I am going to Africa in May and am trying to tune arrows that are a bit heavier than my norm. I am also using MFX Classic shafts because they are narrower and heavier that my GT Trad's... My finished arrows are about 585 grains with 275 grains total weight up front and Abowyer BH's. This set up is about 100 grains heavier than my GT's.
Should I stop here?
This is about 18 yards...
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/Group.jpg)
that sure is a tight group. are you happy with that? (i know i would be.)
Just trying to figure out why the bare shaft is always a bit low and cocked right?
I'd say spine is to Heavy. Add weight or shoot longer shafts..You should be able to shoot a bare shaft 30yds and have straight impact.
Personally I would back on up to 30 yds, or as far as I could hold a decent group, and shoot 3 bare shafts and three fletched shafts and see where the bare shafts consistantly group in relation to your fletched shafts. I wrap 12" of electrical tape around my bare shafts where the feathers will go represent the weight of the feathers and when everything is right fletched and bare shafts will group together.
Yep, 2x on spine too heavy if it bare shafts there several times consistently, but a month out? I'd quit right where you are and just shoot, shoot, shoot.
That looks pretty close to me. When I am tuning I ignore the angle of the shaft as O.L. Adcock recommends and just look at where my bareshafts group according to a fletched set of field points. Some bows though are very tolerant of spine and will shoot a wide range of bare shafts equally well. The main thing is if you are happy with it and that your broadheads fly straight and true, cause in the long run that is all that matters.
Africa in May!! You lucky dog Coaster! You won't be hunting in the rain so you don't have to worry about matted down fletch and BH's. Shoot a couple of arrows with BH's and see if the are going where you are looking and it they land straight on, that should be the test.
I'd say you should put in some time with the camera so you can entertain us with the pics!! Have a great trip Coaster and make sure your PH has got your back! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
You are never going to shoot a bare shaft at any animal and your group looks nice and tight. I'd stop tuning and just shoot.
I am going to the range tomorrow to get some more distance. I'll take my old set up and decide there? I am a max 25 yard shooter except one time and I didn't know I was 29 yards. It just felt right and I let her go. Turn out my brain was right and it worked out?
Bjorn I have shot some BH with the same result and point of impact. I am using Abowyer's with Titanium inserts.... and yes I am a lucky dog with a very understanding wife who says a hunt in Africa is an appropriate self gift for a guy who just turned sixty :)
If you are shooting BH and field points into the same group then you are good to go. I agree, take lots of pictures and you are lucky. Hope the luck holds and have a great time.
As for the bareshaft hitting low that would indicate your nocking point is a tad high. You might lower it a 1/16" and see how it responds. Then when it groups with the fletched shafts back up. If it still flies good your golden. If you see that bareshaft hitting to the left and canting to the left the it is showing too stiff. If it is just hitting the target leaning to the left but hitting in line with the fletched arrows I'd hold up there and start shooting broadheads! Hope you have a great adventure.
I have bare shafted for 10 years it is over rated,remember KISS,right now I am shooting a arrow that is stiff for my set up,but with feathers and broadheads they hit right where I am looking unless I have a form break.I have yet to have an animal complain that my arrow was not tuned right.Dont over think this your group is great have fun!!
2020, would you care to explain how you get proper flight from you stiff arrow with a broadhead. I am new to but have had this conversation over on A.......T... And I am from your school of thought, so could you tell me what you do. Also can someone tell me if a tuning thread should be here or in shooters FORM. Sorry I don't want to hijack your thread OP but I felt it could help all involved.
Also good luck and God bless on your trip, I will pray for your safe and successful foray into Africa.
Snag I did adjust the nock down a slight bit..... Still hitting a bit low with the bare shaft but better. We will see at the range in the morning with some distance...
Thanks all I am really looking forward to this trip :)
Man you are one lucky dude. I'm looking forward to the pics and tales, hopefully both will be plenty. What animals are on your list.
Should be a spectacular trip.
Personally I tune my BH's 5 yards further than I plan to shoot and also at 3 yards. Just a personal choice and serves me well in quelling any of my own concerns.
Stop
Kip, are you lucky enough to go to Africa with a bow you made? What is the poundage of the bow you are taking and what are you planning on hunting? I wish you the best of luck and can say from first hand experience that if you are shooting a bow you made you will be shooting a high quality, awesome bow. Please take some pictures for us that are stuck here in the States.
Personally, I prefer the method as explained by Paul. If you follow his examples, it is easy as it gets.
http://elitearrows.com/proper-arrow/
Good luck in Africa. :clapper:
Brianlocal3,I always have my bareshaft alittle stiff the reason is the length of a broadhead is longer than a field point,which now makes your arrow longer and weakens the spine.I also like 250 to 300 grain heads.I usually shoot 60 pounds I am using the same arrow out of a 52 pound bow which makes the arrow quite stiff,my groups out to 30 yards are the same as the 60 pound bow that the arrow is tuned to.I also use 3 5.5" high back parabolic feathers.
