What target preserves the finish on wood arrows the best? I just ordered some real snazzy ones for target shooting and would like to try to keep them looking nice. What target should I use? My current straw bales and yellow jacket target both tear up the finish of my old wood arrows.
Jon
I would guess the targets that are made up of stacked layers of foam sheets would work best. I don't notice any wear and tear on my wood arrows from those.
A feed bag stuffed with the plastic bags from the stores. Stops arrows great and doesn't hurt the finish at all.
Just keep a small piece of bees wax with you to rub on the lower 3 inches of the shaft each time you shoot. That should lubricate the shaft as the friction heat developes. It works great on 3D targets and with straw bales. Worth a try.
Burlap bags stuffed with plastic is easy on woodies.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9574644342_8c26fa6418.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9574644342/)
I use Rhinobrute blocks to stop broadheads. So far, they are my favorite block target for wood w/ either dull or sharp cut on contact heads.
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9571857897_ea72a9c22c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571857897/)
I like old fashion cordgrass matts for field point targets.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5348/9571842317_da5bb1b9ab.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary2va/9571842317/)
My favorite for small game heads are Safety Baseballs mounted on fiberglass rods or hung from cord in front of either hay or straw bails.
Though the above are my favorite maintained repeatable practice targets, all three mar up wood shafts to some degree, but that's the nature of wood and I just live with it.
Flip side, I gave away a half dozen large bag targets that I had to a compound shooter. Don't recall the manufacturer, but they were large synthetic weave pattern bags stuffed with some sort of fluffy synthetic insulation like material. The bags had heavy duty gromets for hanging and could be left outside in the weather. If I recall correctly, they were advertised to have a two finger arrow removal. They were very gentle on arrows and seemed to hold up pretty good. I disliked them because they were worthless for anything but field points, and I favor cord matts for that purpose.
Best :)
Buy some "Chubby Bunny" field points from Eclipse. Their design helps prevent target burn.
The rhino targets work great and do not mess up my finished woodies.
Rineharts are what I use and have never harmed the finish on my woodies. Might also depend on your finish too. I used gasket lacquer and 3r water based sealer. I remember years ago when I used bohning I had lots of problems with target burn. Since switching finishes its been no problem either. Dino
QuoteOriginally posted by Mike Vines:
Buy some "Chubby Bunny" field points from Eclipse. Their design helps prevent target burn.
That was going to be my suggestion as well. I've been shooting them ever since they came out and I really like them.
And they look cool too! :archer2:
QuoteOriginally posted by magnus:
A feed bag stuffed with the plastic bags from the stores. Stops arrows great and doesn't hurt the finish at all.
This method has worked real well for me too. This is all I use for broadheads now... have a Block target full of them.