Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: Vo2max on December 06, 2011, 04:28:50 PM

Title: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Vo2max on December 06, 2011, 04:28:50 PM: Hi,
I need some help determining which arrow I should buy along with which fletch length to use. Background: I will be shooting a new G5/Quest Primal at 70lbs draw and 30" draw length (still TBD however as I need to have the cams altered once the bow arrives). Anyway, I have looked at Gold Tips and Easton shafts and like both and currently shoot Easton carbon arrows. If my draw weight and length is what it is I am right on the edge of the chart in that I could go a bit stiffer or I could go a bit more flexible... which way is best or is customary?

question #2: I would like to try using off-set fletching in that I will be using 3 7/8" fletches but I will glue one lower than the other two to potentially increase the stability of the arrow... any experience doing this anyone? I have never shot Blazer vanes and have thought about these but with shooting fixed blade broadheads I would like as stable an arrow as I can get. Thoughts, comments? Thanks in advance for the help.

ERIK
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: bowNarrow on December 06, 2011, 04:34:35 PM: in my experience its better to go alittle stiffer vs weaker.....as far as fletching i use blazers they control fixed blades very good ive never had a problem...ive also tryed the 2 high 1 low fletching and i couldnt see any difference so i just went to standard 3 fletch
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Button Nubbs on December 06, 2011, 04:35:26 PM: The arrow selection charts are crap. Someone on here will help you with putting your info into tap ot2 or aa. As far as fletching, blazers were made for broadheads. I have shot 1 1/4" 4 blade Broadheads with 3 blazers and they flew just as good as a field tip. :twocents:
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Vo2max on December 06, 2011, 04:51:00 PM: Thanks for the help. I appreciate it. I am now leaning toward the blazers as they are MUCH easier to install/glue in that I don't need a jig. Speaking of which... have you had experience using the Blazer vanes that you install by heating with warm water? Seems super easy and appealing just because I would not have to glue and wait. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Button Nubbs on December 06, 2011, 04:52:57 PM: No I do wraps and glue the vanes on. I wouldn't mess with the heat shrink crap.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: JLS on December 06, 2011, 05:20:24 PM: You'll pay more for the heat shrink kind. By an Arizona EZ fletch for Blazers.

Go stiffer on spine if you're borderline, but understand it won't automatically tune. You may have to drop down in spine (not very likely).

Standard 3 fletch is all you need to do, unless you just want to look different! Blazers will be fine for fixed blade BH. If you hunt in windy conditions a lot, you may consider 4" vanes instead. However, I've had very good luck with Blazers too.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Vo2max on December 06, 2011, 07:18:35 PM: THanks everyone!

One more thing... Gold Tips or Easton's?
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Button Nubbs on December 06, 2011, 07:21:53 PM: Easton is made in america... Gold tip... Mexico...
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Vo2max on December 06, 2011, 07:28:52 PM: Quote from: Button Nubbs on December 06, 2011, 07:21:53 PM
Easton is made in america... Gold tip... Mexico...

Really? Well, That does make a difference in a way. However, which is the better arrow?
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: uplandhunter870 on December 06, 2011, 07:36:59 PM: ive shot both and both work just as well, some say gold tips as better but i think that is to justify the cost.

i think what button nubbs was getting at was more of a polite way of saying "buy american" but im no mind reader i could be wrong
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: JBar on December 06, 2011, 07:39:55 PM: Easton hands down IMO. Been shooting FMJ's with no issues at all switched this year to Carbon Express Mayhems for a lighter arrow.They're tough arrows but didn't have the consistancy of my Eastons. Shooting the ACC Pro Hunters this year should have never tried another brand.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: JLS on December 06, 2011, 09:27:25 PM: I've shot Gold Tips, and they are fine. They certainly aren't the best thing going by any means. I've never used Easton, but my hunting buddy who used to run an archery shop swears by them.

I currently use Carbon Tech Whitetails.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: sakoshooter on December 06, 2011, 11:34:31 PM: I've been shooting Beman ICS Hunters for a few years with both, 3 fletch 4" vanes and blazers. They both shoot to the same point of impact with field points and the broadheads I've tried. I think that most arrows/fletched will stabilize a broadhead providing the bow's tuned well. A rest that's slightly out of adjustment L or R, or U or D might shoot a target arrow alright but will be magnified with a broadhead.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: JLS on December 07, 2011, 04:11:45 AM: Forgot to add, use a fletch that has some offset, not straight. It'll stabilize BH much better.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: Vo2max on December 07, 2011, 09:34:06 AM: Quote from: JLS on December 07, 2011, 04:11:45 AM
Forgot to add, use a fletch that has some offset, not straight. It'll stabilize BH much better.

meaning Helical? I have not built my own arrows for about 10years now so perhaps I am out of the loop on terminology :)

A helical 2" Blazer vane? will the helical set-up actually change the arrow flight as much with such a short vane? I have set up arrows with 4 and 5" vanes as helical and they did well. Thanks.

ERIK
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: stormin85 on December 07, 2011, 10:22:57 AM: Easton's are the way to go, FMJ's or the axis n-fused, i have gold tips that i am using now as they were cheaper, but they are mainly target arrows that i don't mind breaking or losing, the Easton's are overall a better arrow :twocents:

as for fletching, blazer vanes, with a slight helical, i put four vanes on and it helped with broadhead flight, but i have a couple arrows with three vanes and they shoot pretty much the same, i haven't done enough testing to prove to myself that four is that much better but i will be re fletching my new arrows when my wraps arrive and doing four vanes with a slight helical on those and will spend some time testing after this late season.

lol so to sum up, i recomend eastons with blazers with a helical, the shrink fletch are convenient but they aren't as durable as doing it yourself. :twocents:
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: JLS on December 07, 2011, 11:30:04 AM: Quote from: Vo2max on December 07, 2011, 09:34:06 AM
Quote from: JLS on December 07, 2011, 04:11:45 AM
Forgot to add, use a fletch that has some offset, not straight. It'll stabilize BH much better.

meaning Helical? I have not built my own arrows for about 10years now so perhaps I am out of the loop on terminology :)

A helical 2" Blazer vane? will the helical set-up actually change the arrow flight as much with such a short vane? I have set up arrows with 4 and 5" vanes as helical and they did well. Thanks.

ERIK

I use a Bitzenburger with a helical clamp, and then I add offset also. If you get an Arizona EZ fletch it should put helical with a good amount of offset on your fletchings.

You better believe it will change the arrow spin. My arrows have a pretty fast rotation, which will cause you a little more drag and lost velocity at longer range. However, they stabilize VERY well.
Title: Re: Arrow and fletching Selection question(s)
Post by: sakoshooter on December 07, 2011, 09:02:40 PM: My hunting arrows are fletched w/blazers in helical and yes, they stabilize broadheads well even in high wind.