FOC

[bowhunter44]

Do y'all worry much about FOC? I was messing around with OT2 tonight, and saw that the FOC of a 10 gpi arrow with a 100 grain head was 9.8% (velocity = 261.5 fps). On the other hand, a 7.9 gpi arrow (with a 100 grain head) had a FOC of 11.24% (velocity = 273.3 fps). Have those with experience noticed any significant difference, in flight characteristics (specifically while carrying a broadhead) or penetration relative to different values of FOC? Thanks...

[BT]

Changing F.O.C. without changing head weight is complicated in as much as seeing perfect comparison scenarios.
However....F.O.C. can be used to effect better flight in relation to what you want if you are being specific.
If you want the highest impact at short ranges then adjusting F.O.C. down (percentage) will aid in this desire.
If on the other hand you want long range stability , raising that percentage will give the desired results.
The rule of thumb that splits the difference is 10 -14% and I would say that 12% is perfect for someone who is as likely to shoot 60 yards as 20.
That isn't to say that an 8% cant shoot accurately to 80 yards but the higher F.O.C. will add stability in respect to form and outside influences such as high winds.
Then again....so will shaft weight
F.O.C. is a way to add some of the benefits of shaft weight without adding actual weight to the arrow.

I personally set up from 8 - 10% because I am shooting 30 yards average and I am looking to flatten trajectory primarily.
My opinion is to not get all caught up in the aspects and opinions on F.O.C. as it is a last tuning item that can be fussed over to the point of being ludicrous.
By knowing the averages and working within those ranges almost nobody will see a negative in terms of performance in as much as making huge differences that are blatantly obvious.

[bowhunter44]

Thank BT. I often wonder if some archery topics enter into the world of much ado about nothing. On the other hand, I like puttering around with numbers and trying to find the 'optimum' value. It is just that in this case I don't know what the 'optimum' value is! I suspect that the elusive 'optimum' value is a function f the particular bow setup and its user. In a perfect world I would get both arrows and give them a try.

[BT]

I would bet that if you were in the 10% range you would find that all was well and likewise with 12%...the difference being only in area of impact beyond 30 yards.

[SPIKER]

I would say that I'm not a good enough shooter to reap the benifits of say a 2%-4% FOC difference in as much as a .006-.0025 straightness.

These might all mean something significant to a proffesional tournament shooter, but as bowhunter44 stated, I do think there is too much ado about certain subjects. Although, it certainly won't stop us from experimenting with them...