What are the disadvantages of a long arrow?

threeunder · February 14, 2012, 06:04:00 PM

Are their disadvantages to shooting 30" arrows if your arrow length should be, let's say, 27"?
Obviously,I'm still learning the technical side of trad shooting, so please forgive my ignorance.
Ken

wtpops · February 14, 2012, 06:12:00 PM

There is only a minimum arrow length and that would be, IMO, 1" longer than your draw length so as you draw a broad head back you dont hit your finger. Longer than that is a personal preference and should be dictated by tune. Nothing wrong with having a 27" draw and a 30 or 32" arrow.

Bowwild · February 14, 2012, 06:16:00 PM

Lots of people do it. Some are folks who want a "point on" distance of 20 yards instead of a more typical 30 yard+. Most do it because as they tune the arrow to their bow and shooting style, that's the length that flies best.

If the arrow flies well and you are satisfied with the sight picture, I wouldn't think there are any disadvantages. Personally, I go for only 1-2" beyond the back of the bow because of the sight picture I prefer.

fz4vgq · February 14, 2012, 06:16:00 PM

Nothing at all. For short draw length guys like me (25"~) having much longer arrows is just a fact of life. I shoot 28.5" arrows with just about all my bows. Works fine.

drewsbow · February 14, 2012, 06:19:00 PM

If tuned well then a longer arrow is more stable in flite

Prairie Drifter · February 14, 2012, 06:23:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by fz4vgq:
Nothing at all. For short draw length guys like me (25"~) having much longer arrows is just a fact of life. I shoot 28.5" arrows with just about all my bows. Works fine.

Not for me. I have a 26" and All my arrows are 27",carbon,aluminum and wood. Just how I learned 30yrs ago, can't change now.

Orion · February 14, 2012, 06:24:00 PM

No problem with longer arrows on the target range, but it's amazing what an arrow three inches longer than it needs to be catches on when hunting. Creates more movement in nocking an arrow. The arrows stick out more from a bow quiver, back quiver, just about any quiver and catch on/brush against more brush making more noise. In a bow quiver, the nocks usually rest dig into the ground and get filled with dirt if you lean your strung bow against a tree, etc.

I realize that a lot of carbon shooters leave their arrows longer to achieve the proper tune. However, it would seem they could drop down in spine a bit (i.e. buy different shafts with greater deflection) and shorten the arrows to about one inch behind the point.

alligatordond · February 14, 2012, 06:33:00 PM

With wood arrows shorter tends to stay straighter than longer arrows. That being said I have a 25 inch draw and cut
my arrows at 28. Hunted them for years with no issues.

Shan · February 14, 2012, 07:10:00 PM

longer arrow = more overall weight but also detracts from %FOC if you're into such things

Night Wing · February 14, 2012, 07:13:00 PM

I think it boils down to personal preference.

I have a 30" draw length and I shoot 32" back of point arrows. Why? Since I shoot off the shelf, I don't want the back of a razor sharp broadhead anywhere near the knuckles of my hand (in front and below the shelf) holding my bow.

My index knuckle sticks out 1/2" in front and below the shelf. So I have a 1 1/2" margin of safety.

JamesKerr · February 14, 2012, 07:17:00 PM

I let my tuning dictate as to where I cut my arrows. Some of my shafts may end up 28.5" long (which would be my minimum as I have a 27.5" draw), but some other arrows may end up around 30-31"

YORNOC · February 14, 2012, 07:17:00 PM

Hunted all over US and Canada with full length arrows. No problems.

Leland · February 14, 2012, 08:15:00 PM

I stopped cutting my arrows a while ago,no problems.Do what works for you and have fun with it,nothing is written in stone.
Leland

Longbowwally · February 14, 2012, 08:24:00 PM

I switched to full length arrows last year and here's a few reasons I love shooting full length arrows:

1. A longer sight plane helps in your left to right alignment on the target/
2. I shot 29" arrows for many years. My gap was way under the target at 20 yards. Longer arrows closed my gap substantially. This means my margin for up/down error is much lower and so I shoot better.

soaring eagle · February 14, 2012, 08:26:00 PM

I guess if you dont like more stable arrow flight and a better "sight picture" those would be disadvantages

Rustic · February 14, 2012, 08:43:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by ken613:
Are their disadvantages to shooting 30" arrows if your arrow length should be, let's say, 27"?
Obviously,I'm still learning the technical side of trad shooting, so please forgive my ignorance.
Ken

Ken, good post. Right now (as I type) I'm thinking about staying with my new full length 32" shafts. I will adjust the point weight first and adjust the length later.
Happy Hunting Hunting

Jake Diebolt · February 14, 2012, 08:49:00 PM

I think I remember reading in G. Fred Asbell's latest book that shorter arrows were more stable than longer arrows...?

I can't see a couple inches making a difference, though. If it flies goood, it flies good.

threeunder · February 14, 2012, 09:32:00 PM

Thanks guys....another one of my many questions answered.
I draw 28.5 and arrows are 30" so I don't guess there's any reason I asked other than my curiosity.
Thanks to all
Ken

ChuckC · February 14, 2012, 09:36:00 PM

Gene and Barry show, in one of their videos, the advantage of very long arrow length. They say it helps with point-on aiming.
ChuckC

February 14, 2012, 10:40:00 PM

I'll take an arrow that is 3" too long and well tuned over an arrow that has no extra length and not tuned well any day.

So, if your arrow is well tuned and 3" long then leave it alone and go shoot.

Bisch