Hey guys. I am shooting a samick sage. 45# @28. I picked up some 400 GT traditionals. After some research, I thought they might be too stiff. Bare shaft proved this. I picked up some GT 500. Full length. Just looking for some input of where to start with these. I want to do this as economical as possible, to make this half dozen work the best I can. I am shooting 125 gr tips. Any suggestions on what arrow length to start at? Should I make one arrow bare to test with and set up 1 or 2 fletched to start with?
Thanks in advance!!
I would say the answer to your last question is "yes". As for what length to start with; full length. If you want to use a light 125 gr point they will have to be full length or very close to it. If you're willing to work up to 175gr points, you may be able to cut some off. Just do it in very small increments. Once you get close to the right length, 1/4" will make a huge difference.
Also, don't forget that a bareshaft requires a perfect release, which most of us don't do 100% of the time. Don't judge your results on a single arrow. Shoot at least 10 times with the bareshaft and fletched and keep track of where each shot hits. Throw out the results of the shots that are out of the group and look at the balance of the shots to make a determination of stiff/weak.
Ron gave you some good information already.
I would start full length and cut 1/8 at a time until you are in the ballpark.
Don't fletch any until you're done bareshafting.
Start with full length and work your way down as stated above.
I think that should answer all your questions.
You will probably be close to full length. if you want to save on effort, you can permanently glue your inserts in and cut from the back of the arrow since your nock can be removed. do it that way if you don't care where the label is in relation to your fletching.
But like we said before, you probably won't have to take much off.
Where are you located in Va. The CTA is putting on a arrow tunning clinic during their shoot next week end. They said they would have bare shafts to shoot.
I have been setting up a new bow and shooting bare shafts 30 plus yards. I will give it a while rechecking brace height allowing the string to settle in. Little things like wraps can make a difference when trying to bare shaft a perfect arrow.