I just recently received a Stalker Wolverine which is an absolute stunning bow. It's 49#@28 and I draw about 29". I had some new gold tip classics in a 500 spine I was hoping to use so I tried them full length with 197 grains up front (includes steel insert), expecting them to be weak. I was actually getting a false positive strong sign so I cut them down an inch at a time playing with the tip weights between 50gr up to 200 gr. Literally every combination was hitting the target with the nock left and flew terrible. I pulled out my other 50lb bow and it flew like a dart. At this point I'm frustrated as i feel as though I'm chasing my tail. I then remembered I had some 400's that were in storage as they were to stiff for anything I have had and I ran and grabbed one and cut the feathers off it. It flew much better and real close to what I'd like with 160 gr. up front but I'm going to have to pull out the 100 grain insert to test some more combos. I never thought I'd use that heavy of a spined arrow with a 50lb bow.
Question is, does this seem reasonable to you all and/or is there something I'm missing?
I have a 50#@28 recurve that shoots 400's great.
I have a 29.5" draw and I have 200 grains up front including the 75 grain insert.
I shoot a Stalker Coyote long bow at 49 lbs with my 28.5 in draw. (i know its not the same bow but might be similar)
It likes a 500 spine carbon cut to 29.5 with 270 up front.
It also likes a 500 spine 32 in with 150-175 up front.
I can get 400s to fly decent but I need to have 300+ grains on full length shafts.
Hope that helps. a bit.
I was thinking I'd be closer to what you're working with but they would not bareshaft.
My 46@30 PMA BW shot 31" 400s 145 up front.
I'm shooting 340's out of my BW PCH 51# @ 28".
However, I have 275 up front, and 30.5 inch arrow, and I have a full 29 inch draw.
I had to bump up my .400's to .340's when I went from a number of 48-50# bows in my small collection to a SAS 47# longbow... that limb design required me to go up in spine to harness the energy.
Each bow is different.
Well I just went out and played with it again after nocking out those 100 grain inserts and replacing with standard inserts. With a 30.5" arrow it was shooting straight as can be with a bare shaft out to 25 yards with 125 grains up front.
I think a Stalker is cut to or even past center, which requires a stiffer shaft. I shoot skinny 400s cut to 29 inches (28-inch draw) with 300grains up front out of my 50# Bear TDs
50# is right on the edge between .500 and .400 for me. I have a 29"DL, and I can set up either to work. For me, I find the shorter length of the .500's easier to aim.
Bisch
Limb efficiency and amount of center shot can vary a lot between bows. Shoot the bare shaft that flies best and have fun.