Cock feather Up, Vs. Cock feather Out. Which way do you shoot and why?

Arkansas Osage · May 21, 2013, 11:07:00 PM

Today I experimented with shooting my arrows cock feather up as apposed to cock feather out. I couldn't really say one way was more accurate than the other. When you shoot cock feather out the two hen feathers brush the bow, one in the corner between shelf and strike plate the other brushes the bow high on the strike plate. When you shoot cock feather up only the lower hen feather brushes the bow in the corner between shelf and plate. So I was just wondering why some people shoot cock feather up, is it to prevent fletching wear because that lower hen feather no longer brushes the bow? Or does it effect accuracy having only one hen feather contact the bow instead of two? So which way do you shoot and why? Thanks-Matt.

Bear Heart · May 21, 2013, 11:15:00 PM

Option C: cock feather in so that the top feather sits at one o'clock and touches my nose (lefty)

petalumapete · May 21, 2013, 11:17:00 PM

I'm not sure about other folks. But I tend to get better flight with the cock feather up.

rolltidehunter · May 21, 2013, 11:18:00 PM

cock feather in

Arkansas Osage · May 21, 2013, 11:19:00 PM

When I shot cock feather in I got crazy arrow flight, I mean the arrow shot out way the left (righty) like it had sprung off a diving board. All I can guess is that the feather compressed against the bows riser and propelled it back off. Plus it corkscrewed down as it went left. Cock feather in, in my opinion defies traditional logic and physics. But as I say when it comes to trad shooting, if it works for you, do it. Thanks for your input BH.

Arkansas Osage · May 21, 2013, 11:20:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by petalumapete:
I'm not sure about other folks. But I tend to get better flight with the cock feather up.

Why do you think?

QuoteOriginally posted by rolltidehunter:
cock feather in

Why?

How and WHY, why you shoot the way you do being the main question.

hitman · May 21, 2013, 11:27:00 PM

I don't know if it would be called in or not but I shoot with my cock feather so it slides in the corner of the cutout on my shelf.

Lefty · May 21, 2013, 11:41:00 PM

Up, because I get better arrow flight.

Mike Most · May 21, 2013, 11:44:00 PM

I have been shooting Cockfeather in, I was at a 3d shoot with a fella older than me, he was mid 70's and I am 10 years his junior. Shooting wood arrows off the shelf, the paradox introduced by the string launching the arrow past the springs of the bow (limbs)let the feather clear the shelf properly, he had read a few articles and suggested that I try, my group tightened up subtantially that day. That was his opinion and I am sticking to it.

Mr. fingers · May 21, 2013, 11:46:00 PM

I went through this same dilemma about 2months ago . I tried odd color feather or cock feather in the 12 o'clock and I tried it turned into the riser . But found a better way for me anyway.

I kinda do both. My cock feather (off color) out but I turn the nock so it is out but down around the 8 o'clock putting my 2 same color feathers in the position of one in the 12' o'clock and the other in the 4 o' clock . So it's kind of both. I get the best arrow flight this way. It seems this way I get a wider space between the 8&4 o'clock clearing the shelf better.

damascusdave · May 22, 2013, 12:40:00 AM

I like cock feather for the reason you indicate...not sure it makes a whole lot of difference...just works for me

damascusdave · May 22, 2013, 12:40:00 AM

Should read cock feather up

duncan idaho · May 22, 2013, 01:48:00 AM

A 4 Fletch arrow shoots good any way you use it....

Hopewell Tom · May 22, 2013, 05:41:00 AM

4 fletch here as well. Hook 'er up and let fly.

Easykeeper · May 22, 2013, 08:30:00 AM

I shoot cock feather out...anything else just looks weird to me. I've tried them all and didn't really notice a difference.

Biathlonman · May 22, 2013, 08:44:00 AM

I shoot 4 fletch or cock feather in. I seem to get better flight. I shoot right wing feathers. I've read you shoot left wing with cock out and right with cock feather in. Don't know if that's a wife's tale or not.

LittleBen · May 22, 2013, 08:50:00 AM

I'm movin towards 60x120 4 fletch. Anything 3 fletch I shoot cock feather out. Mainly because I don't find much difference and It's easier to do with my jig and wood arrows where I cant rotate the nock.

I think an arrow which is really well tuned to the bow, it won'te matter at all where the feathers are pointing. I've shot plastic vanes out of some selfbows with nearly centershot shelves and achieved very very clean arrow flight. The vanes fully clear the riser and there is no contact. Feathers should also clear the riser.

maineac · May 22, 2013, 08:56:00 AM

I don't see much difference when I shoot. I have not tried up, but in and out. I have one bow in seemed to shoot better, but it may ahave been my focus as I tested.

May 22, 2013, 10:37:00 AM

I normally shoot with my cock feather out and the bottom hen feather lined up in the corner of my shelf/riser. When I hunt I turn it so my broadhead lies horizontal during the draw and one of the feathers (it does not matter which one) lines up in the corner. As long as one feather is in the corner, the other two are oriented the same as always; just sometimes the cock feather will be in any of the three positions.

Bisch

rolltidehunter · May 22, 2013, 10:42:00 AM

i bare shaft by arrows. so it flys strait without feathers. so when i flecth them they fly even straiter. it doesnt matter if they are left right in out out up or down.