I broke a cardinal rule and paid for it in the end

Troy Breeding · August 02, 2011, 03:32:00 PM

Let start by say my normal setup has been working fine. A Beman Bowhunter 300 cut to 31.25" with 250gr up front. The FOC is 20% and they bareshaft like a dream. I just thought I'd like to try for alittle more FOC.

Well, to cut to the chase I started out by cutting the bare shaft to 30.5". That's only 3/4", what could that hurt?

Daaaaaa,,,, one of my cardinal rules is to never cut over a 1/2" at one time......

Anyway, after switching to a 315gr point and taking few shots the shaft was showing way too stiff.

Now I pull out the GT brass 20gr weights. Add two and try again. Not,,,, still too stiff. I keep adding weights and shooting until the shaft shoots clean.

OK,,Now lets see what I have. 315gr point, 21gr insert, 12 ea. 20gr weights, shaft and nock. After fletching with 4" fletching it shoots great. My FOC is really great, 30.3%.

Only problem,,, the silly thing tipps the scales at 888grs.

Guess I have a start if I ever want to go after cape or asian buffalo..... :-) :-) :-)

Troy
(the big dummy that needs to think before cutting)

dixiearcher · August 02, 2011, 03:52:00 PM

Haha live and learn I guess. You never know til you try?

Troy Breeding · August 02, 2011, 04:05:00 PM

Yea, I was really hoping to get a high FOC, but not the weight. Jumping the gun cost me alot of time more than anything.

Troy

Night Wing · August 02, 2011, 04:12:00 PM

This old adage comes to me.

"If it isn't broke, don't fix it".

dragonheart · August 02, 2011, 04:16:00 PM

August 02, 2011, 04:30:00 PM

be a good sqirrel arrow, it wont go far...

Troy Breeding · August 02, 2011, 04:38:00 PM

arrow30,

It's really amazing how much flatter a UEFOC arrow flies compared to just overall weight. I used to make and shoot 800+ hickory arrows. Them puppies would drop like a rock....

When I started I thought I might end up with a max 700gr arrow with close to 30% FOC and that would have been fine.

Troy

Doc Nock · August 02, 2011, 04:43:00 PM

Pop used to tell me, "Boy, ya cut it 3 times and it's STILL too short!"

I resemble that comment and "been there done what you did"

Found carbons can show big changes in 1/4" or 1/2" depending on set up!

snakebit40 · August 02, 2011, 04:49:00 PM

I cut my last dozen to short too. I wasn't messing with weight I just started getting proper alignment and added an inch to my draw. Oh well gave me an excuse to buy some Surewood Fir's for the first time lol

igiveup · August 02, 2011, 04:57:00 PM

if they fly good shoot em. your still only about 500+ grains light according to monty browning.

that dude shoots some HEAVY arrows. no doubt they will blow thru our ohio whitetails.

mark land · August 02, 2011, 04:58:00 PM

Yep learned my lesson as well building up some heavy arrows, thought I would just install 2-100gr inserts and cutting about 2in off should be about right, uhm no, not even close way too stiff and not matter what I did could not get them close, so lost 3 arrows to that screw up! Apparently adding that much insert length inside the shaft really took alot of flex out of the arrow and could not get them anywhere close with any reasonable tip weight.

cacciatore · August 02, 2011, 05:05:00 PM

Carbon is really sensible to the lenght,half inch is a huge change.

David McLendon · August 02, 2011, 05:11:00 PM

When I bareshaft I cut small, 1/8 at a time and when I start getting close I cut even smaller until I am there. The CE heritage shafts are very sensitive to a length change, much more so that a change in tip weight.

Troy Breeding · August 02, 2011, 05:54:00 PM

I normally only cut about 1/8" at a time. For some reason my brain went into time out mode.

Troy

KentuckyTJ · August 02, 2011, 06:01:00 PM

Well it's good you only cut up one arrow........right????

Troy Breeding · August 02, 2011, 06:30:00 PM

KentuckyTJ,

Thank goodness I only cut one. My supply of 300's isn't that big.

Troy

Montauks · August 02, 2011, 08:12:00 PM

All's not lost ...add an aluminum "foot" with insert to the length ya want and give that a go....

Roadkill · August 02, 2011, 08:24:00 PM

You are Ok-that is important. Many other experienters are hurt. You only hurt a shafts choir pride

JAG · August 02, 2011, 08:53:00 PM

Old Man Breeding, That's what you get for living on the "Dark Side" too long. That and the fact you left the Heart of Dixie!!
ASTB Soot comming up soon, ya commin'?
JAG/Johnny

jhg · August 02, 2011, 09:03:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by cacciatore:
Carbon is really sensible to the lenght,half inch is a huge change.

Agreed. I shoot the same arrows (but 340's) as the original poster and even 1/4 inch cuts are a lot. I can see the difference from weak to stiff by adding or subtracting just 10 grains at the tip too. My arrow length that works is 1/4 inch shorter or longer than the ones that do not, same weight up front.

Joshua