I thinking of switching to carbon and need some advice on which to go with. I was thinking the gold tip XT and Expedition hunters. I'm shooting a 47# @ 28" recurve and draw 28". Looking to cut arrows at 29" and use 100 grain brass inserts. I know there a lot of variables but should I go with the 35-55 or can anyone else recommend a different brand carbon. Never used carbons before so I really don't know where to start. Thanks
Gold tips 3555 are good arrows.I use the 5575 and love them.
stonehead look down a couple threads on the pow wow for dinamic spine caculator lt will help. fyi goldtip 3555 spine is .500 and there 7.3 grains per inch hope this helps
3555s should work with adding the correct point weight.
I use 3555 with the 5gr tube inserts from 3Rivers. With 125gr Snuffers, total weight is 492. I'm quite pleased with the way they shoot.
I shoot a recurve, 49@28, I draw 26.
My specs are identical to yours I even use the 100 grain brass inserts. My bows are 50lbs, 52 lbs, 53lbs and 56 lbs. All shoot my Ex. Hunter 3555's like bullets. You will love them.
Remember to scratch up the inside with some sand paper and use 90 minute epoxy to glue your inserts in with. Also don't shoot them at 90 minutes leave them drying overnight.
Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming.
Try this calculator. You'll be able to see whats up right on the screen. Sure makes a lot of sense when it's in black and white .. well color actually.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=071556
By the way, I ran your combo and the 55-75 make more sense if you are going with 100 gr inserts.
Mike
I just saw the calculator. That is very cool. I was having some problems getting arrows to fly out of a 42 pound bow, much lighter than what I usually shoot, now I know why. I checked out the combination that I've been shooting out of a 54 pound bow, and it checked out to 1 pound. Good stuff, thanks to whoever came up with the program!
They should work fine for you, you may have to play with length and tip weight. Having shot both 35-55 and 55-75 out of bows 3-5 # heavier than yours, I would go with 35-55.
When I changed to carbons I bought some 100 gr brass inserts and had some 100,125,145,175,and 200 gr points. Some I had and the rest I ordered from 3 r's. I started bare shaft shooting and triming the arrow and changing point weights until I found a combo that flew like a dart bare. I then crested them and four fletched. In two years of almost daily shooting I have lost one arrow. Pretty tough and they are either straight or broken. No more bent arrows. I shoot GT55/75 XT Hunters with 225gr up front. I shoot 48# @ 28". Arrows are 29.5". For target and 3D I use the aluminum insert (25gr) and a 200 gr point. For stumps and hunting I use the 100 gr brass insert and either a 125 gr broadhead or a 125 judo point. I went with the XT's because they are supposed to be a little straighter than the Expeditions.
Use the 3555's but I would advise against cutting them and then trying to tune.If at all possible start full length with your insert glued in and fletch a couple and leave a couple bareshaft.Use the planing method on OL's site and tune the arrows by length.Just trim from the nock end 1/4" to 1/2" at a time.
You may need to remove feathers and cut the shafts down if they show weak but the price of a few feathers is cheaper than a whole dozen shafts that have become too stiff by cutting too much to start.
You can probably tune at 29" but you may have to go with a much heavier head than you intended.A lot depends on your release,the bow,ammount of center shot,string,silencer material,even form.
PS
once you find the correct length,you will get the straightest shaft by triming the same from both ends.On carbon shafts the run out is on the ends and determines the straightness.
Again, thanks for the help guys, this is great!
RH Clark, what type of glue do you use so inserts can be easily removed?
definately do what RH Clark said! when i tune i start with the point weight i want to shoot and trim my arrow. not trim my arrow then try and find the right point weight.
Stonehead
On the GT's and most carbons go ahead and epoxy or super glue the insert and the nock just pops out,so you can trim from the nock end.
Some carbons use a unibushing but not GT's.
It's fine to only cut from the nock on the shafts you use to tune.I just ment that after you get the correct length you might want to cut the rest from both ends to get max straightness.
I also like to clean the inside of my shafts with a Q-tip and acetone and the inserts. Either wear ruber gloves or be careful not to touch the glueing surfaces.
Does anyone know if GT has the 15-35's out yet? At 600 spine, the trad. shafts should come out pretty good for a 40-45lb bow.
Steve
all my bows are in the 46# range and I use Gold Tip 35/55 traditionals and Gold Tip 35/55 XT camos and they all shoot great. I can leave them full length with the factory insert or cut'em and use a 50 grain brass insert. I use 125 grain points on all of them.
the XT camos full length with the 125 grain point average about 386 grains.
the traditionals cut to 29 1/4"s with the 50 grain brass insert and a 125 grain point average about 450 grains.
it dosen't hurt that my bows are cut 3/16"s past center. my opinion is it makes then more arrow friendly.
happy shootin' :archer:
For my Pro Medalist Hoyt set up (almost exact as yours) maybe a couple pounds heavier... My 3555's cut to 28 1/2" with 100 grain brass insert and 145 grain tip fly perfect... Gold Tips are very good arrows.
John III
I'm shooting an old 58" Black Widow HS. It's 47#@28", which is what I draw. I just got done bare shaft tuning and the right Gold Tip arrow/point combination FOR ME is a 29" shaft, standard insert, three fletched, with 145 grain point. That takes the total weight to around 395 grains. I then added the light weight tubes to get the weight up to around 480 grains. I feel this is a good combination for whitetails.
Tried the 3555's for almost identical setup with buddy's bow, to weak. Ended choosing the 5575 @29" with 225gr. head up front. Bareshafted perfect.
I've got some 3555's on the way....hopefully they will workout. If not, I'll be looking to trade for some 5575! Thanks
If your just starting out with carbons, you don't need to epoxy the inserts. I have used hot glue ( I use the round chunk that 3rivers sells)for the last 5 years with no problems. Take a small nail and some fine sand paper to rough up the inside of the shaft apply heat to the insert only and keep a small container of water next to where you are working. After you place the insert in the shaft, dip it in the water to cool.This way if you deside to shorten your shafts, you just heat the insert tool screw it in the insert and wait a minute and pull it back out. If I break a shaft I cut the shaft down for kids arrows and reapply the insert.
Tune one or two, THEN CUT the rest. Yes, I am yelling.
I have used 3555 with 50 gr brass and 125 Snuffer SS out of my 45# recurve. I like this setup, but am going to be putting 100 gr brass in them to put a little more wt up front.
I agree with using epoxy. I could not get hotmelt to keep the inserts in. As recommended, just cut from the nock end when tuning.
Good luck!
48#@26" shooting 27" 35/55's with 350 up front.
SCS, I talked to Gold Tip today and they tell me they shipped some 15-35's to me. They haven't arrived yet but maybe I will see them by Wednesday.
I ordered some 3555 XT hunters last week and they should arrive monday or tuesday. Is the 90 minute epoxy yall are talkin about the kind that comes in a two tube syringe type thing that you can get from somewhere like walmart? I have some hotmelt but I would like to use epoxy if it's stronger.