Got my new Elkheart Magnum perfectly tuned today. The results were a little surprising, but the arrows fly like absolute darts from 10 yards about to 35 yards. I'm talking perfect arrow flight! After a couple hours of tinkering and shooting, I lucked into this setup with some arrows I already had fletched. Here's the rundown: JavaMan Elkheart Magnum 52", 51# at my 28" draw, Gold Tip 3555 trad blems cut to 30.5". standard aluminum inserts and nocks, three 5" shield cut feathers, 125 grain field points. Here's the the rub: they only weigh 400 grains. Only 13 gpp. (Edit - only 7.8 gpp actually).
Have any of you guys ever used the weighted tubes from 3 Rivers? If I use the 3 gpp ones, I can get to almost 500 grains with affecting spine. Looking for opinions on them and whether that's a good option. Hunting deer and hopefully hogs this spring.
Johnny, is that 400 grains total arrow weight, shaft, insert, point, feathers and nock? If so, that's very, very light. And by my calcs equals 7.8 gpp (Gregg recommends 8.0 gpp minimum). A 500 grain arrow is only 9.8 gpp on that bow.
Quote from: Maclean on February 15, 2026, 08:00:58 PMJohnny, is that 400 grains total arrow weight, shaft, insert, point, feathers and nock? If so, that's very, very light. And by my calcs equals 7.8 gpp (Gregg recommends 8.0 gpp minimum). A 500 grain arrow is only 9.8 gpp on that bow.
Yep 400 grains total. Very light. And you're right, I miscalculated the gpp. What I calculated was gpi. Gotta beef it up some for sure.
Looks like the 8 gpi tubes would get me to 12.86 gpp arrows. That's doable.
I tried them in the past and actually thought they affected my arrow flight. I know they say they don't but it wasn't my experience.
I've never used weight tubes. I usually adjust with heavier inserts and/or heavier broadheads. But I tend to like a more weight forward arrow for hunting, and if need be, I'll jump to a heavier spine.
I tried them years ago. Still have a few stuffed in a box with all the old arrows I'll probably never use. I felt they had an effect on arrow flight as well.
Many years ago when I shot a recurve and carbon arrows I used them in all my arrows. I tuned with the tubes in never had any issue with arrow flight. I used the 3, 5, and 8 gpi tubes at different times. I still have probably a hundred of them. If you cut them the exact length they very rarely pop the nock off. A little clear tape on the end helps a lot.
I know someone who uses para-cord inside their arrows..extremely quiet shots..I don't know his tuning process..he takes multiple deer every year with long bows and recurves that he builds in his basement. I witnessed him shooting the arrows and they were impressively quiet.
You need to tune the bow with the weights in there. Heavier will slow arrow speed and most likely make a stiff arrow ...
My own experience was they made the arrow tune weaker and they blew the nocks off my arrows when they made impact. Both seem counter intuitive to what I would have thought...but that is how they worked for me. You may have different results.
thanks, everyone, for the info. I had bought some 400 spine shafts thinking they would work, but they were proving to be exceedingly stiff, even with a huge amount of weight up front at factory length. on a whim, I decided to try these 3555 Goldtip trads that were already cut for a similar poundage bow. they flew so amazingly well that I really want to use them. I didn't realize until afterwards that they were so light. hard to give up on such well-tuned arrows, haha! :banghead:
I think I am gonna try the weight tubes, as well as some paracord (should be much quieter than Weedeater line), and see if I get similar flight.
You can also put four strands of weed wip string inside the shaft for 75-100gr increase.
I feel your pain. I wish they made 450's since it would solve the problem. 400's are too stiff and 500's are too light.
I have prolly a half dozen I can send you. Maybe even a full
Dozen. They been in my basement for years so can't remember what size or weight I bought. Up to you if you want them
Quote from: Tim Reese on February 19, 2026, 12:13:31 PMI have prolly a half dozen I can send you. Maybe even a full
Dozen. They been in my basement for years so can't remember what size or weight I bought. Up to you if you want them
thanks! I bought a dozen from 3 Rivers in the 3 GPI weight (due to be delivered tomorrow), but I'd gladly pay you shipping if you are up to sending the ones you have, especially if they are a different weight.
the back ones are 3 GPI, the gray are 5 GPI, and the white are 8 GPI.
Quote from: Ulysseys on February 15, 2026, 09:19:17 PMI tried them in the past and actually thought they affected my arrow flight. I know they say they don't but it wasn't my experience.
I had the same problems! Also if they aren't in tight it will blow your nocks out sometimes.
I used them years ago when I still shot carbon, I did not notice any spine affect. I did have the nock pop out a couple of times but never after crimping them every couple of inches or so along their length with a pair of pliers and putting a bit of slow setting adhesive on them just before insertion. This of course makes them permanent.
The ones I have are black. Up to you if you wanna email me your info. I will never use them as I only use wood so no worries on shipping either.
rsbow74@aol.com
Quote from: Tim Reese on February 22, 2026, 11:44:26 AMThe ones I have are black. Up to you if you wanna email me your info. I will never use them as I only use wood so no worries on shipping either.
rsbow74@aol.com
thank you, Tim! I tried them out today (the black ones), and they flew great. I'd love to at least cover shipping, or maybe I can make a good purchase in the next St.Jude's auction to cover it, if that works. will send you an email.
Big shoutout to Tim Reese for sending me some weight tubes to try! Very generous of you, Tim! :clapper: