What is the arrow velocity of a long bow?

Answer 1

This guy's done some research on it. I can't vouch for the accuracy as I don't know the gent. But since there's currently no answer on here I guess this is better than nothing.

He calculated 187 miles per hour.

http://forums.cabelas.com/showthread.php?t=8794

250 feet/ sec converts to 170 mph, 300 feet/second converts to about 205 mph. Those look to be fairly common speeds for a modern compound bow.

Answer 2

A bow exerting 75 lbs of force upon 400 grains (.06 lbs) of arrow over a distance of 30 inches = a velocity of 450 ft/sec. Actual velocity will be less than this, because: 75 lbs. is the max draw weight, and goes to zero at the end of its travel rather than remaining at 75 lbs., and, much of the draw energy is actually absorbed in moving the bow limbs and is not transferred into the arrow. Therefore, 450 ft/sec is a generous estimate.

Answer 3

Arrows travel quite slowly, well below the speed of sound.

Bullets are far faster, with large calibre rifle bullets travelling well over the speed of sound.

Arrows from traditional bows typically weigh in at around 10 grains per pound of draw weight. They usually fly at around 150-200 feet per second.

Compound shooters tend to shoot lighter arrows, right down to 5 grains per pound. It is rare to see an arrow lighter than 350 grains though, as shooting anything lighter is basically dry firing you bow. Velocity wise, modern compounds can hit up to about 350 feet per second.

A compound shooting 10 grains per pound will typically shoot somewhere around 220-250 feet per second. It depends on how efficient the bow is though.