Help! Arms too long, arrows too short

vtbebedore · January 27, 2013, 11:08:00 PM

Looking for any advice. I picked up some of the longest aluminum arrows I could find and they are still too short. I am new to trad archery, and I could use some advice. Does anyone know of a place I can get longer arrows? DO I need to change my anchor point? I have been drawing until my index finger touches the corner of my mouth. Should I try drawing to the knuckle of my thumb? A mechanical release might help, but that kind of defeats the purpose of going to traditional archery. Here are some pics of what is going on. If they don't load correctly, then I bought arrows that are 31.5" from knock to the end of the arrow and the end of the arrow is coming onto the shelf of my bow. I can shoot field tips like this but a broadhead would catch. Any advice would be appreciated.

LKH · January 27, 2013, 11:19:00 PM

Trim about 2" off each arm?

Contact a custom bowyer. You may be able to have a handle made that curves back in the middle.

Stumpkiller · January 27, 2013, 11:20:00 PM

Where are you anchoring? I'm 6'3" with a 75" armspan and get by with 30-1/2" BOP arrows by anchoring with my middle-finger-tip touching my eye-tooth.

Your image looks like the nock is near your ear.

bretto · January 27, 2013, 11:26:00 PM

I have some full length 2016's and some full length 2219's both measure 32 1/4" in length.

I have some Easton Lightspeed Carbons that are just shy of 34". There are a little longer options out there.

bretto

JRY309 · January 27, 2013, 11:27:00 PM

What poundage and arrow spine do you have? Easton has longer arrows in the stiffer spines.In their catalog they list a 2018 stock length at 32.5",2117 at 33" and some are 34" long in the stiffer spines.

vtbebedore · January 27, 2013, 11:36:00 PM

I am anchoring with my index fingertip in the corner of my mouth. I will try to post the video.

http://s1353.beta.photobucket.com/user/bebedore/media/2_zps1c704d14.mp4.html

vtbebedore · January 27, 2013, 11:40:00 PM

This arrow is an Easton xx75 gamegetter 2117. My bow is 40 @ 28" so I am guessing my draw weight is ~46lbs. As you can see this 2117 isn't 33" as advertised. I did not cut it down at all as I was already worried about length.

Bjorn · January 27, 2013, 11:51:00 PM

If you get a heavier bow-but not too heavy- your draw will shrink as the # increases. You can unlock your bow arm elbow like Howard Hill did.

Razorbak · January 27, 2013, 11:56:00 PM

the arrow would be pretty stiff even for that weight bow..looks like you could bend your elbow just a little to settle into the bow..kinda reminds me of a target style stance and draw..you could look into carbons which their is a few of them that is quite long and would work for your draw and bow weight and welcome to tradgang..there are quite a few guys here who has some serious long draws and could give you arrow choices

Over&Under · January 27, 2013, 11:59:00 PM

Still can't see your anchor in the video...it appears like you could shorten your anchor a little.

I draw 29 (middle finger to corner of mouth) and your arrow length would be plenty for me and a broadhead...I could shoot a broadhead on a 30.5" arrow with my setup

sticksnstones · January 28, 2013, 12:24:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Razorbak:
the arrow would be pretty stiff even for that weight bow..looks like you could bend your elbow just a little to settle into the bow..kinda reminds me of a target style stance and draw..you could look into carbons which their is a few of them that is quite long and would work for your draw and bow weight and welcome to tradgang..there are quite a few guys here who has some serious long draws and could give you arrow choices

Nice catch on the spine. xx78 Super Slam 2117s are still 33.25" if needed. Reference the Easton shaft chart if needed.
Thom

nineworlds9 · January 28, 2013, 12:36:00 AM

Yeah bend your bow arm some should help a bit until you get longer arrows, also if you get a chance post a pic with your front toward camera so we can see the draw and not your back

January 28, 2013, 03:01:00 AM

You could get your head forward, anchor middle finger at the corner of the mouth, get your eye over the arrow, cant the bow, open up the shoulders a bit and think Fred Bear, you can shorten your draw by an inch or more. IMHO being too upright and stiff from the shoulders up works better for targets and not so well shooting down out of a tree stand or from a kneeling position in brush.

GrayRhino · January 28, 2013, 03:37:00 AM

Sent you an email.

Hermon · January 28, 2013, 05:57:00 PM

Just how big of an ol' boy are you????? :confused: There are some options that others have mentioned. Good Luck.

manitou1 · January 28, 2013, 06:21:00 PM

Don't compromise a good/proper anchor to accomodate a short shaft. There are longer shafts out there. I draw 32.5" and have arrows that work. I shoot carbons though. CE Maxima Blue Streak, Easton Flatliners are the two primary arrows I use. Do an internet search and view arrow maker's web sites for longer shafts. I believe some aluminum arrows come in at 33".

xtrema312 · January 28, 2013, 09:30:00 PM

Post a front view and one from the back and high overhead. Those will help see what is going on. I would not give up good form. If you are very comfortable with the weight you could be over drawing. You could also be using arms, and hand too much. I got into that and was over drawing an inch for a while. I think you should also post this on the shooting page for some help on form. Make sure your form is right and then deal with the arrows. More weight will shorten your draw, but you don't want to over bow and crunch up your form.

vtbebedore · January 28, 2013, 10:33:00 PM

I am only 5' 11", but I have really long arms. Sucks buying shirts. Anyways. I tried unlocking my arm and probably something else that I am not sure about, because now I am not having as much issue with the length. I may not be getting my elbow all the way back as in the clock diagram I saw on TG. Here is a video from the other side. I may need to get some different arrows anyways, as my fletched arrows are hitting knock right. As a beginner, my plan is to shoot a couple hundred arrows to work on form, then bare shaft tune something that will hopefully work, and finally start working on accuracy.

http://s1353.beta.photobucket.com/user/bebedore/media/4_zps6e567448.mp4.html

vtbebedore · January 28, 2013, 10:35:00 PM

Thanks for the advice xtrema312. I will try adding some more views in the shooting forum. Not sure I have a good place to get an overhead shot, but I will try.

xtrema312 · January 29, 2013, 08:10:00 AM

I could see in your first pic from the back that you looked to have real long arms for the length of your upper torso, but hard to tell for sure with your shirt not tucked in and loose sleeves.

In your last video you have about 3" of arrow sticking out. I assume you have some bend in your bow arm now. It is a fast shot and hard for me to tell, but looks like your are getting your string arm back. String hand looks like it has good follow through. Other angles will tell better about that. It can be hard to see from the side. It would be easier to see what your arms are doing if you use a closer fitting t-shirt. The baggy sleeves make it harder to see the bend in your arms and other things some or the more knowledgeable people on the shooting forum will pick out.

Try slowing down the shot a little coming to full draw, good anchor and expand for the shot. Do it blind if you can. Shooting blind bail will let your brain concentrate only on the shot process and not any aiming. For me that will slow down the shot a little so I can see it better on video.

I know that I draw a little longer when I measure myself than when shooting. , I just don't get every last bit of expansion on the shot when shooting. For me it is about ¼-1/2" difference.

You can use a ladder to have someone take a pic or out of a second floor window. I clamped my video camera in the trusses in the garage to do some overhead video.