A friend recently picked up a used Howard Hill Big 5. It is 65#@28" and he is having a difficult time finding the right arrow shaft. He is drawing the bow around 27"-27 1/2". He is wanting to buy a "test kit", but I am not sure what spine range to tell him to order. The test shafts I have looked at run in 3, 5 pound increments...ie, one shaft at 60-65#, one at 65-70# and one shaft at 70-75#. Any of you Hill shooters that can help out, it will be appreciated. Thanks, Mike

I shoot 65 @ 28 inch and draw 28 inches . I cut my wood shafts 29 inches and shoot a 160 gr. tip.  75-80 spine shafts

Two points. If it is one of the Hills with a very shallow sight window, and be absolutely certain of the release point draw length. I would not at be surprised if this bow shot 55 pound cedars best at 27''. I would cut the arrows no more than 1/2'' beyond the bow for the back of point measurement.  If it is one with a bit more cut out of the sight window 60s may work best.  If the release point is under 27'' the bow will be at 60 pounds which is a five pound deduction, shallow sight window another deduction, and a standard longbow also a deduction.  160 grain points gives back 8 pounds of spine, in my experience, if it is cut 1/2 to 3/4'' beyond for bop.

I shoot a 70" 56#@28" Big Five. I pull 29" and my bow likes 2016s or 2018s.
For wood, I go 65-70 w/125 grn field points.

Under spined would be my guess. I think Laddy has it.

I shoot 65-70# cedars out of my 55# and 62# Hill Big 5s.  Sometimes go 5 pounds heavier for the 62# bow.  28-inch draw and D-97 string, 130-160 grain heads.  They all shoot well.  If you're shooting dacron and about 27 inches, I think the 65-70s may be the place to start.

Good information fellars! I am thinking he should go with the test kit from 55-70# and see how that works.........thanks! Mike

I shoot a 70lb@29" Redman. I've used 80lb spine cedar with 160 grain heads, and 85lb spine lambirch with 190 grain heads - quite effective.

I am with everyone else. I shoot my Halfbreed 52@28 arrow length 29 inches, spine 60-65.

I`m shooting a 53@27 66" Wesley .It shoots 29" 2018`s with 225 grain points really good.RC