Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Captain*Kirk on June 08, 2016, 12:27:00 AM

Title: Right or left?
Post by: Captain*Kirk on June 08, 2016, 12:27:00 AM
I'm a right-handed shooter. The old saw about helical is that right-hand shooters should shoot left helical fletched arrows, and vice-versa so that the fletching will spin the shaft correctly in relation to riser. 3Rivers claims that it doesn't matter because the shaft doesn't begin to spin until the foot of the arrow has cleared the riser entirely and is actually forward of the riser, so shoot whichever floats your boat(with exceptions made to arrows with single-bevel broadheads, of course!)All the arrows I've purchased to date came left-helical fletched, however, based on 3Rivers' assumption, I also bought a Bitzenburger set up for right helical because it was available, and priced right.
What say you, men? Does it matter or not?
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: damascusdave on June 08, 2016, 12:34:00 AM
I shoot both right handed and left handed with left helical and right helical arrows and I pay no attention to what fletching I am shooting from which side...I also shoot plastic vanes off the shelf...set your nock point a bit on the high side and shoot arrows that are a tad weak and the fletching never gets anywhere near the bow

DDave
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: babs on June 08, 2016, 12:55:00 AM
Doesnt matter but what ever fletch you choose make shure broadheads are the same helical unless you shoot strait broadheads.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: AZ_Longbow on June 08, 2016, 12:56:00 AM
Yep it dosent matter unless you are using a single bevel broadhead. Even They shoot the same, just doesn't penetrate as well when it wastes energy reversing the arrow on impacts.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: on June 08, 2016, 01:54:00 AM
Does not matter!

And welcome to the Gang!

Bisch
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: pdk25 on June 08, 2016, 09:04:00 AM
Doesn't matter, but if I didn't have so many arrows already, switch to RW.  That way field points wouldn't loosen on impact with targets.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Wheels2 on June 08, 2016, 11:15:00 AM
If your field points come loose unscrew them and wrap dental floss around the threads for three wraps.
Screw them back into the arrow and cut off the tags.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Carpdaddy on June 08, 2016, 02:33:00 PM
I shoot both and don't shoot well enough to tell a difference if there is one.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Terry Green on June 08, 2016, 03:05:00 PM
I shoot right handed...and have shot right fletch since I can remember.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: pdk25 on June 08, 2016, 03:14:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Wheels2:
If your field points come loose unscrew them and wrap dental floss around the threads for three wraps.
Screw them back into the arrow and cut off the tags.
Oh, I have done that, but just don't feel like the hassle.  I just try to check them after each shot.  Would have just made more sense to start  with RW to start  with.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Zradix on June 08, 2016, 03:21:00 PM
Depends if you're hunting in the North or South hemisphere.
Has to do with which way the arrow actually spins easier.
...kinda like the whole toilet/drain water thing known as the Coriolis effect.


****  THIS IS A JOKE ****
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Terry Green on June 08, 2016, 04:19:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Zradix:
Depends if you're hunting in the North or South hemisphere.
Has to do with which way the arrow actually spins easier.
...kinda like the whole toilet/drain water thing known as the Coriolis effect.
I hope this is a joke....pitchers throwing curve balls in OZ will not agree.

that effect might work in an undisturbed  bathtub or sink....but you can force the opposite in a toilet by aiming the water jets.

helical direction forces the direction of spin...

when you force a direction it matters not where the equator is
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Zradix on June 08, 2016, 04:28:00 PM
Oh come on Terry...lol     :)    
Yessir it was just a joke.
I thought it was pretty well cleared up above..just havin fun.
In hindsight..I guess someone could think I was serious.
I'll edit it above.

..sorry
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Terry Green on June 08, 2016, 04:35:00 PM
John.....just making sure.....you know how some folks are....

"If its on the Internet it must be true"

  :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:    :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Zradix on June 08, 2016, 04:36:00 PM
I hear ya.
  ;)
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Shadowhnter on June 08, 2016, 06:49:00 PM
:biglaugh:   too funny guys!

