Since picking up my first longbow 3 seasons ago I've been plagued by occasional doubts over weather I can optimize my set-up or tune it better.
I'm shooting a right handed Toelke Whip 52@27 (drawing same), 1/16th from center (inc. pad). Arrows at 28.5' beeman mfx 500's, 75gr insert, 175 gr heads, 3x5 inch feathers.
Results I'm seeing are as follows (shot on my 13 yard basement range):
-broadheads, field points and bareshafts group together. Arrow flight on broadheads appears good if I do my part.
-HOWEVER I do not have perfect flight on my bareshaft with it kicking a bit (not a lot) knock right.
Dynamic spine calculator shows my set up is about 4lbs weak but the knock right has me paranoid that I'm too stiff.
Am I obsessing here? Does this arrow set-up sound right? Should I forget about it and go hunting?
Any thoughts and opinions - let 'em rip.
Cheers,
Rosco
The ultimate decision for me is the business arrow/head. If your BH's are flying true and hitting where you look then I say your in good shape. There are many factors in tuning an arrow to shoot straight. The spine calculator is for a starting point. But not the gospel. But the ultimate goal is so we can have a true flying BH. Sounds like you have that.
Now, go hunting!
I would recommend going back to about 25-30 yards and have somebody watch the flight of your BH. Dont worry about hitting a dot,just get good form and good release. This will give you a better idea than at 13 yards. Thats a little close to see good arrow flight. Especially from the shooter themselves.
I am shooting almost exactly the same set up, except 2016s with Zwickey black diamonds, total tip weight of 165grs. My zwicks and field points are shooting the same POA/POI out to 25 yds, my absolute longest shot I would ever think about. So I am going to leave it alone and hunt. :D Chris
Would 13 yards be long enough to tell if this set up was not correct? I shoot at a range as well but as a result of the fact that I use my 'basement range' daily I can stack the arrows on top of each other - in theory making it easier to spot problems....
The reason I recommend stepping back is so somebody behind you can see any bad arrow flight. I am not recommending hunting at this distance by any means. Just when your real close the arrow has no sooner left the bow and is in the target. Hard to see a flight flaw.
Try shooting at 20 yards and see how field point and broadhead arrows fly.
I don't bare shaft tune because one has to have a very good release. As far as I am concerned, "feathered arrows are my friends and bare shafts are always treated with suspect".
if the broadheads, bareshafts and fletched hit well it sound good enough to me. i like my bareshafts to hit a little to the right since the feathers with make the arrow more stiff. try shooting them all at around 20 yds and see how things are going