Mike I shoot fairly lite equipment and so I've opted to shoot game under 300# mark. Warthog, Nyala, Impala, Blesbuck, Springbuck, Steinbuck are all possibles...
Thanks Friend, Jeff, Hud, 2020 I think I'm pretty close :)
Ralph I may take one of the bows I build but I haven't gained the confidence yet to hunt 100% with my newbee bowyer skills (yet). If things go right the last animal I take will be with a bow I built :)
Coaster,
What is your draw weight? I hunted w/ 51#@ 26" and it did fine on bigger stuff.
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh236/Prairiedrifter/Africa%202011/IMG_0095.jpg)
Like I said on the previous page. The best way I know to tune is by O.L. Acock's method of bare shaft planing. I back up to about 15 or so yards and shoot 2-3 fletched arrows along with 2-3 bareshafts. If your bare shafts group with your fletched arrows than you are good to go. Once I have that done though I always take one broadhead arrow and wet the fletchings untill they are completely soaked. I then shoot this arrow from 20 yards. If it flies true with no kicking or wobbling and groups with your other fletched arrows than you have a perfect tune.
Drifter I'm 51@27 so just about the same... What was your arrow set up?
I also was about 50lb (little heavier) at 26" draw and had no problem. 650 grain total arrow weight FOC just under 30%.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/rogbo/P8270024.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/rogbo/P8260008.jpg)
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t92/rogbo/P8250100.jpg)
Drifter, AKCrazyhorse I just hope I do as well as you :)
Well I've got my arrows for the trip.... they are shooting as perfect as any I have ever assembled.... and just for fun... not life sized but my number one animal if I can pull it off :)
Now it's just shoot, shoot, shoot until I leave next month !!!!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/ReadyforAfrica.jpg)
If anybody want some nice Real Turkey and Goose feather fletching check out Magnus in the sponsors classifieds.... very nice fletching!!!
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c210/coaster500/ReadyforAfrica002.jpg)
I've also got a kudu and nyala on my hit list. good luck on your upcoming hunt.
I've also got a kudu and nyala on my hit list. good luck on your upcoming hunt.
Coaster what arrow set up did you end up with Thanks Sahne
I've used the Paper-Tune method for decades. I proof with broadheads at 10 yards further than I'm going to hunt. Looks to me from your target that you are ready to go! I'd never be willing to shoot 3 broad head tipped arrows at the same spot! I guess I shouldn't become so attached to my arrows.
Exciting trip for you! I'll be paying attention for your return. My son and a friend and I are going July 31st to South Africa. A first outside North American for each of us. I'll be hunting with 48-49#@26" recurve -- don't know which one yet. I'm also using MFX Classics. Probably 500's but I may toy with 400's to bump up the arrow weight some more. Right now I'm just a bit over 500 grains.
I ordered some VPA 175 grain 3-blade broad heads and sharpening equipment in the past couple of days.
My top 4 targets are: warthog, impala, wildebeest, & Kudu.
Some great shooting, looks like you're there! Have a great trip, we're only slightly green with envy! :D :thumbsup:
I went with GT's because I was just not happy with the way the MFX Classics were flying "for me"... They were accurate enough I suppose but not as accurate again "for me" as the GT's. I'm sorry guys but I'm more Fred rules than Ashby and shooting about 11.6 Grains per pound, F.O.C. 24.8%, Speed 162fps (with fingers and hunt ready string) .... I know for some it's not right but it feels right for me (old shoulders). I am using Abowyer Heads with Titanium Adapters and 100 grain inserts. I am also taking 175 grain (non-vented) Woodman Elites as they shoot in the exact same place as the Abowyers. After speaking with the PH again Kudu may not happen so Nyala (250# Max weight), Springbuck, Blessbuck, Warthog, Wildebeest (a monster would be #600#s) and others are all possibles.
Thanks guys and good luck Ray!! Great trip to share with your son :)
This is going to be a great 60th birthday !!
Coaster what spine GT did you end up with you still have a good amount of FOC Thnaks Shane
Shane the GT3555 Hunters black are a bit over 28"s with a spine around 48/49 pounds. The 100 grain insert acts like a footing and stiffens an arrow a bit. They really shoot well in my set up.
It looks like you are all dialed in. I can't wait to hear the stories.
:campfire:
Coaster good to here you have it sorted the GT most be a bit softer spine at 500 good luck with the hunt Thnaks Shane