Im another right hander, shooting right helical. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot either, but right is what ive always shot, being passed down from my fathers habits. It flat cant make any difference. Ive heard that left unscrews tips on target impact, but ive seen a ton of right helical tips start loose. Maybe left is worse, i dont know, but right helical certainly doesnt eliminate it. Shooting woods i really dont care anymore...lol!
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Terry Green on June 08, 2016, 06:53:00 PM
Shadow you are 100% correct that's why I shoot right wing when it hits the animal the direction of spin should tighten the already tight Broadhead and not unscrew it like left-wing this is not a slam on left wing if I was to shoot left wing I would epoxy them all so that they did not unscrew at all because the weakest part of an arrow is the post of an adapter regardless of material
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on June 08, 2016, 07:06:00 PM
Hmmm, maybe someone should explain to all the deer Ive killed with single bevel BHs and opposite helical fletching that it doesn't work.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Terry Green on June 08, 2016, 07:52:00 PM
ok Keith....deer are nothing but a paper grocery bag full of shaving cream with a few tinker toys thrown in.....and one ball joint....just shoot straight and stay away from the ball joint.  

basicaly...of all the big game we hunt...deer are the easiest to pass through.....as long as your arrow is flying true.....they are not by any means armor plated.....paper Tigers instead....

again if you arrows are flying true.

Thousands and thousands of deer have been passed through with a 45-pound Bear bow and four blade bear razor heads

Sorry if my comment about the weakest link of an arrow offended anyone I hunt other things besides dear so I Look to eliminate the weakest link
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on June 08, 2016, 08:41:00 PM
My comment wasn't directed at you Terry.  I was commenting on the statement above to make sure the helical matches the bevel.  I have several friends who have killed several elk using opposite helical.  The most important component is a sharp broadhead in the right spot.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: M60gunner on June 08, 2016, 08:59:00 PM
Only time I saw any difference was with my Hill style LB. I would get cut by the feather quill sometimes from my right helical feathers. I tried left helical and issue went away. I know now there can be other reasons why but at that time there were not Trad sites to ask questions. (Mid 90's) I was reading a well know archer who had the advise based on his experiences.
Back in the 70's right wing feathers were almost non-existent. The birds had their right wing clipped. So I bought left wing fletchers. Then I heard this "right handed, right wing, left handed left wing" thing. Of course I switched over. But as for flight I never noticed any difference. These days I use both, whatever I can get at a reasonable price.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Fattony77 on June 08, 2016, 09:00:00 PM
I'm right handed, and live in an area where right wing fletching is most common. I used to shoot RW until I started shooting with my hand closer to the shelf, and the feathers started cutting into my hand. I switched to LW and no longer have that problem. That is the only difference it has made for me. I do, however, match my single bevels to the fletch just so I can maximize efficiency wherever I can. Just my $.02.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Terry Green on June 08, 2016, 09:00:00 PM
No problem Keith.....I just read the original posters question and it just stated right hand and right helical....no mention of bevel.

  :campfire:
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Possum Head on June 08, 2016, 10:10:00 PM
I know a left wing President with a loose screw!
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: goingoldskool on June 08, 2016, 10:37:00 PM
I have a Bitz in right wing and one in left wing....  I buy whichever feathers are on sale!

I do think that right wing helical are easier to glue up, but if you're using fletch tape, no problems!

Good luck, shoot straight and God Bless,

Rodd
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Captain*Kirk on June 09, 2016, 12:34:00 PM
Sounds like the consensus agrees with 3Rivers. I won't worry about it, then!
Thanks all for your help and opinions.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: NothingHappenedToday on June 09, 2016, 01:21:00 PM
I used to shoot Left Wing, until I got a great deal on 200 Right Wing feathers. Now I shoot right.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Longtoke on June 09, 2016, 02:16:00 PM
all my arrows are left but if i was getting some made up I would go with right wing, just makes life a little easier.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Bowwild on June 09, 2016, 06:02:00 PM
Only time I care is with single bevel. I did shoot "wrong" wing for the first year (6 years ago) I shot single bevel.  Passed through two deer that dropped in sight that year.

However, I did do some reconfiguring after that year to match the bevel and wing.
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: Pine on June 10, 2016, 03:22:00 AM
It can make a difference how the bottom feather fits in the corner of the shelf .
I used to shoot right wing and I shoot right handed , I would chew up my shelf material very fast .
Sense I went to left wing , I hardly ever have to replace shelf material .
Title: Re: Right or left?
Post by: katman on June 10, 2016, 03:53:00 PM
That is interesting Graps, watching several slow motion videos of paradox shows fletching away from riser and shelf. Do you tune slight stiff or nock low?