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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Tedd on June 09, 2014, 03:42:00 PM

Title: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Tedd on June 09, 2014, 03:42:00 PM
Been using 5 1/2" shield cut forever. Lately my Black Widow PCH is so quiet I hear the feathers going over the rest. Just wondering what size feathers everyone uses.
Tedd
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Sam McMichael on June 09, 2014, 03:44:00 PM
Generally, 5 inch shields.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Gooserbat on June 09, 2014, 03:46:00 PM
Been shooting more 4"X 4 fletch lately because the local shops don't carry much 5" stuff any more.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: JEFF B on June 09, 2014, 03:50:00 PM
i use 5" pope and young style
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Pops on June 09, 2014, 03:52:00 PM
I use 5&1/2 shield on my wood arrows
and 5" shield on my carbons.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Piratkey on June 09, 2014, 03:55:00 PM
4 x 4" trueflight parabolic,for me.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Jake Scott on June 09, 2014, 03:58:00 PM
Four five inch shields.  I like a lot of feather.

Jake
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: mahantango on June 09, 2014, 04:02:00 PM
4" shield or parabolic. Less drag, and if your arrows are tuned well it's all you need.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Alexander Traditional on June 09, 2014, 04:15:00 PM
I'm using 5" shields,but just bought a feather burner and I'm going to start experimenting,but it will probably still be 5" in length.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: jackdaw on June 09, 2014, 04:20:00 PM
I like five and a half inch banana cut 4.5-inch parabolic cut.... when using three fletch arrows. I also like 4" x4  shield  cut.... all are very stable.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Pat B on June 09, 2014, 04:43:00 PM
5 1/2" shields or my own burn pattern.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: JRY309 on June 09, 2014, 04:43:00 PM
I used to shoot 5&1/2" shield or parabolic on my woods arrows.Then down to 5" for my carbons and aluminum.Lately I have really come to like 4-4" for all my arrows.I even did some Axis with 4-4" feathers.I do tune my arrows very well and don't think it makes a big difference if your arrows are tuned well.I do use 3-4" on my real skinny arrows like my Easdton Injexion.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Wheels2 on June 09, 2014, 05:23:00 PM
3 x 4"
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Cwilder on June 09, 2014, 05:43:00 PM
4" shield
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Owlmagnet on June 09, 2014, 05:43:00 PM
I use 5 1/2" shield cuts on my wooden arrows, but recently, I have started reducing their height with a feather burner. They still fly very well, but I think reducing the height by @ 1/8" has made them a lot quieter.

I have decided my next dozen cedars will have a 4" 4 fletch, and have purchased full-length feathers--so I can get two fletches per feather, rather than just one 5 1/2" fletch.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: nineworlds9 on June 09, 2014, 05:45:00 PM
3x 5" shield or 4" parabolic depending on what mood I'm in LOL
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: dnovo on June 09, 2014, 06:04:00 PM
I've been shooting banana fletch for 20+ years. Lately I've been reducing them down to about 4.5" from the big 5.5" ones. Took an 1/8" off the height also and haven't noticed any loss in steering.
Feather burner makes it easy to experiment.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Jack Hoyt 75 on June 09, 2014, 06:13:00 PM
5" Truflight Shield and Parabolic left wing.  I have considered going to 4" in the future on my Axis Trads.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: halfseminole on June 09, 2014, 06:16:00 PM
I'm transitioning to 6.5" or so by 1/2" tall three fletch, like most Asian countries as well as most native peoples here in the Southeast.  I find they're accurate as well as dead silent, but a longer arrow requires a longer control surface.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Troy D. Breeding on June 09, 2014, 06:53:00 PM
four 2" at 90 degrees
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: ISP 5353 on June 09, 2014, 07:00:00 PM
3 X 4" parabolic.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Sirius Black on June 09, 2014, 07:37:00 PM
4 or 5 inch fletch, they fly the same for me.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: BOWMARKS on June 09, 2014, 08:32:00 PM
4x4 Since I started.   :archer2:
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: karrow on June 09, 2014, 08:56:00 PM
4in and 4 1/2in
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: TaterHill Archer on June 09, 2014, 09:28:00 PM
Trying some gator vanes in different lengths.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: on June 09, 2014, 09:37:00 PM
4-3/4" bananers about 7/8" tall is what im burning now, I like em. used to be a shield man.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Pete McMiller on June 09, 2014, 09:41:00 PM
3 X 3" are shooting great for me this summer down from 3 x 5".  Parabolic
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Tedd on June 09, 2014, 09:46:00 PM
Thank you!
OK, good to know. I've always used the 5 1/2" feathers so when I put on 5" on they look really small.  sounds like most use a smaller feather.
One thing that got me considering smaller feathers is the wind. It's been so breezy here lately. The rear of my arrows really move in the wind. I switched to parallel carbon from tapered carbon. I'm using the Three River Trad only 300s. I switched to them for the consistency, straightness and 33" length. I'm really starting to like them. The tapered were less affected by the wind and a bit easier to tune but spine and straightness was a concern.
The 5 1/2"  feather make a little noise on the shelf of this bow. I use the 200 gr VPA 3 blade.
Tried one tonight with 5" truflights and a 2 blade Magnus, seemed the steer it just fine. Couldn't see any difference in flight. Harder to see may but I didn't get the shaft cap dipped for testing. Definitely quieter!
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Tedd on June 09, 2014, 09:47:00 PM
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: larry on June 09, 2014, 10:00:00 PM
four 3.5" feathers
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: monkeyball on June 09, 2014, 10:07:00 PM
4" steer most of my shafts. Sometimes in a 3 fletch,sometimes in a four. Parabolic is my preferred cut,seems to fly a little quieter,if I can hear the deer can also.

