting a heavier arrow-broadhead setup, adding silencers to on-bow accessories, and more. Plus, tuning the bow can further minimize sound and vibration.
Factors That Impact Choice
There are numerous factors that impact bow choice. Of course, the engineering and design behind the bow, are first and foremost. Next, the specs behind the bow matter, too. When choosing a bow, archers must think about the things that matter most to them.
Other setup details, such as draw length, draw weight, and arrow weight, influence speed as well. Draw length is a set factor. You can’t change your optimal draw length. Over time, you can increase strength and raise draw weight, though. Of course, proper arrow spine is directly influenced by your draw length and weight. And arrow weight is oftentimes heavily influenced by all three, plus your own goals and perspective with kinetic energy.
Of course, other bow components influence this, too. Rest type can impact speed. How well the bow is tuned matters as well. These and more directly impact arrow FPS.
Finally, when making the call, bowhunters must also consider the size of the targeted game, personal style of hunting, and other personal preferences. Then, make the best decision, and be confident in your setup.
Find the Right Balance
Overall, it’s about finding the right balance. Find that mixture of speed and quietness that best fits your expectations and goals. Then, hit the range and woods.
Don’t get into the weeds too far, or it just might drive you nuts. If the journey of a perfected archery setup begins to decrease your enjoyment of archery and bowhunting, you’re taking things too far.
Back off a bit, and enjoy your time with the stick and string. Speed vs. quietness in compound hunting bows matters, but not to the extent of diminishing the joy of bowhunting.
