Fletching - Straight, offset or helical?

I have always purchased pre-fletched arrows which typically come with straight fletching.

This year I am fletching my own arrows and I am thinking about going with an right offset. I have a Bitz jig and I have the straight clamp and the right helical clamp so I can do just about anything.

For a hunting arrow what is your preference and why? Straight, offset, or helical?


For what it's worth I am using Gold Tip XT Hunter 340 shafts tipped with a mechanical broadhead (Swhacker). This arrow will be shot out of the rig in my signature.

Thanks for the input.

 

I have a straight 4 fletch with 3" super spine vanes

 

Right helical. I use an AZ Ez-fletch mini and get excellent fixed blade broadhead flight out to 55 yards.

 

Right helical... spinning arrows cut down on any plaining caused by those pesky fixed blade broadheads

 

Don't you loose a significant amount for FPS with a helical fletch?

 

It will slow the arrows down, but not a horribly high amount. If you want the best of both worlds you can use a 1 degree right offset. It will spin it, but the arrow won't slow down as quick.

 

First off I would scrap straight as an option. Even with very low profile mechanials it's not a good option.
It's less stable, especially at longer distances, and even with low profile mechanials they have the potential for steering. Straight will require slightly more tuning and will be the least forgiving. I would cross it off your list.

A 3 degree offset is a good choice for low profile mechanials, it maximizes speed and provides enough stabilization to overide the steering of a lower profile head...it's an option but I still don't feel it's the best choice for a forgiving hunting set up at unknown distances.

I would use a helical. It will give you the best, most forgiving broadhead flight, especially at longer range. The key is that the Increased stabilization is most valuable in hunting situations for a forgiving set it. The down range speed lost because of the helical is fair trade or for the increase in potential accuracy.


Now using a bitz with a short fletching and their standard helical clap will not get you a full 3 degree helical... If you cut the clamp it get closer but still comes up short. That said I still would go with it rather then just an off set.

 

I use a straight fletching, don't really care for helical or offset. The arrows natural flight pattern is a right hand rotation, just how things work.

 

I use a right helical Fletch... 2" blazers

 

Helical - steers BH better.

 

Trial hit the nail on the head, a full helical may not be necessary for your BH but it won't hurt. A few FPS is far less critical than the accuracy gained, be it over distance or on a good windy day- that helical is going to keep you straighter, longer.

 

I know this tread has helped me too I've used straight all the time but I'm going to do a right off set this year for better flight

 

I do too and my arrows fly really well.

 

I use the arizona ez fletch and it puts a slight helical on it