are 4 inch feathers adequate for a 30 inch arrow out of a modern longbow or do i need to have 5 inch feathers?
I've playing around with feather sizes and I found I prefer 4". I shoot 4 4" feathers on my 30" arrow. matt
I shoot 3, 5 1/2" shield cuts. My shafts are cut 26" cause I have short arms.
Either will probably work. Depends a little on the head you're shooting. 4-inch feathers will stabilize most broadheads fairly quickly. If you're shooting a wide broadhead, 5-inchers would probably work better. I've shot 5-inchers for about 45 years now. Don't see any reason to change.
I experimented with the 4"-5" feather issue. VERY little gain in speed (2-3fps to be exact) and poor flight with my Snuffer heads at longer distances BUT, with field points they flew just fine. I'll be sticking with the 5" feathers.
QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
Either will probably work. Depends a little on the head you're shooting. 4-inch feathers will stabilize most broadheads fairly quickly. If you're shooting a wide broadhead, 5-inchers would probably work better.
Yep
Wouldn't that depend on fletch# as well? I mean, a good 4x4 fletch is pretty stabilizing. Even with my big snuffers.
i go with 5" for the largest part. i've been known to use 5.5", though especially with heavier arrows with wide broadheads.
Larger feathers will help to alleviate underlying tuning problems, or help stabilize large heads quicker--as stated above.
If you bareshaft tune your bow, and get it set up properly, then you can go to smaller fletching.
I'm shooting about 4.5" medium-profile parabolics with large snuffers up front, and it's worked out pretty well.
I also picked up some store-bought 4" 'ers for another bow, because they didn't have shafts only, and see no difference between those and my other 5" 'ers that I had on hand.
You just have to experiment, and ensure you are tuned properly in the first place.
Take Care,
Marc
I'm using four 5 inch feathers right now and have found I can pretty much strap on any head and it will fly great. I just figure that way it doesn't limit me if I want to try new heads. I can't tell a difference in arrow speed with 3 feathers or 4 or in 4 inch to 5 inch when I've tried them. I'm sure a chrono would say different, but I'm more worried about where my arrow lands.
Now, last week I did switch to bright pink 5 inch feathers and they do seem a little faster! :bigsmyl:
I have shot 3" with field points and they shoot well. I notice no difference between the 3" and 5" with field points or broadheads (Snuffer 125) out to 20yrds. That being said I use the five inch on my hunting arrows just to be on the safe side.
I use two inch on my wheeled bow with 100gr Thunderheads good for 40yrds.
I've been using 5 inch, shield cut for my 29.5 in wood arrows. They fly great.
I've switched completly to 4x4" low profile nanners on all mine...very happy with the results with any broadhead/point under any condition. Personally, I think that particular configuration is better than any other I've tried.