I recently built a new R/D longbow for myself , #50 @ 28" ,I draw right at 27.5" so the bow pulls around #48 for me. I bare shafted some 45/50's cut @ 29" today and with 160's they fly like darts. This puts me right over 10gpp. My question is..... most spine charts show 55/60's for the 160's , just curious if other shooters get similar results ? should the 45/50's be weak?
I don't shoot wood, but spine varies from shooter to shooter based on form. If it works it works. 3 guys with the same bow and draw length could very well all shoot different arrows.
A pic of the new bow .... (http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz127/dc1502/green%20bow.png) (http://s820.photobucket.com/user/dc1502/media/green%20bow.png.html)
It seems that you have found the right spine/point weight combo for you and that bow. A spine chart is simply going to give you a reasonably close starting point. 10 gpp is just about perfect, too.
Nice looking bow.
Like the rest said,if they shoot great go to it.With wood many combos will work,just have to shoot them.
What material are the shafts? Keep in mind that most charts were developed based on cedar shafts. Going to a different species of wood, even with the same deflection, can have different dynamic spine.
It has been said above. If it works... don't break it. Nice job on the bow.
Great advice from all but remember this your string will play a part in how your arrow spine. the tighter the nock fits on the string the weaker the arrow spine.
I'm betting they would still look good with 145 or even 125 grain heads. But if ain't broke don't fix it.
Each bow/shooter combo is a little different and depth of shelf cut makes a huge difference in spine needs. If you are cut a little out from center, this doesn't sound off to me. If you want to check flight a little more precise, paper tuning works great for me. Actual arrow flight is what really counts, not what the charts say.
Well .... This bow is cut to center, I also shot some 2018's with 200grains up front. The bareshaft hits stiff but with a 160 snuffer and glued on a 40gr adapter they fly to center? I went back and shot the 45/50 cedars with 160's and now they show stiff. Must be form related.....LOL.
I would really like to tune this rig out for 10gpp. The area that I am hunting will demand farther shots so I want to keep the trajectory fairly flat.The 2018's fly well but at 12.5 gpp they drop quick.
If you were to stick with aluminum's I'd look into getting 1916's.
For my 52 pound bear takedown the charts say I need a 50-55 28 inch arrow with 125 grain point. After bareshaft tuning I acually use a 65-70 with a 125 grain point.
Spine charts cant take into account form,different rests,strings,silencers and nock fit ect. They are never correct for me at least,like others said they are just a general starting point.
Thinking backwards :rolleyes:
Go to 190s and cut from there if then too light in spine.
Hey all, greetings from Kansas. I am also looking at getting some woodies like the OP. I'm shooting a new Bear Grizzly, 55lb, drawing 29", so really about 57.5lb ish. Would like to shoot some 190 gr Grizzlies from 3 rivers, they're calculator says I need 80-85lb shafts (POC) at 30" BOP to nock valley. Does that sound about right to anyone? Rather be a touch weak and cut down the shaft if necessary. Thanks in advance
Hey Chris, and welcome!
That sounds like the area you need to be.
BUT
The best thing going for folks wanting to shoot woods is to have a test kit of arrows made up, in your case, those 30" BOPs are great and then use the weight head you want, and have a range to test out 75-80, 80-85, 85-90 (I'd get Surewood Doug Fir shafts), two (or three) arrows in each range.
Some of our great arrowsmith sponsors would be willing to help you out, I'm sure.
Is there any particular reason for Doug fir over cedar? Trying for a higher foc trad arrow for my new bow. Thanks for the thoughts..
i personally like to use spruce- light and strong- then i can put a heavier head on- to get the GPP up and get the really good FOC.
spruce is really tough too!
QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Pharr:
Is there any particular reason for Doug fir over cedar? Trying for a higher foc trad arrow for my new bow. Thanks for the thoughts..
Of all the shafts I've used, Surewood's is by far the best. I have not used every vendor's product, but of those I have, Surewood is very consistent and the straightest, and the most weight consistent as well. I don't worry about FOC or extreme FOC. I just want well tuned arrows that fly true.
I have been wanting to try Wapiti shafts. I have not bought any from Rose City, either. Yet.
Yeah alot of great suggestions, like bud b. say s get some varied shafts to try. Be sure to stay with one flavor of wood, pine, fir etc.
Every shooter is different, we are "custom made"! Charts are for foundations, like buying jeans at Walmart, close but not custom fit!