Alright tradgang, I ordered a test kit of Sitka spruce from hildebrand. 4 spine groups: 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64. I tried bareshafting at first, but my form isn't really that great. I've only been doing archery for right at a year now. The 60-64s flew well at 32" out to about 20 yards and the 50-54s flew well at 30" at about the same distance. I decided to fletch some up and paper tune them and see how that worked since I'm so new to tuning arrows, let alone woodies. Both of them showed stiff. So, I fletched up the full length 45-49, which after sealing ended up being 53lb on my spine tester, and ended up shooting bullet holes at 31.5". Very confusing to me. Any thoughts? I'm shooting a caribow Amisk 48#@28, drawing 28. 8 strand SBD string. 125 grain field tip. I'd like to stick with 125 grain tips especially since I have at least 24 125 grain broad heads on the way. All feedback is appreciated.
Its your form bro. If the 45/50 flew well with 125gr heads at 31.5", the 50/55 should fly just as well around the 29"-30" mark with the same head. Spines dont lie, and they hold true. I suspect your release is not remaining consistent. Hard to tune if thats the case. You are right in the ball park of where you should be for a center cut bow.
I'd shoot what shoots well, and try not to worry about what "should" work. And You might want to wait 'till you get the broad heads and see how they fly with what you have, before you decide.
The tune may need a little tweaking for the broadhead.
And remember, building out the side plate slightly will add stiffness if you thing you're weak... without cutting the shafts or changing head weight.
I appreciate the feedback from both of you. I should be receiving broad heads in a week or so. When I receive them, I'll put em on and see how they fly. I'm not really that worried about having perfect arrows. I'm just wanting to get as close as I can for the time being. I'd like to shoot a shaft that is close to 29" BOP if possible. Like shadowhunter said though, if they are bareshafting dead straight, I guess that's as good as you can hope for. Again, thanks for the help!
I agree with slowbowjoe that you should shoot whatever performs the best without concern for what "they" say. I shoot wood exclusively. I have a short draw but prefer long arrows, so my arrows are never in line with what most people shoot. For example, I draw 25" but shoot 29" arrows. My bows are all between 50 and 55# and they like 50-55# spine but will also do well with 55-60# arrows. Don't overthink. When your equipment works efficiently, you are ready to go hunt.
Until your form is really good I'd take half of each arrow spine (should be 4 each) and mount a big 2 blade on them. The ones that consistently group field and broad heads together I would shoot. If you want a truer test after that. Get your broad heads out and dunk the fletching in water for 5 minutes until they are soaked. If they still fly straight and true you're good to go.
Jake