This may create issues with a couple of you guys. What ever happened to the day when you went to the range(back yard) with several different size shafts and shot until you found the one that worked the best with your bow without all the technical calculations. Then you perfect your shooting skills and go out and hunt something.Does anybody else still do it this way?
You can still do that today Woody. Just that there are more percise ways of do it. If you are happy with doing it that way that's all that matters.
Tex, I think that is still the best way. Most shooters just don't have the assortment of arrows to work with. I have a bunch of test arrows that are marked with the static spine. I put on the head weight I want then go out and shoot, pick the best and paper check with them. :readit: :confused:
Tex..
Of course what you are describing is the proof (or not) of all the calculations. I go to the charts or use the Stu Calculator to guide my selection of shafts and some components. I also consider my own past experiences. Then, when I put it together I go through a couple of "indoor" tests (paper and broadhead/field tip group). Then I go outside.
Certainly you can start on your range and skip the rest.
Some of us get a big kick out of the tinkering and trying to understand why our equipment behaves the way it does. This tinkering comes in really handy when our set-up doesn't perform or when a friend or acquaintance has trouble.
Yep, I do it that way. Spine charts are useful, to be sure, but nothing works like shootin' 'em.
I still don't shoot for sour apples, but that's the way I select my arrows.
But then, I still use a map and compass, too.
Spine charts are a good atarting point because I can't really afford to be guessing a lot but as I have found they're not always exact. As I said though they are a good place to start and get close.
I can't use Stu's calculator because I don't have Excel in my older laptop. I just bareshaft tune with a couple of spines and lengths and point weights. After I found the right combo, I had a fella run the calculator on my set up and it was right on the money. The old way still works. It's just a tool, but you can tune without it.
I just tried stu's calculator for the first time. It was way off for me. I will trust the bare shaft and wobble free flight of a broadhead flying to the center of my target at 35 yards.
After my first post I started thinking that maybe it's my super great release that makes my arrow spine be different than what the spine calculator says. :biglaugh:
Guys,thanks for your input. My point I am trying to make is are we trad shooters trying to get to technical( that is what wheels are for). I bought my first bow when I was around 15 that is 30 some odd years ago and beyond the initial selection chart I have yet to make a calculation as far as arrow choice. I'll put up my soap box for now.
Thats way the way I do it,with wood,carbon and aluminum.
Not everyone has a pile of arrows of all different types to play with when setting up a new bow. For every long time trad bow shooter with a pile of arrows to try there are a couple new people trying to get started with a bow and no or few arrows.
My aluminum arrows are all trashed. I only shot two sizes in my old bows. I have some wood arrows from years ago, but they are all short and light spined for what I shoot now. I shot carbon now. I can only shoot two spines in most bows I would shoot. The calculator helps with ball parking a carbon set-up. Now that I have a few more carbons setting around of different lengths and spine along with some knowledge base on carbon tuning, I don't need the calculator so much, but it was a big help when I had a couple new dozen carbons full length and no clue where to start.
I'll look at charts to get a starting point but it always takes some experimenting/shooting to get them just right.
I just think there are too many variables to hit the mark right off the bat. Eric.
QuoteOriginally posted by texas woody:
........I'll put up my soap box for now.
Thank you.
If it wasn't for technology, we wouldn't have the efficient bows we have today.
I find Stu's calculator to be a very valuable tool that helps save people some time. Less time tuning and finding the right arrows means more time spent hunting.
I do use Stu's calculator there is an new version just released Dynamic Spine (rev 7-18-2010) (http://www.heilakka.com/stumiller/) instead of the Manufactures tables. I find it more reliable. Then I go and shoot and modify as needed.
QuoteOriginally posted by texas woody:
Guys,thanks for your input. My point I am trying to make is are we trad shooters trying to get to technical( that is what wheels are for). I bought my first bow when I was around 15 that is 30 some odd years ago and beyond the initial selection chart I have yet to make a calculation as far as arrow choice. I'll put up my soap box for now.
Trad isn't necessarily about a lack of technology. For me, it's more about a lack of complication in my equipment. Physics is still physics, and arrows still deflect based on their spine whether the archer acknowleges it or not.
A stick, a string and an arrow. That's traditional archery. Even if the stick is a carbon/foam blend and the arrow was recommended by an Excel spreadsheet! :archer:
It can be done...ran my current wood arrow set-up through Stu's calculator; I was 1# off. Didn't bareshaft or paper tune; just fiddled around with point weight after making an educated guess on spine. Did alot of long distance shooting to fine tune flight.
Well said, Jeff. :clapper: