Q. Regarding arrows, how many grains per pound of draw weight do the manufacturers use to determine their IBO speed ratings? Is there an industry standard?

Robert Carr

Orr, Minn.

A. To the best of my knowledge, most manufacturers report the IBO velocity rating of their products based on a 70-pound peak draw force at 30 inches draw length and a 350-grain arrow. However the draw weight allows a plus 2-pound variance (72 pounds), and there is no tolerance specified for the arrow weight. Now that the IBO has changed their rules for qualifying equipment for participation in IBO shoots, there doesn't appear to be any basis on which to compare results. The IBO rule is a restriction for qualifying equipment for use at IBO shoots and not a standard.

Norb Mullaney

Director of Bow Testing

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