Howdy folks,

Something's been bugging me as I learn modern archery-math (spine, arrow weight, front-weight, etc)...namely if I want to use a glue-on broadhead with an arrow insert I need an adapter.

Now these adapters are available in a variety of weights, none of which are zero.

So therein is my question. If I'm shooting a 125gr broadhead (say on a wooden arrow) and shooting it well with a particular bow - if I put that same broadhead on a carbon arrow that needs a 100gr adapter as well haven't I just upset my front-end weight?

125gr broadhead + 100gr adapter = 225gr, right?

Am I making too much of this?  Haven't tried this yet, just wondering.

Thanks,
AJ

You'll be fine to shoot that kinda weight out front, I use a 100gr insert with 145gr broad head. You'll just need to use a little stiffer spine or shorter arrow if you want to use carbon. Need bow specs, draw length to make your arrow choice easier as well.

Ace archery makes glue on adapters that will bring you closer.  For example, I replaced the 75 grain brass inserts in my Axis Traditionals with Ace 75 grain glue on adapters and now I can use my 160 grain STOS broadheads.  No extra adapters.

Adapters can be as light at 17 gr.

But comparing wood arrows to carbon is dangerous.

Most carbon arrows are stiff and recover from paradox very rapidly so they take a lot more weight up front to get around the riser.

Give it a try and you'll see for yourself.

Mike

What Mike said X2.
an Aluminum adapter is light weight and should not make much difference in a set up.
HOWEVER,
Carbon arrows will most likely need more point weight. Don't let that scare you either. At hunting distance, it is just fine most of the time.

Wood, carbon, and aluminum are all different beasts.

My recommendation is to pick one and stay with it while you are getting your feet wet with trad gear.

I did that and started with carbon.  Feel like I truly am starting to understand carbons.  Have been toying with fooling with wood or aluminum, but it is a bit overwhelming.

Oh! and, by the way, most carbons will require you to shoot a lot of weight up front.  I regularly shoot 200 to 300 grains up front.  Even shoot 400 with one setup I've been fooling with.

Just depends on the arrow and spine you end up with. For elk I use a heavy stiff arrow with 100gr brass insert and 125gr head, for the setup I'm using for deer, I'm using a lighter less stiff arrow with the same 125gr head, but the insert I am using is only the 11gr aluminium insert that comes with the arrow. Both fly great and approximately the same speed but are about a 120 grains difference in weight.

Where in Colorado are you, if anywhere close to Denver, go to Rocky Mountain Specialty Gear in Arvada, they have loads of test arrows you can shoot in the shop and get tuned up.

Howdy Chief (was a 2nd class myself),

I plan to do just that (visit RMSG), but haven't had the chance yet. I'm up north and west of Fort Collins so I need at least two good reasons to make the trek down to the big city!

Just picked up a nice '72 Bear KH and was using it to try to understand arrow math and science.  

Thanks all, appreciate the time!

AJ

Add the weight of your chosen broadhead you want to use, add the weight of the adapter (can be very light aluminum) and choose a field point close to that weight. Then start with a bare shaft full length and tune it by cutting a little at a time. Your bh combo should work then. If you use a long enough arrow of the correct spine you don't need excessive up front weight to get them to fly right. I can get a hunting arrow to tune with 160 gr. or so.