 I had a carbon that needed refletched before the Marsh Hill shoot, just for kicks I Platinumed 3-3" Parabolics to it. That arrow could have given driving lessons to the others ,really surprised me.

                                                   Good Shooting,
                                                                    Craig
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: KenH on June 09, 2014, 10:11:00 PM
I use the ancient Chinese system - my arrows are 1/5 the length of my shafts, an only as tall as the diameter of the shaft.  More than enough stabilize an arrow properly.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Drewster on June 09, 2014, 10:14:00 PM
4" shields for most arrows.  5" for some cane shafts.  You don't need a lot of feather if the shaft is properly tuned.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: GreyGoose on June 09, 2014, 10:28:00 PM
Prefer 5" shields, but like some others, have noticed they're harder to find.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: PopeandYoung_51 on June 10, 2014, 02:18:00 AM
I have been using 5.5" shields. Recently, I have been playing with Turbonocks and I don't think I need to shoot both. I think it's overkill.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: cahaba on June 10, 2014, 03:17:00 AM
I use 5" shield cut real wild turkey feathers. Been thinking about going to 4 4" parabolic.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Mike Gerardi on June 10, 2014, 03:28:00 AM
3  5in feathers of various shapes, or 4  4in.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Randy Koleno on June 10, 2014, 09:25:00 AM
I use 5", mostly because I like the look of them.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Longbow58 on June 10, 2014, 09:52:00 AM
I like to use 3, 5" Truflite barred shield cut.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: joe ashton on June 10, 2014, 10:01:00 AM
4x4"   :archer2:
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: 2bird on June 10, 2014, 11:37:00 AM
Been shooting 2 1/2 - 3" but am going to switch to 4"
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Timbuck2 on June 10, 2014, 10:02:00 PM
5" shield.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: thump on June 10, 2014, 10:07:00 PM
5 1/2" shield cuts on my wooden arrows also.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Biathlonman on June 11, 2014, 12:17:00 PM
4" parabolic for carbon, 5" parabolic for wood
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: DaveT1963 on June 11, 2014, 12:35:00 PM
three 5 inch LW shield cut
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Hoyt on June 11, 2014, 05:13:00 PM
Three 3" Magnus Shields.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: randy grider on June 12, 2014, 07:19:00 PM
3 4" shield cuts. With properly spined/tuned arrows, it doesn't take much. They are quiet, and fast
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Mud_Slide_Slim on June 12, 2014, 07:28:00 PM
4x4" and sometimes 4x3"...all parabolic on carbons.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: yeager on June 13, 2014, 01:33:00 PM
I use 5" parabolic.  Have used shield and banana cuts in the past, but always gravitate back to parabolic.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: elknutz on June 13, 2014, 01:38:00 PM
4X4" para usually, like the look of shield a little better.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: bogeyrider63 on June 13, 2014, 01:48:00 PM
3x5" parabolic.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Bjorn on June 13, 2014, 03:09:00 PM
3 5" shields that I chop a little lower than a production feather.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Terry Green on June 13, 2014, 06:45:00 PM
5 mostly...sometimes 5.5
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: DennyK on June 13, 2014, 06:47:00 PM
3-5" shields.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: JamesKerr on June 13, 2014, 09:00:00 PM
3 x 4" or 4 x 4" for me.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Sharp Stick on June 13, 2014, 11:39:00 PM
I say put as much feather on as you can.  I use 5" Parabolic
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: hitman on June 14, 2014, 01:41:00 AM
I use 5 inch feathers on my woodies.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on June 14, 2014, 10:09:00 PM
4x3" low profile naners, or 4x2" high profile naners.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: sunshine on June 15, 2014, 07:39:00 AM
for summer fun and smaller broadheads (stingers, regular silver flames, helix) I like 4x3". bigger heads 4x4" for sure. this spring I started playing with a 3D setup and found that with a well tuned 2016 a 2x3" fell very well and did not drop off after 25 yds as bad as other fletches. but that is only for target fun. I like trying different things.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: Stickbow on June 15, 2014, 11:17:00 AM
Always been 5 inch para or shield. Recently I bought a low banana chopper. 30" 340's w/220 upfront are driving so nice bareshat I am going to try and lessen my profile................we will see.
Title: Re: What size feathers does everyone use?
Post by: ddauler on June 15, 2014, 12:39:00 PM
Big!