Wow, things have really changed in the last 30 years. I started to shoot target and hunt (whitetail in 'da UP) and fell in love with archery immediately. My dad was a 3 time state champ all weapons back in the 50’s. And while I did well at NRA shoots I could NEVER get use to the BANG so archery was my choice. I was the family outcast Anyway, I just ordered a new bow. Researching all the gear has been pretty good (and a lot of fun) except for arrows and fletching - seems like there are about as many opinions as there are options and I'm getting confused so I could use some advice. First, the equipment: I'm shooting a Diamond Stud, 60#, 29 - 29 1/2" draw. I'm going with a SIMS fall away rest, sight, quiver and stabilizer. Thanks, Dave My objective is whitetail, turkey and some league shoots – nothing real serious, just fun between hunts. I'm thinking of going with heaver shafts than those recommended for 60#. Are heavier shafts less likely to fracture? Where can I read up on the pro’s and con’s of going light vs heavy? Any information on how much extra to go would also be great. I’m thinking 300gr would be correct for the draw weight with maybe 375gr to gain the extra strength but I have nothing to go on. Feathers, vanes, helical, straight… Everything in threads seems to be opinions but none state the equipment or the conditions of use so it's hard to match up opinions to my conditions. Is there a good read on the pro’s and con’s for feathers vs vanes and straight vs helical that brings into the discussion the conditions where one is better than the other and why? The area I’ll hunt has lots of brush (edge of a swamp) and the weather can be rain or snow. As I mentioned above I’m using a fall away so I won’t have the capture to help stabilize the shaft on release but I also won’t have the capture to hamper the vanes.
First off, Welcome to BH.com! There's a ton of information here to be had both from the forums and the BH.com staff. Here are a couple articles on arrow selection and arrow building. As far as the extra weight for your setup goes, I do not think that it's necessary for your setup and the game you're pursuing. It certainly won't hurt on the penetration side, but if you don't need it, you would be needlessly slowing your arrows down. Hope this helps!
Unless you're shooting longer (IMO....35+yds), unknown ydgs.......this is a non-issue (with the speeds you'll be shooting).
Yup, that's exactly what I was looking for - THANKS Fitz. (I hadn't noticed the bowhunting knowledge link - what a great resource!)
here is a good link to learn about arrows http://www.huntersfriend.com/2007-Carbon-Arrows/arrow-selection-guide1.htm
On short vanes like the quick spin and the blazer, is it necessary to have a helical clamp as you cannot put much helical on these anyway, or can you get by with a straight clamp and put an offset to it?
MN....if you're talking hunting setup.....helical is ideal. Offset is the next best option. And, straight is the least favorable option. Helical creates the most drag.....and then down the line. Drag slows the arrow down, but also acts to stabilize your arrow. For a target setup.....from a compound.....I personally don't think it makes a hill of beans diference. If you're fletching your own, it makes sense (to me) to just fletch them all the same way. Makes switching from targets to hunting as easy as switching tips. You have to also recognize that your rest plays a part in all this. For (an) example, the makers of the WHisker Biscuit suggest offset or straight fletch (NOT helical). My guess is they're trying to mitigate excessive drag as the arrow glides through the bristles. If I had more questions (and I shot a compound), I'd shoot Bruce Lanthier a PM.
