I am going to Africa in May and am trying to tune arrows that are a bit heavier than my norm. I am also using MFX Classic shafts because they are narrower and heavier that my GT Trad's...  My finished arrows are about 585 grains with 275 grains total weight up front and Abowyer BH's. This set up is about 100 grains heavier than my GT's.  

Should I stop here?

This is about 18 yards...

 

that sure is a tight group.  are you happy with that? (i know i would be.)

Just trying to figure out why the bare shaft is always a bit low and cocked right?

I'd say spine is to Heavy. Add weight or shoot longer shafts..You should be able to shoot a bare shaft 30yds and have straight impact.

Personally I would back on up to 30 yds, or as far as I could hold a decent group, and shoot 3 bare shafts and three fletched shafts and see where the bare shafts consistantly group in relation to your fletched shafts. I wrap 12" of electrical tape around my bare shafts where the feathers will go represent the weight of the feathers and when everything is right fletched and bare shafts will group together.

Yep, 2x on spine too heavy if it bare shafts there several times consistently, but a month out? I'd quit right where you are and just shoot, shoot, shoot.

That looks pretty close to me. When I am tuning I ignore the angle of the shaft as O.L. Adcock recommends and just look at where my bareshafts group according to a fletched set of field points. Some bows though are very tolerant of spine and will shoot a wide range of bare shafts equally well. The main thing is if you are happy with it and that your broadheads fly straight and true, cause in the long run that is all that matters.

Africa in May!! You lucky dog Coaster! You won't be hunting in the rain so you don't have to worry about matted down fletch and BH's. Shoot a couple of arrows with BH's and see if the are going where you are looking and it they land straight on, that should be the test.
I'd say you should put in some time with the camera so you can entertain us with the pics!! Have a great trip Coaster and make sure your PH has got your back!          

You are never going to shoot a bare shaft at any animal and your group looks nice and tight.  I'd stop tuning and just shoot.

I am going to the range tomorrow to get some more distance. I'll take my old set up and decide there? I am a max 25 yard shooter except one time and I didn't know I was 29 yards. It just felt right and I let her go. Turn out my brain was right and it worked out?

Bjorn I have shot some BH with the same result and point of impact. I am using Abowyer's with Titanium inserts....  and yes I am a lucky dog with a very understanding wife who says a hunt in Africa is an appropriate self gift for a guy who just turned sixty  

If you are shooting BH and field points into the same group then you are good to go.  I agree, take lots of pictures and you are lucky.  Hope the luck holds and have a great time.

As for the bareshaft hitting low that would indicate your nocking point is a tad high. You might lower it a 1/16" and see how it responds. Then when it groups with the fletched shafts back up. If it still flies good your golden. If you see that bareshaft hitting to the left and canting to the left the it is showing too stiff. If it is just hitting the target leaning to the left but hitting in line with the fletched arrows I'd hold up there and start shooting broadheads! Hope you have a great adventure.

I have bare shafted for 10 years it is over rated,remember KISS,right now I am shooting a arrow that is stiff for my set up,but with feathers and broadheads they hit right where I am looking unless I have a form break.I have yet to have an animal complain that my arrow was not tuned right.Dont over think this your group is great have fun!!

2020, would you care to explain how you get proper flight from you stiff arrow with a broadhead. I am new to  but have had this conversation over on A.......T... And I am from your school of thought, so could you tell me what you do. Also can someone tell me if a tuning thread should be here or in shooters FORM. Sorry I don't want to hijack your thread OP but I felt it could help all involved.

Also good luck and God bless on your trip, I will pray for your safe and successful foray into Africa.

Snag I did adjust the nock down a slight bit..... Still hitting a bit low with the bare shaft but better. We will see at the range in the morning with some distance...

Thanks all I am really looking forward to this trip  

Man you are one lucky dude. I'm looking forward to the pics and tales, hopefully both will be plenty.  What animals are on your list.

Should be a spectacular trip.

Personally I tune my BH's 5 yards further than I plan to shoot and also at 3 yards. Just a personal choice and serves me well in quelling any of my own concerns.

Stop

Kip, are you lucky enough to go to Africa with a bow you made? What is the poundage of the bow you are taking and what are you planning on hunting? I wish you the best of luck and can say from first hand experience that if you are shooting a bow you made you will be shooting a high quality, awesome bow. Please take some pictures for us that are stuck here in the States.

Personally, I prefer the method as explained by Paul. If you follow his examples, it is easy as it gets.

http://elitearrows.com/proper-arrow/

Good luck in Africa.