3 or 4 Fletch Arrows?

[WapitiTalk1]

I’ve been using 4 fletch arrows for many, many moons. I have my reasons. Would like to hear if you wild bohemians have a preference either way and why?  Just sparking some elky chat during the long off season. 

[Crunchy]

I am a 3 fletcher.  I am not convinced shooting 4 would show any improvement. 

[hughjorgan]

I’ve tried 3 and 4 fletch and didn’t really see much of a difference. Been using 3 fletch arrows with good arrow flight for sometime now.

[carpsniperg2]

I am a 4 fletch guy. I will always put a extra arrow into a animal any chance I get. With 4 fletch I don't have to look at my arrows when I knock them. So I can keep my eye on the animal after the shot. One of the main advantages I have found.

[Mfowl]

I have shot both. I am currently running 4 fletch. I can't say that one has been clearly better than the other. I have watched some Youtube videos where they say 4 fletch for smaller vanes as that will help stabilize your arrow quicker and 3 fletch for larger/longer vanes as that will reduce overall weight on the back end of your arrow and keep your FOC.

[mburrows]

Going to be switching to 4 this year. Biggest benefit ive heard is better broadhead flight. Ever done a comparison when it comes to broadheads?

[Katmai Guy]

I shoot 3-4" NAP quickspin vanes.  With the rest I use and the helical on the vanes I can't shoot 4 fletch, not enough clearance.  Never had stabilization problems with broadheads.

[ridgefire]

I shot 4 blazers for years and now back to 3. I didn't really notice much difference in flight or accuracy between 3 and 4 and you have one less vane to worry about tearing.

[coachcw]

I used to run 4 and have went back to three mainly for foc . didn't notice any difference in flight .

[SuperX]

depends on clearance, with a tongue rest you may not be able to get good clearance with 4.  I usually shoot 4 with broadheads (QAD drop away) and 3 on my target rig (lizard tongue rest).

I've never paid any attention to FOC, my standard metrics are grouping and flight.

[buckfvr]

The effect fletching has on an arrow is based on drag created by both physical dimension and or weight.  So essentially 3 ea 3" fletch is 9" overall, so if you use the same fletch for a fourth fletch, you now have 12" and additional weight that creates more drag AND lessens FOC.  Also If you run 3ea 4", you can run 4ea 3" of the same design and notice little or no difference.  FOC change for the better means less/lighter fletch or heavier upfront broadhead/insert, etc.  Ive seen tons of guys go from 3ea 3" to 4ea 2" not noticing that their arrows don't recover  and fly as well, and mostly because it is hard to tell if you haven't explored the concept.  And yes, we have tested this to come to conclusion because this isn't my/our personal findings, just ours determined like results.

[dilleytech]

I shoot 4 fletch because why not? It’s in hunting situations that are form is usually the worst and more fletching to straighten arrow flight as soon as possible is always an advantage. Only positive to 3 fletch is the arrow will weigh a few grains less and not slow down as fast at longer ranges also a little quieter but if your not shooting 100 yards it’s probably not a issue.

3 fletch is good for 3d shooting the lightest fastest arrow possible. 4 fletch is better for hunting as it increases accuracy with bad form, adds a little weight for penetration and also arrows hitting straight penetrate better.

But whatever. It doesn’t really matter.