I've never tried 4 fletch before. That said, a few weeks ago I shot some 4 fletch arrows. They were set on 90 degrees. My Bitz shows a 90 degree and a 75/105 degree setting. So, the question is which seems to work better?
Danny
All I ever use is the 90.
I've always used 4x4 at 90.
I use 4 4inch set at 90 degrees. I have been shooting 4 fletch since 1969. I guess you could say I like it.
Jack
Mine is set on 90 also, but only because of others suggestions. I haven't tried the 75/105. I like the looks and it's an easy no look grab out of the quiver to align on the string.
I started off my 4 fletch with 75/105 as I read it supposed to give you better clearance.
I went to 90 for two reasons:
1) if you do 90 degrees you can turn your nock 4 times and wear all 4 feathers evenly. 75/105 you will wear out your SE and NW features if you were to think of a compass.
2) I zone out when I fletch, 90 degrees I can't screw up!
I should mention either way the arrows fly great. So all things equal, I go with easier.
Thom
When I use 4-fletch, I use 90.
Guess I'm odd man out. I like 75x105. When I was a kid the guys using four fletch in my area all seemed to use 75x105. When I started using it it was just natural to make that choice.
As far as I can tell it makes absolutely no difference in anything. Not arrow flight, bow clearance or feather wear.
Not sure how you would screw up fletching one and not the other.
I'm with Mr. Lamb, 75/105, its what my jojan came with. i hunt through thick brush with tight shooting windows. i use 5.5" bananas, probably too much feather, but i get good flight quickly.
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
Not sure how you would screw up fletching one and not the other.
You are correct sir, I was thinking I could go screw up if I didn't flip the arrow after the second fletch but that is not the case.
Thom
75/105 here
I use the 75/105. I don't really notice a difference in flight versus 90 but I figure I can only gain increased clearance if it even makes a difference.
60/120 4 fletch. Danny let me know if you are interested in this fletch configuration.
http://www.arrowskp.com/Kelly_s_Tips.html#setup-tuning
I went to 4" fletch when I went to 4x90. Plenty of clearance and plenty of feather
I use 4 x 90,I don't think it makes a big difference on a well tuned arrow.I have done the 75 x 105,60 x 120 and they shot fine also but I like the 4 x 90.Even did 4 x 90 on some of my Axis FMJ,they fly great.
All I gave ever shot was 90....but I doubt it really matters if it's 75 105
I have a Jo-Jan right wing and do 60-120 and they fly great. Don't know if this helps.
75 / 105 ......great arrow flight.... shoot them either direction .....makes no difference.....
I've used both ways and doesn't matter, but prefer 75x105 for looks. The reason I use 4 fletch is just nock and shoot. Also I use a low profile banana cut.
:archer2:
I've shot both and settled on the 90x90. Both work well and I doubt that you could find any difference accuracy wise.
A bit of history: 4-fletch goes back many years, I've seen it pictured as far back as the 50's, always 90x90. 75x105 showed up with compounds to give better cable clearance.
4 x 90 here-Hap
75/105 here
90 has worked great for me
I use both and cant tell the difrence dont think il ever go back to 3 fletch
60/120 or 75/105 or 90/90 - don't matter, pick one or all and try 'em out. most of mine are 75/105 though i do use 90/90 sometimes. i only do a 4-flech low profile banana shape. all my 3-fletch are big custom burnt shields. it's all good! :cool:
Here is a smidgen of archery history regarding 4 fletch.
When plastic fletching first appeared it was on the target scene (FITA)where distances shot were out to 90 meters.
A guy named Max Hamilton introduced his plastic fletch and it was tiny and made of very hard and brittle plastic. Four fletch gained popularity.
Often when a bad release was made or the bow was torqued a little the fletch would make contact with the bow in passing.
This most often resulted in the hard plastic fletch shattering leaving the arrow to go down range with less or even no fletch... not so good for accuracy.
75x105 became popular for the increased clearance it allowed. This all occurred before the compound bow was a twinkle in Mr. Allen's eye.
Those little plastic fletchings also spawned the flexible rest and cushion plunger and soon lead to softer plastics being used for fletching.
I've been using 4" 4 fletch alternating chartruse and orange feathers, shows up like a beacon in flight.
Forgot to add, it does look cool and no cock feather.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v75/varmint101/5CB49B64-39B4-4246-95F4-97DAB055ED36_zps8uaml4hb.jpg)
Looking for advice. I use three 4" feathers with 48 lb pull. Arrows fly straight. Thinking about trying four 3" fletching. Seems like it should work just as well with the amount of surface area guiding the arrow. Anybody tried this?
This stuff is so good! I'm glad I started this discussion. Thanks for the bit of history Charlie!!
I think archery would be much better off today if Mr. Allen had not had the twinkly eyes, but that's just my humble opinion. :D
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
60/120 or 75/105 or 90/90 - don't matter, pick one or all and try 'em out. most of mine are 75/105 though i do use 90/90 sometimes. i only do a 4-flech low profile banana shape. all my 3-fletch are big custom burnt shields. it's all good! :cool:
Rob, how long are the. Bananas you use? I see some choppers to make them 5 3/4 but not sure if that's the standard for low profile.
Hey Danny... I switched to 4 x 90 and it has improved my arrow flight and during hunting, I don't have to find the index
Hi Steve -
That's what I was thinking about doing for my hunting set up this fall. May not improve my hunting, but the arrow flight should be pretty good!
:saywhat:
Done both. Both fly well. Prefer 4 X 90 for the symmetry of it all.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j456/jalariso/DSCN2165.jpg) (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/jalariso/media/DSCN2165.jpg.html)
For the last 12 years I've used 4" 75 X 105. Can't think of a reason to change.
QuoteOriginally posted by TaterHill Archer:
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
60/120 or 75/105 or 90/90 - don't matter, pick one or all and try 'em out. most of mine are 75/105 though i do use 90/90 sometimes. i only do a 4-flech low profile banana shape. all my 3-fletch are big custom burnt shields. it's all good! :cool:
Rob, how long are the. Bananas you use? I see some choppers to make them 5 3/4 but not sure if that's the standard for low profile. [/b]
for carbons, a tad over 4" in length for a lo-profile 75x105 4-fletch.
here's how to convert a large hi-profile banana to a lo-profile shorter length ...
mod yer banana chopper! (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000107)
Scott, I've made arrows for others using 3" four fletch and they have all been very happy. As long as the arrows are well tuned to the bow it is enuf feather.
i think it's Important that a hunting arrow carry as much fletching surface as possible, and be helical, all to aid in accomplishing two things ... [1] get the shaft to straighten out from paradox as quickly as possible, and [2] to steer a broadhead as best as possible.
though i've used a 4" lo-pro banana offset 4-fletch with good hunting results, imo that type of fletching isn't gonna be as "consistent" as a 5.5" hi-pro shield cut 3-fletch with lotsa helical. jmho.
I like 4x4" at 90 but I have never tried the other.
Rob -
I hear what you are saying about the 5.5" shields. That's what I mainly use now. These are the 4 fletch I've been shooting.
(http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/bard9l/IMG_2104_zps18ff5b0c.jpg) (http://s41.photobucket.com/user/bard9l/media/IMG_2104_zps18ff5b0c.jpg.html)
They measure 4.5" and are the same profile as my 5.5" hi-pro shields. They are 60/64 Douglas Fir with 160 gr. points. Although they are much heavier in weight and hit lower at 20 yards, from what I see, they fly as good (consistent) as my 55/59 gr. cedars with the 5.5" hi-pro shields.
That said, the 5.5" shields are white and I actually see (they are spinning like a top) those much better in flight than the yellow w/ white nock.
I shoot 4" sheild cut at 90 and have no problems at all.
Steve
Rob -
Forgot to mention that the only reason I was considering the 4 fletch was the fact that the 5.5" fletching hit the handle on my Hill bows. They are braced at 6.25".
ric - yeah, i hear ya, but it's ok to have the fletch lay over the shelf. i think you'll find that even howard's shaft feathers went well over the rest, too.
here's a 4" fat shield 75x105 4-fletch burn that's been pretty effective for me, even as just an offset fletch. the collective effective fletch area is the same, if not more, than a 5.5" shield 3-fletch. one can get very creative with burner nichrome wire. :cool:
(http://rfd.cc/pb/archery/4fletch.jpg)
Does anybody use 5" feathers with a four fletch configuration? It seems most of you are using 3-4" feathers, but I would think 4 five inchers would give really good control...might be something to play with when this broken pelvis heals.
QuoteOriginally posted by jkm97:
Does anybody use 5" feathers with a four fletch configuration? It seems most of you are using 3-4" feathers, but I would think 4 five inchers would give really good control...might be something to play with when this broken pelvis heals.
oh yeah, lotsa guys use 5" for a 4-fletch - terry green (90x90), charlie lamb (75x105) to name a few (IF i remember correctly, i'm sure they'll chime in if i'm off base!), me too (75x105).
Cool. I may give that a try. I know my bitz has a four-fletch setting.
I shot 4 5in for a while but switched to 3 in while trying out Efoc carbons. I really haven't noticed a difference in flight. I am hoping to shoot in some cross wind to see what difference it makes.
90X90 4" feathers for me works great.
I've been shooting 75 105 4" 4 fletch parabolics since I got back into trad.
It just works. I've never hit bow season and screwed in broadheads, and had any surprises.