When I was younger I shot arrows with 90-grain broadheads with a 50 lbs. draw weight. I am not sure what the spine was on those particular arrows. A few years after I cranked my limbs up to 60 lbs. and shot Carbon Express CX 3D Select 200's and still with 90-grain broadheads. My new bow now has 70 lbs limbs but we left it at around 63 lbs so that I could shoot the same size arrows. I now have Radial Weave STL Hunter 200's (27" arrow length) and the shop has me still shooting 90-grain broadheads. The reason why I question this is because it is extremely difficult to find 90-grain broadheads compared to 100-grains and it can't be uncommon for people to shoot the same measurements as me. If I were to crank my limbs all the way up to 70 lbs. (which I want to do) what spine arrows would I should and would I be able to shoot 100-grain broadheads? A little more info: In comparison to my field points my broadheads hit about 3" low and to the left. I am currently shooting fixed blades Muzzy 90's but plan to switch in the next few weeks. If you can't tell I'm new at this and still trying to learn so please try to bear with me here. I want to be able to make my own adjustments and not have to drive 45 min to the shop for little stuff.
Rampaige. If those 200 Radial Weave arrows are really .200 spine arrows and they are cut at 27 inches, then they are WAY too stiff for your bow. 1) Now, if those are the only arrows you have access to or can afford I can understand your dilemma. Your broadheads are shooting way left of your field points which indicate your arrows are too stiff, bigtime. I would suggest shooting a 150-175 grain broadhead/field points at the very least. If those 150 grain broadheads don't put your field points/broadheads close together, then I would crank up your draw weight to the max 70 lbs (if you can handle it without injuring yourself or reducing your accuracy) in order to bring your arrows back to the right. 2) Also, I would adjust your nock point maybe 1/8th of an inch downwards to compensate for that 1 inch vertical difference between your field points and broadheads. "If I were to crank my limbs all the way up to 70 lbs. (which I want to do) what spine arrows would I should and would I be able to shoot 100-grain broadheads?" I see you have a draw length of 26 inches. If you cranked your bow up to 70 lbs you would probably be good with 400 spine arrows (27 inch length) with 125 grain broadheads. Now if you really want to shoot only 100 grain broadheads I would suggest cutting those 400 spine arrows to about 29 inches based on your draw length and draw poundage. Just my suggestions to get you in the ballpark. I am sure there are other guys with better suggestions.
Links to the bowhunting.com store. Here is a link to 145 grain Muzzy broadheads. http://www.bowhunting.com/shopping/Products/255-Muzzy-145-4-Blade-145gr__8976.aspx Here is a link to the 145 grain Field points. http://www.bowhunting.com/shopping/Products/Field-Points-145gr-1132doz__A11145D.aspx
Thanks for the help. I am not sure what exactly the spine is on the arrows I have now. I just read that HERE that PSE (who makes the Radial Weave) has a screwed up system for numbering their spines. So a .400 deflection may be a 200 shaft according to PSE/Carbon Force. Regardless, my broadhead patterns indicate that my spine is not stiff enough, correct? I am not partial to any size broadhead. I haven't bow hunted in a few years since I was a teenager so I am trying to learn how everything works. I was simply concerned because when I was shooting a 40/50 lbs draw I was shooting the same arrows as I am now and it did not seem right to me. That being said, I am open to try just about anything. The only constants I have are: I am going to turn my bow up to 70 lbs. and I have a 26" draw. Arrow length, spine, and broadhead size aren't much of a factor as far as preference, except for the fact that I would prefer to shoot something a little easier to find instead of 90-grains. 100/125/150 grains, doesn't matter I just want it to group the same as my field points. I would like to see what you all have to say.
Ok so I just got off the phone with PSE and their STL Hunter 200's have a deflection of .424. That makes me feel a little better...I think.
Chris, that spine arrow (.424) sounds great for you. I would go up to a 100 grain broadhead right now and I would crank up your draw weight and see what that does first. If you need those arrows to move to the right more after that, bump up to a 125 grain head. If your broadheads are hitting to the left of your field points, your arrows are too stiff.
In what ways would an arrow too stiff or not stiff enough affect performance, flight or stability of an arrow? Edit: Nevermind. I found a link. I knew they test the spine at 28 inches with a 1.94lb weight in the center, but I was wondering the importance of having the proper spine. I found this. From: http://www.carbontecharrows.com/main/arrow-spine-weight-and-straightness/
